Café Ambio at J36, Crooklands, sits at the heart of one of Cumbria's busiest rural auction marts, with a specials menu on auction days crafted specifically for farm clients. Run across two generations, the Southcott family combines strategic leadership with hands-on daily operations, built on quality, honesty, and care. The home-made food offer includes hundreds of weekly sausage rolls, Ambio breakfasts, the famous Ploughman's Lunch, and signature Arabica coffee. Genuine commitment to local sourcing sees the café partner with Cumbrian producers including Winter Tarn Dairy and Hawkshead Relish. The result: a mart café truly valued by farmers, locals, and visitors alike.

My name is Chantelle, I’m 32 and a proud mum to Isla-Rose and Mason. In April 2025, I was given the incredible opportunity to take over Hailsham Market Café and it changed my life. My dream was simple: to build a business I could be proud of while still being there for my children every step of the way. A year later, I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved. None of this would have been possible without my amazing team and our loyal customers, whose support, kindness, and belief have helped turn this little café into something truly special.

Our café is open on all sale days, proudly serving homemade dishes made with as much locally sourced produce as possible. Whether you're starting your day with a full English breakfast, a breakfast roll, or one of our freshly baked fruit scones, there's something for everyone. We also offer a range of hearty options throughout the day, including sausage rolls, quiches, cakes, hot lunches, fresh salads, and comforting puddings. Our wonderful team always aims to provide a warm welcome and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere—filled with laughter and good company. An ideal place for friends old and new to meet for a weekly catch-up. As the Autumn breeding sheep sales approach, our small but mighty kitchen shifts into high gear, going from preparing around 100 meals a day to over 1,000! Our mission is simple: to make sure every buyer, seller, and growing number of outside visitors are well fed and watered with quality home cooking at fair prices.

Doreen Headley runs the café at St Boswells Auctions Mart. We pride ourselves on a friendly welcoming atmosphere, it is all about supporting and feeding our local farming community. Whether its steak pie, a roast dinner or freshly cooked fish and chips, traditional homecooked meals are what you will find. Our customers want a hearty meal and good company. We have a table in the canteen where the 'golden oldies' sit and put the world to rights every Monday. It is not just a canteen, it is a weekly social gathering they look forward too.

I feel very honoured to have been nominated for this award. I grew up with dairy cows on the family farm in Worcestershire and moved into auctioneering in 2000. I have spent the majority of my career working alongside Gwilym Richards, with the last eight years at Market Drayton market. My passion for selling dairy cattle drives me to make a success of our weekly Wednesday sales and monthly youngstock sales, while also covering the calf and store cattle sections. Although I am still based in Worcestershire, it puts me in a good position to work with farmers from many counties who support Market Drayton Market.

I am a passionate and dedicated auctioneer known for bringing energy, professionalism and authenticity to every sale at Darlington Farmers Auction Mart. Committed to delivering outstanding results for farmers and creating an engaging experience for buyers, while building a reputation for integrity, expertise and genuine enthusiasm for the industry. Beyond the rostrum, I am passionate about strengthening connections with related industries, including the meat sector, and deepening his understanding of the wider supply chain. Being nominated for Auctioneer of the Year is a proud recognition of my continued commitment to make an impact across the agricultural industry.

Born into a dairy farming family in Devon, I attended livestock markets every week from the age of three. From an early age, I assisted my father with his dairy cattle trading business, which sparked my passion for livestock markets and auctioneering. I joined Kivells in 2009 as a Dairy Auctioneer and have now enjoyed 17 years with the firm. I specialise in the sale of dairy cattle, conducting both market and on-farm sales throughout the UK. In addition, I sell pedigree beef cattle, pedigree sheep and tups. Auctioneering is more than just my profession, it’s a lifelong passion, and I take great pride in providing a professional, knowledgeable and enthusiastic service to both buyers and sellers.

I am incredibly grateful to have been nominated for this award. Having worked at Newcastle Emlyn market since leaving school,         I am is proud to serve the agricultural community where my roots run deep, and where supporting local farmers has always         been a privilege. I have been honoured to play a key part in rebuilding Carmarthen Mart following its reopening in 2022 and         have enjoyed every moment. Through my dedication and commitment, alongside an outstanding team, the market has grown         into one of Wales's leading livestock centres. I strive to make time for everyone, believing that building relationships and         supporting both vendors and buyers is at the heart of being an auctioneer.

At 22, I feel I have already made a significant impact as an auctioneer at Nock Deighton Agricultural since joining in January 2023. I have played a key role in establishing the firm’s sheep section at Carmarthen, weekly sourcing and selling more than 2000 sheep. Alongside sheep, I enjoy marketing all classes of cattle and machinery. A proud local to Carmarthen Market, I am honoured to support farmers and have attracted new vendors and buyers from across Wales.

I am a fourth-generation auctioneer, proudly following in the footsteps of my father, Maurice Scott. I grew up on my family's beef and sheep farm in Teesdale, where my passion for the livestock industry began. From an early age, I took every opportunity to accompany my father to auction marts, developing a love for the industry. I started my professional career at Barnard Castle auction mart, which became part of C&D Auction Marts in August 2025 and am currently in my fourth and final year at Harper Adams University, studying livestock market operations and management

After studying REALM at Harper Adams, I started my career at Bagshaws before joining York Auction Centre in 2023, where I now work as both machinery sales manager and a livestock auctioneer. I jumped at the opportunity to take on the Monday fat market sheep sale, which is now my favourite day of the week. I have worked hard to build strong relationships with vendors, helping increase numbers and attract new and returning customers to the sheep section. Seeing it continue to grow is hugely rewarding. Auction marts are vital to the farming community, and I feel privileged to play my part.