Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2015 / January 2016 | Page 78

COUNTRY LIFE

Gilten
Market
D

tribute

espite blustery late
November weather over
the Solent, there was
the usual enthusiastic turnout of
farmers and butchers from both
sides of the water, for the historic
annual Gilten Market at Lake
Farm, Rookley.
Dedicated to the memory of
Island farming stalwart David
Biles MBE, who died in February
2015, this year’s show and sale of
finished cattle and cows, lambs
and store cattle, saw some superb
entries.
Sweeping the board was
Sandown-based farmer Mick
Denness, who scooped no less
than 11 of the top awards with his
best-ever entry of stock.

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This included the historic Gilten
Beast award, for a 560 kg British
Blue x steer, as well as the Reserve
Gilten Beast Cup for a Limousin x
steer weighing 636kgs.
High Sheriff Ron Holland
performed the traditional gilding
of the champion beast’s horns
and awarded Mr Denness with the
Brickfields Cup.
The auctioneers reported strong
prices throughout the cattle
classes, from both local butchers
and mainland buyers supplying
the specialist London markets.
On a touching note, the silver
salver in memory of David Biles
was fittingly presented to his great
friend Alan Aylett, as purchaser of
the best pen of store cattle.