SPECULATION surrounds the abrupt departure of Paddy Wrightson, general manager of Craven Cattle Marts Ltd, based at Skipton Auction Mart.

And fears that the farming crisis is to continue tightening its grip on Craven have been heightened with the news of the management shake-up at the Gargrave Road site.

Rumours are rife amongst the farming fraternity that Mr Wrightson stormed out of a management consultation meeting last Tuesday after a row about his position there. He had been with the mart for almost 21 years.

Neither the auction mart nor Mr Wrightson will confirm whether he was pushed or whether he resigned but the mart has said he has been offered a package and a successor has already been appointed.

Chairman of the directors Anthony Dean made no secret of the fact that the long-running farming crisis was affecting the business of Skipton Auction Mart.

"New legislation and increasing administration seem certain to mean that the demands facing our business will continue to grow.

"Following discussions between the board and Paddy Wrightson, the board has made Paddy an offer of early retirement which he is considering."

Mr Wrightson confirmed to the Herald that he was considering the offer of early retirement but the matter was now in the hands of his solicitor.

In the meantime the Skipton site will be run by Jeremy Eaton, formerly the assistant marketing manager.

Former Craven Cattle Mart chairman, Basil Spensley, of Thorlby, said Mr Wrightson was a well-liked and respected auctioneer. "Under his management Skipton became one of the leading marts in the North of England. He is going to be very greatly missed," he added.

Jim Caygill, of Rylstone, spoke for many farmers when he said: "This news has shocked and saddened the whole farming community.

"Paddy is well respected and highly rated as a manager, auctioneer and valuer. There is genuine disbelief that someone who has put so much into the running of Craven Cattle Mart has been asked to go."

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