Ben Atkinson

He was so well known that it was only necessary to mention “Ben” and people knew it was Mr Atkinson without giving his surname.

For nearly 50 years, he was associated with Wharfedale Farmers’ Auction Mart as company secretary for many of them and, even in semi-retirement after he was 60, he became a director and continued as an auctioneer until this May.

In all that time he rarely, if ever, missed the Monday sales at Otley and he also helped out all over Yorkshire, in parts of Lancashire and at other sales where an auctioneer was needed, including York machinery sales.

One of the highlights of his work were the sheep sales during the annual Masham Sheep Fair which now raise money for charity, but in the days when the town had its own auction mart could sell 70,000 sheep a year.

The Wharfedale Mart with its small full-time staff and army of part-time workers was like a second family to him and he put a lot into its success.

He was a man of integrity who always said his ambition in life was to be known and remembered as an honest man.

The Wharfedale Mart company secretary Ruth Priestly, who worked with him for 32 years, said of him: “He was a gentleman, one of the best. He would do anything for anybody, he was often called a legend.”

Mr Atkinson was born in Scarborough but grew up in Long Framlington, in Northumberland, where his father had a mixed hobby farm.

The family’s roots were in Otley and Ben Atkinson was the grandson of CJ Atkinson, one of the founders of the town’s firm of solicitors Atkinson, Dacre & Slack.

He went to school at Haydon Bridge where the inspirational headmaster, Eddie Waite, made a deep impression on him.

The school had a farm where Mr Atkinson spent his rural studies lessons, as well other lessons which he dodged so he could work there.

When he left school he moved to Wharfedale and trained as a livestock auctioneer with FM Lister and Son in Otley, working at Bridge End cattle market. He took another job in the evenings because his wages were not enough to pay for his board and lodging.

After six years with Listers and wanting a pay rise, he moved in 1962 to Wharfedale Farmers’ Auction Mart.

In 1965 he married Ann Lawson, his life long love, and they lived at Hodsons Farm, Addingham Moor, near Ilkley, a hobby farm where he kept cattle, sheep and pigs, until they moved in 2004 to live near Harrogate.

He was a renowned raconteur and much in demand as an after dinner speaker – one of his favourite lines was to say that he spent his honeymoon visiting farmers’ auction marts.

His family always said that he was married to the auction mart, it was his life.

He was also much sought after for charity auctions which he was always willing to do and, through his humour and entertaining manner, helped to raise thousands of pounds for many causes.

Although he spent virtually all his time working he was also a member of Otley Rotary Club, of which he had been president, and his hobby was old time dancing.

He is survived by his wife, Ann, sons Richard, Gordon and Andrew, three grandsons and four granddaughters.

A celebration of Mr Atkinson’s life will be held at All Saints’ Church, Otley, next Wednesday.