WITH a sad heart, I report the death of Brian Wilkinson, at the age of 86.

He was not only a personal friend and business partner, but to the Ryedale farming community, a talented livestock auctioneer and a valuer of unquestionable integrity.

He was born in Bridlington and went to the grammar school with contemporaries Pat Nutt, of East Heslerton, and Peter Easterby, of Habton, a formidable trio of achievers.

Brian left school at 15 and joined Boulton and Cooper at their St Michael’s House office in Malton as tea boy, and very junior apprentice to the legendary Norman Willis.

After National Service in the navy, he returned to continue his professional career as a young valuer.

In those days after the Second World War, rationing was still in place and all livestock was sorted by Government Graders, who despatched it to various slaughterhouses on an allocation basis.

In 1954, decontrol came and Malton Auction Market was open for business again. Master Wilkinson found his feet in the new environment and understudied Norman Willis until the latter retired from active selling in 1961.

Brian took over Boulton and Cooper and managed its agricultural business with help from Geoff Dunn, Philip Place, Paddy Wrightson and John Hanson.

The popularity of the market flourished and in its heyday of the late 1960s Brian would sell up to 800 cattle in a day, spending often six hours in the rostrum; and the annual Michaelmas Fair attracted more than 20,000 sheep with a 15-hour working day.

He had an amazing talent for mental arithmetic and while selling at full speed, could work out the value of a 38lb hogg at 3/7d per lb – no calculators allowed.

Among the many offices he held, he was president of the East Riding Valuers in 1970, National Secretary of the Oxford Down Sheep Society and Northern Secretary of the Suffolks for many years.

Brian married Jill, who died some years ago, and leaves two children, Charles and Ariane; and three grandchildren, Mollie, Xavier and Theo. Our sympathy goes to the family.

Brian tried to retire three times, but remained part of Boulton and Cooper until the end – a lifetime of loyalty, 72 years from first starting.