King Charles III visits Clitheroe Auction Mart

King Charles was in Lancashire on Monday 9th February where, among other things, he visited paid a visit to the Clitheroe Auction Mart.

As well as touring the livestock area and viewing rare breed sheep and cattle, the King spent time talking to farmers about their health and fitness. His genuine interest in the people behind the rural sector really shone through as he spoke in the auction ring, expressing deep appreciation for the vital work Field Nurses do and acknowledging the endless complications and challenges our farming community faces on a daily basis.

The King said: "I wanted to say what an enormous pleasure it is to join you briefly on what I suspect is a specially organised occasion when you should be doing other things on your farms.

"I promise I know only too well how vital the sector and farming sector is to this country.

"I founded the Countryside Fund almost 20 years ago, and I hope it is contributing to some degree to the welfare and adaptability of farmers and to the challenges and complications you have to meet.

"I have some appreciation for what you put up with and thank God for marts like this and all the people associated with it.

"I can only hope you have as successful a season as possible, weather permitting, climate change permitting and everything else.

"It is remarkable how you manage, and I admire that hugely."