A look back to when the market was at the heart of Abergavenny

Robert K Hughes started to document the market back 2010 as a purely personal photographic project, but over time he found it was a unique opportunity to record the market’s activities and characters in its dying days before it moved out of town to Bryngwyn, near Raglan. 

Mr Hughes published his pictures in a book called End of an Era. Here is a small selection of Mr Hughes' atmospheric images:

Plenty of action at Abergavenny Livestock Market. Picture: Robert K Hughes

A farmer in thought during one of the livestock auctions held at Abergavenny Livestock Market. Picture: Robert K Hughes

Abergavenny Livestock Market was sited in the centre of the town, on the old cricket field, since 1836 until its closure in December 2013. Right: Auctioneer Phil Jones in action. Picture: Robert K Hughes

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A sunny day at the market. Picture: Robert K Hughes

Hosing down the market at the end of a busy day. Picture: Robert K Hughes

Edgar Saysell and Ken Kear. Picture: Robert K Hughes

Welsh Mules. Picture: Robert K Hughes

Andrew Jones, Lyndon Trumper and Merril Pritchard during a Welsh Black sale at Abergavenny Livestock Market. Picture: Robert K Hughes

Bill Williams, centre, and Dan Thomas, right. Picture: Robert K Hughes

Abergavenny Livestock Market no more after the sales moved to the new market at Brwyngwyn, near Raglan. Picture: Robert K Hughes

End of Era by Robert K Hughes was published in 2016 by Country Books priced £20. Visit www.countrybooks.biz