Auctioneer Lacy Scott & Knight celebrates 150 years with memories of Bury St Edmunds Cattle Market

Bury St Edmund’s iconic Cattle Market - where the arc shopping centre now stands - was set up by the founder of Bury auctioneers Lacy Scott & Knight.

Henry Lacy Scott founded his auctioneer business in 1869 and five years later began a cattle market in the town.

This survived the swine fever outbreak of the 1920s and fowl plague in the 1960s but the Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis outbreak of the 1990s saw that particular side of the business dwindle and the last Cattle Market in Bury St Edmunds was held in 1998.

Now 21 years later its history will be celebrated at Moyse’s Hall Museum to mark 150-years of Lacy Scott and Knight.

Cllr Joanna Rayner, St Edmundsbury cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: “For over 100 years the Cattle Market was part of the town’s history. Many people remember coming to town to see the animals with fondness today. Lacy Scott and Knight are a key part of that story.”

Ed Crichton, partner at Lacy Scott and Knight said: “In our 150th anniversary year, we are pleased to announce a mini-display charting our company history at Moyse’s Hall Museum. It will include items donated to the museum by the Lacy Scott family, photographs of the last cattle market held in the town, information and highlights from our 150 years as auctioneers, and a stunning medieval stirrup ring which the museum has acquired through a charitable donation by Lacy Scott and Knight.”

The exhibition will also feature the Victorian gavel and other personal items that belonged to Henry Lacy Scott, old photographs, sale catalogues and a silver trophy presented to Walton Burrell in 1882 for Best Ox.

The display will be from 13 March to 11 April. For more see www.moyseshall.org