A STRAW poll taken at Abergavenny livestock market this week suggests that views about its future are split along generational lines.

It appears that farmers who have been working in the industry for decades would generally prefer the market to remain where it is while the younger generation are looking forward to the prospect of moving the market to Bryngwyn.

Farmer David Williams said they he would like to see the market remain in town as it is part of Abergavenny's heritage while Robin Llewellyn said we need a new market and as Monmouthshire County Council has no intention of upgrading this one 'a market on the edge of town would have been the best compromise'.

"Historically, all market towns grew up around their market and their very success meant that everything from shops, pubs and cafes to banks and solicitors opened in nearby premises.

"Yes we need a market that is modern and economically viable, but we also need to access services and there are none at Bryngwyn.

"Perhaps Raglan could become the new Abergavenny, but only time will tell."

Arwyn Powell from Clytha added: "I think moving to Bryngwyn is a good thing. It's progress. It will be a sad day when this traditional market has held its last ever sale.

"But we do need a new market and realistically this one in Abergavenny is outdated.

"My father was a farmer who sold his stock here in Abergavenny, but things have moved on in the last 50 years and we've got to move with the times to remain competitive."

Other farmers suggested that the argument about the internal layout in Abergavenny could be resolved.

A spokesman for one small group said: "We are retired farmers who have lived and worked around the market for generations and feel this is our only chance of socialising while our wives go shopping. You can't do that in Bryngwyn. We don't like change."

Fred Pritchard said: "We've been coming to Abergavenny market for decades and we feel that if the market moves there will not be so many farmers using the new market.

"But on the other hand a market in Bryngwyn is better than no market at all."

Alan and Janis Stinchcombe added: "There is nothing really wrong with the current market that a little investment won't fix. The parking and unloading issue can easily be redesigned within the site, which would allow so much more to take place."

Lyndon Williams from Pandy said: "I feel that the market should stop where it is. However, looking forward to the next generation of farmers we need to make progress and a new purpose-built livestock market will have better welfare facilities for all animals under one roof."

Terry Bayliss from Llanfihangel Crucorney said: "When are we going to have it? The sooner the better is what I say.

"I've said that we needed to move the market decades ago and moving to Raglan will secure the future of farming locally and this market for decades to come."

Another group of farmers pointed out that they would far rather the cattle market had stayed in Abergavenny but were realistic enough to look to the future with one of them adding: "The decision has been made, let's just accept it and move on."

Another suggested that before any decision is taken on the ultimate design of the new facility the authority should look at the market in Sedgemoor and added: "Bryngwyn should emulate this centre as it is a superb market," he added.

John Williams from Llanddewi Rhydderch said that the sooner the move can be completed the better for all concerned. He added: "Although I like the social side of attending Abergavenny Cattle Market we have got to move with the times. We can't park here let alone operate effectively in the confines of this site."

Huson Evans of Cwmffrwdoer said this market has been the centre of farmers' lives for years and added: " It's a shame that that no investment has been made on the current site, especially now when there are mixed cattle and sheep sales taking place. If this market closes we'll have nowhere else to go and I am in two minds if I shall be attending the new market at Bryngwyn."

Ken Jones from Bettws Newydd said: "It's currently falling down and whether it's here or Bryngwyn we need something that is more suitable for our stock and the farmers alike."

Brian Pugh said: "The current site is not up to the modern requirements for the movement of animals and the welfare conditions for the sheep are well below the required standards.

"Only last Friday, when the weather was as bad as I have ever seen it, the sheep could be seen to be visibly suffering as they were not under cover.

"I believe that moving to Bryngwyn can only be a good thing as it will be a purpose-built facility with all stock being under cover and I would like to make a suggestion to the authority that they look at the design of Sedgemoor livestock market before anything is built as I feel this is the Rolls Royce of cattle markets.

"Yes it will be a sad day when Abergavenny closes as it will be the end of something like a 200-year era. But sadly it really has reached the end of its days.

"The biggest problem in Abergavenny is the access onto the site for the monster trucks of today. It was built in the days of horse and cart and in the times when farmers used to walk their sheep to market."

Father and son team Gwyn and Rees Davies welcomed the practicality of the new market at Bryngwyn, but were sympathetic to the views of the older generation.

They added: "We have to look forward and in another generation this site in Abergavenny will definitely not be fit for purpose and therefore the option to safeguard our own futures is to welcome the new livestock market."

Auctioneer Lyndon Trumper said: "We have been involved in all the discussions for more than 10 years now and we are pleased that after all this time the building work for the replacement livestock market for Abergavenny and Monmouth is nearing its conclusion.

"We finally have an outcome that will provide a permanent stability for the market, a market suitable for the 21st Century and for all those connected within the local farming industry."

A spokesman for Monmouthshire County Council reiterated that Abergavenny Livestock Market would remain operational until the new facility is built at Bryngwyn and expects the completion date to be sometime in the spring of 2013.