The Old Cattle Market

Directed by Georgianna Maria Scurfield

2023

Although it hasn’t sold cattle since the 1990s, Nottingham’s Old Cattle Market is located not far from the city and has been established for 130 years.

It was a farmer named Bradwell who made the first trade when Nottingham Cattle Market was opened for business in 1886. And despite a fire in 2018 and various struggles through coronavirus, the trading continues and it’s the full gamut of life around its cobble stoned area that this new documentary explores.

We mainly follow Jason Motley, an auctioneer working at Arthur Johnson Ltd, a company itself which has more than a century of experience. With everything from antiques, vintage and modern furniture and home items, collectables, jewellery and more, the film shows us the ins and outs of toiling in this workplace.

Much amusement comes from the banging, clattering and smashing of items in a full warehouse of goods. It also covers the chaotic comings and goings of the different employees trying (sometimes in vain) to keep the slightly ramshackle tasks complete.

We are also introduced to Eric Hemingway, a senior gent who has the magical knack to fix and repair broken objects ensuring they once again see the light of day for customers. He represents the mild and amiable personalities seen in all the staff and together they work to keep things mostly on track.

The film mainly provides a slice-of-life window into the day-to-day activities of the team who keep this business afloat. Its exploration of gentle and kind folk supporting each other and getting things done (also on the hottest day of the year) is delightful to watch. However, there’s not a lot of conflict, which shows the great comradery between everyone but misses a chance to inject some pressure to the mostly quaint work-place occurrences.

But in the the mix is plenty of archive footage which assists the viewer in giving the whole market a historical context. It’s illuminating to see actual cows in an area that is now mostly industrial units. And it’s a lovely walk down memory lane for not just those born and bred in Nottingham but those interested in Midlands stories in general.

The director’s eye for finding the stories amongst the mild pace is excellent and a suitable jaunty score keeps everything light and humorous in tone.

Taking the fly on the wall approach from The Office, The Old Cattle Market ends as a charming documentary with oodles of authenticity - showcasing as it does an endearing group of enthusiastic locals working hard in a community full of tales from the past.

★★★½

3.5/5

Michael Sales

Find out more about the film here: https://www.instagram.com/thecattlemarketproject