AS a child Steven Ellis would be enthralled by the hustle and bustle of the cattle market and Saturday auctions which his father took him to.

It was his father Graham’s workplace which allowed him access to the excitement of the well-known and long-running business Stanfords, which is based in Wyncolls Road, Colchester.

That passion for the business was not only in Steven’s blood but has stayed with him.

He is now the fourth generation of the family to work for Stanfords and has just been made a partner of the historic firm.

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Stanfords’ livestock market dates back to 1900

Steven’s great grandfather Horace was the first in the family to work for Stanfords, joining the firm after the First World War.

In 1948, his grandfather John began working for the company and stayed for 50 years until 1998.

Graham joined in 1972 when he was 18. He is now 65.

After studying accounting and finance at university, Steven joined the company in 2005.

He is responsible for the running of its auctions on a day-to-day basis as well as dealing with the firm’s IT and accounts.

Steven, 35, said: “During school holidays I would join my father and watched the auctions go on and the Saturday markets.

“I enjoyed watching all the variety of plants and bits and pieces being sold.”

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Steven and Graham Ellis together at the gates

Stanfords’ livestock market dates back to 1900 and, held on Tuesdays, it is the only weekly one in operation in East Anglia.

It remains popular with wholesalers and independent butchers who buy cattle and sheep from the region’s farmers.

The Saturday auctions are open to the general public and anything from produce to small animals is up for grabs with more than 1,000 lots going under the hammer each week.

Steven reflected on the rise of supermarkets and loss of independent butchers in recent years.

“There have been some changes over the years but the good, independent butchers are still seeing quite a good footfall and have to provide something a bit different to what the supermarkets are providing - as long as they can tap into that.”

It’s not just markets and auctions which have made a name for Stanfords, established in 1879 by the family of the same name.

By its own admission the firm states it is “always a challenge to explain exactly what we do because our services are vast yet integrated in many ways”.

These services are to agricultural, commercial and domestic clients across the UK.

They range from advice for planning applications, property sales and lettings, to rural business advice and much more.

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A cow at Stanfords' cattle market 

Steven’s father Graham, a fellow partner, joined the firm in the 1970s as a trainee surveyor and later moved into the auction side of the business.

Today he works in all areas of agricultural and rural property advice, together with auctioneering every week.

Particular areas of expertise include detailed livestock farming matters.

Having such a close working and domestic relationship is clearly a unique situation for Steven, who lives with his father in the Colchester area too.

He said: “It can be a challenge but it is quite good.

“Where you are working for the family you want the best for each other and try to make sure you are doing the best for the company.”

Steven’s brother David, on the other hand, has chosen a completely different career path by working as a teaching assistant.

Now Steven is one of three partners at the firm, his role will expand to have more responsibility, as he will technically be an owner, not an employee.

Changes are also afoot for Stanfords soon with plans to add to its 12 full-time staff by another two members.

These new roles include in the planning department and a trainee to work in all areas of the business.

One thing is for sure, family values will remain at the heart of the business.

Steven said: “That stream of continuance is helpful.

“It is trying to provide that family service as well.

“People know the family.

“I have known a lot of our clients for many years and that interaction is helpful where you know each other quite well, you can provide a good service.”