ONE of the largest employers in Wensleydale threw open its gates to the public – and attracted more than 1,200 visitors

Home to 12,000 Holstein cattle and a fleet of monster trucks, Metcalfe Farms and Haulage, along with Truck Technics, employs 160 people at their base in Moor Road, Leyburn.

Metcalfe’s was first established at Washfold Farm, Leyburn, by Frank Metcalfe in 1940 with a dairy herd of only 20 cows. Today, his grandsons, David, Brian and Philip Metcalfe, jointly run the family firm.

As a celebration of 30 years of Metcalfe’s Farms and ten years of Truck Technics, the family held an open day. Visitors included members of the agricultural community and the general public who were able to see first-hand the scale of the milking operation.

A similar number of people also enjoyed seeing the home of the stars of the television series – Britain’s Best Supertruckers – which aired on the Quest Channel earlier this year.

The Leyburn-based truckers built up a large following during the screening of their adventures, which included shifting a 60-ton crane, massive girders for the London Bridge, huge oil processing machinery and Challenger tanks, along with trucks from the Welsh mountains.

Many of the firm’s customers and suppliers were also present demonstrating their own lines, which ranged from tractors to animal feeds.

David Metcalfe said: “The open day gave us the chance to give an insight into our three businesses and to show our customers and neighbours what we do here. I hope everybody enjoyed themselves today; we are pleased in the interest everybody has shown.”