Active since 1825

1825
Auctioneers R D Thurgood (later to become B T Thurgood & Sons) of Saffron Walden established (acquired in 1903 by Henry Joshua Cheffins).

1846
Henry Joshua Cheffins born.

1850
Auctioneers Wm Rand established in Saffron Walden (acquired in 1875 by Henry Joshua Cheffins).

1860
Wm Rand sets up Saffron Walden's new cattle market.

1865
Auctioneers Chas Wisbey set up in Cambridge.

1867
Geo Comins sets up in Ely.

1871
Catling & Mann opens in Cambridge.

1875
Henry Joshua Cheffins acquires Wm Rand of Saffron Walden. Grain & Long sets up in Cambridge.

1880
Henry Cheffins leases 7 Hill Street, Saffron Walden as his family home and adjoining office.

1882
H P & T Chalk sets up in Cambridge

1884
John Moyes opens in Cambridge.

1885
New Cambridge cattle market opens on present site of Cheffins head office. H Philip & Thos Chalk and Grain & Long licensed to operate in the new market. By 1967 both firms absorbed into future Cheffins.

1903
Henry Cheffins acquires Benjamin T Thurgood of Saffron Walden – the original firm in the Cheffins family tree.

1910
A T Grain & Sons created from Grain, Moyes & Wisbey.

1922
Henry Joshua Cheffins dies.

1937
Grain & Chalk formed by amalgamation of A T Grain & Sons and H P & T Chalk.

1941
In July the first Cambridge Machinery Sale held in Cambridge Market by Grain & Chalk

1967
Cheffins, Grain & Chalk created from Grain & Chalk and Cheffins amalgamation.

1975
Cheffins Vintage farm machinery sales launched.

1982
Cheffins Fine Art department launched in purpose-built saleroom on Cherry Hinton Road.

1987
Comins of Ely merges with Cheffins, Grain & Chalk to create Cheffins, Grain & Comins.

1997
Sutton (Ely) Machinery sale ground opens.

2001
Firm renamed as Cheffins.

2002
Cheffins moves into newly built Clifton House head office.

2003
Catlings merges with Cheffins.

2008
Derek Catlin Property Management acquired by Cheffins.


The new Saffron Walden cattle market – established 1860 on the site of The Old Bell Inn

The Regent Street, Cambridge, offices of Cheffins, Grain & Chalk (1980)

Michael Hamilton (left) and Paul Gooderham at Saffron Walden market.

The present day Cambridge head office