Dream becomes reality 6th October 1967

Nothing had given him greater pleasure or pride than this latest addition to the market, said Mr J Gordon Vick at the opening of Hatherleigh's £175,000 abattoir by Mr Ivor Martin, principal scientific officer of the Meat Research Institute, Langport.

The latest project, he said had been thought about for a good many years, and he was grateful to all those who had supported him.

Praising Mr Vick and his associates, Mr Peter Mills, MP for the Torrington division, said the Mr Vick had been right before; he believed he would be proved right again and the project would be another success.

Mr Douglas Wilkins, the manager and director emphasised that it was a service abattoir, open to all who wanted their stock slaughtered.  They were not out to compete with the meat trade.

Mr D C Philip, chairman of Okehampton Rural Council, welcomed the enterprise.