Thursday 31st October 2013

Anyone visiting town today would have thought they'd gone back in time, as the traders on the regular flea market donned their finest 1940's gear and opened the three day Market Festival.

Luckily the weather held as thousands packed into the Market square throughout the day to buy and sell goods and produce. In keeping with the event, many stalls had a forties theme and many items for sale had a definite retro feel about them.


BBC's Bargain Hunt's Anita Manning and James Lewis took part in the Cheterfield Market Festival Bargain Hunt today with the Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield

There was the added attraction of the annual fun filled Bargain Hunt, which saw the Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield team up with TV Antiques expert James Lewis, whilst his TV colleague Anita Manning was paired with ladies from Banner Jones Solicitors, to find the best bargains on the stalls and sell them on for profit. Each team was given £100 - and all proceeds go to the Mayor's Appeal.

Mayor of Chesterfield, Cllr Paul Stone told The Chesterfield Post that he'd already reaped the benefits of walking around the stalls with the Mayoress, "We've had nice comments about the people of Chesterfield welcoming visitors to the town and we're doing our bit to help!"

Looking ahead to the competition, His Worship said he felt they were onto a winner with their chosen items, "We have seen a good selection of stuff on the market and all well priced. Thursdays is a good market and it's one of the best markets in the country."


The Mayor and Mayoress with TV Antiques expert James Lewis

In charge of Team Mayor was James Lewis, who started his own career on flea markets in Retford. He says that Chesterfield should be hugely proud of its market, "Flea markets are always great fun - something here for everyone. You go round the country and flea markets everywhere are dying, so it's really nice to come to Chesterfield and see it booming.

"People are not just looking round - they're buying, they're trading and it's a great social event as well. Anyone not coming to the market is missing out!

"Every town has a heart to it and the market has always been the heart of the town. Let the market die and the town dies around it. Chesterfield are clever with it - they're promoting it and investing in it. £2m coming into the Market Hall from Europe - it's great!

"We've seen lots of things and the stallholders have been so kind - they've donated veg and a jardinière and stand here. I've bought some good things here privately, not just today - it's a good hunting ground.

Listen to the interview with James in full here...

Some of the old '40s classics were also on display today at the Chesterfield Market festival

Fellow expert Anita Manning, of Team Banner Jones, was also thrilled with the reception she had received in Chesterfield, "I have fallen in love with Chesterfield - the best looking men in the western world and the women have fabulous style!

"We're going to auction off items we have bought this morning and my girls have done really well. We'll hopefully make a few bob for the Mayor's charity.

"The flea market is wonderful and I haven't seen one as good as this for a long time. The process are good and the stall holders are great - everyone has a smile on their face!

"There's a wide variety of stuff. It's interesting to look back at the '40s - there's good jewellery ranging from antique stuff to modern bling - there's something for every girl! There's also fresh produce - I want to take everything back. It's a buzzy place!"

Listen to the interview with Anita In full here...

Caroline Steel, one of the regular stallholders on Thursday and one of the organisers of the '40s market says she couldn't be prouder of the town today, "The weather's right, lots of people have come out, dressed in their '40s stuff and we have James Lewis and Anita in town, so a lot of people have come to see them.


Regular stallholder Caroline Steel shows off her '40s style

"It highlights Chesterfield Market which is exactly what we need to do. It's nice to see it full and see so many people out today."

Caroline went on to tell us how the '40s market had come about, "We wanted to do something different for the Market Festival and hence we are dressed as we are today - it's growing and evolving every year, we're building on it, it's only the second year - we'll get there. Anything to promote the market and help it."

A familiar face to regular flea market shoppers, Caroline says that it's her ideal job and she would highly recommend market life, "You meet so many people, you get to know your customers so well and it's nice to be outside - even when the weather's bad, we get on with it. It's a little community and I wouldn't want to do anything else!"


Last year's winner of the Best Stall Holder Lucy - the 'Land Girl' - with her Children

The man behind the markets, Andy Bond, has had a busy week - overseeing the opening of the Market Hall and the Market Festival - and he admitted he couldn't be prouder, "It's superb! It just shows what we can achieve if we all get together. It just shows how well supported the flea market is and it goes from strength to strength.

"It's been a long year - traders have gone through ups and downs but it's good to have delivered such a fantastic building. Traders tell me they've had a good week in there which is great news."

There are another 2 days of fun and events at the 2013 Chesterfield Market Festival - (see HERE) - so get down and make sure not to miss out!

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