Friday 28th October 2011

Despite the dismal weather people turned out in their hundreds to take part in Day One of Chesterfield's Annual Arts and Market Festival.


The Mayor and Mayoress with Jonty Hearnden and the Banner Jones' Solicitors team with their antique shpping haul

The four-day event, organised by Chesterfield Borough Council, will see a host of activities and concerts taking place at various locations around the town centre, including a Continental Market, dancing, beer festival and Festival of Light.

Sean Carrington is Marketing and Promotions Officer for the Market and he explained the thinking behind the Festival, "The aim of the Market Festival is to show what the town has to offer and what we're about and how to pull everyone together. It's been popular today, although the weather has been a worry. It hasn't put people off though - we have a full market.

"From today, the Winding Wheel the Church and Queen's Park (for the Festival of Light) are all venues for the event. Good time to have it at Half Term whilst there are lots of families around and one market stall trader has even come from London to take part."



Yesterday's biggest draw was TV's Jonty Hearnden (above), from 'Cash in The Attic' who was once again in New Square valuing items brought by the public. He also set a challenge to the Mayoral Party and a team from Banner Jones Solicitors, giving them £100 cash, and asking them to buy items from the Flea market, which he would then assess for resaleable value.

The team who had the capacity to make the most money back would win £100 for the charity of their choice.

Some unusual goods were brought back including (from the Banner Jones' team) a set of weighing scales, brooches and a novelty teapot.

The Mayoral team bought a wooden harp, a set of car badges and a hip flask.

After studying the haul, Jonty declared Banner Jones the winners - with the £100 going to Bluebell Wood.

The team, comprising Dawn Mann, Anne Marie Lowe and Kerry Anderson told The Chesterfield Post that they had very much enjoyed taking part in the day, "We're delighted to have won! It was just a bit of fun, we didn't take it seriously and went for items we liked and thought would have value. It took us a while to spend the money and the stall holders were great - as soon as we said we were doing it for charity they helped us and we got some bargains. We don't know much about antiques and did some research by watching programmes but, in the end, we just bought what we liked."

And the money they had won would go to a worthy cause which the firm is happy to support, "As a business we have done a lot for Bluebell. We had a charity ball for them earlier this year so it's nice to carry on the association."

The Mayor, though on the losing team, was very happy to be involved and was looking forward to participating in many parts of the festival over the coming days, "It's very busy, every stall has gone and obviously word has got round that it's a popular event and, even though it's a horrible day, the turnout has been brilliant."

"We went round with our £100 to find the different treasures. We saw things and then made our mind up to buy it, but when we went back they'd gone, so we had to start again. We used personal preference - if it appealed to us it may appeal to someone else. I spotted the harp and when we went back it was still there. It's all about raising money for the Mayor's Appeal, so it's a fun day at the end of the day. It was a democratic process choosing the goods!"

It will be a varied few days for the Mayor, "We have the sausage competition tomorrow and we're leading the lantern parade into the park, so we're looking forward to that and also hoping to go to one of the concerts. It's a popular week and there's something for everyone."

All the goods bought today by both teams will go back into auction to raise funds for the Mayor's Appeal.

For information on the Festival please go to www.chesterfieldfestival.co.uk

RECENT STORIES

VETERAN TAKES A HIKE FOR THE MAYOR-
One intrepid Chesterfield veteran is about to don his hiking boots in aid of The Mayor's Appeal and walk over 200 miles to raise cash to help serving soldiers and their families More...

MAYOR CELEBRATES AT CIVIC SERVICE -
Hundreds of people lined the streets of Chesterfield yesterday to see the 372nd Mayor of the town, His Worship Cllr Donald Parsons, parade from the Town Hall to the Crooked Spire during his Civic Service More...

INTRODUCING THE NEW MAYOR AND MAYORESS OF CHESTERFIELD -
Cllr Donald Parsons was born in Poolsbrook in 1951 and attended both Shuttlewood school and then what is now Springwell. More...

A PIECE OF CIVIC HISTORY FOR JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS -
The Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield have this afternoon accepted a very special medallion. More...

FAIRTRADE GOES BANANAS IN CHESTERFIELD -
As Fairtrade Fortnight comes to an end this week, yesterday saw events taking place in Chesterfield aimed at promoting the scheme. More...

TALENT ON TOUR IN CHESTERFIELD -
The Mayor's Charity held another successful evening with the Talent on Tour night at the Phoenix Suite, Chester Street, Chesterfield on Friday 10th February. More...

CHESTERFIELD APPRENTICES GAIN EMPLOYMENT -
Chesterfield Borough Council's apprenticeship programme has been a major success, with nearly half of those taking part ending up in employment More...

A HEROES WELCOME IN CHESTERFIELD -
The Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield, with the support of Chesterfield Borough Council, are introducing the Heroes Welcome Scheme to Chesterfield on Monday Nov 7th More...

THE TALENT ON SHOW IS A CREDIT TO CHESTERFIELD -
Hundreds packed out Chesterfield's Winding Wheel on Saturday in order to watch 14 acts compete to become the winner of 'Chesterfield's Got Talent 2011' More...

MEETING OF THE MAYORS -
The Mayor of Chesterfield welcomed the Mayor of Kunshan, one of the fastest growing and highly successful areas of China, to the Town Hall this week. More...

MAYOR AND MAYORESS VISIT BIBLE EXHIBITION -
The Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield recently visited an exhibition put on by the Chesterfield Christadelphians. More...

MAYOR AND MAYORESS ENJOY A BEAUTY-FUL EVENING-The Mayor and Mayoress recently paid a visit to the Therapy Lounge, Hasland Road, to officially present them with Collin Resultime 5 Star Salon of Distinction Award. More...

PRIDE OF CHESTERFIELD -
16 new recruits to the Army, swore an Oath Of Allegiance to The Queen this morning in front of the Deputy Mayor of Chesterfield at the Town Hall. More...

FORMER MAYOR THANKS CHESTERFIELD FOR KINDNESS AND CASH -
It was a busy year for The Mayoral Couple of 2010/11, Cllr Keith Morgan and wife Pat, as they undertook many duties to raise the profile of the town and it's people. More...

REMEMBERING WHAT'S GONE
BEFORE -
This year marks the centenary of the 9th Duke of Devonshire being Mayor of Chesterfield, and to celebrate the occasion, the current Duke attended a ceremony at the Town Hall. More...

HASLAND ALLOTMENT GOES GREEN BY SPENDING PENNIES -
The Mayor has officially unveiled a new facility on an allotment site in Hasland, believed to be the first of it's kind in the area. More...

SURPRISE FOR CIVIC SECRETARY -
Chesterfield Mayor's civic secretary Vivien Miller has been presented with an award from the Parachute Regimental Association for her work with the Shoebox appeal More...

FORCES SHARE LIFE WITH CHESTERFIELD -
Once again Chesterfield today took part in a week aimed at supporting and honouring Armed Forces connected with the town, past and present. More...

MAYOR FLIES THE FLAG ABROAD -
Last week, His Worship The Mayor, Peter Barr had just returned from a trip to Darmstadt as we spoke with him. More...

TOWN PAYS ITS RESPECTS TO FORMER MAYOR -
Over 100 councillors and council employees lined the steps of the Town Hall today to pay their respects to former Mayor, Cllr Nicky Qazi More...

CHESTERFIELD ARMED FORCES DAY 2011 -
Chesterfield is to honour once again the Armed Forces Community, from current serving troops to veterans. More...

FORMER CHESTERFIELD MAYOR AND COUNCILLOR DIES -
It's been announced that Nicky Qazi, a much respected and admired former Mayor and Councillor of Chesterfield Borough Council has died, aged 81 years. More...

CROWDS TURN OUT FOR CHURCHES -
Despite heavy rain, hundreds lined the streets to watch the Annual Procession of Witness (the 'Whit Walk') through the town centre More...

MICK BAGSHAW, CIVIC THANKS -
We have today received the following Letter from Mick and his partner Ruth asking us to convey the message of thanks to residents of the Borough. More...

THE START OF THINGS TO COME -
Unsurprisingly it's been a quiet but pivotal week for Chesterfield's new Mayor Cllr Peter Barr. More...

NEW MAYOR'S PARADE BRINGS TOWN TO A STANDSTILL -
Today, in a Civic Service, the Mayor was introduced to the town and his Mayoralty celebrated with a service More...

SO WHO IS THE NEW MAYOR OF CHESTERFIELD? -
Peter Barr was born in Chesterfield in 1940 and as a young boy watched the craftsmen working in his Grandfather's coach building business, Metcalf's on Saltergate. More...

THE OUTGOING MAYORS SPEECH -
Cllr Keith Morgan responded to the New Mayor at the swearing in ceremony today with his outgoing speech More...

NEW MAYOR TAKES THE OATH -
Chesterfield has a new Mayor tonight after Cllr Peter Barr was sworn in as the 371st Mayor of Chestefield. More...

ON PARADE FOR THE MAYOR -
It was a case of 'all change' this week as this year's Mayoral Cadets were sworn in at the Town Hall by the Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield. More...

THE MAYOR DRAWS AT THE B2NET -
The Mayor's Appeal 'Football Raffle' was drawn during half time of the game against Bury on Easter Monday at the B2net. More...

PASTORS, POTATOES AND POPPIES -
It’s been another busy week for the Mayor, beginning with the visit of Camilla to the Royal hospital to officially open the new wards.More...

THE MAYORAL WEEK -
The Mayoral week began with the Complimentary Dinner, a 'thank you' to all the councillors and council workers who've been part of the Mayoral year. More...

PASTORS, POTATOES AND POPPIES -
It’s been another busy week for the Mayor, beginning with the visit of Camilla to the Royal hospital to officially open the new wards.More...

THE MAYORAL WEEK -
Last week was a relatively quiet one for the Mayor, as events pick back up after Christmas but, as ever, a productive one. More...

A DAY TO REMEMBER AND RESPECT -
The Mayor and Mayoress of pay tribute to those who suffered in the Holocaust, signing the Commemoration Book in the Town Hall More...

FESTIVE FUNDRAISING WITH THE MAYOR AND MAYORESS -
It's been a quiet Christmas for the Mayor and Mayoress - but, though there weren't many engagements over the Festive period, it was still a profitable one for their charities More...

PRIDE OF CHESTERFIELD -
Ten young soldiers, after undergoing a gruelling selection process, today swore their Oath of Allegiance to the Queen during an emotional ceremony at the Mayor's Parlour. More...

IN THE COURSE OF ANOTHER BUSY
WEEK -
The Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield had attended Pathways AGM. This Charity, situated on Sheffield Road,... More...

A BUSY WEEK -
Invitations are coming in to the Town hall all the time, unbelievably some already for Carol Concerts, and the Mayor expressed his gratitude to the Deputy Mayor. More...

TABLE TOP SALE AND FAYRE -
The event is part of the Mayors Charity Appeal and is in aid of Fairplay and the Samaritans. More...

CHESTERFIELD DOING WELL - Our Discussion with His Worship the Mayor of Chesterfield this week began on the subject of the Development of Chesterfield. More...

COUNTING CUPPAS- So, just HOW many cups of tea will the Mayor drink during official engagements in his year of office? More...

THE MAYOR AND THE ARMED FORCES. Chesterfield has very close links with all the Armed Forces and those ties remain something which the Town is immensely proud of.
More...

THE MAYOR'S FIRST COLUMN -
The Mayoral Parlour is a real paradox ... steeped in tradition with souvenirs from visiting dignitaries lining the cupboards and robes of office in the corner. More...