But unlike the legend that the Crooked Spire got bent by a sneezing demon due to a virgin getting married below, the flea market is real, and a representation of Chesterfield to cherish.
Imagine a clutter of stalls offering endless character, odd curios riddled with backstory, and that’s just the stall-holders. Finding the thing you didn’t expect to find, be it that 1940s wall-clock that’s seen more household dramas than a Coronation Street DVD box-set, or that first-pressing of an Abba record that saw Auntie Shirley climb on the table at that family shindig, covering everyone with regurgitated Skol as she hit the high note on Dancing Queen. The Thursday flea market: a day out of fun and rummage.
5. Mark Bogue (antiques)
"I just enjoy buying and selling collectibles and antiques. This flea market, it’s very good. It gets busy around dinnertime, and in the good weather it can get really busy… I do enjoy it." Photo: Derbyshire Times
6. Robert Guest (toys)
"I’ve been on this market over thirty years… It’s not quite the same as it was thirty years ago… it was chock-a-block… It’s not as easy as it was, with eBay and car-boots, that kind of thing… The only change that’d come is if you can get the town centre busier… It’s a dying art." Photo: Derbyshire Times
7. Richard Webb (vintage car toys etc)
"Best one there is in a 150 mile radius… Chesterfield is the place to be… Anything that is collectable, I’m passionate about it… So anybody who’s got anything they want to sell, bring it down on a Thursday and I’ll buy it. As long as it’s good quality and not nicked." Photo: Derbyshire Times
8. Bev Thomas (house clearance)
"It’s a great atmosphere… It’s great to see people back out after Covid. We’re passionate about Chesterfield… We’re not a gazebo market, you know, we’ve retained the character. Some people like to set their stall up, I like to throw my stuff on and let people have a rummage." Photo: Derbyshire Times