Chesterfield Market Festival

2 October 2008

Chesterfield's biggest-ever Continental Market will feature a feast of fine foods and crafts ranging from Dutch pancakes to Polish candles during the town's forthcoming Market Festival.

European specialities from cured sausages to French bread and leather handbags to woodcraft will tempt visitors throughout the fifth annual Festival, which will be held from Thursday October 30 to Saturday November 1. More than 30 stalls will ply their wares on Central Pavement, Low Pavement and New Square.

Keen ‘rummagers' will appreciate the opportunity to test their skills in picking up hidden treasures and priceless antiques in disguise at a Flea Market in Market Place and New Square on October 30.

They will then be able to take their bargain purchase, family heirloom or maybe an old painting retrieved from the loft to an Antiques Valuation Day at West Bars, outside the Portland Hotel, between 10am and 4pm on the same day.

James Lewis of BBC TV's ‘Flog It' and valuers from Bamfords Ltd, of Derby and Matlock, will be on hand to tell them exactly what their treasure trove is worth.
Meanwhile, everything from clothes to crockery and fruit to furniture will be on sale at a General Market in the Market Place and New Square on October 31 and November 1.

All markets held during the Festival will open from 9am to 4pm. As well as spending their hard-earned cash, shoppers should look out for a host of street entertainers who will add extra interest and atmosphere as they browse the stalls.

Organised by Chesterfield and District CAMRA, a Beer Festival will be held on October 31 and November 1. It will showcase around 35 real ales, as well as some ciders, perries and country wines.

Tickets are selling fast for the evening sessions, but there are still some left for the afternoon events, which will be held from 11am to 4pm. Daytime visitors will be able to meet several brewers to chat about their beer and the process of brewing, plus the brewery industry in general. There will also be the opportunity to enjoy ploughman's lunches prepared by Chesterfield Cheese Factor R. P. Davidson between noon and 3pm.

Programmes giving full details of all events and tickets are now available from Chesterfield Tourist Information Centre, Rykneld Square, 01246 345777/8, e-mail tourism@chesterfield.gov.uk.

Main sponsor for this year's Chesterfield Market Festival is local company Printability.