From the bargain hunters to the wheeler dealers to the ice cream sellers to the security guards. Every single person at Marksbury Car Boot Sale makes up the friendly, energised atmosphere at one of the biggest car boot sales in the region.
In total, 230 sellers lined up more than a dozen rows of tables on the grass field, paying £10 a table, with all sorts on offer today (June 25). There were clothes from house clearances, retro computer toys and even TV aerials.
Setting up from 11am, the sellers have two hours before the gates open to around a thousand buyers, who line up eagerly at the two entrances to the sale.
You have your expert buyers armed with bags ready to search out a bargain to sell online to your casual buyers looking for anything which takes their fancy, at the right price, of course.
And so, at 1pm, an ‘ole, ole, ole’ sounds over the speaker and the crowds rush in to find a bargain. It might sound serious, but watching everyone it appears to be alot of fun with all bartering done with a smile.
Car boot sale owner Sally Collins says the event’s success is down to the friendly atmosphere, and the recent cost-of-living crisis. She also said people are attracted by the 1pm time, rather than the early openings at nearby car boot sales.
There was also talk that today’s sale was so well-attended because Whitchurch’s car boot sale had to be cancelled due to the arrival of travellers.
“People love the atmosphere,” said Sally. “Everyone is really friendly which makes it more than the buying and selling. It becomes a social for many people who’d otherwise be stuck at home on a Sunday afternoon.”
Here are 14 pictures from today’s car boot sale:
1. Caterer
Nikki Lewis runs the food stall. It started as a gazebo, but now its a wooden hut and today she’s busy selling everything from coffee to hot dogs to hungry buyers and sellers.
2. Opening charge
It’s close to opening time at Marksbury Car Boot Sale and buyers line the fences ready to go in and chase some bargains. The opening is signalled with an ‘ole, ole, ole’ over the speakers as security teams swing open the gates.
3. House clearance
Sylvie William (left) is moving from Radstock to Midsomer Norton - so is holding a stall to get rid of items she no longer needs. “It’s a fun way to spend half a day,” she says as she sells an ornament for £1. She’s being helped by friend Eliza Tusz.
4. Experienced seller
Shane Rushent has been at a car boot sale in Trowbridge in the morning, and appears at Marksbury for the afternoon. He’s selling everything from high-end Pokemon cards at £20 to 4k DVDs at £12. He buys to sell, and usually goes on eBay to trade but prefers the human interaction at a car boot sale.