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:
5. Doing it as friends
Car boot sale virgins Wendy Goddard (left) and Allyson Davis teamed up to take one table and sell off clothes and ‘bits and bobs’ around the house. Prices started at 20p, while Allyson’s clothes were flying off the rail at £2 each. Both appeared to be having fun amidst the heavy presence of buyers. | Alex Ross
6. TV aerial, anyone?
Husband and wife team Martin and Judith Cole from Frome are selling items they no longer need having downsized their home. They just sold a TV for £15 when I arrived. “We’ve just got cable,” say Martin holding the TV aerial, “so we’re getting rid of the aerial.” The pair had made around £50 only an hour in to the car boot sale. | Alex Ross
7. ‘Good atmosphere'
Mark Cousins and Becci Hibberd are first-time sellers having usually gone along to the sale as buyers - but they’ve got stuff to get rid of. It includes clothes priced at £1 and £2. Mark says: “I like the good atmosphere here - people are nice to you." | Alex Ross
8. Raising money for charity
Zoubi Miles is clearing his house in aid of Muscular Dystrophy UK, with two of his family members sufferers of muscular dystrophy. Mr Miles, from Bath, had already made £50 when we spoke to him 30 minutes after opening. Among the items he was selling were puzzles for £2 and a guitar for £5. | Alex Ross