Traders and people in a town are celebrating 100 years of their local market, which has made its way back onto the high street.
The traditional trading history of Sevenoaks, however, is understood to date back even further.
Deputy Mayor Tony Clayton stocks up on produce with third-generation fishmonger Paul James. Picture: Sevenoaks Town Council
From cows, pigs and sheep to now artisan crafts, speciality cheeses, olives and flowers – the market has come a long way from its humble beginnings.
Today (January 12) marks a special milestone.
It is a century since the townsfolk bought the rights with the aim to safeguard its future.
Records show the market was even running during the Anglo-Saxon times, predating the Norman Conquest of 1066.
Some of the current traders are third or fourth-generation and proudly carry on the family tradition.
The popular flower and plant stall at the Wednesday market. Picture: Sevenoaks Town Council
The Westleys, who run the fruit and vegetable stall at the Wednesday and Saturday markets, and the Woods who run the flower and plant stall, have both been in Sevenoaks for more than 40 years.
Paul James, who looks after the fresh fish stall, is a third-generation fishmonger who joined the Wednesday market around five months ago.
“It feels a privilege to be part of it,” he said. “I like history, nostalgia and the idea of carrying on a tradition.
“I like the people here, they are all very nice. It’s a close-knit community.
“I’ve been doing this a long time. My dad, Ron, had a fish shop in 1964 in London and then we moved to Bromley.
The fruit and vegetables stall is run by three generations of the Westley family. Picture: Sevenoaks Town Council
“But it’s more of a social thing as well. My mum and my daughter work with me. I’ll have cups of tea and they’ll chat to people.”
He added: “Now that the market has moved to the high street, it’s on a different level now.
“I’ve got a lot more passing trade and people walking up – it’s really good.”
Around 1,000 years ago, the area was unusual in having two markets set up under Otford Manor – which was then the biggest settlement.
Chipstead, a name that remains on the map of Kent, is actually Anglo-Saxon for “marketplace”.
Fishmonger Paul says it is a “privilege” to be a part of history. Picture: Sevenoaks Town Council
Specialising in fish, it took place near the bridge over the River Darent and was on the main route from London to Rye as well as the road from Winchester to Maidstone.
Whereas, Sevenoaks Market was held where the road from Dartford meets the Rye road and it seems to have sold everything.
It then grew along Upper High Street, around the junction with Oak Lane – moving north to a triangle between London Road, Bank Street and High Street, on a piece of wasteland provided by Knole.
By the 15th century, the market had several pubs, including The Chequers, another on the site of The Dorset Arms and a Market House, which was replaced in 1843 by the building that is now home to Toni & Guy.
The Archbishop then began building a palace at Knole, where the rent was collected for stalls.
The market once had several pubs including a Market House – replaced in 1843 by the building that now contains Toni & Guy. Picture: Sevenoaks Town CouncilThis historic building was built by the Archbishop’s Reeve (manager) where he collected rents for stalls. Picture: Sevenoaks Town Council
Historic court records also reveal how thieves would try and sell stolen animals.
At its peak, the market stretched from Oak Lane to The Vine and fairs were held twice a year under a Royal Charter.
During the religious and political chaos under Henry VIII, the Archbishops lost their hold on Otford and Knole.
By the mid-1600s the Sackvilles owned Knole House and its grounds, the market, the Lordship of Sevenoaks and the Codsheath Hundred.
Chipstead was then bypassed in 1636 when Longford Bridge was built in Dunton Green and the main road moved to Polhill.
A colourised postcard of the old Sevenoaks High Street at the crossroads. Picture: Sevenoaks Town CouncilIn the mid-1600s Knole House was owned by the Sackvilles. Picture: Sevenoaks Town Council
As a result, the market held there began to fade away.
Sevenoaks was one of the main markets in the county, however, it had strong competition in the mid-19th century with Tonbridge and Ashford, which traded livestock by rail.
After the First World War, Kent and Sussex Farmers managed the market for Knole.
They also bought the rights to it, which included the high street on Saturday and livestock during the week by Sevenoaks Station.
In 1925, the Urban District Council paid the farmers £450 (equivalent to £35,000 today) for the Saturday market rights and the ground where it was based – between what is now Waitrose and Specsavers.
Town crier Chris Conlan seen here at the bread and cakes stall. Picture: Sevenoaks Town Council
The station livestock and general markets closed in 1999 as the site was redeveloped.
It moved to Buckhurst car park where it struggled and eventually shrank.
However, in December the Wednesday market moved back onto the high street – minus the cows, pigs and sheep which had been there two centuries before.
The town council now operates all the markets in Sevenoaks.
Both the Wednesday and Saturday ones are year-round and sell fruit, vegetables, plants, flowers, bread and baked goods.
The murals in The Shambles depict the historic trades and butchery. Picture: Sevenoaks Town Council
They also have an olives stall, fresh fish and wooden troughs.
Additionally, the Saturday market in Bligh’s Walk has artisan crafts, jewellery, clothing, speciality cheeses, baked goods and cakes.
It reopens on February 8 and will run until December.