This film is part of Free

Sudbury Market

Sudbury's market dates back to 1009! One of Suffolk's popular markets, amateur filmmaker John Anderson documents the stall holders and their visitors circa 1979.

Amateur film 1979 8 mins Silent

From the collection of:

Logo for East Anglian Film Archive

Overview

A crowded market place of bargain hunters in Sudbury Town; with the magnificent St. Peter's Church prominent in the square. A memorial statue to Thomas Gainsborough, the Sudbury-born English painter, is a notable feature of the market place as the stall visitors mill about. Pre-dating the availability of cheap fashion, home and kitchenware in high street outlets; clothes and home goods stalls populate heavy at the market, in addition to the obligatory fruit and veg.

Sudbury’s market is more than 1000 years old, mentioned in a charter dating back to 1009. It is still running today and is one of Suffolk’s biggest and best markets. The earliest reference to the town was in 799AD when Aelfhun, Bishop of Dunwich died here – a memorial statue was erected in 1999 outside St Gregory’s Church. We also can see a statue honouring Thomas Gainsborough, one of Britain’s most famous artists who was born in the town in 1727. Princess Louise, Queen Victoria’s daughter, first unveiled the statue on 10 June 1913, close to St Peter’s Church.