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Columbia Road Market 54

October 10, 2010
by the gentle author

This is Finty Chester who, at the tender age of seventeen years old, has the distinction of being the youngest trader in Columbia Road Market. Jeremy took a photograph of Finty a few weeks ago, but we decided to reshoot the portrait when we examined it and realised she had a black eye. With cheerful alacrity, Finty explained that she acquired the injury while defending herself against a gang of thieves who stole her mobile phone. I winced to hear this story but, with admirable strength of character, Finty had already put the experience behind her.

Such is her self-assurance that I had assumed Finty was in her mid twenties – since with her bright energy, charisma and great taste in flowers, she has already established herself as one of the most popular traders in Columbia Rd. No blushing violet, Finty has shown she has the personality to hold her own amongst the loud cries and banter of the more experienced stallholders that surround her, all of whom have become endeared by her spirited approach. The senior flowersellers have taken Finty to heart because she reminds them of their early days.

It is apparent that Finty is a young woman of independent nature, living on her own since the age of fifteen and trading here for over a year now with the support of her father. “I spend Saturday getting ready, and I set up the stall and run it on Sunday, while he prepares all the flowers and gets the van ready for me,” she explained enthusiastically, delighting in the whole process. While Finty studies at college in the week, her father goes to the wholesale market to get the stock, although she decides what he should buy. It means that by selling flowers at the weekend Finty can support herself through college. “I’ve always known Columbia Rd,” said Finty with open-hearted affection for the life of the market, “It’s great company, I have regular customers and it’s something I want to do always.”

Yet Finty cherishes other ambitions too, she is pursuing media studies with the intention to become a journalist and combine this career with selling flowers in Columbia Road. Finty has the qualities to stay the course, and match Tony Purser’s career and be there selling flowers over fifty years from now if she chooses. But Finty brings a new perspective, shrewdly recognising that a parallel career in media will enrich her life and give her financial security. Finty Chester is the model of a twenty-first century flower girl.

Photograph copyright © Jeremy Freedman

3 Responses leave one →
  1. October 10, 2010

    Bless her – she sounds a strong ‘un! GREAT picture too! I’ve just returned from London actually – visited for the first time in 6 years. Had wanted to visit Spitalfields (never been before either!) but as I in the big smoke on both business and pleasure didn’t really have time! I intend to return really soon – hopefully mid week too as I want to go to the antiques market!! Loving your blog – am pleased to have just discovered it 😉

  2. Joan permalink
    October 10, 2010

    Bought gorgeous flowers from this lovely young woman this morning. I deliberately sought her out having read your blog before setting out for what has become a regular Sunday morning trip for us (our eldest son has a music practice nearby so we have an hour to pass). The irises look lovely in our front room. So glad to know more about her.

  3. Stuey the time traveller permalink
    September 29, 2023

    Sadly, I can only travel backwards in time and pretty much only within the confines of your blogs dear Gentle Author. 13 years later I sit and wonder if she’s still trading…

    This happens a lot – my one way ticket is most unsatisfactory on the whole and I’m falling behind with my reading.

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