Moving black and white photos show the way we lived in Chesterfield and north Derbyshire in the 1970s

By Brian Eyre

Published 21st Nov 2023, 16:01 BST

Updated 21st Nov 2024, 10:59 BST

It was the decade of the Chopper bike and the space hopper, punk and power cuts – but what did life look like here in the seventies?

These evocative pictures provide a snapshot on the way we lived 50 years ago.

See if you recognise anyone in these rare retro pictures which have been taken from Chesterfield Library’s local studies collection, Chesterfield museum and our own archives.

Margaret Andrews leads a game of "follow my leader" at the Eagle Youth club, Newbold, Chesterfield during a play scheme on August 9 1971

1. Follow my leader

Margaret Andrews leads a game of "follow my leader" at the Eagle Youth club, Newbold, Chesterfield during a play scheme on August 9 1971 Photo: ©Sheffield Newspapers Ltd

High Street in Chesterfield 1974.

2. High Street

High Street in Chesterfield 1974. Photo: Sheffield Star

South Side Beetwell Street looking West 1977.

3. Retro Chesterfield

South Side Beetwell Street looking West 1977. Photo: Chesterfield Library\county arch

Buxton FC's Cheshire League winning side waiting for a decision from the referee on whether they could play Altrincham in the FA Trophy in 1973. Surprisingly the referee needed two inspections to make his decision just forty minutes before kick off. Unhappy Buxton officials claimed the pitch was fine and played a training match on it to make the point. A special train run for the visitors had already arrived and took two hours to turn round.

4. Buxton FC

Buxton FC's Cheshire League winning side waiting for a decision from the referee on whether they could play Altrincham in the FA Trophy in 1973. Surprisingly the referee needed two inspections to make his decision just forty minutes before kick off. Unhappy Buxton officials claimed the pitch was fine and played a training match on it to make the point. A special train run for the visitors had already arrived and took two hours to turn round. Photo: Alan Swift

Chesterfield Derbyshire