A quick return to Chesterfield for us but mainly on the outer edges of the town centre.

The famous crooked spire of Chesterfield Parish Church. This is an Anglican Church dedicated to St Mary and All Saints. The building began in 1234 AD though the present church dates for the 14thC. It is a Grade 1 listed building.

The spire is 230ft (70m) tall a 45deg twist in the spire causes the tip to lean 9'6" (2.9m) off centre. There are several suggested reasons for this, unskilled workers due to the black death, , insufficient cross bracing, using 'green' unseasoned timber and in the 17thC 33 tonnes of lead sheeting was added to cover the spire.

Local stories tell that it was caused by the devil sitting on the spire for a rest but also that the spire was so surprised that a virgin was getting married in the church that it bent over to have a look. They say if another virgin ever gets married there it will straighten up again!

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