Countryside Markets Walk Week of 11 January 2010

We are sourcing vintage cameras and merino wool blankets (£40) on this week`s Countryside Markets Walk. If you want to join us, pls contact sandra_shevey@yahoo.com

London Street Markets Walk Spawns Countryside Markets Walk

It is an unpleasant fact, but face it: London`s ancient markets are dead! If they haven`t died on account of decline and neglect, they have died on account of Yuppification and hype. The old Borough market, underneath the arches, has benefitted greatly from the promotion it has been getting in respect of the walks that I have been running since 1990. People don`t always book the walk but they inevitably show up at the market and make for the stalls whose bargains I have recorded. Thus nowadays Borough is just too grand and also too busy.

I was asked recently on a radio show about the Petticoat Lane market. Tatty. Tatty when I first started the walk in 1990. But at least old Spitalfield was alive and kicking with some wonderful old book stalls and c1950 phonograph records which I can now only find at the East Street market in Walworth. Spitalfield used to have a fabulous cafe where the lady did homemade scones (hot off the tray); served them with fresh pads of butter and homemade jam; hot pots of coffee. We used to eat outside in the market. It was freezing. I used to bring my dog: my English Springer Spaniel. This lovely old place went with the redevelopment of Spitalfield. This old place went and with it alot of business for the walk.

Why? you ask. Because some beast has taken almost all of the content from that walk and posted it up on boards documenting the history and heritage of old Spitalfield market. Dork!!

And what about Church and Bell Streets? First markets that I profiled, inasmuch as they were my then locals. Footprints in the sand? Not likely! Footprints in stone, and none denoting Sandra`s seminal street markets walk. Walk with dog, I might add.

Cut to: 20 years later and an email from some girls in receipt of a bursary to document the history of the markets. `We understand you used to do walks, and have researched about the history. Can we have it?`

So when do you know you`re a Jew? At times such as these!

Sandra Shevey still promotes sustainable tourism and the local street markets of London. Walks are bookable at sandra_shevey@yahoo.com

http://sandrashevey.tripod.com/market.walks

The documentary: http://sandrashevey.tripod.com/

Sandra Shevey is a pensioner age 66 and supplements income from the walks with her pension.
She has recently launched another walk around England`s countryside markets entitled `Countryside Markets Walk` http://sandrashevey.tripod.com/countrysidemarketswalk

TFL and the Markets- Renaming the Dead

Transport for London, current owner of the Shepherd`s Bush markt, intends to rename by 2010 Shepherd`s Bush underground station calling it instead Shepherd`s Bush market underground station.

All of this whilst allegedly hiking the rentals for small traders by 80-120% and thus driving away many in due course.

By the time the Toffs have elevated the markets to underground status there won`t be any markets left in London. They`ll all have become shopping malls.

So, TFL, how about Shepherd`s Bush Mall underground station?

True is true.

The Mayor`s Advisory Committe on London`s Markets

This very necessary and vital committee could be doing a great deal for London`s ailing markts; but all they seem to want to do is 1) go over terrain such as rogue trading which actually is within the remit of the local markets and councils and 2) invade the private sector by way of promoting the markets themselves. Never mind that those of us who have been doing this singlehandedly are accused of self-promotion when we ask for a grant or some funding.

Actually, the whole thing got off to a bad start when the Chairperson apologised for having booked the meeting for 1:30pm (when most of the traders were hard at work and could not take time off) Still....

The real issue, and stumbling block I might add, is that by way of the Markets Act 1994, borough councils are legally entitled to privatise. And it is this privatization which is eroding the working-class character of the markets; upping the prices; and doing street traders out of their livelihoods in the bargain.

It is this Markets Act 1994 which the Mayor himself must override. And we`ll see what Ken Livingstone is made of when we see what exactly he does by way of quoshing the act.

It is only then that the markets will receive a new lease of life and perhaps, and I say perhaps, can make a happier bed with the councils who seem determined to end them altogether.

`Brick Lane`- Reflective or Unrepresentative of the Market

I know that when this film was being made the Asian shopkeepers along Brick Lane protested that they were unfairly depicted in Monica Ali`s book and did not want the film to do the same thing.

Has anyone seen it?

Does it accurately reflect the Brick Lane market?


Let`s talk.

sandra_shevey@yahoo.com

`Eastern Promises`/Broadway Market, Hackney

The London Fields cum Broadway market in Hackney is the focal point of `Eastern Promises`, the film which opens this year`s London Film Festival.

The market itself has seen many changes not the least of which is the foodie market which supplants many of the old, established businesses.

I have personally witnessed some of the pie and mash shop owners weeping whilst their restaurants sit empty as tourists make for the foodie stalls in the Broadway market.

So let`s have a wander around the Broadway market? I`ll tell you lots about the changes and current state of affairs.


Booking at sandra_shevey@yahoo.com

Your Market Memories

Want to hear `em too.

E-mail me.