Old markets

Great series of photos of the old Covent Garden Market in the 60’s and 70’s taken from the book Old Covent Garden by Clive Boursnell.

It motivated me to search for shots of the old Paddy’s Market in Glasgow, which shut down in 2009 because it had supposedly gone to seed. It was more, er, rustic a market – selling old clothes and basically rubbish. But a friend and I once pulled over to buy a nice 60’s swivel chair that I believe he still has, and in my sixth year at school my art teacher used to encourage us down there to draw people (can you imagine), so I have fond memories of getting quizzical looks from stall holders when asked to pose for a photo. Here’s a shot from the 50’s, before my time.

I was also pleased to discover here this weekend, that there’s a mini flower market off East Street in Walworth. Has anyone been?

5 Responses to “Old markets”

  1. claptonpond
    July 10, 2012 at 8:47 am #

    As a child, whenever my room was untidy, my mother would say, “It’s like Paddy’s Market in here!” A benchmark for clutter and mess.

  2. Patricia Gill
    July 10, 2012 at 9:24 am #

    Are they tights or bandages on that woman’s legs? Great photos!

  3. myfriendshouse
    July 11, 2012 at 1:27 pm #

    Clapton Pond, the same was used in our house! The legs could even be bare Patricia?

  4. www.247blinds.co.uk
    July 12, 2012 at 8:14 am #

    Great pictures, they really sum up the times well !

  5. Jayden Spencer
    July 13, 2012 at 5:22 pm #

    The 50s picture is overwhelming me with sadness. It just reminded me how fleeting everything is and that no matter how messy, rustic, outdated something or someplace is if it became a part of our lives, when it’s gone you still feel a tiny part of you get amputated.

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