Bricklane

Bricklane ( ব্রিক লেন) the Bangladeshi quarter of London.
Names of places in the UK really are literal. Bricklane was where bricks were manufactured (in the 15th century) and the buildings are made of brick.
From bricks it moved to brewing beer and weaving and tailoring cloth.

All this colourful past is alive and well in the current markets. Petticoat Lane and Spitalfields.

Two for a Fiver

Although a bit quieter than most Sundays, the Colombia Road Flower Market was still pretty lively. Go a little later and you'll get great bargains. Bunches of flowers for a fiver or a tenner.

Festive Butcher

What would I do with it? Maybe I'll stick to steak.

Pretty in the Rain

Wont matter too much if these brollies get caught in a gust of wind.

Fish Harvest Festival

It's harvest festival time cross the country and today one of them was the annual festival of the fish harvest, celebrated at St-Mary-at-Hill church in the city.

The porters are wearing heavy metal hats. They are are flat on top and have a large rim to catch water. Why?? Well ... in days gone by when Billingsgate market was in the city the porters wearing these metal hats would place enormous baskets of fish in ice on their heads and race them up the hill to Leadenhall market. They had absolute right of way up the cobblestone path between the markets.

So heavy was the load that this 5ft 6in chap at the top was once 6ft 3in. He told me so himself.

Sunday Bridges - Fabric

I'm back under bridges again. Walking under the railway bridge leading to the clothing market near Portobello Rd.

Courtesy of host Louis La Vache visit other Sunday Bridges

September Theme Day - Markets

Covent garden is one of the most famous markets in the world. It is known a fruit and vege market has been here since 1630. However archaeological digs in recent years points to activity here around AD 410.

To see other markets in the city daily photo community Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Neighbourhood

A corner near Portobello Rd. Closure of the famous market has been discussed in the media again recently.
Wandering around the nearby streets of expensive houses suggests a rather dull future for the area.

Book Market

Browsing old books at Southbank

After the Market

Markets have always been part of the way of life in London. Every quarter has markets, some daily some specific days. Anything you are looking for can be found in one or other market.

These stalls empty in the evening will be bustling first thing in the morning.

I found a couple of websites to help you select a market for your next visit.
London Markets
List of Markets.

Smithfield General Market

Smithfield market has been in the same site since it was established over 800 years ago. It is the only great London market not to have moved out of central London. Up the street to the left of this building is the fully restored and working meat processing market which supplies inner city butchers, shops and restaurants daily.

This is the abandoned general market of Smithfield, which was built in 1883. At the end of World War II, a V2 rocket struck at the north side of Charterhouse Street, near the junction with Farringdon Road (1945). The explosion caused massive damage to the market buildings, extending into the railway/underground tunnel below, and over 110 casualties. It has been under threat of demolition for a long time but after many years of lobbying by various heritage groups it appears that it may be granted a heritage grading that will see it saved and eventually restored.

Dates

I love seeing fruits and vegetables in their right season. We have become so used to buying everything all year round that it loses something don't you think?
Fresh dates are beginning to appear in markets at present. The first time I saw dates like these I wondered what they were.
Crunchy dates! A bit of research and I now know that dates have four ripening stages. This is the second stage known as khabal. They will soften a bit from this stage and become sweeter and darker in colour. Although unless properly dried they will only keep a couple of weeks.

English Mug

Found these great mugs at Spitalfields Market.
How many of you know about the pudding called Spotted Dick? A steamed suet concoction with currants, generally served with custard. Seems to have originated around 1850.
Think I'll opt for a fairy cake.