Market Characters

While markets harbour zillions of different characters, market traders fall into their own special categories. Most markets have at least one of the following.


Mr Boastful has always had a good day regardless of any negative factors every trader encounters on a regular basis. He will happily tell you exactly how well he did last Wednesday when every other trader who was present at the self same market knows jolly well it was a hopeless day. ‘I know the others were struggling, but I had my best day this month.’ (Then gives outlandish figure!)

Mr Boastful used to have a stall three times as big as it is now but then he realised he could take just as much if not more by downsizing. Am sure Freud would have something to say about the constant referrals to size of frontage (these means the length of the stall.)

Then there is the Moaner. Markets aren’t what they used to be (true but the same could be said of all retail at the moment). The Moaner always ends up next to someone he or she doesn’t like, who talks too much, too little or has nothing to say of any importance. The Moaner nearly always starts late and finishes early and then complains about the lack of business.

The Story Teller is always full of beans and has a different tale for every day of the week. If there isn’t an imaginative story to tell then there is a smutty joke or two. Sometimes the stories are almost true but the elaborations are so entertaining, who cares?

The Loner rarely converses with anyone this is either due to acute shyness or a complete lack of interest in participating with others. Market trading is a strange occupation for anyone who isn’t keen on interaction but it happens. It is hard to know if The Loner even passes the time of day with customers.

The Know It All can hold court for hours. If you see the same customer trapped for hours on his or her stall you will know they are being treated to a lengthy session of ‘putting the world to rights’. The Know It All is always first in line to help The Newcomer (see below.) The Know It All has been a trader for a hundred years and you can't tell them anything (and they don't listen much anyhow.)

The Wide Boy has done a great deal on the goods spread out before him; he bought the whole container ‘for a song.’ He always has a product before it hits the stores and will ‘make a killing’ then switch to something new. You won’t see Wide Boy at the same market every week as he works in circuits.

The Newcomer turns up earlier than anyone else looking anxious to get a pitch. Their stall bars are all shiny and new and they try to look like they know what they are doing and usually fail miserably. Everyone ignores The Newcomer.

The Pitcher is never popular as he attracts punters away from other stalls purely by volume of noise. Constantly reiterating the same sales pitch they drive their neighbours to distraction.

I've already mentioned The Flibbertigibbet in a previous post so check that one out for details!

Dare to be Different

The British are known for eccentricity, doing it ‘our’ way, not going with the flow and this is what I love about our culture. We can take being called eccentric as a compliment.

If I turned up at market and didn’t see a man striding down the gangway in an oversize Guinness hat or another wearing flowered Wellies and carrying a Prada style handbag I perhaps wouldn’t feel at home at all.

Being a little bit strange seems perfectly normal in our society. We see all life out in the open air and you do come to realise what eccentric means. There comes a time when you give up asking why and simply ask when the next one will be coming along. You know, the one with the snake wrapped around his neck, the parrot on the shoulder or the dog on the trolley. The pets are as eccentric as the humans.

Walk onto any market in the land and you will see replica stalls. I experienced this some time ago, many miles from here. Some are so similar I half expected to see recognisable faces appear from behind the bags, sweets or flowers. Only occasionally does anyone dare to be different. Supposedly there are only so many items that can be sold in the open air and this dictates what they will be.

It isn’t easy to step out of the ‘norm’ but it becomes increasingly necessary to find quirky ways to attract attention. If all the high streets look the same and there are clone stalls throughout the country, is it time to stand out and be counted? We can do eccentric if the mood takes us but would the ‘normal’ punters understand or desert.

An oriental flavour might be good, a stall selling edible bugs, it’s not unusual to yawn and swallow one anyway in the summer. Or maybe electric wheelchairs for dogs, it would save dragging that trolley about. A hat stall perhaps; selling oversize hats for those who feel a need to, well, wear oversize hats. Garishly printed clothing for those who don’t see a need to mix and match. Handbags with an outer pocket for small dogs. I could go on forever.

Maybe we are missing an opportunity to cater to the marginal sections of society. To run this along side the run of the mill items would indeed be a challenge. However many customers entrance us with their whacky ways, how many of us respond with whacky items to suit their needs? It does happen but the line was drawn at inflatable dollies and sheep some summers ago.

How to make people stop, stare and buy. If I ever find the answer I will bottle it and set up a whole new stall.

This could be the way forward for markets, daring to be different to attract a whole new world of punters.

The Market Scene Columns = The Flibbertigibbet

Flibbertigibbet sounds like an old fashioned word to describe a wonky hangman’s tool. In fact it describes a gossiping person.

I discovered the word quite by mistake but it amused me greatly as markets are full of flibbertigibbets. A market is of course the perfect breeding ground for such a creature. A number of people trapped for long periods in the same spot with an influx of visitors carrying fresh material to be dissected and disseminated describe market life nicely.

The flibbertigibbet can live on any stall but of course it divides its time between many others, large ears flapping and tongue protruding hungry for the latest hot topic. Any subject is worthy of endless repetition providing it is salacious, fairly ridiculous or may cause harm to the victim(s).

Nobody is safe from the flibbertigibbet and anyone can become the object of flibbertigibbeting. Choose a new product for your stall, increase your stall’s frontage, increase or lower your prices, drive home taking a different route, chat too long to a member of the opposite sex, wear something out of the ordinary, accidentally ignore someone, smile at the Toby, or any countless number of actions and you could get flibbertigibbeted – it’s a serious risk.

Flibbertigibbet also suggests a restless person and you will on a quiet day see traders wandering about flexing their limbs, yawning, stretching and generally looking for something to do or someone to chat to. Once set up is complete long hours stretch aching for interaction or just plain action.

The origins of the word are not certain but it is generally assumed to represent the sound of meaningless speech. How many of us have encountered that on any day of the week? Actually we try hard to entertain one another in quiet times and it is amazing how many topics can be covered in humorous and inventive ways.

Every evening my family love to hear the latest gossip, jokes and general trivia as well as more serious opinions and information imparted. Because it’s not all frivolous fun you know. It’s rare for me to return home without some tale to tell of market life. Indeed it is eagerly anticipated along with the dirty jokes that are typically rife and tales of intriguing customers.

If you don’t want to become a flibbertigibbet, after all it conjures up a quite ridiculous image in my mind (big ears, long tongue); the trick is to let the gossip stop with you. Don’t be tempted to immediately repeat the juicy titbit. Savour and bury is my motto. Who knows when the knives will be out for you, besides how much of it is likely to be true?

On occasion a story is invented and passed around for pure entertainment, Chinese Whispers grow into Norfolk orations worthy of a stage.

Perhaps it is time for a new word to enter our language – ‘Flibbertitrader’?

Another side to the media

Following on from my post the other day, where I mentioned how negative the media can be about markets, they can also be most helpful to business!

Years ago I remember how popular a particular heart shape pendant became when worn by the barmaid in Coronation St (popular UK soap for those from abroad who don't know it.) I became inundated with requests for the same style.

This only happens once in a blue moon and as a buyer I am always careful not to get too carried away by any particular craze which can literally die as quickly as it comes in and you don't want to end up with a load of stock you can't sell. It's a tricky balance.

More recently I happened to switch on GMTV only to view a fashion feature on scarves. Naturally I was delighted that they did my job for me in telling folk what a brilliant accessory scarves are, how they can brighten and add style to any outfit as well as all the usual practical uses (such as keeping warm, hiding upper arms, protecting a neck/shoulder prone to stiffness.)

A few days later I overheard a Northern lady on my stall remark to her friends about the GMTV fashion feature as she noticed our display of scarves. A positive mention for a product on national TV makes a big difference to sales. So thanks GMTV! It makes up a little bit for past negative comments on 'dodgy market traders'.

Another benefit of TV is that a lot of news presenters are of course up to the minute with their fashion and have been wearing costume jewellery. I often hear "ooh that's just like a necklace I saw on that girl from Anglia News the other day, or BBC Look East." Free advertising is magic and much needed!

For fabulous costume jewellery in Norfolk visit the Myriad Life Jewellery & Scarf Stall at Fakenham Auction Site market every Thursday, Diss every Friday and Sheringham Saturday. We are at these markets all year round ready to offer friendly personal service, try on the jewellery (excluding earrings for pierced ears) or scarf you like before you buy - we have a mirror handy!

Check this out

http://thehollywoodlookforless.blogspot.com/

I thought this was fun - why not check it out. Hey, we all want to look good, don't we?

Markets - An unfair press

Browsing through the magazines during a recent hospital visit I came across a copy of Which Magazine. I flicked through the pages picking up some (what I thought might be useful tips) when I came across a small article about buying batteries.

Apparently a Which magazine researcher had bought a packet of batteries for a pound from a market stall in North London only to find that they didn't last as long as a leading brand of batteries. So the researcher came to the conclusion that people should never buy batteries from markets because they don't last long.

Market stalls and their traders often get a bad portrait painted of them by the media in general. "You're not up to much, you're only a market trader." Comments like this are often to be heard on popular soaps such as Eastenders.

This is so unfair. All sectors of business have good and bad traders, be it shops, service industries, manufacturers and so on. Markets provide great value shopping, the majority of traders are good, honest, hardworking people who offer friendly personal service through all weathers, all year round.

To damn markets and their traders with such irresponsible articles and scriptwriting is unfair and wrong. Don't be put off by what you read because it isn't always true. Visit a market near you and find out for yourself.

A Day in the Life...

Of a Market Trader

On market days I get up at 5am. In winter this means it's dark when I rise and I still find it weird to be up when all the neighbours are fast asleep. I shower and get dressed as quietly as possible. In summer this is ultra quick because it means pulling on a t-shirt and shorts or jeans but in winter adding the layers is a pain. I wear on average 3-4 layers but generally they are thinnish ones so I can still move my arms!

It's too early for breakfast, I try to be away by 5.30am but sometimes it's later. It's great that there's not much traffic at this time.

In summer I get to see magical sunrises as I drive through the stunning Norfolk countryside. It's worth being up just for that.

Once at market I drive straight to my pitch. We have allocated spaces so there's no waiting around for the Market Toby (Slang for Inspector) to arrive. When you begin at a market you generally get treated as a 'casual' so you have to wait to be given a slot because someone hasn't turned up. After a month or so trading you are likely to be given a permanent pitch.

It takes about twenty minutes to get the stall up and cover sheets on. It might take longer if it's windy. I tie on 56lb weights to keep the stall on the ground. Usually it's only two but depending on the weather it might be four or six. Then for the next 3-4 hours I set up tables and display the stock. Most traders are much quicker to do this but because I sell jewellery which is lots of small bits it takes ages. I'm a perfectionist, I like the display to look as good as possible with all the colours co-ordinated.

I like to do this because the display is never the same two days running, this means customers will see something different even if they visited the stall the day before at a different site.

I wanted to create the kind of stall I would love to visit and finally after six years of learning and graft I have.

During set up I'll get a coffee. By 6.30 I'm absolutely gasping for one. The first coffee of the day always tastes good.

Later on I'll have a sandwich or some really unhealthy crisps but I wipe away the guilt with excuses to myself that my job is physical enough to work it off!

By 8.30am I'm roughly a quarter through the display and the odd customer will start checking the stall out. By 10.30-11am I'm done and by now will have been interrupted to sell the odd item. I think people like to see you working and feel less pressured to buy if they can see you are distracted. When the last piece goes out I like to have a sit down and another coffee. Other traders chat while we set up, exchanging gossip and having a laugh.

One of the things I love best about market trading is that I get to control the whole display process. I've always been creative and it's a source of great pride to me to create something special for my customers and they really appreciate it which is great!

Sometimes I'm quite busy and other times it's totally dead. You have a rough idea of what the day might be like businesswise because of the weather but on the whole it's pretty unpredictable. It can get boring but I always take a book. I'm careful to look up whenever a customer arrives to let them know they have been acknowledged - it's only polite.

On the whole people are really nice and easy to get on with. My regulars are great and it's always good to catch up with them and have a laugh.

Most markets finish around 3pm. It's the tiring part of the day packing it all up, sometimes it goes quickly and sometimes it seems to take forever. It's a quicker process than setting out but you often get interruptions because people still want to have a browse and it feels a bit rude to carry on putting things away when they are trying to look so generally I stop for a bit.

When it's all loaded I drive home, have a cup of tea, then if I need to I price stock for the next day I do that. Have something to eat, read or watch a bit of telly then go to bed early because before I know it, it's time to get up again.

Scenic Norfolk

If you want to find out more about the beautiful county of Norfolk UK, check out this link http://www.scenicnorfolk.co.uk/ to find lots of great information and some stunning photography.

Interview with Myself

I love checking out the fashion mags for obvious reasons (well it's part of my job.) I particularly enjoy the interviews so I thought I'd interview myself. Here goes!

Out of all the things you could do why be a market trader?

After years being stuck in offices working for other people, I thought it was time to test what I could do for myself. And what woman doesn't love jewellery?

But there must be an easier way to start a business...

I don't think it's easy to start any business and according to statistics most fail within the first two years.

So how come Myriad Life Jewellery is still here after six years?

Well it's a mixture of huge support from my other half, a willingness to learn, a belief in what I'm trying to achieve and sheer bloodymindedness! What people (including myself at the beginning) don't realise is that success doesn't come overnight despite all those quick fix tv programmes. It takes a long time to gain the confidence of customers and find out what they want. You never stop learning. Our aim to provide great fashion jewellery at affordable prices and offer friendly personal service and advice where required.

What would you say are the best and worst features of having a market stall?

Well the best is that I get to be outside. I've never been one for being cooped up and so long as it isn't blowing a gale, heavy rain or snowing I don't generally mind how cold it gets or hot for that matter. Also I get to meet a huge variety of people who for the most part are really nice. We've had a few odd ones over the years including a white witch but generally people are very interesting and fun to get to know.

I also absolutely love setting up, every day I do a new jewellery display and fiddle around with the scarves. It's a source of great pride and satisfaction to provide a display that people appreciate. They often comment how good it all looks and I never get tired of getting praised!

The downsides are rubbish weather which sometimes means you can't go out at all. Dark mornings - I don't like setting up in the dark and days when you don't get to see many people because of the weather. It can get a bit boring and demoralising sitting around doing nothing when you've gone to all that effort setting up. The other traders cheer you up though, that's when they're not moaning too!

If you didn't sell jewellery/scarves what would you sell?

I love being creative and I'd love to sell art but I still don't think I'd enjoy it as much as the jewellery. There's great pleasure in watching people treat themselves and choosing gifts. One woman bought her Granddaughter a necklace for having done a good job washing her car the other day. They were so happy it was nice to see.

How do you deal with difficult or rude customers?

It's pretty rare to get anyone truly horrible though it has happened. People who have no respect for the display and toss it around are a challenge. I bite my tongue but sometimes I very pointedly go around tidying up after them until they get the message. In truth I display the jewellery so that people can touch it and try it on so in a sense I'm asking for it to get messed up! Also I don't like it when people can't be bothered to say 'please' or 'thank you' politeness costs nothing.

On the whole my customers are charming so no real complaints.

What are the greatest misconceptions about market traders?

Well I think the main one is that the stall magically sets itself up and that we just sit around all day taking money. Most traders work very hard. It isn't just about turning up on the day, traders research their stock, they have to buy it, price it, pack it, some of them even deliver it. Add to that we have to do our own book keeping. My stall takes 3-4 hours to set up and nearly two hours to break down. Market traders are business people like any other. We have the advantage that if we aren't doing much trade in one town we can always move to another. Having said that we nearly all visit regular markets on a weekly basis all year round.

Any famous people visit markets?

In Fakenham, Trigger from Only Fools and Horses visits now and again, I've served Liza Goddard on my stall, a famous snooker player comes to Sheringham, other traders have mentioned famous people too. I'm waiting for Prince Charles and Camilla to take a trip over to Fakenham next time they are in the area. I know Camilla shops in Holt and Fakenham isn't that far away.

Why should people shop at markets?

Markets are an ancient British tradition, it's how shopping started and it's still a brilliant way to shop. You can get great quality goods at sensible prices. Markets aren't just about the produce though obviously there's nothing like fresh fruit, fish and meat, a huge variety of other goods get sold too, everything from books, shoes, CDs, mobile phone accessories, car cleaning products, clothing, plants, pet supplies - the list is endless. Nowadays, everyone is going on about environmentally friendly shopping, well markets provide just that, no electricity or expensive heating, just lots of good healthy fresh air.

What is your favourite market?

That's difficult to answer. All the markets I have different atmospheres. I like Diss because the market takes place in the centre of the town every Friday so the market provides a real focus. Fakenham has two markets, the town and Auction Site market so the variety is enormous. People can buy bric-a-brac and antiques as well as modern goods. Sheringham has a unique atmosphere being at the coast and comes into its own during the summer season. Holidaymakers return year after year. I don't have a special favourite, they are all unique.

Would you ever go back and work in a nice warm office?

Not if I can help it!

The Market Trader's Lament

This weather is not funny,
it really is not nice
it is flamin' August
and my fingers feel like ice.

This weather is not funny,
it's windy and it's wet,
tomorrow it will rain again
typical, I bet.

This weather is not funny
I'm trying to trade round here
but as I put my stall up
my heart is full of fear.

This weather is not funny
the wind is gathering pace
I'll hold on tight for now
but it's drying up my face.

Tomorrow I'll trade at Fakenham
I hope the sun will shine
but if the weather is the same again
All I will do is whine.

So come on all you kind folk
do a little dance
put August back in warmth again
and give us all a chance!

The Market Columns -

I thought that from time to time, I would share with you some of the columns I wrote for the Eastern Daily Press about life on Norfolk markets. I wrote them incognito under the pseudonym Petra Kidd. I hope you like them.
Market Scene

Dodgy Dave down the Market


The present government initiative to crack down on counterfeit goods sold mainly on markets is obviously a good thing. If what they say is true and the proceeds go to heinous criminals who push drugs and supply terrorists then all power to any body attempting to stop it.

There are many honest traders who don’t want these fly-by-night dodgy dealers visiting our markets. They attract the wrong kind of custom and put off the very people we want to attract. From what I’m told the DVDs are often filmed under someone’s jacket in a cinema and the quality is dire, so why bother anyway?

Nothing is worse for trade than the police swooping in and arresting the chap on the pitch next to you. You suddenly feel tarred with the same brush as people eye you as guilty by association. When times are tough anyway the last thing we want is a bad press.

I wish therefore that as the government shout from the rooftops about the wicked dodgy dealers selling rip off handbags and watches they had a little think about helping the honest traders. Taxation, together with endless rules and regulations in this country do little to encourage free enterprise and honest business. By all means clamp down on the bad but for goodness help the good.

Perhaps we are all guilty in creating a market for counterfeit goods by being so greedy for a bargain all the time. Living is expensive but people are forever looking for something for nothing. Often punters will refuse to pay a pound extra in Swaffham because they’ve seen the same item in Great Yarmouth for a pound less. Forget petrol or travel expense, this is how they think!

One of the great illogical arguments when a potential customer has tried to reduce the price and the trader refuses is that the trader has lost out because of losing a sale whatever the price. Quality induces greater value therefore a few pounds more both in cost and at sale price. Why is profit such a dirty word? It’s there to pay the costs and provide a living but is viewed with such suspicion by some.

Is it better to pay the price and receive quality goods that will last or pay a few quid less and have to replace the item in a shorter space of time?

It doesn’t surprise me how well the counterfeit market has flourished. It’s not just the big time criminals who are guilty but also those who are so keen to pinch pennies they can’t see the wood for the trees.
There is nothing wrong with getting a real bargain and the market is the best place for lots of them, as many regulars will tell you. Please don’t be put off by the dodgy traders, just don’t buy from them, you’ll be doing us all a favour.

Norwich Market

I decided to have a day off and guess where I ended up? Yes, on Norwich Market. It's always good to check out markets I don't do, it's fun to see what is being sold and the atmosphere.

Norwich Market was revamped a few years ago and the stalls are more like mini shops than stalls because the units have been set up permanently and can be locked up with the stock inside overnight. It's a bit clinical but with the sun shining it had quite a nice airy feel to it.

I know it's Monday and probably not such a good trading day but I felt somewhat disappointed to see lots of the units closed. It's not good for the other stall holders to have so many gaps. At least on my regular markets if a trader doesn't turn up we can spread a bit to fill their space.

However I did find some good stalls. I particularly liked the hat stall with loads of tempting titfers, I bought one for myself which was a real bargain at £2.75! The soap stall looked good too, ah yes, it also smelt lovely. Unsurprisingly even though it was barely 12noon many people were gathered at the food stalls, this is a familiar sight at any market. The coffee stall tried to pull me in with its rich aromas but I resisted. On a day off I wanted to chill rather than get a supercharge caffeine fix - maybe next time.

I quite liked the look of the Indian clothing and jewellery stall too, the sparkling outfits caught my eye.

Like I said, it would have all been so much more appealing had more stalls been open. I can't visit later in the week as I will be out in the wilds of Norfolk on my own stall.

Just as a reminder, Myriad Life Jewellery & Accessories visit Sheringham every Wednesday (April-Oct), Fakenham - Thursday, Diss - Friday and Sheringham again Saturday. Keep an eye on this site for upcoming shows.

For further information about Norwich Market visit http://www.norwich-market.co.uk/, this is a wonderful website which will tell you all you need to know.

Questions about Markets

What is a market?
A place where crazy folk put up stalls and stand out in all weathers selling their wares. Usually you will find them in city centres six or seven days a week or once a week in towns.

How did markets start?

It's the oldest way of trading. Back in ancient times there weren't so many shops but lots of street traders instead.

Why do we still have markets then when we have so many shops?

Good question. I suppose because it means almost anyone who wants to sell something can set up a stall and sell it. It's cheaper and more flexible than having a shop. Also you get a nice friendly atmosphere at markets and people, traders and customers get more time to chat to each other and become friends.

Are markets better than shops?

Well although in a way they have similar purposes, to sell goods to customers it's not possible to say one type of selling is necessarily better than another. Certainly in winter I think many market traders would rather be tucked up nice and warm in a shop but if trade is difficult then it is good to be able to set up stall in different locations rather than just be stuck in one hoping the customers will come to you.

Markets are more flexible than shops and create their own type of atmosphere.

Do you have to be more careful of rogue traders at markets? Will the goods I buy be rip offs or rubbish?

Well that depends on the market you visit. Trading Standards visit most markets on a regular basis and get rid of the baddies. Like any business a few baddies can give a place a bad (undeserved) name. Be more wary with traders selling DVDs or electrical items if they aren't at market every week. Also see if the trader is a casual. Good traders will usually have a regular pitch and attend market every week and be happy to take returned items if the customer isn't satisfied.

In my experience nearly all market traders are hard working business people who sell quality goods that are just as good as any you will find in a shop if not better. Because it is their business they will want to please you and have your regular custom.

Council run markets tend to have strict rulings on who can trade. Market traders have to join the National Market Traders Federation which gives them insurance and a professional body to report to. Market inspectors are informally known as Toby's, if you have a problem with a trader ask where you can find the Toby and he/she might be able to help.

Will markets survive with all the large supermarkets?

Well I hope so but they will only survive if people start to recognise the true value markets give towns and cities. They bring in tourism, many foreign visitors enjoy using markets because it is a part of their culture. People abroad are more likely to shop at markets than we are in the UK.
Also markets provide a more environmentally friendly way of shopping. Few market traders use electricity, heating and lighting or chemicals to clean with. It's healthy to shop in the open air too. The more hours you can spend out in the natural daylight the less depressed you will become. I am living proof. I used to work in an office and often ended up with flu bugs and viruses. Also I used to get really down. Now I am in the open air at least three to four (sometimes five) days a week, I've never been healthier (touch wood). I can't remember the last time I had a cold but it must have been years ago. (Uh oh, I'll probably get one now!)

How can I find out about a market near me?

Contact your local council, check out their website or ask at Tourist Information. Someone should be able to point you in the right direction. Think about the type of market you want to visit, these days there are Farmer's markets as well as traditional ones, Flea Markets, Antiques and Collectables.

What can I find at a market?

Again, it depends on the market. The markets my stall visits (www.myriadlife.co.uk for further information) provide everything from fresh fruit and veg to books, tools, carpets, CDs, clothing, baskets, plants, vacuum spares, camping gear, and loads more. Check out www.sheringhammarket.blogspot.com and www.fakenhammarket.blogspot.com for further details.

Markets vary across the country in what they supply. London markets are brilliant to visit. Places like Spitalfields have new fashion designers, creators etc so you might pick up something from someone who will one day be famous.

Anyway, whatever you do, give markets a try - we need your support to keep the great British tradition alive.



Visit www.myriadlife.co.uk for great costume & natural jewellery, pashminas, & batik pictures

Sheringham Market Blog

Check out the new blog promoting Sheringham Market and its traders www.sheringhammarket.blogspot.com

At the moment you can see a list of all the goods sold there but soon we will be adding pictures so that you can see what the stalls look like and offer.

It's time to tell the world about the wonderful Sheringham Market where tourists and locals visit all year round. Sheringham is a lovely coastal town with a lot to offer but when it comes to the market it is often ignored on local advertising literature.

Well we plan to change all that. Sheringham is located in North Norfolk, (not that far from Cromer & Holt). You can't miss the market as you drive into the town because it is situated on a car park on the main street into the town.

There are a number of events throughout the summer months including a Potty Festival, a Forties day, Sheringham Carnival and lots more.

Opposite the market you will find a super old steam engine railway station, take a step back in time and enjoy the nostalgia of steam.

Whatever you do this summer include Sheringham Market in your plans - a warm welcome awaits!



Visit www.myriadlife.co.uk for great costume & natural jewellery, pashminas, & batik pictures

North Norfolk Radio

North Norfolk Radio gave markets a mention today. Suddenly the local press and radio have picked up on issues surrounding our county markets which is great!

It's a bit of a bizarre coincidence I have to say as I have been looking for ways to promote Norfolk markets and was discussing it on Saturday with a like-minded trader or two. Probably the Eastern Daily Press is showing an interest after reporting on the problems Dereham market have been experiencing.

Finally we get some publicity, hopefully this will go on and get more people interested in shopping at markets.

Visit www.myriadlife.co.uk for great costume & natural jewellery, pashminas, & batik pictures

The History of Markets

I was meandering about the web today and found some interesting information about the history of markets in Norfolk where the Myriad Life market stall visits I thought you might like to see. Check out the links below.

For Fakenham visit
http://www.edp24.co.uk/Content/Postcard_From/fakenham.asp

For Sheringham visit http://www.sheringhamonline.co.uk/pages/history.html

and for Diss visit http://www.diss.co.uk/local_history.asp

Please support your local market - it's fun to visit and who knows you might pick up a bargain.

We have a strong tradition of markets in Britain, they are part of our heritage.

Zimbio Wikizine

Myriad Life has created a Wikizine on the Zimbio site check it out at http://www.zimbio.com or check out the logo link at the bottom of this page. This is an online magazine devoted to information about markets.

My intention is to create an informative magazine on market shopping, where to find good markets, news and titbits, pictures, and gossip. Hopefully people will get involved, add their comments and find out what a great way it is to shop.

Hope you like it and that it goes some way to opening up a whole new world you might not have known about already.

You can get all sorts of great items at markets, www.myriadlife.co.uk sell gorgeous costume jewellery including pendants, necklaces, earrings, clip on earrings, bracelets and brooches, framed batik pictures and beautiful pashmina scarves. Check out the website for further information.

Most markets have stalls selling books, tools, clothes, CDs and DVDs, household products, sweets, cakes, camping equipment and much more, the list is endless. It's a friendly atmospheric, environmentally friendly way to shop - but hey, at this time of year you need to wrap up warm!