When the going gets tough..

'I wanna tell you a little story' that's what dear old Max Bygraves used to say. My little story is just about how great market traders can be when times get difficult.

On Friday my van broke down, it was no big deal, the RAC soon came out and sorted the problem in their usual efficient and friendly way but it made me late for Diss market. I sent a text to a fellow trader explaining the problem.

When I arrived a trader was waiting to help me put up my stall. He helped with the frame and canopy and another female trader then came over to help me unload the van. I am not allowed to lift heavy stuff because of a spinal problem, other traders know this and woe betide me if I so much as look at a weight! So all was sorted really quickly and I could trade as normal.

Now this might not sound like much but it means the world to me. A lost day is bad enough, we often lose them to the weather but this day the sun shone and I would have hated to miss it. All traders understand how another feels in the same situation.

When I had serious problems with my neck and arms last year, I felt really bad about asking others for help but they would not hear a word of my protestations. For the past year they have all made sure I don't do myself any more damage and always check I am ok. These are true friends indeed.

It's not just me who has been helped in this way. Whenever a trader gets sick, suffers a bereavement or needs help, however much we bicker or moan the rest of the time, people rally to support them. This is always good to see.

Markets have their own little community and visitors help out in their own way too. We have people come and fetch papers or keep an eye on the stall, or while away the time with us. It's a funny little world but I love it!

Sometimes friends/family look at me strangely and say 'don't know why you do that job,' to be honest sometimes I ask myself the same question but it shows all sides to human nature, and humans truly are fascinating.

Don't believe the stereotypes of traders presented on Eastenders and the like, come find out for yourself!

Reasons to shop at Markets

Baby, it's cold outside but traders have warm hearts!

Get rid of that flu bug, cold and winter blues with a good dose of shopping therapy outside in the fresh air.

Being outside is proven to lift your mood (providing it's dry, not blowing a gale and not below freezing.)

Markets are economically friendly - a great place to find affordable goods when the pennies are being pinched.

Let's not forget they are environmentally friendly too! Few traders use electricity, we don't travel during rush hours and rarely travel for more than an hour to get to market. We don't pollute the air (except with the odd blue joke!)

Markets are the social hub of many rural towns and provide great atmosphere in larger cities. All ages gather for a chat on market day.

Markets are the oldest and most traditional way to shop. Many big businesses have been founded on markets. Famous former market traders include Philip Green, Alan Sugar, Fay Weldon worked on a market along with many others. It's the savvy way to learn to sell.

Recession is a time to return to our roots. As many big stores are closing and we are losing independent shops on a daily basis, it is proving a sad and difficult time for many. Let's keep markets alive by supporting them.

Markets are cool (in winter they are very cool), so give your local one a try!

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.

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

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!