Merry Cheesemas and a Hap-pie New Year

Christmas update

Sorry for the delay, but we have been busy since the last posting in August.  Together with the work we do for our church, where we are pastors, and a problem with the computer and printer, there is a lot to bring you up to date with.

 The demolition of the old market proceeds and there is now very little to show what was there,

 although the  rather forlorn "Castle Market" sign still showed over the lover level entrance when the picture was taken.

 We had been getting rather low on the Birdhouse teas range, so we took the opportunity to re-stock, and added a few new lines to the range, including the Christmas "Noel" products.

 The Moor Market celebrated its second anniversary the Su. took the opportunity to create some publicity.

 The Christmas decorations had to be knitted using Yarn bought in the market (details later) and hung, along with the lights.

 Mr Fitzpatricks brought a new line for Christmas, Plum and Pear with spices.

 We had to make a display for the Christmas card photo.  This was then printed and given to hundreds of customers together with discount vouchers for the coming year.

 The market management organised an event to commemorate the anniversary of the blitz.  This was run in the evening and did not affect normal trading.  I'm not sure what my father would have made of such a sanitised event.  He was a policeman on duty in Brightside at the time of the blitz.  Our offer to come and break the windows and cover everything with cement and brick dust was politely declined!

 St. Mathew's parish church on Carver Street used one of the vacant stalls to create a Christmas crib

 and to provide a prayer wall where people could leave requests for prayer.  The vicar, Father Grant Naylor, led carol services on both Saturdays before Christmas.

Found poem.

We have been listening to things said in the market, and have collected some, and arranged them in to what Dave Gorman would call a found "poem".  You will have to imagine the orchestra playing "Sarabande" (or you could try to find it on-line

The Moor Market.

It's just like coming into a market.

Bananas a pound. Breadcakes a pound

Hold this, its in here somewhere.

Your'e going to have to get it out for me.

Get it curled.

Look at that. Are we seeing Uncle Pete?

Wow Monkey! I bet its arms ache.

Went down this turning and I wanted that turning

This has been a week now and it's making me ill.

Where's the toilets. I drunk too much.

I haven't lost her. Come here often.

He looks terrible. Look at the butcher's stall.

Look at the size of them balls.

I'm worried about squashing my sausage.

Put some elastic round it..

It's exactly what I said.

Somebody been at the cash machine again.

Can I help you my love?

What Day is it?

Always lasts longer in winter.

It will go in this bag, its got to last me a month.

How did that get up there?

Can you come up the back passage?

I've been playing with my sausages

Does she? Is she one of them?

I like a big one. Ha Ha Ha.

Just unloaded it. Plastered all the way.

My son's into these hysterical artefacts.

That's a beauty darling.

I love eighteen inch.

And I apologised that it wasn't a very large one.

Come on now then girls.

I'm just looking.

Its a live one.

Ooh I say, just look at that.

Everything is so well laid out.

Don't know about you,but I like a big one.

It's nice to come to a market that has some stalls occupied.

Hurrah! Come on darling.

S and J's on Tour.

A group of  market traders were asked to take stalls to Fargate on Thursday 9th July.  The idea was to show shoppers some of what is available in the market and encourage them to come down to the Moor.

The weather was on our side, and we talked to lots of passers by, gave away leaflets and sold some groceries.  People have already come into the market as a result of being on Fargate.

New products in stock

We have several exciting new lines in stock ready for the summer.

 This range of gravies and stocks solves many problems.  Being jellied and concentrated, there are no problems with lumps.  The tubs can be kept without refrigeration until they are opened.

 A choice of marinades is available with a wide variety of flavours.  Just place the meat into a bag or box with the powder, leave and then cook.  Ideal for barbecues.

 A new range of chunky tapenades and tomato pastes.  Ideal accompaniments to any meal.

 Ten wholemeal, hand-blended stuffings.  Suitable accompaniments for any meat or fish dishes.

Teas from Sri Lanka (Ceylon)  Black teas from the mountains, hills and valleys, as well as green tea.  Loose tea and tea bags.

Recent Developments

The  annual Hallam fm "Dress as a superhero" day saw Jon reprising his alter ego of Dangermouse.

 The 13th to 27th May is "Love your Local Market" fortnight.  This annual event, promoted by NABMA seeks to encourage people to value the resource they have in their local markets.  We dressed the stall in honour of the campaign.

 Passing the site of the Castle market on the bus, the progress in the demolition is apparent.  We are looking forward to seeing what the archaeologists find underneath.

Looking forward to seeing you at our stall.  We have been to a trade fair, and have some new lines coming soon.  Details to follow when they are in stock.

Couldn't wait!

Many of our customers are eager to try the products they have bought.  Usually they wait until they get home, but for one, the temptation was too great...