Sunday 8 December 2019

Market Day.

It was Market day on Thursday so I had a wander around. As a teenager I used to come here every Saturday, the market was very big then, the stalls were packed in, and the place was heaving with shoppers. It had a buzz that I liked. Now it is a lot smaller.
The Market Hall is still there. People flocked to get under cover if it rained. There was a lot more stalls then, we shuffled around. Now big empty spaces, but the atmosphere is nice, space and time to linger and have a coffee and chat. The café was busy.


Old brewery buildings are still standing in and around the town, giving it a sense of character and history. 

Old pubs are still there.

The Coopers Tavern was very popular, not very big but people crammed themselves in because of the real ale they served.

The skyline is dominated by the breweries.


There are name changes, this used to be the Midland Hotel.

This was my favourite shop for a while, for outdoor wear and big boots. Now called Springfields, it was the Army and Navy Store. 
I met up with Margaret who I used to work with over 50 years ago. We found each other on Facebook a couple of months ago. We worked at Wesleys in Victoria Crescent, which is no longer there, it is now housing. It was a factory which made toilet rolls, flat pack toilet paper, and Christmas garlands. It was the last job I had before I moved to Blackpool. We had lots to talk about, old photographs to look at, over a cup of coffee. Andy worked at the same place for a while, that's where they met and have been together ever since.
Burton is so much bigger now. I am asked if I would go back and live there, the answer has to be no. Too much traffic, and frequent congestion to get over the two river bridges. I am a country bumpkin.
Sunday morning, it has been raining but the sun is coming out. Countdown time for the walking, and heading for 1000 miles. 
We'll catch up soon. Stomach is asking for food so time for breakfast. Toodle pip.  ilona  


14 comments:

  1. The Army and Navy store. That brings back memories.

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    1. It used to be a dusty dark shop full of dark coloured clothing, and big boots, and some camping gear. I loved mooching around in there.

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  2. Nice to meet up with people would you use to know.
    I always think Market Towns are lovely usually full of character.
    Hazel c uk

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    1. Burton is certainly buzzing. Hardly any empty shops, but the market has shrunk in recent years.

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  3. I really enjoyed this post Ilona, thank you.
    As a child, I had family in Burton and we would go to visit often, your photos brought back memories. Is there still an aroma of hops and yeast in the air from Marmite and the breweries.
    My cousin still lives there.
    Best wishes Pam in Texas.

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    1. Hi. The town doesn't smell as bad as it used to. I think they must have updated their systems to get rid of it.

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  4. Thankyou lovely pictures of a lovely town

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    1. The town maybe lovely, but take a look around the edges of it. Like many places, litter and garbage lying around.

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  5. hi Ilona, how lovely to meet with old friends in Burton. We were there on Friday. We got off the V3 bus at the bridge and walked down past the rowing club, then down along the river path as far as Stapenhill gardens. From there, over the iron bridge into town. Fish and chips for dinner. It was a lovely sunny day. Nice way to spend a few hours.

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    1. I know exactly where you walked, it's very pleasant around Stapenhill Gardens.

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  6. Me encantan los mercados al aire libe. Siempre que hago un viaje, aunque son pocos, si hay mercado me encanta dar un paseo por ellos

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    1. Los mercados al aire libre ingleses están en declive. Muchas ciudades las tienen durante uno o dos días a la semana, y se están reduciendo. No mucha gente quiere estar afuera todo el día en el frío. Tuve un puesto en un mercado una vez, lo dejé porque no hay suficientes clientes y mucho trabajo por muy poco dinero.

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  7. I think my yesterday comment must be floating around blog land somewhere,lol.So I will just say again ..what brilliant photos!I remember buying a winter jacket for my daughter from that market hall,about 41 years ago.I think that that must be the last time I went shopping around Burton town center.I remember the breweries aswell because we used to drive by them on the way to my Grans house in Tutbury and 2 of my uncles used to work there.As I was on my way home from my weekend break,I saw from the coach window the sign saying 3 miles to Tutbury...I really wanted to jump off the coach and go and see my relatives that still live in the village that I have so many happy memories of!.Thanks for sharing these photos Ilona.My weekend break in Matlock and Chester was great.We stayed in a hotel in Crewe.I spent very little on my self,but treated my Grandaughter...cause thats what my frugal living is all about,lol.She also loved the trip and is looking forward to us booking another one!

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    1. I don't know what happened to your previous comment. It didn't arrive here.

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