The Charter Market

Early this morning Jackie drove me to Lymington Market so that I could make a few purchases and photograph some of the stalls.

‘The Market was originally granted a Charter (a document providing certain rights to the people of the town) in the mid-13thCentury, which enabled Medieval Lymington to hold its own market.  Farmers, traders and merchants would come from far and wide to sell their goods. This is still true of today’s traders.

The High Street was deliberately designed to be wide enough for a market to be held regularly and this can still be seen in the current imposing Georgian architecture that lines both sides of the High Street, from the Quay in the East and up to St Thomas Church which holds a commanding position in the West.’ (http://www.lymingtonmarket.co.uk/the-market/index)

‘There are 100+ stalls every Saturday from 8am until 4pm, which is popular with local residents, visitors and tourists alike.’ (https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g190774-d7245979-Reviews-Lymington_Charter_Market-Lymington_New_Forest_National_Park_Hampshire_Hampshire_E.html)

My samples will, I think, speak for themselves.

Although the morning was bright, sunny, and of a mild temperature, Jackie reported an eerie silence and lack of birdsong in the garden. The second pile of pigeon feathers in a few days revealed what we had suspected. One of the buzzards that circle over the fields opposite had made strikes.

Nugget, however, remains alive and well.

“Where’s Nugget?” (53)

This evening we dined on Jackie’s splendid chicken jalfrezi served with plain basmati rice and paratha. She drank Hoegaarden and I drank more o the Fleurie.

 

 

91 comments

  1. I wouldn’t have much money left after yesterday’s Christmas shop you brought us to, but this market would probably get the rest. Great prices on the leeks and crocus bulbs for two examples!!

  2. When I got to the first photo of the pastries, I really laughed. I wonder what was on that empty tray? Whatever was there must be good, and popular as a result!

  3. What a nice variety of things–produce looks beautiful and some of the crafts were very appealing. I’d have spent some money, I think. I hope Nugget stays safe from predation.

  4. I too get attracted by the markets with a variety of things; fruits, vegetables, materials for use in the households, what what not! It is also a place where we can meet a different people with similar liking for the market place.Photos are just a treat to the eyes. Thanks for sharing Derrick sir.

  5. That is an engrossing pictorial rendition of the Charter Market.

    The buzzard is the Grim Reaper of tinier winged beings. Nugget,who has transformed himself into a twig in the Quiz, must be careful.

  6. What a fun place to shop, browse, people-watch, take photos!
    Seems they have anything a person could want! 🙂
    The fresh veggies look yummy!
    The bread! Oh, my gosh, the bread! 🙂
    And I even saw some pigs, cows, sheep, and roosters!
    Hmm…Did you buy any Christmas gifts?!
    HUGS!!! 🙂
    PS…Nugget is in fine form and seems to want us to find him today! 😉 😀

  7. I read recently that piles of feathers and/or headless victims are the mark of a fox. Do you have any foxes?
    It’s great to see your market thriving. Here, as far as I know, markets are dying back with only Sunday car boot sales seeming to thrive.

  8. I had a moment of panic–I’m glad you revealed that Nugget is well!
    That market looks wonderful, and amazing that the charter goes back to the 13th century. The food stands remind me that I haven’t had breakfast yet. 🙂

  9. Wow, this is one serious market. There wasn’t one element that I wasn’t drawn too- I would be buying a lot of everything.- like the baked goods, breads, fruits, vegetables, meats, etc.

  10. What a splendid market, Derrick. I would definitely have been tempted to buy a few things, mostly fresh produce and of course some pastries and bread. 🙂 I’m glad to see that Nugget is alive and well.

  11. Brilliant. Love a local market – the only type of shopping I like, in fact. This looks better than the ‘Christmas markets’. I was charmed by the latter on visits to Germany, but so ‘over them’ now they’re everywhere in UK.

  12. Looks like a great market – I’m afraid Newark is declining.

    Nugget’s main defence is that he’s so scrawny he isn’t worth the effort, though feathers in a garden are often the sign of sparrowhawks and they will take smaller morsels…

    1. Thanks very much, Quercus. Newark began to decline when Europe’s refrigerated vans legislation came in. Jackie’s Belgian friends thought we were daft for obeying them. Let’s hope Nugget is immune from attack.

      1. Fingers crossed for Nugget. I went to Newark Flea Market today. You used to have to queue to get a pitch if you weren’t a regular but it’s down to a dozen stalls now.

  13. There’s something for everyone on that market. You can always tell a healthy ecosystem by the presence of predators, thankfully the Assistant Head Gardener was not among the prey. 🙂

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