Monday 1 November 2010

TREACLE MARKET

Macclesfield always used to have flourishing markets, both in the Market Place (where else?) and one down the bottom of the hill, which at one time was a Cattle market. That is, until the Council, in its wisdom moved the market to a rather windswept and off centre car park. Which meant the market wasn't nearly as good.

However, a few months ago, some lively-minded citizens organised a Sunday Market, which they called Treacle Market, as Macclesfield was at one time nick-named "Treacle Town" (don't ask). This market has flourished and on Sunday was packed with everyone enjoying themselves.



We started at the bottom of the hill, in Waters Green, where it was all food, and a flower stall. There was a lovely Greek stall, with home-made hummous, olives, pasta, and other yummy Greek specialities. There were lots of other stalls selling honey, chutneys, all sorts of bread, and other foody things.




I admired the flower stall, and bought a deep red cyclamen. This meant I had to climb up the steep hill to the Market Place, where the flea market and non-food items were, carrying a pot plant, some hummous and a packet of that rice-shaped Greek pasta!




There were some very strange things for sale up there!




And a rather gorgeous mirror, though you would need a Baronial Hall to accommodate it!

There was also a stall with the artist and her work for sale, as etchings and silk-screen printed pictures. I fell in love with one, but it is for my birthday this week, so I can't show it to you, as it has mysteriously disappeared!




There were one or two people who had just turned up in the hopes of selling something. I don't know if this fellow sold any of his old radios!

It was a very successful Sunday morning, and most enjoyable. I am looking forward to the next one, which should be a very Christmassy one!

14 comments:

Diane said...

What a great looking market - a bit like the very lovely french ones. I have my grandads old radio which looks like one of those - I keep meaning to get it repaired. Hubby and I fancied a stay at Thoresby Hall - until we saw the clientelle! We realised that we were at least 30 years too young for the place. xxxxx

Sue said...

Like your new header! Interesting post - I didn't know about treacle town. I had heard there were treacle mines nearby...

I bet I know which market stall grabbed Dad's attention!

Hollace said...

Why does the Council have so much power in moving things about? Do the townspeople get to vote? I'm glad for you that something has stepped into the gap.

KathyA said...

That hanging skeleton is very 'interesting' to say the least!

All-in-all, though, a lovely market.

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

Looks like an interesting place to spend a Sunday afternoon. Was the skeleton real?

Rosie said...

Looks a super market with lovely produce. We inherited an old radio late 40s early 50s I think - we gave it to the local steam railway for their 1950s room at one of the stations along the route:)

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

I love markets and yours looks very interesting.

Somewhere round about said...

Been a while since I've been to a Macc Market! Lovely images........

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

I love that market! And I liked those radios. Anything old, I like.

So your birthday's coming up!

kenju said...

Gilly, a happy birthday to you - whenever it is!!

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

Have a very enjoyable birthday Gilly - sounds like there's a good chance that you may get the artwork you admired!

Like the market pics and the bright, colours of the earlier posts too. x

Glennis said...

Those old radios are cool!! I grew up with one, I'm not sure where it ended up. It wasn't in Mom's house when we sold it.

I love the idea of selling plants to support charity. Great idea.

I would find a place for that mirror in a minute!

Marja said...

Hi Gilly I so love markets This one looks wonderful. We don't have a lot of them and I went to yealy on yesterday and that attracted quite some people

Macclesfield Loop said...

Hi Gilly you'll be pleased to know the Treacle Market has moved and is now in Market Place and along Chestergate. No more steep hill to climb, with or without plant in hand!