A Passante In Tamworth, UK
Since relocating back to the UK 6 months ago, this is my 1st participation in #MarketFriday hosted by @dswigle.
I love market scenes, and have always enjoyed roaming streets, alone, (main ones and off-beaten tracks) to observe the intertwining of narratives and actions of, and in familiar and unfamiliar persons and places.
In fact, I can be as engaging and involved as I choose to be, or a distant detached observer at other times, and Street Photography fills a void.
However, I've had to wait a week before writing about this experience since Tamworth Street Market is held only twice per week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Nevertheless, this wait has allowed me to get creative with my edits, and to relive and smile at some of the nuances and beautiful moments I observed of people going about their lives.
My reason for visiting Tamworth, was for upgrading our narrowboat engine from a problematic one, to a new reliable engine; which arrived within the 6 weeks waiting period quoted by a trusted and highly recommended local boat mechanic, Mark. However, I'm still in town as we're in the process of prepping the engine bay before installation of the new engine; and soon we'll be on our way continuously cruising again.
So, killing time, and trying to avoid boredom, I've made several trips to the Tamworth town centre, an hour walk from where my narrowboat was downgraded to a butty boat, and moored at a boatyard.
Frankly, my first impressions of Tamworth's town centre, an old town with many plain huge brick buildings, and narrow streets lined with coffee shops, restaurants, individual shops, and bars; were synonymous with "a face only a mother could love."
It definitely warrants a facelift, as it looks drab, and there really isn't anything special about it; everything is centred around the antiquated Shopping Centre, Ankerside.
Still, I kept exploring and quizzing my mind about what I could do to make my visits more interesting.
While walking through the town exploring the streets, I overheard a man answer his phone saying:
Hi Pam, what can I "do you" for?
I chuckled, with the hope that Pam's sense of humour was as funny as this jovial lad.
I then thought, is this gonna be the highlight and lasting memory of my time in Tamworth?
Ding!
The idea for Market Scene photos, dawned on me.
I walked to the ideal imaginable location that I thought would have been perfect for a market, but there was nothing. Popping into a store along the street, I told the shop clerk that I was not from the area, and I asked her for directions to the local market. She explained that the market days are on Tuesdays and Saturdays only, at the very place I thought it might have been, and also along St. George Street, the Main Street, adjacent to Coleshill Street.
Market Day
I sprung out of bed, showered, had a quick bite, packed my camera bag inside my backpack, with my water bottle and a pack of Haribos (a relapsed addiction, my guilty pleasure), then headed down the towpath.
On a mission, I paced myself with long fast steps, to avoid any distractions.
In just 45 minutes, I dashed through some back street alleys, to the centre of the town where the action was.
There was a wide variety of stalls; from phone repairs, flowers, fruit & Veg, clothes & shoes, antiques, household and haberdashery items.
Yes, like that of a traditional market.
An arcade dedicated to dogs
If you're looking to create a dog's palace, you would find everything to accessorise and decorate it here: Beds, pillows, blankets, toys, seasonal clothing, and everything one might wish to provide for their dog.
Family Day-Out
the curious one
Children roamed and played in the streets freely while creating their own little worlds amidst the chaos.
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe
said this little girl, window shopping and licking her ice cream.
No complications.
If only picking "Mr Right" was that simple...
Could it?
Should it?
Paparazzi Shot?
No!
Just candid shots of a nice looking couple.
Seeing mature couples holding hands, makes me smile.
What about you?
Fresh Flowers - Always a flower!
There's never a market without flowers.
Do you like flowers?
I'm carefree, and I like to see flowers growing wild.
This photo was taken only by the request of this happy smiling man. I wasn't ready, as I was taking a moment to clean my lens, hence it's a bit blurred.
I had to add it though;-
Happy day, happy person, happy moment!
Flower Vendor
It was a pleasure watching him shuffle all the potted flowers on the display stand.
I actually went across the street and switched to my zoom lens.
and here's his better backside.
Pretty Colourful Plants
Assorted Seeds
At the top of St. George Street where most people enter the market, there was a phone stall with new phones and accessories, and also providing minor repairs.
There's never a town without memorable characters
This lovely chap and I has a good chat. He quickly identified with me, as his dad is originally from Barbados, and he himself has visited and spent time in Jamaica, my homeland.
He has many tales, and we both had good laughs.
In fact, when I told him that I visiting the town specially for photography of the market, and that I live on a narrowboat, he remarked:
"The best thing about living on a narrowboat is that if you do not like your neighbour, you just move."
I complimented his accurate viewpoint!😜
I decided to change my scratched screen protector. Although they were not familiar with my Vivo phone from the Philippines, with tenacious effort, they found a similar size screen to apply. He and his companion made fun, and mentioned that my phone looked like it has been around the world. A fact indeed!
I'm not a big phone user, so I don't see the need to invest in or update my phones, unless they die.
Street Scenes
Busker #JasonAllan has a pretty decent voice.
Smooth, good range, and controlled vocals.
He had a surrounding audience of ladies on all fours, and floored, in awe.
...yes, they got the dress code memo...
Happy faces everywhere
Food stalls provided a nice aroma throughout the town
I love a nice juicy sausage !
The smell made me feel peckish, but I resisted having any of it.
After passing here a few times, they could have been referring to me...
I blanked my eyes while passing this food cart.
A Noticeable Pair
Clothes Stalls along the streets with unique pieces and high street fashion at reduced prices.
Marks & Spencer was a popular brand.
Snug, Comfy Pillows & Bedding For Sweet Dreams
Should she get another plant?, she wonders
Antiques
Excited silver ladies with palpitating hearts & feasting eyes.
So funny watching them.
We all can relate to seeing items from our younger days that evoke happy memories.
Their minds are sharp; they enquire about availability of specific colours and sizes.
I love older folks. So much to learn from them!
Zoom-in ... "Gold Finger" (Fresh Fruit Anyone?)
It was a long wait for Market day, and throughout the week I kept hoping that the weather would be great for my anticipated day.
It was indeed.
Not too hot, not cold...no wind, luckily!?
I had a pleasant walk to the town, and had chats with some friendly locals who love and enjoy living in Tamworth.
Truthfully, it might not be one of the most modern developed towns, or cities in the UK, but from observation, its a fairly affluent town in a relatively appealing and convenient rural area of the UK.
As I said, street photography fills a void; and I'm eager to resume my nomadic way of life, as soon as our narrowboat's new engine is installed, tested, and approved.
Thank you for stopping by and reading about my day spent roaming the streets of Tamworth on Market Day.
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Wow @millycf1976 .Thanks for sharing this. You were pretty busy taking these awesome shots filled with interesting interactions, scenes and characters. Did you take all of these in a day?
Hello @bearmol
Thank you!
Yes, I did all these photos in one day.😁
I spent 5 hours roaming the streets, something I thoroughly enjoy.
It took me longer to sort through the photos and put my stories together, and I enjoyed looking back at them and recalling the actual happenings of it all.
To be honest, it's an extremely dull, and fairly depressing town, and looking at the photographs have added colour that makes me yearn to go back and hang out on the corner.
I probably look doggy on the street corners 🤣
The thing is, with street photography, you could return to the same place everyday and always different stories unfolding.
I’m happy you enjoyed exploring the market. It’s great to be able to spend time developing on your interests and find content even in a location that is dull and depressing.
I wonder if your view of the location will be the same the next time you visit.
The view will be the same always, but the stories of the streets are totally unpredictable, and that's what I find so fascinating :-)
Lol. I understand sis. All the best on your adventures.
Thanks and same to you and family!😍
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Hello @elemarg25
Thank you so much for the support.
Very much appreciated ;)
I love how you took so many interesting photos, especially of the people. I'm really hesitant to take photos of people in case they don't like it, as I personally don't want strangers taking photos of me. And especially with children, some parents get really paranoid about it.
Great work on bringing the market to life
Thank you so much Pauline!
You're right, you have to be skeptical about people taking your photo, and also of me taking theirs. I always take pictures before they see me, and most times they don't see me at all:). This way I get candid shots and real stories.
There should be a place to post street photos; I think in years to come, generations could look back and see images of close relations and even of themselves:)
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Perfect snapshot of a pretty generic English. Captured to perfection. Made me a little homesick to be honest as it reminded me a little of Pontefract on a bustling Saturday morning.
Greggs...how could you do that to me as I'm sat here with my umpteenth plate of rice today. I'd give anything for a 2 quid sausage sandwich and a coffee!
Have a lovely weekend :-)
Thank you @nathen007 ;-)
Ah, I love Greggs too. It's one thing I missed while living in the Philippines. I always go for a Steak Bake that's pipping hot! Two years ago when I visited the Uk on holiday, I popped in to Greggs everyday!
I bet you do miss the buzz of the Saturday mornings here.
Have a nice weekend too:-)
It looks like a great time spent wandering around and observing people. It reminds me of my days in the UK when I used to do the same thing in a very similar looking town. I loved walking around on my own and sometimes just sit on a bench to observe and appreciate everything happening around me.
Great pictures and narrative!
Thank you so much Yohann!😊
Roaming and taking images is therapeutic for me.
I forget all my needs and worries, and take in the rest of the world. It's like creating my own happiness and full in the mundane.
Love people watching and there are always wonderful characters in markets. I just had to laugh when you noted what the guy said,
Haha! I knew you would get it Arni🤣😂
It's like he was in my mind, and the way he said it, with so much meaning...I forgot social norms and we hi fived to it!🤣
😂😅 It's amazing how people we meet could be so insightful 😁
Truly amazing!😅😂 I just stood looking at him to process his reply.
Cam and I have thought the same thing so many times 😁
He said it as if he'd suffered a bad neighbour, poor lad!
Oh so English!! Looks like you had a busy day!!! How funny you picked the exact street the markets are held on?!
Yes, it was a full day, and I didn't want to break away as something interesting always pops up.
😄 it was funny indeed that I picked the right street! ;)
Thanks for dropping by!
Thanks @millycf1976 for taking time to take this awesome photos, is really attractive and beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us how you visit Tamworth street market. Thumbs up to you. I love this.
Hello @peckypeace
I'm happy you appreciate my photos and stories of my time spent at the market.
It was a great experience that makes me want to return.
Thank you for dropping by!:)
I love the color of all the photos! They embody the lively life in the market.
Oh thank you so much @purepinay
I do miss markets in Cebu and Moalboal, for the vibrancy of native craft and colourful tropical fruit. So it was nice to re-enact that with the photographs, of a contrasting yet similar market display, here in the UK.😁
Thank you for dropping by ;-)
Coming at you live from Birmingham, West Midlands!
Wow you really managed to capture the beauty of Tamworth and the Markets. Well done!
😊😁 Thank you so much 😊😍
This is absolutely fabulous! I love street photography and I love the markets at Tamworth! You really made that place come alive!
The kids and the people shots are priceless. I can actually hear that man saying to you, "Take my picture!" Cheeky little bugger! :) I actually love when older people do that to me. It is like they want to be immortalized or want you to remember them. I have never turned down an opportunity like that! I do like seeing mature couples still holding hands, it is so nice to know that is not just a teenager in lust kind of thing. :) The two young boys seeing each other in the crowd is priceless, these are gems just waiting to be photographed. (Glad you did!) I am pretty bad. I love the candids of people when they aren't aware. Knowing the camera is on you takes the element of surprise away and usually, you will get a hand covering their face or a look! Sometimes, people like that guy are tickled that you are taking the picture, and offer you more free shots! :)
You certainly did your homework and took so many great shots! I thoroughly enjoyed these and yes!! She should get another plant! One can never have too many. Most of the plants you showed off earlier are either spring blooms or ones that you plant in the fall (cyclamen and pansies)and they die off and come back in the spring. I forget what the others were. Wow. I forgot about attention to detail! It sounds like you are rare'n to get moving down the waterways. How fun! I hope the repair/replacement works well and you will soon be on your way. What a wonderful time to have a narrowboat!
I might be a tad envious! :) I guess I had no idea you were from Jamaica, for some reason, I thought you were from Capetown, SA? Ha!Thanks so much for remembering #MarketFriday! This was an amazing post!
I love the concept of #MarketFriday and how our cultures differ and then again, how much they are alike. Rituals, Festivals, food, architecture, even your language/languages. Along with the fact of what is normal for where you live? these are unwritten rules that rule our social behaviors. I see this as allowing for increased tolerance between cultures and nations, and opportunities to come together on an even playing ground. A strong culture can be beneficial to a country as it promotes unity, especially during a crisis, peaceful debate, and open dialogue. I had hoped that posting here will familiarize you with the world around you just a little bit more. Viewing it from a more personal level as opposed to the newsworthy level gives me a better understanding of the people and a view that is often not seen on National television.
I appreciate the amazing support given to #MarketFriday! Thank you! Your participation adds a piece of your world, and I have to say, people are interested in seeing it. This entire challenge has opened up the world to me and so many others. Thank you again for being a part of all this! I am so happy to see you here! I hope you have a fabulous day! Hive on!!
Fridays are all about the #MarketFriday Challenge! Looking to take part in it? Here is how:
Take pictures! Be creative!
As always, please remember! #MarketFriday loves you!
Upped and reposted
Hello @dswigle,
Thank you for your beautiful reply 😍
I tried my best to let the market come alive because I think that's what makes markets so special.
I'm glad my post created a buzz in your community as I do miss visiting markets, something I do seldom now that I live on the boat.
I really like your reasoning for older people asking to take photos, I believe that to be true.
Thanks again for your in-depth response.
Much appreciated :)