Old Market seemed always full of activity, tram cars travelling either way, starting and ending their journeys. Down through the middle of the road were two underground toilets with glass blocked roof. On the corner of Midland Road was a permanent fairground. On the other corner was that famous old pub The Palace Hotel, commonly known in those days as the Gin Palace. Right opposite was the firm with the three brass balls hanging over their door, Raselles. The wholesale meat improvers were one side and the other could be seen, Scudamore's Stores, and Hurwood's the pram shop. The street contained one theatre and two cinemas, the Empire, Tatler and King's cinema, where the first talkie was shown, making thousands of people cry in the weeks it was shown there. The Central hall was used for mostly religious gatherings, the Kingsley Hall more for trade meetings or whist drives. The Drill Hall further down was the home for years of the Territorial army. There was also a famous brewery in the street, George's Beers. Anyone remember that familiar hat shop Pollard's, whose famous slogan was 'You need a hat to get ahead'. The street contained 10 public houses, two having the same name, The Bunch of Grapes. One was at no 5, and at 29. Along the end toward Castle Street was the square, four-sided clock, which enabled you to see the time from any angle. It was a famous meeting place for a first date. Nearly all tram services went through Old Market: it was just as well known as the Tramways Centre. The White Hart pub, next to the Empire, was a very popular pub; mine host at that time was a Mr Holbrook. The Empire Stores next door, a sweet and tobacco shop, was always a hive of activity. On the corner next to the Tatler cinema was the clothing shop, called Weaver to Wearer, used to make measured suits for 50 shillings.

I'm a Natural Born Dress Wearer. I haven't owned a pair of jeans or in fact any type of pants since about 1981. There wasn't any particular reason why I stopped at that time, but I just did. Probably my Mum telling me that jeans made my bum look big didn't help. Also I've got short legs & the eighties was full of pictures of Cher looking amazing in stone wash jeans with legs up to her arm pits. But I've never felt the loss of not wearing pants or jeans. Today's dress & skirt ensemble are both thrifted from The Wayside Chapel Shoppe. I like the colour of the dress but it is made from a cheap synthetic fabric that doesn't hang so well. But I think it looks interesting with the 'Jaegar' patterned skirt which is a brand that The Queen uses. Wooden bangles from the eighties painted in a faux Aboriginal design, & the gold flats from 'Target'. Multi-strand blue necklace made from some kind of natural material. Hope its not elephant tusk or anything. It was a gift