Yesterday we hiked into Hinckley. It was more than a mile to reach the town center, excuse me, town centre. Andrew wrote earlier about the heritage museum but I want to share thoughts about markets.

Hinckley is not a official market town. Having been to several towns with official market status, it would be a bit hard to see the distinction nowadays. But historically, not every town could randomly decide to hold markets. Generally markets were established near fortified areas (castles, monasteries, etc.) Markets were held usually one or maybe two days a week, vendors proffering goods on foot from baskets or at a booth. Eventually, stores replaced market vendors or at least augmented markets.

So what do they sell these days? What is the flavor, sorry, flavour of today’s English countryside market?

Lots of down market, Chinese imported schlock. Cheap clothes, odd lots, and some flea market finds. Most markets seem to have a stall or two with the local speciality, often there are local foods.

I’m reminded of the ditty we learned as kids:

This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home. This little piggy ate roast beef and this little piggy had none. And this little piggy went “whhhee-wheee-whee !” All the way home.

Or this one: to market to market to buy a fat pig, home with it! Home with it! Jiggety-jig!