Entries by Fitzy

We market traders at Northampton have been told recently that all traders are to lose their traditional stalls in the coming year, to be replaced by popup gazebos. Two or three rows are to be replaced in June after some 'musical event', the rest later on in the autumn or winter.

I'm really looking forward to 2010 with a General Election looming. The seat in Northampton North is up for grabs, without any outstanding politicians from the big parties to challenge for it, so it looks particularly tempting.

Expectations had been high for Northampton's first-ever German Christmas Market. Some traders and no doubt all of the Lib-Dem council hoped that it would draw crowds of shoppers into the town centre. It didn't work out like that at all.

I watched the Blair interview with Fern Britton. I watched parts of it several times. If Blair is a proper Christian, as he professes to be, I guess he must be carrying a huge load of guilt around with him. I have never seen him look so haunted. What shall it profit a man if he becometh as rich as Tony Blair and yet lose his soul?

I started selling fruit & vegetables on Northampton Market about 1964. In those days the seasons were a very important aspect of the trade, and people were quite used to bottling and preserving stuff when it was cheap and plentiful, and taking it down from their shelves when it was scarce on the open market.

The two-day visit of the Italian Market on November 5th and 6th brought a number of visitors and shoppers into town, and some traders reported a bit of spin-off in trade. Nothing to get excited about mind, but a step in the right direction.

A few weeks back I promised to let everyone know how we were getting on in our new top corner position outside the Grosvenor Centre. Let me tell you straight away it has not been easy.

I recently watched President Barack Obama on TV. He was defending his policies on Iran and Afghanistan since becoming President. He must hold his nerve in Afghanistan and talk to the Taliban. I am hoping he will continue to be an intelligent, reasonable, and compromising person in an uncompromising world.

Well, I'm on the move again, courtesy of Northampton Borough Council. After assuring me before the market was moved in March that I would have nothing in front of my stalls, they put a row of stalls in front on Fridays and Saturdays, and soon they will be moving the market cafe up here as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogaLWgE4kUI&feature=related

When I started this Blog over two years ago I had no idea it would become so popular.

Respect is an important word to me. Respect is something politicians don't get much of these days, and it's hardly surprising, considering what they've been up to in recent years.

Have you ever noticed that when an election comes up, national or local, the BBC tend to give coverage to the main three parties, and Independents and small parties hardly ever get a look in?

(Sing along with the Pogues) *

The New Labour Party knows that a General Election anytime soon would lead to a crushing defeat.

Following the recent Northamptonshire county council elections, I would very much like to thank all those good people in Kingsley Ward who voted for me, each and every one of you.