Halloween came to the Shambles Market today

As it turned out this was the last indoor market for at least five weeks because the Government announced a second national lockdown throughout November.

It was on the cards so I was pleased to be able to have a stall. Woodpeckers was away for her half-term break in north Devon, which apparently went well despite the inclement weather of gale force winds, rain and stormy seas.

In Stroud the rain fell for much of the day but customers still appeared. The smaller number of market stall traders, limited because of social distancing requirements, were of good cheer.

Hannah had decorated her stall to great effect and she allowed me to grab a picture or three for possibly blipping, accompanied by Anne, who is another trader. I snatched a quiet moment when there were few customers and persuaded Hannah on the left and Anne to pose in the halloween environment as evoked by Hannah. She is a multi-talented artist who creates a wide range of objects and always dresses stylishly, which brightens our world. At one point she swept in to the hall wearing her black overcoat and carrying her broomstick with her felted hat she had made specially for halloween.

At the end of the day, as we cleared our stalls, there was a short presentation to fellow trader Roy, one of the stalwarts of this market, who is widely known and loved by many customers. Ron presented a card from us all and a special gift, whilst Hannah gave him a special cake she had baked wholly suited to his world. We will miss him greatly now that he and his wife are moving their home back to Yorkshire.