Cradley Heath Market

Black Country poet Harry Harrison gives his view on the appeal of Cradley Heath market hall.

In the 1960s the rise of the flashy supermarket with its TV advertised brands and impersonal American style self-service shopping the traditional street market was under threat. Local character Harry Harrison visits Cradley Heath's market hall, busy with traders selling their wares and bustling with women in search of a bargain, and is inspired by what he sees to come up with a few words dedicated to the older ways of 'market folk'.