Around Barnsley

...or as they would say around here - "rarnd tarn" (its very difficult to spell broad Yorkshire!).

I found myself on Saturday with no playmates, and so I thought I would take myself off to Barnsley.

I hadn't been to Barnsley town centre for ages - the last time I went I thought it ought to be twinned with Beirut! So I had been in no hurry to go back. Barnsley has been a victim of economic times since Maggie Thatcher and Arthur Scargill went to war. The town was a mining town and when all the mines closed, they were replaces by - nothing. It also used to have several large clothing factories (no one in Barnsley had need to shop in M&S, you could get everything from the factory shops!), sadly, every one of them now manufacturing in the far east and replaced by - nothing. Barnsley is one of the top 10 towns in Britain where employment in the public sector is greater than the private sector, so once again it is bracing itself for even more unemployment and decimation of its communities.

After my last visit a few years ago, I wasn't expecting much, but I was very pleasantly surprised.

The town hall is a bit different from other northern town halls which all seem to be Victorian Extravaganza's. Although it has been cleaned up, it still bears some of the grime from when it was surrounded by the coal mining industry - I think it adds to its charm.

Planting around the town hall is very "Parks and Gardens", again adding to the charm.

Now you don't expect to see this in Barnsley do you, fashion capitol of the north? I don't think so, but Pollyanna (a shop where I have never been able to afford to shop in) has been at the top of its game since the early 1980's thanks to its powerhouse of a person, owner Rita Britton. It also has a great little cafe too (with a french chef). In fact the town now has lots of very lovely little cafes.

The town boasts a couple of very pretty Edwardian Arcades. This one has had a recent makeover and now features some lovely little shops including a stunning little vintage shop selling brilliant vintage children clothing and handmade gifts.

The town centre was hit hard (like every town and city centre in South Yorkshire) when the huge shopping mall "Meadowhall" was built near Sheffield, however it hit back by building a small indoor mall in the town centre itself (genius) unlike Rotherham who built its mall out of town (bad idea).

My mission was to check out the once famous Barnsley Market.

Now here's an idea for all you fans of bunting - try using cheap, England ladies thongy pants! Very effective! Only in Barnsley!!!!

I worked in Barnsley in the 1980's and the market was fabulous then. Thanks to our manufacturing overseas policy in the UK, the market no longer boasts the fantastic fabrics, shoes and clothing it used to sell, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a few really good stalls. Some of the stalls have been here since time begun.

And its still great for haberdashery. I bought 2 HUGE reels of ribbons for just £1.

The food market still thrives - great quality, priced to suit the tight Yorkshire folk. I couldn't help compare the great look of the fruit, veg meat and fish with the sad offerings we get in supermarkets.

All of the bakery stalls are local bakers (the town has a fair few bakeries - one of them sells baguettes to France!)

I hate supermarket fish - you can't beat a proper fishmongers.

WARNING - vegetarians and those of a nervous disposition may need to look away now!

I have only seen stalls in Barnsley and in France selling delicacies like these - Tripe, pig bag(!!) cow heels, pigs trotters, chitterlings. I admire the french for using all of the animal in their cooking, and surprise surprise, they are still doing this here in Barnsley. Ive only had tripe once, and it didn't taste of anything, I'll have to find a french recipe!

Before I left, I had to check to see if the roundabout was still there. Its been here ever since I was a little girl. Like me, it has faded charm and is most definitely an antique, but still in great working order!

It made me think - I use supermarkets because they are convenient. I work on a business park in the middle of nowhere, and can't get to a market in the week. I also (like the queen) never have any cash on me and use my "switch " card in the supermarket. However, I may have to change my habits. Market shopping is more fun, cheaper, more seasonal and the produce is far superior.

Barnsley - I'll be back!!! Or as they say in Barnsley, "I'll si thi"

And can I just say, for the third time in as many posts, I got some funny looks taking my photo's - especially on the offal stall!!!!