The market was a busy place, especially on Saturdays, with characters like Eli who sold crockery and displayed plates and saucers by letting them slide down his arm. His patter attracted a large audience.
Last edited by granny; 23rd Jul 20166:32pm.
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~Chief Seattle
From what I vaguely recall he used to be on a raised platform and prospective customers would all be in front of him at ground level.After he'd done his spiel about a particular item those wanting to buy would put their hand up shouting " e r Eli" and he'd have staff bring the goods to you and get the cash
Saturday nights after dark in the open market, with the hiss of the Tilley lamps was always fun. I remember one seller of crockery (not Eli), who, when it was getting late, would start throwing plates and cups onto the cobbles to break, yelling "well, if nobody wants them, I'm not taking them back to Bolton". People couldn't bear to see it broken and so started to buy.
Anyone remember these trains running up Beaufort rd over Duke st right along the docks in the eighties I did not see it happen that much so it was great when they tootled along blowing its horn.
Also in the days when the docks where in full swing the trains on that line where controlled at that junction by a police man in the box in the middle of the road.It was the only crossing point that was manned 24 hours a day.
Ships that pass in the night, seldom seen and soon forgoten