Five Norfolk Markets.

Market trader's boy. Hunstanton.


Carpet Dave, Swaffham


Gary's Pie & Peas stall, Great Yarmouth.


Fruit & Veg stall, Sheringham.


Ruby's Tea Bar, Norwich.





Four Lonesome Caravans.

Field workers accommodation, South Lincolnshire.

Election campaign caravan, Huntingdonshire.

Blackpool Beach, Lancs.

On the A1, North Yorkshire.




Four amateur tattoos








Four motorcycle clubs.

The Christian Motorcyclists Association, The Outlaws MC, Hells Angels (England), East Coast Harley Club.


A dog's breakfast.

A makeshift table in a pigsty by the side of the A47 in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. The sty was formerly the home of two Latvian women who had come to Britain with promises of legitimate employment, but found themselves unemployed and unable to make ends meet. Believing they were not entitled to any state benefits they took up residence in the abandoned farm building, surviving on dog food. In the picture empty cans can be seen along with a hairbrush and a broken mirror which they used to maintain their appearance. Eventually the town council paid for them to be repatriated to their home country.




Four Norfolk Carnival Queens.

Northwold, Cromer, Attleborough, Wells Next The Sea

May Queen of Northwold, Tegan Wellard


Queen of Cromer, Jade Armstrong


Rose Queen of Attleborough, Ashlee Mead


Wells next the Sea Carnival Queen Maddie Yarham



Four Norfolk Summer Fetes.

Duck racing at West Acre.
Palm reading at Swafield Hall.
Burnham Market fancy dress competition
Beachamwell coconut shy.



Cheating The Parson: Farming & Fascism in 1930's Norfolk

Fading graffiti showing the remains of the lightning flash insignia of the British Union of Fascists daubed on the walls of buildings in North Norfolk, UK. The first in Stiffkey displays the emblem of the movement, and the second in Aylsham reads Stand By The King, perhaps referring to the abdication crisis of 1936 .

Whoever made the marks, some 20 miles apart did so in bitumen, and intentionally or otherwise ensured they would survive the battering the wind coming off the North Sea gives to brick buildings in the county for the best part of a century.

British Union of Fascism symbol in Stiffkey. - - Click for an enlarged view.
British Union of Fascism graffiti in Aylsham - Click for an enlarged view.

The British Union of Fascists enjoyed some popularity as an insurgent political party in rural East Anglia during the 1930s as it opposed a forgotten, but despised tax known as Queen Anne’s Bounty, an 18th Century law laid upon a farmer's harvest by the Church of England, in addition to any taxes the farm might have to pay to the state.

Not surprisingly, this tithe-tax was very unpopular especially in the 1930s when the effects of a long economic depression had made agriculture a difficult business and the impact of the combustion engine on commercial agriculture had reduced the requirement for labour, leading to unemployment and with it a disaffection for mainstream politics.

A contemporary rhyme captured the feeling -

We’ve cheated the parson

We’ll cheat him again

For why should a blockhead

Have one in ten

For prating so long like a book-learned sot

Till pudding and pumpling burn to pot?

As times got harder and more farmers refused to pay the tithe the church commissioners began send bailiffs to enforce the debt, removing livestock or farm machinery. BUF members, the Blackshirts led by Oswald Mosley decided this offended against natural justice and formed squads that could be called up to defend, by force if necessary, the farmer’s property. These events became known as the Tithe Wars, the most famous of which was The Siege of Wortham Manor, when the Blackshirts and farm workers held off the church bailiffs for 19 days at Doreen Wallace’s farm in Suffolk.

For some years before World War 2 and the BUF's alliance with Germany, Mosley was a popular figure on the British political scene, admired by mainstream figures like Aneurin Bevan for his progressive policies towards equality and welfare which included the ending of the common practise of allowing employers to sack women in their employ when they got married.

The above images have been retouched for clarity, the ones below are as the graffiti appears today.

British Union of Fascism graffiti in Aylsham - Click for an enlarged view.
British Union of Fascism symbol in Stiffkey. - Click for an enlarged view.






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The Spalding Lithuanian Society

Members of the Spalding Lithuanian Society enjoying a picnic amongst the colours of their national flag in Spalding, Lincolnshire. The society exists to promote the culture and welfare of their people who were given the right to live & work in the UK as part of the 2003 Treaty of Accession. Lithuania's links with the UK go back a long way with significant numbers emigrating to work in mines of Lanarkshire in Scotland during the latter part of the 19th Century. Today there are about 150,000 Lithuanians in the UK with around 1900 in South Lincolnshire. Both countries also revere St George as a saint.



Leaving the Parade

Of course, the judges had a very difficult job and not everyone can be a winner"

The Spalding Flower Parade 2023,Lincolnshire,UK.



There goes the future

Graffiti on the Conington Barn by the A14 on the hinterlands of Cambridge. Once an informal landmark for commuters travelling the 'road of death' to the Midlands, the building and field were demolished to accommodate traffic.

Graffiti On the A14, Cambridgeshire.



Polythene fields forever

A 'walking factory' slowly moves between the rows whilst harvesting iceberg lettuces at Marham, Norfolk,UK. Agricultural workers pick the crop which is protected from the Spring frosts by miles of polythene sheet. The lettuce is then trimmed, washed, packaged and loaded onto a trailer (right) for delivery directly to supermarkets, where it sells for around 70p, giving the farmer around a penny in profit for each one sold.̶

A waling harvester rig picking iceberg lettuces in fields covered with polythene, near Marham,UK.



Out with the new, in with the old.

Winston Churchill's portrait regains it place on the wall at King's Lynn Conservative Club as Boris Johnson's is removed.

After his resignation Boris Johnson's portrait is replaced by Winston Churchill's at the Conservative club, King's Lynn, Norfolk,UK


Eagle's Bird Auction

Auctioneer Mr Eagle offering up birds for sale at Swaffham poultry auction, Norfolk,UK.

Mr Eagle selling turkeys at Swaffham bird auction, Norfolk,UK



Inspection Day

Residents of Trinity Hospital Almshouses assemble for their annual inspection before the Clerk to the Trustees to give thanks to the their founder, Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton, who built the property in Castle Rising, Norfolk between 1609 -1614 as a memorial to his grandfather Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk. The almshouses have offered permanent accommodation to 'destitute spinsters and widows of the parish' since then, provided the applicants 'are religious, grave, discreet and no beggar, harlot, scold drunkard or haunter of taverns”. More information is here on the Castle Rising History Group website.

Founders Day - Trinity House Hospital Founder's Day inspection of residents, Trinity House Hospital, Norfolk,UK.

Fading graffiti showing the remains of the lightning flash insignia of the British Union of Fascists daubed on the walls of buildings in North Norfolk, UK.

The first in Stiffkey displays the emblem of the movement, and the second in Aylsham reads Stand By The King, perhaps referring to the abdication crisis of 1936 .

Whoever made the marks, some 20 miles apart did so in bitumen, and intentionally or otherwise ensured they would survive the battering the wind coming off the North Sea gives to brick buildings in the county for the best part of a century.

British Union of Fascism symbol in Stiffkey. - - Click for an enlarged view.
British Union of Fascism graffiti in Aylsham - Click for an enlarged view.

The British Union of Fascists enjoyed some popularity as an insurgent political party in rural East Anglia during the 1930s as it opposed a forgotten, but despised tax known as Queen Anne’s Bounty, an 18th Century law laid upon a farmer's harvest by the Church of England, in addition to any taxes the farm might have to pay to the state. Not surprisingly, this tithe-tax was very unpopular especially in the 1930s when the effects of a long economic depression had made agriculture a difficult business and the impact of the combustion engine on commercial agriculture had reduced the requirement for labour, leading to unemployment and with it a disaffection for mainstream politics. A contemporary rhyme captured the feeling - 

 We’ve cheated the parson 

 We’ll cheat him again 

 For why should a blockhead 

 Have one in ten 

 For prating so long like a book-learned sot 

 Till pudding and pumpling burn to pot? 

As times got harder and more farmers refused to pay the tithe the church commissioners began send bailiffs to enforce the debt, removing livestock or farm machinery. BUF members, the Blackshirts led by Oswald Mosley decided this offended against natural justice and formed squads that could be called up to defend, by force if necessary, the farmer’s property. These events became known as the Tithe Wars, the most famous of which was The Siege of Wortham Manor, when the Blackshirts and farm workers held off the church bailiffs for 19 days at Doreen Wallace’s farm in Suffolk. 

For some years before World War 2 and the BUF's alliance with Germany, Mosley was a popular figure on the British political scene, admired by mainstream figures like Aneurin Bevan for his progressive policies towards equality and welfare which included the ending of the common practise of allowing employers to sack women in their employ when they got married. 

 The above images have been retouched for clarity, the ones below are as the graffiti appears today.

British Union of Fascism symbol in Stiffkey. - Click for an enlarged view.
British Union of Fascism graffiti in Aylsham - Click for an enlarged view.
Si Barber The blessing of fishing boats at the Fisher Fleet on Sea Sunday, King's Lynn, Norfolk,UK,10th July 2022.
Kings Lynn Mart 2017The Mart 2017
Vancouver Avenue, September 2017.
©Si Barber Moral Rights AssertedTwo women reflected in a shop window, Norfolk St.
King's Lynn Mart 2018KIng's Lynn Mart 2018
KIng's Lynn Mart 2018Gaff Lad working the Waltzer, King's Lynn Mart 2018
Scooter FuneralThe funeral for scooter enthusiast Eamonn Payne making its way to the Mintlyn Crematorium, March 2018.
Trojan Tattoo A man with a forehead tattoo bearing the name of the Trojan Record label, King's Lynn, 2018.
A butcher delivering meat to ZP & VP Butchers in King’s Lynn, Norfolk,UK
Valingers Road Laundrette, King’s Lynn, Norfolk,UK.
A knobbly knees competition at a street party held by the Live & Let Live pub, Windsor Road, King’s Lynn, Norfolk,Uk
A police officer in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, lecturing the public on what language may constitute a hate crime
Landlady’s son Oli Haynes of the Live & Let Live, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, making the final touches to their St George’s Day decorations. Despite having to close because of corona virus that pub is adapting to the situation by offering a beer take-away service to regulars.
Corona Virus Images.Haircare hairdressers in King’s Lynn, Norfolk,UK stating their closure due to the corona virus pandemic.
Corona Virus Images.A deserted New Vancouver Centre, Broad Street, Kings Lynn,UK, during the corona virus pandemic.
Corona Virus Images.Practising Parkour in The Walks, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, UK, during the corona virus pandemic.
A Black Lives Matter demonstration in King’s Lynn,Norfolk,UK which was held during the 2020 corona virus pandemic.
A young man with a handbag around his neck in King’s Lynn, Norfolk,UK.
Kings Butchers on Wisbech Road, King’s Lynn trading during the covid 19 pandemic.
Billboard posters in King’s Lynn,Norfolk,UK.
A householder in King's Lynn erects at sign on his property objecting to the covid 19 pandemic restrictions.
Riding the Tagada, 2014.
Pandemic warning sign on London Rd, King's Lynn during Lockdown 3, February 2021
The London Porterhouse, King's Lynn Norfolk, UK during Lockdown 3, June 2021.
Bus Station Cafe, King's Lynn, Norfolk,UK.
Si Barber The Fenman Public House, King's Lynn, Norfolk,UK.
The opening of Poundstretcher in KIng's Lynn, Norfolk,UK. The chain of discount stores was established by Paul Appell & Stephen Fearnley.
Si Barber Halloween trick or treaters in King's Lynn,Norfolk,UK,2021.
A Burns Night piper playing in the London Porterhouse, King's Lynn, Norfolk,UK,January 2022.
A Victorian style funeral carriage makes its way down Gaywood rd, Kings Lynn.
Si BarberExtinction Rebellion shaving heads by the Guildhall, February, 2020.
Boys pulling a trolley outside a shop called DiscountUK in King’s Lynn, Norfolk,UK.
Freebridge Garage, Clenchwarton road, King’s Lynn, Norfolk
A pilgrim on Wisbech Road, King’s Lynn making his way to Walsingham with a crucifix.
Si BarberHalloween on Wisbech Rd,King’s Lynn 2019.
signs protesting against house building, Knights Hill, King’s Lynn,Norfolk,UK
A group of trick or treaters on Portland Street, King's Lynn, Norfolk,UK, 31st October 2012.
A demonstration against the prorogation of Parliament in King’s Lynn, Norfolk,UK, 2019.
©Si Barber Moral rights asserted.Billboard for KFC Zinger burger, King's Lynn, Norfolk
Trick or Treaters in King's Lynn, UK, Halloween 2015.
Gaunock Terrace, King's Lynn.
The Rt Revd Jonathan Meyrick, Suffragan Bishop of Lynn opening the King's Lynn Mart February 14th 2013. The Mart was granted a charter to operate for two weeks every year by Henry VIII in the 1600s and has been returning to the town ever since.. .. . ..
Crown & Mitre, King's Lynn.
Pizza Hut,King's Lynn.
Kings Lynn Mart 2017
King's Lynn Mart 2019
Halloween 2012, King's Lynn.
Children playing street games, South Lynn.
Hardwick Cemetery King's Lynn.
Queen's Jubilee celebrations on Windsor Rd,King's Lynn.

One of my favourite towns is Great Yarmouth. Like all port towns it’s got a bit of an edge and swagger to it, but unlike most of its neighbours along the Norfolk coast it has managed to resist commodification by the well heeled Guardian readers fleeing the the depravities of London in a search for an England they remember from their childhood. Much of the old town including the market, where once you could see the herring catch, or traders juggling plates has, of course gone, having been replaced by something ugly designed by an expensive architect. Despite that Yarmouth still retains the spirit that Dickens found in it. If you go make sure you check out the Market Tavern - a proper local pub and Klobber & Western World on Regent Rd.

Negotiating a burst water main.
Mr Robin Platten of Brewer's Chip Saloon serving customers in funeral garb on their last day of trading at Great Yarmouth market. Brewer's has been trading since 1902 and will close when the market moves to a new area in the town.
St Nicholas Tavern, St Nicholas Rd.
Dog harnesses for sale.
A wet bank holiday Monday
Bikers on the Parade.
On Regent Road.
A customer at Gary Salmon's pie & peas stall on its last day of trading at the old market. The stall has been trading since 1946 and will close when the market moves to a new area in the town
Klobber & Western, Regent Rd.
The Market Tavern public house.
Hauling a crucifix past the Leisureland amusement arcade.
Market place.
Misery Memoirs for sale on the market.
Posters advertising the Freemen of the Land Movement
Puppetman entertaining the crowds.
A chip stall on the old market.
Marine Parade.
Shippea Hill station in Cambridgeshire. The request-only stop was, until recently the least used station in Britain. In latter years it has become more popular as migrant workers commute from the villages surrounding the Ely rail terminus to the 07.17 train for the nine minute ride to the packhouses of the fens which surround the towns of Soham and Mildenhall.
Shift change at Fleet Hargate, Lincolnshire.
Migrant workers harvesting cabbages near Boston, Lincolnshire during a rainstorm.
Romanesc broccoli awaiting harvest, Lincolnshire.
Field Supervisor
Contraband & Counterfeit cigarettes concealed in a chair, uncovered by Trading Standards during a raid on a newsagents in Lincolnshire.
An abandoned pig-sty in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire which was formerly occupied by two female migrant workers who were eating dog food to survive.
A English flag painted on a the door of No 11 Falcon Rd, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Young workers from Eastern Europe fishing at Boston docks, Lincolnshire on a Saturday morning.
A demonstration in Boston, Lincolnshire, UK calling the invocation of Article 50, which would initiate the process of the UK leaving the EU.
Unpicked apples in orchards by theA47,Wisbech Cambridgeshire.
Anti-loan shark campaign, March, Cambridgeshire
Migrant workers from Eastern Europe shopping in Boston, Lincolnshire.
A woman on a splitshift walking to work, Wisbech,Cambridgeshire
Lithuanian workers on a Saturday morning, Norfolk.
LIttle Europe shop in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
The former Bull & Monkie public house, Spalding,Lincolnshire, now occupied by some of the town’s East European homeless.
Newsagents window with advert for a rented room in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.
Closed Polish shop in Great Yarmouth.
Mihai, a worker from Romania in a vegetable processing factory in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire sitting on a bench in the town centre on his day off from work.
Rooftop graffiti depicting the Virgin Mary cradling a bottle of beer in Boston Lincolnshire, UK. apparently representing the dependence on alcohol & religion
Wash day, King's Lynn, Norfolk.
Waiting for trransport at the Britannia Cafe, Blackfriars Road, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire,UK
Newly arrived migrant workers from Lithuania looking at adverts for accomodation in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.
Celery cutting team, Cambridgeshire.
Portuguese cafe, King's Lynn
Hoeing weeds by the A47, Norfolk.
A police raid on a car wash suspected of employing illegal workers.
A room to rent,advertised in Russian, King's Lynn, Norfolk
Reflections in a kubus window,New England, Peterborough,Cambridgeshire

The growing of pumpkins in the peat rich Cambridgeshire Fens is a profitable business thanks to the proximity of a number of US airbases and the American enthusiasm for celebrating Halloween. For almost fifty years the community of Soham has come together in the autumn to show off their husbandry skills and compete to grow the heaviest pumpkin or the longest leek.

Pumpkins await collection and weighing.
The pumpkins are collected by Hiab for weighing.
After weighing the pumpkins are arranged into categories.
The pumpkins are carefully guarded.
The pumpkins are divided in catergories.
The vegetable are graded and put into their categories.
Prizes are awarded for length and weight.
Entries are laid out for inspection by the judges.
Officials judging the competition for the tallest sunflower.
Officials measuring the sunflower heads.
Judges measuring the leeks.
Traders selling pumpkins to the public.
Fancy dress competition entrants.
Fancy dress competition winner.
Jill & Hob ferrets (male & female) at the Soham Pumpkin Fair. The species of polecat were traditionally used for hunting rabbit, but are now mostly kept as pets.
A ferret gets its teeth inspect by a member of the Cambridgeshire Ferret Welfare & Rescue Society who attend the fair to give advice about ferret welfare both as working animals and as pets.
A boy sits by the winning entry which weighed in at 408 kgs (64 stone) and was grown by a Mr John Richardson of Chatteris, Cambs. When it was growing the pumpkin required 12 gallons of water and 4 gallons of tomato feed each day and would gain up to 15lb