Recently I took a spur of the moment trip to Queens Market located right next to Upton Park station to find some good bargains and look at the array of products. Queens Market has been infamously known as the former workplace of the £1 fish man (that catchy tune that went viral! Goes like this ….come on ladies, come on ladies £1 fish, come and have a look, very, very cheap!), but it is a market that represents so much more.

It is by far not the fanciest market in London; the surroundings being very basic, however it hosts a diverse community which is evident from the variety of stalls and shops. There are Asian fabric shops which have luxurious lace, silk, crochet and a range of other materials displayed on mannequins as beautiful saris and hung on walls. There is also a variety of African and Caribbean hair shops and food stalls which gives you a burst of culture for under £10. There is an abundance of exotic jewellery such as head chains, arm chains and foot chains which are very prominent in south Asian culture and act as elegant embellishments to spice up any outfit at a reasonable price.

If you go to an established shop on the circumference of the market you can purchase the beautiful silks, lace and crochet materials for £30 - £60 a yard, cheaper options of alternative fabrics from £1.50 a yard can be found on the quaint inner stalls. 

I couldn’t resist some lovely colourful nose rings that I can use in my ears, at £1 each or £2.50 for three.  I bought three, far cheaper than shopping at well-known accessory brands.

To get to the market I made my way through East Ham which also has some fabulous Asian material shops, jewellers, grocers and a great variety of Asian restaurants. More recently Eastern European influence can be seen. 

I walked along Barking Road where a massive jumping bull statute stands outside a local butchers!  It looks like it came straight from the rodeo …I was tempted to jump up and sit on it, but refrained!

I got to the Boleyn Tavern and turned right onto Green Street where I viewed the plans for the redevelopment of the football stadium which was until last year the home of West Ham United, the tavern being supporter’s pre - match meeting place.  Demolishment of the stadium has commenced and the ‘Upton Gardens’ housing complex with landscaped gardens and community space looks very inviting.  If you’re a West Ham fan this is a piece of history with great facilities and transport links to London.

As I made my way home via Upton Park station I thought about the lovely Victorian era buildings and how this part of London has changed so dramatically in the past 100 years.

my trip to Queens Market reminded me how truly lucky I am to live in a multi-cultural society where different ethnic groups can work together and co-exist in peace and harmony without prejudice and ignorance. 

Tanya Louise Hill, Ilford Ursuline Academy, Age: 15