End of an era for historic open air market

ONE of Wales' most historic open air markets, which dates back to mediaeval times and was immortalised by Doctor Who, closed yesterday.
While farmers' markets across Wales are coming back into vogue, St David's Market in the heart of Cardiff has fallen victim to the opposing trend for consumers to shop under one roof in supermarkets.
And yesterday the market's only remaining stallholder, Keith "the fish" Twamley, prepared to relocate his fish stocks, including Penclawdd cockles that have been eaten in the capital since Roman times.
The market, that has moved around the capital for hundreds of years, has now gone to make way for the St David's 2 development under a compulsory purchase order.
He said, "The market used to have around 15 stalls and I was stallholder number six.

"I'm the last person trading here and now I have to go too after 11 years.
"It's going to be a big shame to see it all go, the market has been here a long time."
Keith has been a popular figure at St David's Market and he featured in the very first episode of the new incarnation of Doctor Who.
In the episode, as the Tardis materialised among the stalls, the Doctor asked Rose the crunch question, 'Do you want to come along with me?'
Keith added, "I was paid to appear in that episode and was filmed holding a salmon.
"Billie Piper who played Rose, stood at the end of my fish stand and was talking on her mobile phone."
Keith and the market also hit the headlines last summer over Buster the hungry seagull who dive-bombed his stall and stole his fish.
Buster learned where the best pieces of cod and salmon were on display and quickly became a local attraction at the open air market.
Keith added, "I'm going to set up a new trailer in Cathedral Walk at the back of M&S.
"I hope my old friend Buster will find me there when he returns from his annual holiday to Tenerife in March.
"He is a television celebrity and was featured on the news swooping down to the sound of the Dambusters soundtrack."
The open-air market behind the Hayes has been open from 7.30am until 4pm six days a week since it was opened in 1987.
It attracted a wide variety of loyal shoppers from around the city who enjoyed the banter, the good quality local "old Cardiff charm".
Keith Chadwick, who formerly ran a fruit and veg stall at the market, paid one last visit yesterday. He said, "The open air market can be traced back to mediaeval times.
"In recent decades it has moved around the city.
"But its popularity has gradually declined because of the supermarkets and a change in people's buying habits.
"Its closure marks the end of a long tradition.
"But we are hoping it will come full circle and people will soon have had enough of processed and packed food off supermarket shelves and go back to locally produced goods here too.
"These are better for you because they arrive fresh daily and involve few food miles."
As part of the St David's 2 development a new open-air market is to be built on the same site by 2010.