St Michael Memories

Marks & Sparks, M & S, St Michael or Marks & Spencer. Whatever you call it this retail institution has been a feature on British High Streets for decades. The store started out life as a penny market stall in a Leeds market hall 125 years ago and over the years has grown into one of the most recognisable brands in the UK. To celebrate their birthday M & S held a Penny Bazaar in their stores, with twenty items costing just a penny. Peopled queued on the High Street, waiting for the doors to open, hoping to grab a bargain. The stock was limited (unsurprisingly) and many shoppers left empty handed, but it was a good publicity stunt! Anyway, today's photos show their retrospective window displays. Bright, colourful and full of memories.

As I mentioned yesterday I'm off on holiday next week and I'm planning to do a series of other peoples photos. If you'd like to loan a photo to appear on Cheltenham DP send me an email (address in my profile.) You'll get full credit and a link.

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Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

This napping canine is a regular feature of the High Street, along with his owner. They (well, the human) sell The Big Issue outside Marks & Spencers.

For those that don't know, The Big issue is an entertainment and culture magazine produced by professional journalists and sold by homeless people. They buy the magazine from The Big Issue Foundation for 70 pence, sell it for £1.50 and keep the 80 pence profit. The idea is to encourage homeless people to become vendors and earn a small wage, instead of begging for money. The publication was started in 1991 as a response to the many homeless people in London. It was initially published monthly, but by 1993 the magazine was produced weekly. The Big Issue is well known for the famous faces that appear on the front cover, and the up-to-the-minute interviews and articles. Find more about The Big Issue here.

Golden Hour

This green and gold clock is above the front entrance to the shop Marks & Spencers, on the High Street. The clock has been there for what seems like forever, in fact so has M&S! Nothing more to say really, just wanted to share a regular Cheltenham site with you.

Also, the Golden Hour is the 60 minutes after an accident or emergency where the police, fire and ambulance services have the best chance of saving lives.