Paddy's Market is a Glasgow institution. For over one hundred years it has performed a very necessary social function for the city's impoverished and poorly waged citizens.

Today it still thrives despite sporadic attempts to have it closed down. Police raids from time to time weed out the more obvious infringements of the law, but normal life soon resumes. By a nice irony, much commented on by the local wags,

Glasgow's new High Court has been built abutting the length of the market lane. On a fine day its lively atmosphere, Dickensian characters, the chance of finding treasure or just something necessary at an affordable price, gives hope and pleasure to those who have almost nothing to spare.

This painting is the first of seven, two others are included here, 'Rita's Find' and 'We're Still Here'.

All images and text copyright Avril Paton 2006 ©