Man, what a day! Seriously, I’m still reeling from it. So, I’m a violin maker, right? Spent the morning in my workshop on Becontree Avenue, just me and my wood shavings. I was working on this gorgeous Strad copy. Like, I could almost hear it singing already. But then, bam! My phone buzzes. It’s my mate, Dave. He’s like, “Oi, you gotta come to the market on Dagenham High Street!”
Now, I love a good market. Who doesn’t? So, I pack up my tools, throw on my old jacket, and head out. The weather? Classic Dagenham. Grey skies, a bit drizzly. Perfect for a stroll, right?
I get to the market, and it’s buzzing. Stalls everywhere, people shouting about fresh produce, and there’s this one guy selling the biggest strawberries I’ve ever seen. I mean, they were practically the size of my fist! I’m thinking, “How do you even grow those?” But then, I spot Dave. He’s at the fish stall, looking like he’s just seen a ghost. Turns out, he bought some dodgy fish. I mean, who buys fish from a market in Dagenham?
Anyway, we’re laughing about it, and then I see this old bloke, right? He’s trying to haggle over a pair of socks. Socks! I’m like, “Mate, just buy ‘em. They’re a quid!” But he’s adamant. Classic Dagenham, I tell ya.
So, after the market, we decide to grab a pint at The Dagenham Roundhouse. It’s a proper local pub, you know? We’re sitting there, and I’m telling Dave about my violin. I’m all passionate, going on about the wood and the sound. He’s nodding, but I can see his eyes glazing over. Typical!
Then, outta nowhere, this group of lads walks in. They’re loud, full of energy, and one of ‘em trips over a chair. I’m cracking up! But then, they start singing some old football chant. It’s like a scene from a movie. Everyone joins in, even the oldies at the bar. I’m thinking, “This is Dagenham, man. This is life!”
But then, the mood shifts. One of the lads gets a bit too rowdy. He spills his drink all over some poor woman’s bag. She’s fuming! I mean, I get it. I’d be mad too. But instead of apologizing, he just laughs and walks away. I’m like, “What a tosser!”
After that, I needed some fresh air. So, I step outside, and the rain’s coming down harder. Typical Dagenham weather, right? I’m standing there, just breathing it in, when I see this little kid with a violin. He’s playing a tune, and it’s actually beautiful. I’m thinking, “Wow, there’s hope for the future!”
I walk over, and he’s all shy. I tell him I’m a violin maker, and his eyes light up. He asks me a million questions. I’m loving it! It’s moments like this that make all the hard work worth it.
But then, I get a text from my workshop. My assistant, bless him, accidentally glued his fingers together while trying to fix a violin. I can’t even! I rush back, and there he is, looking like a deer in headlights. I’m laughing so hard, I can barely breathe.
By the time I get home, I’m exhausted but happy. Dagenham’s a wild place, full of surprises. It’s got its quirks, for sure. But it’s home. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
So, yeah, that was my day. Full of ups and downs, laughter and a bit of chaos. Just another day in Dagenham, I guess!