Basket competition, 1936 (photo)

Whoever has the most baskets balanced on their head wins. Londoner Jimmy Sainsbury broke the world record for the number of baskets carried in 1932. Covent Garden has always been a great mix of the local and the glamorous. It was one of London's first squares and developed as London's premier vegetable and flower market. The piazza was designed by Inigo Jones in the 17th century and completed in 1631 with the fruit and vegetable market emerging around this time. The large market hall was built in 1830 and still stands today although the fruit, vegetables and flowers have long since disappeared. The market was moved out in the 1970s. Once a year at the market, the porters loaded their potatoes onto the trucks, and when they were done, they had competitions with baskets on their heads. The man who had the most baskets on his head and did not drop them won the race. 1936