A CHANGING Millom is the theme for author Allan Hodgson in this look at some of the town’s shops and services since the 1930s.

Mr Hodgson lived at The Rocks, on the edge of Hodbarrow Mines, Millom and now lives in Workington.

He writes: “A flock of sheep were driven down Market Street to the auction market in 1938 - which was just beyond the Royal Green where I used to go as a boy to enjoy the dodgems at Taylor’s fair which was there in October.

"Billy Taylor and his younger brother always came to Lapstone Road School, Billy being in my class.

“I heard recently that he sadly lost his life in the Second World war.

"On the Green there is now a Catholic school but the fair still comes to town on a site where the old railway turntable was.

"On the site of the auction market new houses have been built.

"Facing the Royal Green, Harlins and Dawson’s shops have gone, as has the Royal Hotel.

"All have been converted to dwellings of various forms.

"Gone from Queen Street is Syd Southwell’s bakers, Mason’s grocers, hairdresser Stan Bawden, McIntosh toys, Richards’s decorators, Stolls and Shieflers butchers and barber Trevor Mitchell.

"In Newton Street was the butcher Thompson and watchmaker Francis Storrs.

"The entrance to one of the town’s slaughter houses was down a lane between Nelson Street and Newton Street.

"Cows would fight like mad to escape, apparently smelling the scent of death and being driven by the herdsmen’s sticks.

"It was all rather removed from that choice joint of beef in the butcher’s display cabinet.

"At home very few had a wireless - radio - and hobbies were followed like knitting, pegged rug making, gardening, sing songs around the piano, sewing and writing letters.

"Neighbours were invited in for a gossip and a cup of tea, or a glass of home brewed elderberry wine.

"There were visits to the shore to pick cockles or muscles, to fish for flat fish, or to snare rabbits for a pie. All very sustaining as money was scarce.

"In homes today a very different picture exists as the internet age has taken over, limiting the art of verbal conversation with the substitute of texting."