THE ice and frost had long gone from Millom, but children and adults were slipping and sliding all over the place in early January, 1996.

An artificial ice rink had been installed at Black Combe Junior School and almost 300 people turned up to have a go.

There were the usual bumps and tumbles on the slippery surface, but as the skaters became more confident, a few prospective Torvill and Deans were spotted, reported The Mail.

The turnout was so large that the organisers kept the rink open for an extra hour to cope with demand.

And the outstanding support from the people of Millom raised around £250 for school funds.

Chairman of the school support group Mary Ellwood said it had been a great fun day for everyone.

The surprising success of the rink meant that a similar event would probably be organised in the future, she added.

“Children as young as three were skating and most of the kids that had a go just wanted to go on again and again,” she said.

“Teachers and parents were also keen to have a go.”

The money raised from the event would go towards buying sports mats for the gym and would also be used to improve the school library.

In 1994, pupils at Black Combe School were making sure of a place in history.

The ensure their daily life would always be part of the flood defences as they planted a time capsule beneath the commemorative stone.

An identical capsule was buried at the school and an invitation and a map left for teachers there to open it in 20 years’ time.

Inside were photographs of Millom, including one showing petrol prices and a booklet to show what school life was like in 1994.

George Whitfield, of Black Combe School, said: “We were looking at using evidence to find out how people used to live, such as vases and paintings.

“So we decided to try to come up with things from now for people in the future to find out about us.”

What message would you leave for the future if you got the chance?