The Old Co Op.

A Memory of Millom.

I was born in Market Street in 1939. Later, because of the war, my mum left me in Millom for my grandad and grandma Kirby to look after me. Mum went back to be with my dad in heavily bombed Manchester. I spent the war years here and they were very happy years. After the war I went back to Manchester, but came back to Millom for all my school holidays. Wellington Street was a nice shopping street and I used to go to the Co-op with my grandad and grandma and watch money catapulted from the counter across the shop to the office and then the return journey of our change and divi book. We used to go to the Co-op bakery just as the newly baked bread had come out of the ovens each day (just like mother used to bake). We would take the bread home and my grandma would cut me a thick crust and spread butter on it. That taste cannot be repeated these days. I used to sit in the yard and enjoy it. The shopping trip used to take ages because everyone wanted to stop and talk to you. The atmosphere was so friendly and all the shopkeepers knew you and what you wanted. We would buy meat and bread from the Co-op and vegetables and fish from Dockers. Yes I wish we had "Wellington Streets" now. I held a reunion for all my Millom friends at the "High Cross Inn" at Broughton in Furness on Nov 2nd 2006 and there was a great turn out. We all had a great time with our memories of our childhoods in Millom. This year 2007 we had our 2nd Reunion at the "Bankfield House Hotel" at Kirksanton where over 30 Millom friends attended. A good time was had by all with the "Bankfield House Hotel" management and staff adding to the day with good food and friendly service. Nov 1 2008 brought our third successful meeting, again at " Bankfield House " where a good time was had by all.