Millom

Industrial town in Millom parish, Allerdale above Derwent ward, Cumberland. Millom was UD from 1894 to 1934. For history of area before 1860, see Millom Rural.

Acreage:

Millom UD, which covered much of Millom Below township, together with Haverigg (formerly in Chapel Sucken township), comprised 2,511 acres [1,016 ha].

Origins and growth of the town:

Hodbarrow iron mine, which was to become ‘the most productive haematite mine in the British Isles’ developed in early 1860s. Annual output was c.120,000 tons in 1866; by 1880 it had risen to 343,000 tons; and by 1901 to c.400,000 tons. Iron works with two blast furnaces built 1866-7; number of blast furnaces had increased to six by 1874. Rapid influx of workers to mine and iron works was accommodated in a new town, formally inaugurated 1866. Combined population of Millom Above and Millom Below townships stood at around 900 until town of Millom was built but then rocketed: by 1871 population of Newtown and Holborn Hill had reached almost 3,000; by 1891 urban area contained 8,871 inhabitants and population of Millom UD peaked at 10,426 in 1901. Employment in iron industry had begun to decline before First World War: by 1911 population of UD had fallen back to 8,612 and fell to a little over 7,000 by 1951; in 2001 it stood at 7,132. Iron-making continued until 1968 when Hodbarrow mine closed. Other 20th-century industrial activity included manufacture of nylon stockings from 1949, and tannery at Haverigg, making leather for shoe trade, established 1938; closed 1979. Tourism grew in late 20th century: flooded workings at Hodbarrow converted into nature reserve and marina.

Places of worship:

Town church of St George built 1874-7, becoming separate ecclesiastical parish 1879. St Luke’s church, Haverigg, built 1891. Primitive Methodist chapel at Holborn Hill built 1866. Wesleyan Methodist chapel, Queen Street, built 1872; closed 1993; replaced by adjacent former Sunday school building; still in use. Baptist chapel built 1884, replacing earlier chapel of 1867; still in use. Roman Catholic church built 1868; replaced by church of Our Lady & St James, built 1888. Salvation Army fortress, Nelson Street, built 1889; still is use. Bible Christian chapel, Newton Street; demolished. Spiritualist meeting house recorded 1938. Millom Community Church (Pentecostalist) established by 2011. At Haverigg: chapels for Baptists (opened 1869; short-lived as moved to Millom); Bible Christians (built 1873; demolished); Wesleyan Methodists (built 1878; demolished) and Primitive Methodists.

Schools:

School Board formed 1876: built schools at Holborn Hill (c.1879 to 1970) and Lapstone Road (c.1876 to 1970; now Millom Infant School). Older schools closed on opening of Black Combe Junior School 1970. Catholic School in former church by later 19th century; replaced by new building, now St James Catholic Primary School, Lonsdale Road, 1971. Millom Institute (secondary school) built 1905; moved to new premises 1938 and became grammar school; enlarged 1950s to become core of Millom School, opened 1959. Board school at Haverigg by 1897; second school built early 20th century; now Haverigg Primary School.

Other institutions:

Hodbarrow Mining Company hospital opened 1867; rebuilt 1888; closed 1934; demolished 1970s. Infectious diseases hospital, near Hodbarrow Pier, recorded 1897. Modern hospital (Millom Hospital), Lapstone Road. Market hall and local government offices built 1879; police station built 1894. Reading room and library built 1882. Library built 1887. Four public halls by 1901: Millom Public Hall (built 1873), Central Public Hall, Temperance Hall and Co-operative Hall. Recreation hall, St George’s Road, built 1912 with theatre and cinema; now Millom Palladium Theatre and Studio. At Haverigg: reading room by 1897 and assembly rooms by 1901.