Coordinates: 54°12′40″N 3°16′08″W / 54.2111, -3.2689
Millom is a town on the estuary of the River Duddon in Cumbria, England, which, in Victorian Times, was merely a small hamlet by the name of Holborn Hill. The name is Cumbrian dialect for "At the mills". [2]
The town is served by Millom railway station.
Geography and administration
Historically located as the most southerly town in the old county of Cumberland, Millom was made famous by the discovery of iron ore, and the opening of around the iron works and iron ore mines inside.
With the local government changes of county boundaries in 1974, the administrative county of Cumberland was abolished and Millom formed part of the new county of Cumbria.
Millom forms part of the Copeland Parliamentary constituency.
History
Millom - up to twenty years ago - held a market charter from 1251 granted by King Henry III of England to John de Huddleston, Lord of Millom. A charter for an Easter fair at Holy Trinity church was also granted at the same time.
Present day
Schools
The secondary school and sixth form college, for pupils from 11-19 years old, houses the adult education centre, the only swimming pool in Millom, an all weather sports pitch and the newly opened "Melvyn Bragg Drama Studio". There are a number of schools in the town including Millom Infants School, The Nursery, Black Combe Junior School, and St James' Catholic School.
Nature reserves
There are two nature reserves near the town, both of which are located on the Duddon Estuary; an internationally important area for wildlife and designated a 'Site of Special Scientific Interest' or SSSI. The Hodbarrow Nature Reserve is owned by the RSPB and is located to the south of the town, which in October 2005, saw the unveiling of its new public aid, with logos produced by local artists Stuart Edwards and Holly Parminter. The Millom Iron Works Local Nature Reserve is located to the east of the town. Both reserves are important for Tern species and a number of wading birds and waterfowl. Hodbarrow is renowned for large numbers of wildfowl during the winter, especially Teal, Widgeon, Coot, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Goldeneye, Red Breasted Merganser, and occasionally Long Tailed Duck, Eider, Goosander, Pintail, and Shoveler. Various birds of prey can be seen hunting on both reserves throughout the year.
Fairtrade
Millom has been granted the status of a Fairtrade town, and the fairtrade group have had some successful campaigns visiting youth groups and schools, and putting displays in the Library. The group also attended the G8 Protests in Edinburgh in 2005.
Sports
Millom Rugby League Club, based here, is the oldest existing amateur rugby league team in the world having been founded in 1873
Regeneration
Millom Palladium, currently an arts facility in the town, run by the Millom and Haverigg Regeneration Group is a current development project, along with a new youth centre at the Advice Building and the new Millom Network Centre on the site of the secondary school.
Firehouse Studios [1] are a community enterprise, state of the art Protools 7 HD Accel 3 recording and editing facility, offering discount rates to local education and community groups. This facility is a non-profit making venture run by highly experienced, local musicians and engineers.
Notable Residents
The renowned poet and author Norman Nicholson spent his entire life in Millom, living at his father's outfitters shop at 14 St.George's Terrace. This has become a health food shop and café with a blue plaque commemorating Nicholson above the door. England international footballer, Jimmy Settle, was born in Millom in 1874.
Trivia
The CGP Books GCSE revision guides frequently refer to Millom. hook early closing day for shops is saturday
See also
Haverigg Inshore Rescue Team - www.haverigginshore.co.uk
References
- ^ Millom town guide by the Millom Economic Development Group. Accessed August 2008
- ^ Readers Digets Atlas of the British Isles, place name index.
External links
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