In 1950 Norman Nicholson bemoaned the decline of Lakeland's industrial heritage.

Already in Millom, in his home town, the iron industry, which had barely lasted a century had gone.

Many of the wool based trades had also disappeared though spin offs like K Shoes in Kendal had workforces of thousands.

Yet, industries stemming from the very land of Lakeland remained.

Coniston copper still employed hundreds of 'hands' while Glenridding's lead mines which, between 1838 and 1961 produced 268 to 888 tones of lead and 1,222,228 ounces of silver, were still operating.

Coming up behind the metal industries Shape granite and slate quarrying in the Langdales and Low Furness were booming. Even so, Norman conceded that newer enterprises were appearing. 'Milk and diary factories have been set up at Milnthorpe and Aspatria, Burton and Holme make carpets, Burneside and even delectable Beetham makes paper. At Backbarrow, the landscape comes from Picasso, blue walls, trees dripping ink and roads of sapphire for they make ultramarine there. Inevitably, many of these newer enterprises have, along with copper, 'dolly blue' and lead, faded away, soon to become ageless ruins.