Looking back at Workington throughout the 40s, 50s and 60s

Workington saw numerous changes throughout the 40s, 50s, and 60s.

During the 1940s, Workington was in the midst of recovery from World War II like the rest of the country. This was a period of austerity, with extensive rebuilding of the community.

There were no bombings in Workington but air raid alarms were heard throughout the area. 

Due to its strategic location on the west coast of England, Workington was considered an important hub in the war effort. During the war there was a large airfield at Silloth. A lot of aircraft were delivered to Silloth from the States. These arircrafts were often Hudgsons and Liberators.

Many Hudgsons did not make the journey across the Atlantic as they ran out of fuel just before they reached their destination. Some of them crashed into the Solway Firth. To quite a number of people the Solway Firth became know as Hudgsons Bay.

In the 1950s, Workington began to see some improvements in living conditions and infrastructure. The steel and coal industries in the area were thriving with the new post-war economy, bringing employment and growth to the town.

During this period, new houses and public buildings were built, retail establishments began to modernise, and the town saw the gradual introduction of new goods and technologies.

The town continued to depend heavily on its traditional industries such as coal mining and iron and steel making throughout the 1960s. However, these industries were slowly declining and unemployment was becoming an issue.

Football was a major pastime with Workington A.F.C competing in the Football League. There was also the establishment of the Carnegie Theatre which brought local and far afield performers to the area.