A lot has changed in the world since 1971.

At this time 50 years ago, late Beatle George Harrison was top of the charts with his solo single ‘My Sweet Lord’, Orlando’s Walt Disney World was opening its doors for a first time and Britain was preparing to adopt the decimal currency – with 20 shillings to a pound to be substituted by 100 new pence, which would be introduced in February of 1971.

At the cinema, Clint Eastwood’s ‘Dirty Harry’ was proving a hit with viewers, with Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of ‘A Clockwork Orange’ also proving popular.

Still then, in part of what was then Cumberland, Whitehaven and its surrounding towns and settlements, such as St Bees and Cleator Moor, which also feature, have undergone great change.

Like a lot of places in the north of England, the region was centred around an industrial economy. However, as the curtain came down on the decade in question, these industries were beginning to change and so was life itself.

In today’s gallery, we see evidence of a changing world, but one that also displays, quite heart-warmingly, the same community spirit that can be found in Whitehaven and its surrounds to this day.

Our region serves as a quintessential example of what life was like, particularly in the north of England at this point in British history.

Be it long-haired rock stars pictured by the rocks on the coast at St Bees, televised re-enactments of historical events in Whitehaven, capacity crowds looking to catch a glimpse of Radio 1’s Noel Edmonds (known to younger readers as the former host of Deal or No Deal!) and more, one would suggest that a lot can be deduced from these images about what life was like back then.

As ever, if you do spot yourself featured in today’s gallery and have a story to share with us or would simply like to reflect on a fascinating period in Whitehaven’s history, do make sure to get in touch.

We can be reached via our Facebook page, in the comments or indeed via email at tom.beattie@newsquest.co.uk- we look forward to hearing from you.