Boy Michael returns to Leigh

Boy Michael returns to Leigh, originally uploaded by Bay Photographic.

Its only a matter of time when I visit the rellies in Leigh on sea before I find myself making an excuse to go to the Old Town to photograph the cockle boats.
Although I am ancient enough to remember when the boats were made of wood and the cockles were brought ashore by men carrying baskets down a gangplank, I still find the whole cockling industry absolutely fascinating.
The boats are now modern, steel and purposeful, and the cockles are unloaded by mechanical grabs, but they are sold from the same sheds that I used to walk past every week on my way home from my 'Saturday Job' at Walker's chandlery, to the same rather surprised looking customers and accompanied by the same pungent smell of vinegar.
And I am still struck by the same question after all these years. Without wishing to criticise the long standing heritage and tradition of the industry, i cant help but wonder...
Why?