[T]his Friday William Wordsworth’s childhood home in Cockermouth will be temporarily transformed into a smoky Borrowdale Cave, as actor and writer Peter Macqueen brings the great Lake District eccentric Millican Dalton back to life.
As Peter’s enchanting one-man show reveals, this unlikely conservation hero smelt like a mountain goat, chain-smoked Woodbines and lived an utterly unique life.
Leaving his stifling City job, Millican dropped out before it became fashionable and set off to seek romance and freedom, living with nature for the next 50 years in cabins, tents and caves.
By 1941 he was in “the safest spot to escape the kind attentions of Mr Hitler” – his cave. When the Keswick ARP warden ordered him to “put that candle out”, the Borrowdale Hermit was far from happy…
To find out what happened next to the self-styled Professor of Adventure, join Peter at Wordsworth House on Friday 30 June at 2pm or 7.30pm. Tickets cost £18; over 60s and students £15. To book, email [email protected] or call into visitor reception on Cockermouth Main Street. Spaces are limited, though, so act soon to avoid disappointment.
