The depression of 1930-39 demanded rigid economy and required individual financial aid to tide over some unbalanced budgets, but curling never declined.
Over the years as the steel industry declined, the local economy has become more diversified, with retail services and medical services recording the largest increases.
In the latter half of the 19th century when the railways came into existence, the significance of waterways as inland trade routes declined, as the railways were faster and safer.
