A Boom For "Cockle Town" -- Bill Springle one of the cocklemen of Leigh seen carrying a yoke and two baskets, which when loaded weight 30lbs. each. He is faced with the task of shifting a 40-ton, 15foot high pile of cockle shells a result of the ***** boom. This year has been described as the best in living memory for the Leigh (Thomas Estuary) cockle industry, which is enjoying a boom in direct contrast to the depression of only a year ago, when the effects of the flooding of the cockle beds in 1953 were being felt. October 26, 1955. (Photo by Fox Photos).