A series of epic events that characterised the 1970s, both locally and nationally, are vividly recalled in the latest local history book by retired Cornish journalist Mike Truscott in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Falmouth In The ‘70s describes how industrial strife and uncertainty on an epic scale at the Docks climaxed with arguably the yard’s darkest hour.

It was the decade when the lights went out in peacetime. National miners’ strikes and a global oil crisis led to power rationing and three-day weeks, with local shops and industries “left gasping.”

The first national postmen’s strike saw thousands queuing outside the main Post Office on The Moor for their pensions and allowances.

D-Day arrived, too – not the Normandy landings, but a truly historic date nonetheless, for the UK currency’s conversion to decimalization.

History was also made in Falmouth’s schools, with a minor revolution in secondary education.

The summer of 1976 was one of the driest and hottest ever and the port geared up for a major role in potentially the era of “black gold” – with the hunt for oil off Cornwall taking off in earnest.

The hugely controversial container port scheme split the town down the middle, while in the skies above Concorde caused much grief by booming over Cornwall.

Property prices soared – with house values in Falmouth reaching the dizzy heights of nearly £10,000!

There were fluctuating fortunes for the pubs and the sole surviving cinema. One thing was certain, though – the visit of The Queen on her Silver Jubilee tour was one of the greatest days in the town’s history.

As bonus, the new book’s chapters are accompanied by bespoke verse created by Penryn poet Nick Castle.

Nick has also contributed a guest chapter of his own – sharing his memories of Falmouth’s pubs, drinks and culture that marked his coming of age towards the end of the decade.

With front cover designed by James Hadley, Mike’s son-in-law, Falmouth In The ‘70s is funded by Mike and his wife Janet, with all sale proceeds going to Cancer Research.

Together with his next book - Living The Dream: The Kevin Miller story, publishing early next year – Mike hopes to pass the £15,000 mark with sales of his books and latterly paintings for Cancer Research since his retirement in 2014.

Falmouth In The ‘70s is now available, price £4.95, only at the Cancer Research UK shop in Market Street, Falmouth, over the counter or by mail order: tel 01326 212905, email FalmouthShop@cancer.org.uk.