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Douglas Macmillan was born and grew up in Castle Cary. In 1911 he watched his father die of cancer. His father's pain and suffering moved Douglas so much, he founded the 'Society for the Prevention and Relief of Cancer'.

Douglas wanted advice and information to be provided to all people with cancer, homes for patients at low or no cost, and voluntary nurses to attend to patients in their own homes.

Today much of Douglas' legacy lives on. Macmillan Cancer Support offers a source of support for people living with cancer today and is a force for improving cancer care.

This year the Castle Cary Macmillan Committee has decided to remember its founder's birthday by holding a number of events.

Weavers at the horse hair factory

Weaving Horse Hair

Douglas' family only came to live in Somerset because his father took a job at the town's horse hair factory. Its still operating and is one of only two horse hair factories in Europe.

First established in Castle Cary in 1837, John Boyd Textiles is proud to maintain the tradition of horsehair weaving. Horsehair fabrics are woven with the finest and best quality tail hair from live horses and cotton or silk warps using the original looms and techniques from 1870.

Historian Roger Otten by the roundhouse

Lock-up

While in Castle Cary we also visited the historic round house. It was build in 1779 and used as a lock-up for people who'd been misbehaving. The structure is circular, stone and with a domed roof.