I WAS interested to read the letter from G F White regarding clogs. Born (in 1941) and brought up in an East Lancashire cotton town I wore clogs every day except Sunday from starting junior school until going to grammar school. 
These were made of a wooden sole with a leather upper; the sole being shod with metal ‘clog irons’ rather like horse shoes – one for the front of the foot and one for the heel. They also had a metal toecap.
They had various advantages apart from being hard wearing. They were brilliant for sliding in the school yard when it was icy. During warmer months we used to take candle stubs to school and create a slide by waxing a strip of the yard. 
Playing football was somewhat hazardous – we frequently had large bruises on our shins.
My father had a butcher’s shop paved with flagstones; he wore clogs every working day of his life until he retired in 1979.
I well recall being stirred most mornings by the sound of clogs as the day shift went down the street to the mill and, later as the night shift came back up.
Before the two older of our children were of school age we were living in North Yorkshire and they both wore clogs – but with rubber instead of irons. 
My wife found this very handy as she knew exactly where they were by the ‘clop clop’ of their feet. This was in the early 1970s.
I can assure Mr White that clog dancing is a continuing part of folk dance in some parts of the country – my sister in Shropshire takes part in it.
BILL COOKE
Victoria Road
Trowbridge