Interest in the theft of cucumbers initially took precedence over news
that war had been declared, but Stockport rallied quickly. Wakes week
was cancelled, the local 6th Battalion of the Cheshires went to the
Front and the town transformed half of its schools into much-needed
military hospitals. Admirably, the remaining schools coped with double
the number of children but education suffered little.
At the time, Stockport was two towns; the millscapes around the Mersey
and the Goyt and the wealthier genteel suburbs bordering the Cheshire
countryside. Economy and efficiency in the use of food and fuel was
preached in the local paper alongside advertisements for silks, satins,
velvets, furs and evening gowns. The cotton and hatting trades,
transport and agriculture, suffered badly from loss of resources and
manpower but resisted the use of female labor with great hostility.
Food, fuel and lighting restrictions caused problems and there were
accusations of profiteering and hoarding.
Always in competition with Manchester, Stockport folk did things their
way. Following Zeppelin attacks on the east coast, street lights were
ordered to be partially shaded. Manchester shaded its lights from the
top, while Stockport shaded its lights from the bottom, causing
confusion in the darkened streets below and prompting one wit to write
that while Manchester was expecting attacks from Zeppelins, Stockport
was clearly expecting attacks from submarines. However, despite much
political and material disaffection, the townsfolk united firmly against
the Kaiser. This book is is a timely reminder of how the local community
worked together to provide munitions for the war, food parcels and
comforts for the troops while 'keeping the home fires burning.'
