Tanks on the streets and throwing books at Hitler
LAST week we looked at how Rochdale adopted the Holidays at Home scheme to try and lift morale during the years of the Second World War.
It saw people enjoy a series of attractions that would normally be found at the seaside.
There were other attempts to keep spirits up, too,
One of them saw the Rochdale Battalion of the Home Guard parade fir inspection in front of the Town Hall.
In August 1941 a series of military vehicles arrived in the town.
They were on a tour of northern England in a bid to boost morale and improve War Savings efforts. The vehicles made their way through the town centre, where they were met by big crowds.
Following that they took part in military manoeuvres at Lanehead.
In May 1942 the people of Norden were throwing rubbish into streets in a bid to win a £2,500 prize.
It was a national waste paper recovery competition with the borough in England and Wales collecting the most per 1,000 population during May, June and July getting the prize.
Rochdale’s bid started with a mile of books scheme in Norden with books, periodicals and other waste paper laid by the side of the road from the Bridge Inn to the Woodyard.
The three-month campaign concluded with a chance to throw things at Adolph Hitler.
A pile of books was left in Town Hall Square and throughout the day people were invited to throw them at an effigy of the Fuhrer. Needless to say he got a good pasting.