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The Council offices in Bangor are a little out of the ordinary. An impressive limestone mansion, originally built as a sumptuous home in the 1800s, today plays host to computers and busy administrators.

During the War, town councillors had to continue the day to day work of keeping a bustling seaside town ticking over. But nearby Clandeboye training camp, with its soldiers coming and going, provided a constant reminder of the conflict.

How were these troops to be entertained? How was Bangor to help the war effort? A collection of colourful council scrapbooks – containing posters, leaflets and articles from the time – tells the story of how some fun was to be had in dark times.

These scrapbooks are held safely in the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland. Ian Montgomery of PRONI and the historian Timothy Bowman have dusted them off and can almost smell the sea air!

Location: Ards and North Down Borough Council Offices, Bangor, BT20 4BT
Image: The Merry Mauve Melody Makers
Image courtesy of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland

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