There was plenty going on in Manchester that first weekend in July, the populous oblivious to the impeding war.

The North Manchester band of Hope and Temperance Union held a gala demonstration at queens park , the temperance king and queen were crowned, songs by the juvenile choir and plaiting of the maypole

That weekend it was also the annual show of the Ashton and District agricultural society, the boys brigade marched through Heaton Park and there was a cycle parade at Swinton

The crippled children of Manchester were taken out into the country on motor cars, assembling in Albert square before being driven to Astle Hall in Chelford , their faces said the report lit up with pleasure as as the cars moved off

A Patricroft man won the Liverpool to Douglas Boat midnight yacht race in the Wallaroo completing the race in sixteen hours and twenty seven minutes whilst at Old Trafford a marvellous stand between Heyward and Hobbs saw Surrey 277-3 against Lancashire

It was though on this date that it was alleged that the German Kaiser at the council of Potsdam plotted to wage war.With both German and Austrian ministers and representatives from the armed forces, the meeting decided on the principle points of the ultimatum that would be sent to Serbia.

Those present recognised that Russia would in all probability refuse to submit and that war was inevitable. It was also at that meeting that all agreed that Britain would stay out of any conflict. Eighteen days later the Serbs would receive their ultimatum.

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