Welcome to our Highlights Tour of Stockport Air Raid Shelters. This gives a flavour of the history of the shelters and includes snippets from the audio tour visitors experience when they visit. The soundclips are a mixture of oral history recordings and transcripts, letters and dramatisations. We want to share this with you whilst the site is closed. In the mid 1930s the UK began to prepare for war with Germany. The government knew that ordinary people in the UK could be in great danger. They needed to prepare towns and cities for bomb and gas attacks that planes could bring. As early as 1935, Air Raid Precautions (ARP) were under way. Gas masks would be needed in their millions and air raid shelters designed and developed. ARP wardens, Fire and Ambulance Service workers and Special Police would be needed to protect the civilian population. Everyone would be required to contribute in some way. Audio Transcript This is a Public Service Announcement. The Stockport Air Raid Shelters are now open and ready to receive you. Please attend when using the tunnels, be aware of uneven footing and low-level lighting. Should the fire alarm sound when you are inside, please follow the emergency exit signs, which are clearly marked. In order to navigate through the tunnels, directional signs will guide you.