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Food rationing may be something associated with World War Two, but in 1918 the sight of a ration book was a familiar one as the British government brought in food allocation.

The war was taking men and horses from the fields, and the ships bringing in food and supplies were compromised by enemy U-boats – meaning some of them never reached the shores.

Food shortages meant that what was available became highly sought after, pushing up prices and encouraging hoarding. This resulted in the need for rationing.

Fresh food was also in short supply, and so many available green spaces were turned into allotments to be tended to by local people – meaning a supply of nutritious food was available. One of these spaces was Birkenhead Park.

The current Visitors Centre is on the site of what was known as Plot 6, and would have seen families planting and harvesting vital fruit and vegetables.

Location: Birkenhead Park, Merseyside CH41 4HY
Image shows entrance to the park