Villagers at Cowley, Oxford, heard the First World War had begun while they were at a dance.

The dance was the climax to a day's activities, including the village's annual flower show.

The details are included in a 15-page typewritten script, signed by Nan Davies, which was found by Fred Mogridge, of Rahere Road, Littlemore, Oxford, in his family archives.

It gives a fascinating insight into the streets, buildings, personalities and events in Cowley village from 1903.

In one section, it records: "August 4, 1914, was flower show day on the Military College field, a thing we village people looked forward to so much.

"There was a big tent for the flowers, another for refreshments and, of course, another for the beer, some sideshows, racing etc.

"Then, at night, a dance was held on the floor of the college up three flights of stone stairs.

"Around 6pm, Mr Asquith suddenly announced over the loudspeaker that he regretted to tell us war was declared between England and Germany.

"We still held the dance, but it cast a gloom over us all, although we couldn't foresee how our world would be turned upside down.

"In no time at all, men were disappearing, lots of them volunteering and then being called up for training to go to France.

"Cowley Barracks was one of the biggest depots - you would see crowds of men walking there.

"They weren't coddled in those days - it was all walking for them as earnings were only eight shillings a week and wives had about £1, according to how many children they had.

"It was a terrible time and before long, the factory sheds were full of women and girls making munitions, night and day shifts.

"The women had to wear dark brown overalls and tight-fitting caps and they had to work for their money - some of the forewomen were really strict."

The men fighting in the forces often had little to eat, so families at home would send food parcels, which sometimes didn't arrive.

"We would stand in Cowley Road in the gutter for the margarine queue at Liptons an hour and sometimes longer, only to be told: 'Sold out, but maybe some tomorrow'.

"The Cowley Road workhouse, the Examination Schools in High Street and other large buildings were turned into military hospitals. It was pitiful to see the wounded walking and being pushed around."

More on life at Cowley village soon.