This is a gas rattle, used by a local Home Guard division in Harle Syke, Burnley during the Second World War. It served as a warning to signal a gas attack or a gas mask drill. By holding the handle and spinning the head around, the rattle makes a very loud distinctive clicking noise. The ‘all clear’ signal would be given by ringing a hand bell. After the war this rattle, along with first aid supplies and bandages, remained at Queen Street Mill, passing into the museum collection in 1984.

Many similar rattles found their way into the hands of the public and were a common sight at football matches often painted with club colours or slogans. Lancashire clubs were very influential in the creation of the Football League in the late 19th century. Of the twelve founder members in 1888, six represented Lancashire towns – Accrington, Blackburn, Bolton, Burnley, Everton, and Preston, beginning a proud tradition of football in the county. This first season ended with Preston North End remaining unbeaten and becoming convincing champions. They also went on to win the F.A. Cup without conceding a goal earning themselves the title Invincibles.

Lancashire has also produced some of England’s greatest football players. Famous names include Bolton born Nat Lofthouse, who scored 255 goals during 14 seasons with his hometown club, Tom Finney, known as the phantom winger because of his prestigious pace on the wing for Preston, and Geoff Hurst, scorer of a hat-trick in the 1966 World Cup final, born in Ashton-Under-Lyne.