It was the school summer holiday, six weeks when children might be away at the seaside briefly and then at home at a loose end wondering what to do.

A day or two in the countryside was one possibility and the youngsters in Picture 1 took full advantage of the opportunity.

Holiday activities with a difference were on offer in 1988 at Shotover Park at Headington, Oxford, within easy reach of their homes.

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Pond dipping, mini safaris and nature detective work were among those on the outdoor agenda.

All the participants aged from seven to 16 had to do was to turn up with a packed lunch and wear suitable clothing.

Volunteer Brian Nash is seen showing one group of children some newly-planted trees.

The action-packed days were organised by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Naturalists’ Trust (BBONT) and Oxford City Council.

The children were supervised at all times and regular roll calls were made to check that no-one was missing, after two youngsters wandered off the previous year.

Picture 2 was taken at a shoppers’ crèche at the East Oxford sports hall in Collins Street in 1987. Parents could leave their children there while they went shopping.

(Image: Oxford Mail) Sports hall supervisor Esther Smart is seen with, left to right, Jennie Cordery, five, Kelly King, six, and Natalie Charlotte, eight.

A summer play scheme at West Oxford community centre in Binsey Lane offered an action-packed programme.

In Picture 3, we see group leader Karen Hayward, left, leading a game of aeroplane.

The two-week programme for youngsters aged five to 13 included visits to a manor and theme park. Other children on the move included those in Picture 4, taken at a trike ride at the Rainbow playgroup at Blackbird Leys, Oxford, in 1999.

It was hard work, too, for the children from the Shepherds Hill playgroup in Oxford in Picture 5 – they joined a sponsored toddle in 1997. Finally, spare a thought for the children at Lake Street community centre playgroup, off Abingdon Road, Oxford.

They needed more money to keep going and organised a fancy dress day. Picture 6 shows Katherine Radford, three, emerging from a tunnel.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.