Andrew Colley

Sep 28, 2024 | oxfordmail.co.uk | Andrew Colley

They were trying to get rid of the jam-and-jumble-sale tag that had dogged them for so long. They were determined to show everyone that there was much more on offer in the Townswomen’s Guild movement. To prove the point, the members above gathered in Kidlington to deliver leaflets to homes, spreading the word that they had more to offer.

Sep 21, 2024 | oxfordmail.co.uk | Andrew Colley

Bruce Owen who lives in New Zealand was reminded of the days he spent as a pupil at Donnington School in Oxford. He came across online the picture above we published nine years ago of a second-year class from 1952 and spotted himself in it. He writes: “I recently discovered your 2015 article and photograph about the school and nearly fell over when I realised the boy in the middle row, fifth from the right, in the jazzy jersey was me! I’ve never seen it.

Jul 21, 2024 | oxfordmail.co.uk | Andrew Colley

Studying for exams and passing them was a vital part of every pupil’s agenda at school. But another key ingredient was keeping fit – and many would attempt to do so by taking part in the annual sports. Many schools organised a summer sports day when pupils could display their skills at track and field events. READ MORE: Traffic filters scheme is postponed  Picture 1 shows girls at Matthew Arnold School at Cumnor, near Oxford, at the head of the 800-metre race in 1986.

Jul 14, 2024 | oxfordmail.co.uk | Andrew Colley

Pupils at Northbourne Primary School Pupils at Northbourne Primary School, Didcot, put on their thinking caps and dreamed up all sorts of ideas to raise money for charity. One group in 1988 opened a White Elephant stall and charged friends 3p to hold Daffy the hamster, 1p to feed him and 2p to look at him. They raised £10.30 for the Enid Blyton Trust. Nine pupils gave £10.50 to the World Wildlife Fund after making and selling bookmarks, pom-poms and other items.

Dec 2, 2023 | oxfordmail.co.uk | Andrew Colley

‘Hello reception, someone has left a carrier bag of fruit and veg in our hotel room minibar. Is that all part of the package?’ A theatre trip to central London, a suite for the night in one of Covent Garden’s exquisite hotels and a fabulous meal of the finest food. All this and more paired with an unexpected gift in the form of a bag of bruised peppers and asparagus, a stage set which falls apart and a rambunctious show of slapstick hilarity unfolding before you.