It's late July and the long school summer holiday has just started, so how are we going to spend it?

That has been the question for numerous families with school-age children over the years.

Even with a two-week holiday for those lucky enough to go away, there were still four weeks to fill.

For many, the playgrounds in Oxford provided plenty of opportunity to let off steam and while away the hours, like the trio in Picture 1.

Three girls – left to right Charlotte Whitaker, Claire Goodchild and Jessica Whitaker – gave a wave as they hurtled down the slide at Headington Quarry in 1980.

The makeshift swing in Picture 2 - a wire basket, scaffolding and rope – looked a little unsteady, but provided plenty of amusement at Rose Hill in 1979.

Oxford Mail:

Sally Allsworth, 14, above, and Wendy Davis, 11, were among those at an all-day summer adventure playground, organised by mothers and volunteers near the community centre.

There were plenty of activities, too, at Barton’s summer play scheme in 1975, ranging from acrobatics on swings and wallowing in a paddling pool.

But that wasn’t exciting enough for some who, in Picture 3, preferred to help construct an adventure playground at the other end of the field.

Oxford Mail:

Young members of the Blackbird Leys play scheme took to the field to learn the skills of bat and ball – Maureen Dean is seen giving instruction to them in Picture 4 in 1972.

Oxford Mail:

A bundle of old clothes and other material proved irresistible to the children in Picture 5 attending the summer play scheme in South Park at the foot of Headington Hill in 1967.

Under the watchful eye of play leader Andrew Dawson, there was a scramble to try on everything.

Oxford Mail:

A playground was under construction at Friars Wharf, in St Ebbe’s, in 1962, but children couldn’t wait for it to be finished.

There was no time to waste climbing inside the concrete tunnels or scrambling on top in Picture 6.

Oxford Mail:

There were plenty of smiles, too, at New Hinksey recreation ground in 1956 as youngsters enjoyed the summer sunshine on the slide in Picture 7.

Oxford Mail:

Youngsters will benefit from an expanded holiday activities and food programme this summer, thanks to a £400,000 investment by Oxfordshire County Council.

The money – from the Department for Education – will fund wellbeing pursuits, life skills and healthcare initiatives for five to 16-year-olds, such as swimming lessons, bike riding, dental care and hygiene.

The extra support will be allocated to: Northfield Brook, Banbury Ruscote, Rosehill and Iffley, Blackbird Leys, Banbury Cross and Neithrop, Banbury Grimsbury and Hightown, Carfax, Barton and Sandhills, Abingdon Caldecott and Littlemore.

Organisations supporting the holiday activities programme include: Oxford Hub – Blackbird Leys; Wilderness Pioneers – Oxford; Ignite Sport – Oxford, Faringdon, and Witney and Elite Sport – Didcot. The programme provided 4,500 activity places for children during the Easter break. There are currently 25,000 days of free places available over the summer. The Government has also given a final Covid-19 local support grant.