Many of us will remember the days when our children told us: “There’s nothing to do around here.”

Youth clubs in many parts of the county helped fill that gap, providing activities for bored teenagers – and the Oxford Mail was often there to record them.

Picture 1 shows some of the 27 members who took part in a 12-hour dance marathon at Didcot Youth Centre in 1976 to raise money for Age Concern.

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Centre warden Michaela Robbins said: “There was a marvellous atmosphere while the event was going on. Other club members came to support their friends and parents came in as well.”

A rock musical about youngsters growing up together, in Picture 2, was written and staged by members of Eynsham youth club in 1989.

It was called From Them to Us, with youth leader Nick Luxmore telling prospective audiences: “It’s based around the development of a group of friends.”

The ‘friends in harmony’ were, left to right, Darrin Rolez, Greg Smith, Debbie Lee, Samantha Battile, Natasha Lee, Karen Baker and Dominic Stoppani.

Members of Greyfriars youth club in Oxford, in Picture 3, dressed appropriately when they organised a Tramps’ Ball to mark their first anniversary in 1969.

Members had had a successful first year, raising money to buy three table tennis tables, a tape recorder for continuous disco music and a large stock of refreshments.

The club’s monthly dances had attracted leading local pop music groups and it had just recruited its 51st member – Radio 1 disc jockey Tony Brandon.

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Another first anniversary features in Picture 4 – members of Dorchester Abbey youth club had enjoyed a variety of activities in their first 12 months.

A friar at the Abbey called a meeting in 1962 to form a youth club and was surprised when 40 youngsters turned up. Membership had since grown to 55.

In Picture 5, we see four members of Kennington Youth Club taking part in a 24-hour pool marathon and raising £250 for charity and club funds in 1981.

Tyrone Smith, Alan Harris, Nick Moorbath and Paul Waknell played 226 games and were rewarded with a fry-up of eggs and bacon when they finished. Picture 6 was taken at the opening of the £35,000 Kidlington Youth Centre in 1971. Viscountess Parker, chairman of Oxfordshire County Council, seen with Pamela Shrimpton, opened the building.

Note the prices on the wall between them – crisps 2½p, peanuts 3p and drinks just a few pence!

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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.