Nothing can be more appealing as a youngster than when you’re invited to a party.

It might be a birthday party, a Christmas party or any other party, but great fun would be guaranteed for all.

Oxford Mail photographers were often invited to come along and record the festivities for our news pages.

READ MORE: Lack of platform capacity for new rail route 

Picture 1 dates from 1981 when 120 children attended a party organised by the Oxford Council for Community Relations at the Methodist Church in Jeune Street, East Oxford.

They played games, watched cartoon films, enjoyed a party tea and were entertained by little rocker Richard Lindo, aged just 12, of Bullingdon Road.

Organiser Martin Krah said: “This is the best year we have had with almost double the numbers of last year.”

Music at a street party in St Mary’s Road, East Oxford, in 1999 was provided by the five in Picture 2.

(Image: Oxford Mail) Getting everyone in the swing were, back row, left to right, Tanya O’Carroll, Tracky Crombie and Louise Mayman and front, Daisy Gregory and Iona O’Carroll.

The children in Picture 3 were among dozens aged two to 10 who enjoyed a party in the parish hall in Dunstan Road, Headington, in 1980.

The Oxford Mail reported: “There was no danger of the lashings of jelly and ice cream turning the youngsters into mini Billy Bunters - as well as the spread of goodies, there were plenty of energetic games to keep the youngsters amused.”

Picture 4 shows brothers Darren, eight, left, and Glenn, seven - bit unfortunately we don’t know their surname - pulling a cracker at the Southern Gas party in 1980.

There was plenty of fun, too, at two other parties that year - in Picture 5, we see children demolishing food and drink at one organised by Littlemore Hospital Sports and Social Club.

And in Picture 6, Michael Shipton, left, and Philip Herd enjoy the fun at the Oxford University Press party.

Help support trusted local news 

Sign up for a digital subscription now: oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe 

As a digital subscriber you will get:      

          
  • Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website   
    •       
  • Advert-light access       
    •       
  • Reader rewards       
    •       
  • Full access to our app 

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.