Staff at Minty's in Oxford knew how to make furniture - and, it would seem, how to enjoy themselves.

This picture was taken at a staff dance in the late 1940s or early 1950s. It was sent in by Margaret Warland, whose father, Bill Bowles, was managing director for many years.

He is the man with the mous- tache in the middle of the second row. His wife Marie is on his right.

Mrs Warland also recognises her grandfather and grandmother, Ben and Ethel Bowles, and Ted and Vera Minty (whom she knew as Auntie and Uncle).

As we recalled (Memory Lane, August 14), the firm was founded in Oxford by Mr NEE Minty, who opened a shop at 45 High Street in 1880. In a workshop at the back, he produced a wicker chair, known as the Varsity, which quickly became a 'must-have' item.

It was the first of a range of products which were to make Minty a household name at home and overseas.

The High Street shop was later enlarged and production switched to a factory in Cherwell Street, St Clement's. As the business grew, Minty shops were opened in London in 1920 and Manchester in 1932 and the firm appointed selling agents in other major towns.

A new £100,000 purpose-built factory and showroom opened on the Horspath Road industrial estate, in Cowley, in 1966.

But in 1992, in the face of difficult trading conditions, the firm went into receivership and was sold for £1.1m to rival Cornwell Parker and the factory was closed.

* Does anyone recognise themselves or anyone else in the picture