Margaret Bowles was a frequent visitor to the Minty furniture factory in Oxford.

She would take a short bus ride from school to the factory in Cherwell Street, St Clement's, and get a lift home from her father, Bill Bowles, the firm's managing director.

Now Margaret Warland, she writes: "I have so many memories of time spent at the factory.

"I went to school in Headington and for many years after school, I caught a bus to the foot of Headington Hill and would wait at the factory for dad to give me a lift home.

"His secretary, Miss Casson, would keep an eye on me, or I would wander around the factory watching the cabinet makers, tent makers and machinists or upholsterers.

"There were not many health and safety laws in those days.

"I also have happy memories of bunking off school to be taken by dad and mum to the Ideal Home Exhibition every year where Minty always had a stand.

"My sister and I would come home with all sorts of trial offers."

Mr Bowles started at Minty's straight from school - as his father, Ben Bowles, had done - and worked his way through each department.

He finally succeeded his father as managing director.

In his spare time, Mr Bowles jnr played the drums in a band and it was while playing at a church social in London that he met his future wife, Marie.

Mrs Warland, of Liddiard Close, Kennington, tells me: "It would be interesting to hear from any surviving past employees or their relatives.

"Needless to say, Minty furniture is still very much in evidence around our family homes.

"I would be very interested in seeing a photograph of a Minty Varsity wicker chair if anyone has one."