THESE were the days when Cowley community centre was thriving. The centre in Barns Road, opposite Cowley shopping centre, was a hive of activity for people of all ages, offering social events as well as educational classes.

It also served as a convenient meeting place for many local organisations.

This picture dates from September 1969 when the centre held an open day to encourage people to come and see what it offered.

To add to the fun of the day, committee members dressed as characters from Gilbert and Sullivan operas for a fancy dress parade.

The pirate on the left, from Pirates of Penzance, looks particularly threatening as he invades!

Committee members had set themselves a target – to achieve a membership of 1,000.

The open day drew more than 1,000 visitors and 22 of them signed up for classes at the centre.

That meant that the membership target had been reached five months ahead of schedule.

Centre warden Peter Welch said: “We had given ourselves until next February when the 21st anniversary of the founding of Cowley Community Association falls to enrol our 1,000th member.”

There was plenty on offer for those who attended the open day. A West Indian steel band played outside, and inside were sideshows and entertainments for children and adults, as well as exhibitions by the art, photographic, cine-filming, car maintenance and dress-making groups.

Sadly, the centre is no more – the buildings were demolished and the site is now wasteland.

Seven years ago, the centre was plunged into financial chaos when the social club, which contributed about £800 a week towards its running costs, crashed with debts of nearly £100,000.

Later, it was discovered the buildings contained asbestos and there were fire safety problems.

The good news is that a scheme for 40 one- and two-bedroom flats on the site, spearheaded by TV presenter Kevin McCloud and approved by the city council last year, includes a new community centre.

Any memories of Cowley community centre in happier days to share with readers? Write and let me know.