PICTURES of events at Carfax Assembly Rooms in Oxford appeared to be in short supply – until we received this excellent one.

It was taken at a luncheon arranged by the Co-operative Insurance Company for its staff, agents and partners.

The company’s offices were in Marygold House at Carfax, a few steps from the rooms in Cornmarket Street.

The photograph was sent in by Betty Holt, who worked for the company.

She believes it was taken in 1945, possibly to celebrate the end of the Second World War.

Mrs Holt, of Fortnam Close, Headington, writes: “I am the girl standing on the far right, next to my parents, Francis and Rose Allen. My father was the audit tester and I later became chief clerk.

“It is difficult to recall who else was there, but readers might know the names of some of the others present.”

She was prompted to write in after reading Rosemary Coughlan’s letter about the Co-op’s key role in city life (Memory Lane, November 8).

Mrs Coughlan wrote: “They had numerous shops and businesses in the city centre.

“They occupied prime sites in Queen Street, Cornmarket Street and George Street.

“During this time, they were akin to Tesco of today. Everything one ever needed could be purchased at one of their stores.”

The Co-op also owned the Assembly Rooms as well as the Holyoake dance hall in Headington.

Mrs Holt also recalls the good old days at these popular dance venues. She writes: “Memories come flooding back of dances in the Assembly Rooms to the music of Stan Rogers and the Blue Star Players and at the Holyoake to that of the Rhythmic Serenaders.”

Can anyone identify any of the diners above? Write and let me know.