EGGS, bonnets and bunnies are only part of the Easter fun for children, as these pictures from the Oxford Mail archives show.

An Easter Extra playgroup was organised by Witney’s Congregational minister, the Rev Bob Henry.

He is seen with his guitar, leading singing at the event in 1984.

Nearly 100 children took part in a range of activities, including cooking, drama, music and art.

Oxford Mail:

Three-year-old Jamie Esplin keeps an eye on his egg's progress down the hill

Jamie Esplin, three, watches the progress of his egg in an Easter egg rolling competition at Blewbury, near Didcot, in 1983.

Rita Fry won the adult race, although her roll of 99ft fell well short of the record of 149ft 6in set in 1978.

Nicholas Meech, 12, won the over-sevens race and Zoe Farrell, six, the under-sevens.

Dennis Barton, a newsagent in Wootton, near Abingdon, claimed to have the biggest Easter egg in the country in 1985.

The egg, made to order by Swiss firm Lindt, weighed 15lb and cost £97.50 and was first prize in a raffle.

Oxford Mail:

Sarah Egginton, 22, is seen with the Lindt egg

Three-year-old Charlotte Prout, of Iffley, joining in the fun of an Easter bonnet parade at Cowley Playgroup in 1985.

Oxford Mail:

Three-year-old Charlotte Prout and her Easter bonnet

The 40 youngsters took part in a parade around Cowley community centre, wearing a wonderful collection of headgear, including plenty of Easter chicks, bunnies and spring flowers.

Children at Harebell First School at Blackbird Leys, took part in an egg-decorating contest in 1977.

Oxford Mail:

Four pupils are seen admiring some of the collection – from left, Alan Naylor, eight, Terry Wood, nine, Louise Peach, seven, and Samantha Webster, seven.

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.