THESE smartly-dressed young people had settled down for an enjoyable evening. Food was on the table and waitresses were on their way to fill their cups and saucers.

But where and when was the party held, who were the young diners and what was the occasion?

The mystery picture was found in an envelope at Newspaper House with documents and newspaper cuttings about Florence Park Residents’ Association and Florence Park Youth Club in Oxford.

One of the newspaper cuttings relates to the youth club’s first annual tea party and social at Iffley Institute.

Could this be the event pictured above?

The party was attended by about 70 members and guests, including Mr FS Green and Mr CP Roberts, officers of Oxford Community Centre and Youth Services.

The report added: “Mr Green congratulated the club on its work during the past three years and paid tributes to the secretary, Mr IW Poulter, and Mr AW King, the club leader.

“The arrangements were carried out by Mrs Windridge, Mrs Poulter, Mrs King, Miss Muriel Potter, Miss Janie Bradford and Mr R King. A dance followed, Mrs Hawkesworth being responsible for the canteen. Mr Poulter was MC and spot prizes were won by Mary Allen and Michael Smith.”

The bundle of documents also included a typewritten note from what look like the minutes of a meeting.

Under the heading “Youth Club”, it said: “The club appreciate the work put in since its formation by Mr I Poulter, who has given valuable service, and also Mr D King, our club leader, who has taken on a most difficult job and is doing it well.

“The most notable success of the club was the girls winning the Oxford City Football Club Challenge Cup in the rounders knockout competition.

“During the summer months, mystery trips, river outings and cycling tours have been held, also weekend camps at Wytham. Activities of the club are table tennis, billiards, dancing, netball and hockey and on the education side, quizzes, discussions, debates and lectures.”

Another typewritten note revealed why, when the youth club met at Iffley Institute, there was always a pram parked by the stage.

The pram was used by Mr Poulter and club secretary Yvonne Fortescue to carry an amplifier, a billiard table, table tennis gear and games from Florence Park to Iffley, a task they carried out every Tuesday night “without a grumble”.

The note expressed the hope that Florence Park would soon have its own building, making the pram redundant.

* Can anyone tell us about the picture above and identify any of the diners? Write and let me know.