STAFF at Frank Cooper Ltd worked hard making marmalade and preserves, but also enjoyed a varied social life.

This picture, sent in by Stuart Hickman, of Curtis Avenue, Abingdon, shows staff on a coach outing.

Mr Hickman’s parents, Mary and Mick Hickman, worked for the company from the early 1950s until 1967 when it left the city.

At that time, it occupied the large building in Botley Road, where MFI and Halfords were formerly based.

Mr Hickman writes: “As a child, I remember going on coach outings to the coast – Bournemouth, Weymouth etc. The men loaded the beer into the back of the coach, yet we still stopped off at a pub on the way back.

“Obviously I was not allowed into the pub in those days, so mum stayed with me in the coach with my bottle of pop and a packet of crisps. I wonder if anyone else remembers other social events.”

As we recalled (Memory Lane, February 18), Sarah Cooper, right, wife of Frank, created the distinctive Oxford marmalade in her husband’s grocery shop in High Street in 1874. It quickly became popular all over the world.

Production was moved to the building at the corner of Park End Street and Hollybush Row early last century and in 1947 to Botley Road, where it stayed for 20 years.

Look out for more of Mr Hickman’s pictures of Frank Cooper staff soon.

Does anyone recognise the daytrippers above?

Write and let me know.