There was plenty of opportunity for work AND play for staff at Grimbly Hughes in Oxford.

During the day, they ran one of the city's finest grocery stores, in Cornmarket Street. In the evenings and at weekends, there was a wide range of leisure activities to enjoy.

They were organised by the Goba Welfare Committee - Goba stood for Grimbly, Oxford, Bedford and Aylesbury (the firm had stores in all three towns).

The committee had an executive and sub-committees, with employees from all ranks, to organise sport and recreation. There were two cricket teams, a tennis team, an annual horticultural show and an annual outing to the seaside.

Swimming, dances, whist drives and smoking concerts were also arranged.

Among other innovations was a thrift club, which allowed staff to save up for Christmas.

Staff were kept informed of the latest company news and social activities through a magazine called Action.

Copies of the first three editions were brought to Newspaper House by Tony Taylor, of Bagley Wood Road, Kennington, whose father Reginald worked for Grimbly Hughes.