One of the favourite spots in Oxford for families on sunny summer afternoons has always been Hinksey Pools.

Oxford Mail photographers would often be there to capture pictures of young and old enjoying a swim or simply relaxing and watching the world go by.

Picture 1 shows Suzanah Woolmer, three, and Hannah Mitchell, three, cooling off in the water on one of the warmest days in 1982.

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The temperature reached 78.6 degrees Fahrenheit, with ice cream sellers reporting roaring trade and great demand in stores like Debenhams for sunglasses.

There was plenty of summer sun, too, in 1965 – taking advantage of a particularly warm spell in Picture 2 are Sharon Dogar, two, left, and her sister Janice, three.

The two boys in Picture 3 also found a good way to keep cool – throwing water over each other.

Four-year-old Rodney Buchan in seen enjoying a refreshing shower with a little help from his friend Stacey Keep. No doubt Rodney returned the favour in due course.

The two boys from Abingdon were enjoying their splash-around fun at Hinksey during the 1982 heatwave – the temperature that day reached 80 degrees F.

Picture 4 shows a group of boys and girls leaping into the water in 2000, but other swimmers were not so energetic.

As you can see in Picture 5, five girls decided the hard work was not for them – they were happy just to relax in the cool water in 1995.

The five – left to right, Monica Taylor, Donna Hayes, Sharry Puttock, Gemma Mundy and Allison Poulter – left the swimming to others.

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The scene was much the same in 1975 in Picture 6 - no sign of activity in the water, just taking it easy in the sun.

Hinksey Pools have always been the most popular of the outdoor pools in Oxford, but many readers will remember others, including Long Bridges, Tumbling Bay, Dames Delight and Parsons Pleasure.

There was also St Clement’s pool in the River Cherwell behind St Clement’s Church in Marston Road, where swimmers often shared the water with passing ducks and swans.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.