Outings were the nearest many people came to having a holiday in the 1930s - and Wolvercote was no exception.

Villagers flocked for a place on the coach when plans for awaydays were announced.

Day trips were organised from the Plough pub - one for men, one for women. They never went together.

For the men's outings, landlord John Stockford would load ale and mountains of sandwiches and pickled onions in the back of the coach.

They were clearly quite boozy affairs - sometimes, they stopped en route and didn't even reach their destination!

In contrast, the women's outings were more dignified. All would wear their Sunday best. Portsmouth Navy Days were a great favourite.

The two pictures are among more than 100 in a new book, Growing up in Wolvercote, 1931-1951, by Mr Stockford's son, Michael.

He gives a fascinating account of life in the village, with many memorable stories about the pub, school, canal, railway, boys' club and much more.

He recalls how one boy sneaked into an orchard, stuffed his new zipper jacket with juicy Blenheim apples and fled, the owner in hot pursuit.

The boy nipped through a fence, only to come face-to-face with the local bobby, Pc Pike, known as Pikey.

"What's this then?" asked Pikey.

"It's the new zipper jacket, Constable Pike," said the boy, trying to be smart.

"Is it now?" said the officer, pulling down the zip and depositing 6lb of apples on the ground.

"Do you want me to deal with it - or do we go and see your father?"

"You deal with it," was the answer, followed by a sharp clip around the ear from Pikey, who said: "Dealt with!"

Michael, of Bishop Kirk Place, North Oxford, also reveals the unusual circumstances in which he first set eyes on his future wife, Rita - she was at school handing out to him and other boys prunes, a wartime luxury, which she had stuffed up her knicker leg!

For a copy of the book, which costs £7.95, call Michael on 01865 552425. Any profits are being given to St Peter's Church, Wolvercote.