One sure way to attract publicity for a charity event was to plan something unusual – and Round Table members certainly did that.

The Oxford Mail couldn’t resist capturing members as they welcomed their area chairman – in their pyjamas – and despatched a photographer to record his early-morning arrival.

Richard Peacock, who lived at Blewbury, near Didcot, right in Picture 1, spent a day piloting a light aircraft to drop in and meet the chairmen of the 12 Round Tables across Oxfordshire in 1974.

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He is seen with pyjama-clad David Hukin, chairman of Thame Round Table, on one of his early calls.

Abingdon Market Place was turned into one big rubbish tip one weekend in 1985 – but no-one minded a bit.

Mountains of jumble and old washing machines, fridges and cookers joined piles of furniture and discarded electrical items as Abingdon Round Table held a charity auction.

Hilary Mitchell, of Abingdon, is seen in Picture 2 playing a piano at the sale. Organisers collected £2,800 for handicapped children.

Oxford Mail: Two members of Witney Round Table, Dr A Cole, left, and Mr N Embling, are seen in Picture 3 in 1963 painstakingly copying Japanese characters for a decoration at their annual charity ball, A Night with the Geishas.

Gladys Hickman, of Bladon, in Picture 4, was looking forward to her first trip abroad, thanks to a charity raffle run by Kidlington Round Table.

She had bought tickets while shopping and had forgotten about them until the organisers rang to say she had won a £250 holiday voucher.

She is seen receiving her prize in 1984 from Round Table member Richard Kelly, right, watched by Tesco manager Tom Murphy, who allowed tickets to be sold outside his store in the village.

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In Picture 5, Andrew Fulljames, chairman of Bicester Round Table, presents a wheelchair in 1982 to St John Ambulance superintendent Bert Highton for use by an elderly woman.

Picture 6, also from Bicester, shows a presentation ceremony after the Round Table and the town’s Ladies Circle organised a ‘wheel ride’. Left to right are Terry and Edith Rogers, whose pub, the Royal Oak at Blackthorn, won team and fancy dress prizes, Ladies Circle chairwoman Joan Fuller, Round Table chairman Mick Neal and winners John McGarrity, Ian Ewers and, front, Sarah Cherry.

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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.