THERE was always a wide range of games to enjoy during break time at New Marston Primary School in Oxford.

Eamonn Woodley, who was at the school in Copse Lane from 1958 to 1964, remembers the playground buzzing with activity.

In a booklet of his memories at the school, he writes: “Often the girls and some of the boys would play hop-scotch, leap frog, cart wheels, skipping, marbles and five stones (or jacks as it was usually called).

“The playground was an open arena of hustle and bustle, combined with the noise of happy children playing.

“Hoola-hoops were in vogue and I can still visualise the more energetic girls gyrating and keeping the hoop spinning for what seemed ages.

“There were spontaneous games of kiss chase and other chasing games such as tag. The boys kicked balls or swapped cigarette cards.

“Fights were not uncommon. A loud cry of ’fight, fight, fight’ would go up and a large, almost impenetrable circle of children would surround the two contestants.

“I would not say teachers consciously turned a blind eye, but if the two protagonists were fairly matched and things didn’t look like getting out of hand, the dispute would be left to resolve itself.

“When the fight was over, usually with one of the fighters having called enough, there would be the obligatory handshake to show no ill feelings.”

Mr Woodley, who now lives near Princes Risborough, tells me the school prided itself on its extra-curriculum activities.

“There were several groups which met after school to study and practise art, chess, cinema, gymnastics, music, photography and stamp collecting.”

School dinners were also a delight, giving pupils the chance to eat things we would rarely eat at home – baked beans, fish fingers and tinned tomatoes.

“School dinners always finished with a large pudding – spotted dick, treacle pudding, jelly and blancmange or bananas and custard.“ During the severe winter of 1963, Mr Woodley remembers walking to school and being unable to see over the icy peaks of snow piled at the side of the road.

Pupils made the most of the snow and ice – a teacher even poured water on the playground to make a slide!

More of Mr Woodley’s memories soon.

  • The school’s summer festival, organised by the Parent-Staff Association, takes place on Saturday, from 10am to 2pm. It is a joint school-community event, with lots of stalls and offering a chance for former pupils to meet.