THE people of Oxford have celebrated the arrival of May in all sorts of ways over the years.

These pictures from the Oxford Mail archives reflect the variety of entertainment on offer.

The first picture was taken at a Fun in the Parks event held at Florence Park, Cowley, Oxford, on May Day, 1984.

Keeping up the May Day traditions, there was folk music, morris and Irish dancing, and maypole dancing, with children encouraged to join in.

Oxford City Council organised up to six fun days in different parks every summer, and they proved hugely popular with families, particularly those who could not afford a holiday.

The second picture was taken during the May Day celebrations at Osney Island in Oxford in the early 1950s.

Youngsters gathered in the community centre in Bridge Street for what looks to have been a jolly party.

The picture comes from Janet Halford, of Swale Drive, Didcot, who lived on the island for 50 years.

Mrs Halford, whose maiden name was England, has managed to name all but two of her fellow islanders. Can anyone beat that?

The third picture shows the May Day parade at Tackley in 1962.

Children from the primary school walked through the village, led by a horse-drawn float carrying the May Queen, 10-year-old Kathleen Crossfield.

The fourth picture dates from 1986 when nine-year-old Cathy Ridge was crowned May Queen by her fellow pupils at Headington Quarry First School in Oxford.

Former school May Queen Anne Hatwell, who reigned in 1933, was a guest at the event and posed for the cameraman with Cathy.

All 90 pupils, aged from five to nine, took part in an afternoon of festivities, which included maypole dancing in the school playground.