WHEN Cowley Community Centre decided to hold an open day, it issued a challenge to other community centres in Oxford.

“Think of a novel way to come and visit us” was the message.

Thinking caps on, at least four came up with imaginative ideas and put them into practice.

Six members from Rose Hill arrived on a specially-constructed, 12ft long scooter, a team from Barton came as chained slaves, West Oxford produced a team of Olympic athletes and South Oxford members arrived in prams.

It all added to the fun of the day – and at the same time, boosted numbers attending the event. In fact, the open day in 1968 attracted more than 2,000 visitors, a figure that pleased organisers, who had spent months arranging the programme.

The Oxford Federation of Community Associations, representing community centres throughout the city, was keen to advertise the activities the centres offered, and had decided to hold what it described as a Federation Day to spread the word.

Cowley assistant warden Mrs S Foreman said: “Cowley community centre is swinging all the time. There’s a marvellous spirit here, but some of the other associations are in difficulties.

“The majority of people don’t know what is available. We hope this opportunity will do some good.”

One of the main attractions of the Cowley open day was a colourful showman’s traction engine named Kathleen, owned by Jack Lawrence.

‘Kathleen’ was the showpiece of the Cowley Old Steamers’ Traction Club, which had been founded a few months earlier by 19-year-old Chris Raworth. The club had 30 members, from as far as Cirencester and Northampton.

On show at the club’s stand was a near-completed scale model of a showman’s engine, by Mr R V Bushnell, and the beginning of a full-size fair organ, being built by Mr Raworth.

Members of the 130-strong Cowley youth club served hot dogs and hamburgers from their new coffee bar in the centre discotheque. In the evening, 10 club members staged a mannequin parade, involving 34 changes. Other features included a keep-fit demonstration by Rose Hill members, under the direction of Doris Wigmore, a lively performance to music by the Cowley keep-fit class, and table tennis matches between Cutteslowe and Cowley teams.

A miniature motor race track run by Mr C Morgan also attracted much interest, as did the dozen stalls and fairground rides.