THIS is how the children of Stockbridge cooled off in the River Aire during the summer of 1945, when we must have had some reasonable weather – although the boy on the far left doesn't look too warm! Nowadays this kind of spontaneous bathing would probably be discouraged.

Scenes like these epitomise the simple pleasures of childhood school holidays which of necessity were spent near home, when a half-day at Newsholme Dean or Shipley Glen represented a memorable treat.

A favourite spot for messing about in the water – safer than the River Aire as shown here – was Intake Bridge, on the North Beck below Guard House.

Along with my playmates, while our fathers were away at war, I used to enjoy similar heydays when groups of mothers would take their children up into Holme House Woods for a paddle in the North Beck and a picnic on the banks.

I was lucky to have a great-aunt who lived at Cowling, so my special childhood treat was a walk along the skyline from the Salt-Pot to the Pepper-Pot.