AS it's now the Bank Holiday and weather forecasts predict warm weather, the Echo looks back at a few occasions through the years when we all enjoyed Southampton's outside spaces.

There's little argument the weather has been a little underwhelming this summer, and in 1989 it was just as erratic.

A week after snow had swept across central England, the south was basking in glorious sunshine.

Typically, it all happened in the week after a Bank Holiday – when everyone had returned to work.

Back in 1967 the Echo printed a few pictures under the headline "Sunshine in the parks" and provided a glimpse into how we once made the most of the good weather.

A couple of the photos show children coming down the slides, while another depicts them climbing a tree with steps built in to aid their ascent.

Daily Echo:

One picture shows Carl Douglas at the age of 18 months enjoying a cold drink from a bottle – the perfect way to cool down in the summer sunshine.

Mothers and their children can be seen taking time off, enjoying time out on the grass.

Skip forward to 2001 and sun-worshippers were snapped enjoying the paddling pool on Southampton common during the hottest day of the year.

 

Daily Echo: Enjoying parks montage pic

We may not get the sunshine featured in these pictures this Bank Holiday, but hopefully things will stay nice and dry.