Oxford News
Former staff at the Oxford Mail reunite in the pub
It was an afternoon for nostalgia as former journalists at the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times held a reunion.
More than 30 packed into the Kings Arms at Kidlington to recall old times in the newspaper offices.
READ MORE: Crowds celebrate May Morning 2026
These were the days when we had staff based not only in Oxford but in Witney, Banbury, Bicester, Thame, Abingdon, Didcot, Wallingford and Wantage, covering news from those areas.
Older journalists remembered when the hub of the organisation was in New Inn Hall Street in Oxford – the paper and hot metal days, with no computers or mobile phones in sight.
Reporters would use old-fashioned typewriters to create their stories on paper. After editing and headlines added, printing staff would set the text in metal type.
Metal plates would then be fitted to the press and printing of the paper would begin.
Older readers will no doubt remember the succession of Oxford Mail vans emerging from the narrow Shoe Lane taking papers to newsagents and other outlets throughout Oxfordshire and what was then North Berkshire.
Eight daily editions of the Oxford Mail were published – the third edition arrived on the streets in Oxford at lunchtime, the fifth in mid-afternoon and the seventh and eighth – called the final and late final – in late afternoon. The other editions went to county areas.
Another feature of newspaper production in those days was the Sports Mail – popularly known as the Green Mail as it was printed on green paper. It was published on Saturday evenings and contained all the football results.
Readers would queue outside newsagents waiting for the paper to arrive. Before the present widespread coverage on TV, sports fans would not know the results of football matches.
The first in the queue would relay the results to those further back – to cheers and groans, however their favourite team had performed. Those were the days!
The ongoing incident first started earlier this evening (Saturday, May 2) on Cowley Road in the city.
Thames Valley Police cars arrived at the scene along with several Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service fire engines.
Police officers cordoned off the scene with crime scene tape while firefighters tackled the smoke.
FOLLOW LIVE: Smoke billows from underground as police tape off Oxford street
Members of the public were warned to get back, away from the smoke, with many left scared of what was happening.
Georgia Pamphilon has told us: “I witnessed the fire earlier, and it was SHOCKING.
“I’ve never seen flames erupt like what I witnessed.
“Sundaes Gelato is my favourite place to go for a late-night sweet treat, and I’m so saddened that I can’t go now for what seems like a while.
READ MORE: Onlookers ‘scared’ as smoke rises from out of the ground in Oxford
“Hundreds of students gathered around and watched as the thick black smoke started to consume Cowley Road.
“I’m just hoping fishies at the O2 will still go ahead!”
Both Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service have been approached for comment on the situation.
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Witnesses are being sought by police after a man died in a single vehicle crash on the A361 Banbury Road in Chipping Warden close to Banbury.
The incident happened when a a BMW M1000R motorbike which had been travelling south on Banbury Road, at the approach to Hogg End Road, left the carriageway and came to rest in bushes at about 8.30pm on Friday (May 1).
As a result of the collision, the rider of the motorbike, a man in his 40s, died at the scene.
READ MORE: Another 5G mast ‘set on fire’ in Oxford, say police officers
Northamptonshire Police detectives from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit would like to hear from anyone who may have dash-cam footage that captured any part of the collision.
A spokesperson for the police force said: “Anyone with information is asked to email CollisionAppeals@northants.police.uk or call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615, or Northamptonshire Police on 101.
“Please quote incident number 26000251842 when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible.”
READ MORE: Motorcyclist hospitalised after serious crash closes all M40 lanes
Police also added that two men have been arrested in relation to the tragic incident on the Oxfordshire border.
Both suspects have been apprehended on suspicion of aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving and drink driving, in relation to the collision.
As of today (Saturday, May 2), both men remain in Northamptonshire Police custody today.
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