The Oxford Mail is preparing to celebrate its 75th anniversary with an in-house party, a souvenir supplement – and even a tea dance.

The big day falls on December 12 and the paper is planning a week of festivities to mark the occasion, including a promotion giving readers the chance to win one of 75 prizes every day.

The Mail will feature a 32-page, full colour supplement on its anniversary date looking back over its illustrious history since its ‘birth’ in 1928.

It will include features on everything from past editors, big stories, and sport – to the changing methods of production and also the Mail’s longest-serving readers.

News editor John Chipperfield, who writes the Mail’s weekly Memory Lane feature, is producing much of the material for the supplement.

Editor Jim McClure, who is retiring a week after the anniversary, said: “We hope to make this a special occasion for our staff and our readers – a real celebration of the Oxford Mail’s remarkable past and present.”

A special facsimile edition of the first issue will also be published on that day.

Back at the Mail’s headquarters in Osney Mead there will be a day of surprises, including free food and drink for staff, spot prizes, a band, a big birthday cake… and plenty of wine.

The newspaper is also sponsoring a tea dance for older readers, at the city’s Town Hall.

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