Former Oxford Times editor Cecil Hudson has died, aged 95.

He was editor between 1953 and 1972 and is credited with turning the paper into a powerful forum of public opinion, being associated with the title for more than 45 years.

He joined as an apprentice reporter in 1926 the General Strike among his first major assignments.

He had planned to go to university and become a teacher but decided instead to follow his two older brothers into journalism.

In 1928 Cecil was transferred to the sub-editors’ room and spent a month bringing out the Oxford Evening Times, The Oxford Times, The Oxford Journal Illustrated and the North Berks Herald.

Following the merger with the Oxford Mail he was soon appointed chief sub-editor of The Oxford Times.

During the Second World War he combined his subbing duties with service in the Observer Corps, and then joined the Intelligence Corps, serving in France, Belgium and Germany.

He returned to The Oxford Times in 1946, becoming editor seven years later.

Landmarks under his editorship included the paper’s centenary in 1962 and the decision in June 1969 to print news on the front page.

Away from the newsroom, he served as a president of Oxford Rotary Club and was chairman of the 41 Club.

Shortly after he retired he was honoured by Oxford University, with an honorary degree of Master of Arts in the Sheldonian Theatre. Receiving the award, he was introduced as: “an Oxford man if ever there was one, who had moved with the Times from Victoria Court to New Inn Hall Street and to Osney Mead”.

After leaving the newspaper, he continued to contribute to the paper, compiling crosswords under the pseudonym of Jehu, until 1987.

His funeral took place in Cropredy, followed by cremation at Banbury.

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail [email protected]