WE are grateful to Prime Minister David Cameron for his good wishes today as this newspaper celebrates its 150th anniversary.
The fact that Witney’s MP found time amid the blood and gore of his Cabinet reshuffle to do so says a lot about his continued focus on local, as well as national and international matters.
It is humbling that his are not the only tributes. They have poured forth over the past week from all corners of the county and from all sectors.
Politics, the arts, business and community leaders have all spoken of the role of The Oxford Times in their daily lives.
That is reassuring, as the death knell has been sounded for Britain’s ‘local rags’ some time ago and on many occasions since.
Those sounding it are usually described as ‘media experts’, or even ‘pundits.’
Hopefully, they will find gainful employment soon.
There will no doubt be fewer local newspapers in the future as the impact of the Internet and a global recession continues to be felt.
But many will survive, particularly if they reside in communities which demand high quality news and information, forthright opinions and a good old dust up in the letters pages.
As far as this newspaper is concerned, the Fat Lady has not even arrived at the venue. We are certain she never will.