Here we feature photos from the Oxford Mail archives in 1968.

It was a year when Oxford United won promotion and a silent walk was held in the city in memory of civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King.

Students held a silent protest outside a Cowley Road hairdressers in May 1968.

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The demonstration outside ladies hair salon Annette came after students claimed the shop was operating a colour bar.

Two 17-year-old girls said they were refused appointments due to their nationality.

Seven banner-carrying students from the College of Further Education started the protest at 9am after 52 students voted for the demonstration.

Peter Cunningham, a 22-year-old lorry driver from Watlington, drank three pints standing on his head and followed it with a three-pint yard of ale at an all-night drinking contest in 1968.

Oxford Mail:

One night in August, the champion drinkers of Oxfordshire took on the champion drinkers of Cambridgeshire in downing as much beer as they could at Burton Ale Stores, St Clements.

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The rivalry had started when bench fitter Jack Stanmore, from Watlington, challenged Mick Barsby, lorry driver from Whittlesey, to a contest to see who could drink the fastest pint.

Oxford Mail:

Marchers staged a silent walk through the city in memory of Martin Luther King in April 1968.

He had been assassinated 11 days previously.

A 400-strong crowd, including mothers carrying babies, wheelchair-bound disabled men, members of the clergy, nuns and students, walked from Keble Road holding banners.

The march was arranged by the Oxford Council of Churches and the Oxford Committee for Racial Integration.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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