Wilfred Stead
A former production manager of the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times, Wilfred Stead, has died at his home in Bedfordshire, aged 87.
He joined the titles in April 1955 from the Birmingham Evening Despatch.
Apprenticed in 1929, he became 'father' of the composing room union chapel, and was a type-setting machine operator for many years.
He was selected to join a productivity team visiting America to study printing methods.
Later, Mr Stead, formerly of Gidley Way, Horspath, was to play a leading role in the changeover from letterpress to photocomposition and web offset, when the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times moved from New Inn Hall Street in the city centre to the present premises at Osney Mead in 1972.
A past president of the Web Offset Newspaper Association, he served on the Westminster Press technical committee for several years, before retiring in 1979.
He is survived by his wife, Hazell, son Adrian, and granddaughter, Lynn. His funeral takes place today at Bedford Crematorium Chapel at 4pm.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article