May Morning celebrations have been 'called off' for the second year running due to coronavirus restrictions.

There will be no repeat of 2019 when thousands of people gathered beneath Magdalen Tower to hear the choir sing.

With May Morning falling on a Saturday, there could have been a bumper crowd if the restrictions had not been in place preventing crowds from gathering.

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Non-essential shops reopened on April 12 and pubs and restaurants can serve people outside but outdoor gatherings of more than six people, or two households, remain illegal.

Oxford Mail:

There will be no event at Magdalen Tower, and residents and students are being asked to enjoy the celebrations at home. People have been encouraged to get involved by using #MayMorning. 

An online event will start at 6am with the Choir of Magdalen College, which will air on its Facebook page with an introduction by the President of the college.

Oxford Mail:

For decades, jumping from Magdalen Bridge on May Morning was a tradition but in 2005, when river levels were low, about 40 people were injured and since then in certain years restrictions have been placed on bridge access.

In 2010, more than 100 people jumped off Magdalen Bridge but they all escaped injuries.

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Students and other residents started to jump from the bridge parapets into the River Cherwell at about 6.15am.

Oxford Mail:

About 16,000 people attended the celebrations that year and police closed the road beneath Magdalen College tower shortly after 5am after 8,000 people crowded on to it.

There were also barriers controlling the crowds at the High Street junction with Merton Street until they were removed at 6.15am.

One of the first people to jump from the bridge in 2010 was Diane Billouin, 19, an au pair from Aylesbury, who said: “I came to hear the singers but then I thought it would be fun to jump in.

“It was a bit cold and my legs touched the bottom of the river when I jumped but I wasn’t hurt.

“I wouldn’t do it again — I just thought I would try it.”

Supt Amanda Pearson, of Thames Valley Police, said at the time there were only four arrests, including one for an alcohol-related assault in the George Street area.

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She added: “Our operation focused on working with licensed premises to reduce alcohol-related disorder and there were fewer arrests than usual for a Friday.

Oxford Mail:

“I’m disappointed that a few individuals risked their own safety by jumping into the river and it is more by luck than judgement that they were not injured.”

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Paul Cooke, lead operation manager for South Central Ambulance, said none of the people who jumped from the parapet were injured. He added: “We treated a few people for minor injuries but that was after they tripped and fell in the street.”