With inflation and high food prices people have been reminded of the ‘Winter of Discontent’ in 1978-79.
Here we look back at some photos from 1979 where there were signs of protest - and some fun activities too.
The Winter of Discontent featured widespread strikes by private, and later public, sector trade unions demanding pay rises greater than the limits Prime Minister James Callaghan and his Labour government had been imposing.
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At the end of 1978 a road hauliers' strike began.
In Oxford in 1979, our archive does show protesters campaigning against education cuts.
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Bizarrely, there was also a big demonstration against a reduction in the amount of time country music was being played on local radio.
But against this background of discontent, people were still having fun.
Pam Ayres launched a poetry competition in South Park, while Brideshead Revisited actors filmed scenes in the Botanic Garden.
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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.
You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.
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