Here we look back at the Oxford Mail archives from 2001 - a colourful year for the city.

Local band Radiohead played in front of thousands of fans in South Park, the Kassam Stadium was being built, and BMW Mini went into production at the Cowley plant.

The Cowley-built Mini was an immediate success and helped drive parent company BMW to a record year by 2002.

Oxford Mail:

READ MORE: Historic hotel is sold for £1.85m

A total of 1,057,000 vehicles were delivered to customers in 2002 - up 17 per cent on the figure for 2001.

Of these, 144,000 Minis were sold in its first full year of production, compared to 24,980 the previous year when it went on sale in July.

The encouraging statistics were unveiled by BMW chairman Dr Helmut Panke at the North American International Auto Show where the Mini won the overall car of the year title.

Dr Panke said at the time: "The BMW group is in an excellent position to continue its dynamic development in 2003."

Oxford Mail:

In July 2001, an estimated 40,000 fans packed into South Park to see local boys Radiohead perform a memorable homecoming set.

Read more: Remember when Radiohead came home

The band, who met at Abingdon School in the mid-80s and went on to make bestselling albums including The Bends and OK Computer, were keen to play in their back yard.

Following negotiations with the city council, it was agreed they could play South Park and preparations were made for the gig on July 7.

Oxford Mail:

Astonishingly, the same year 'king of pop' Michael Jackson rocked up at the Oxford Union to give a talk.

Read more: 10 memorable photos of the 1990s

Oxford Mail:

And the Kassam Stadium was taking shape ready for the U's first game at the new Minchery Farm ground in August, after saying farewell to the Manor Ground in Headington.

Former US president Bill Clinton also visited the city and met well-wishers outside the Randolph Hotel.

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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.