Oxford Christmas Night Light

The Mini plant at Oxford is sponsoring the Christmas Night Light in Oxford to mark the 100^th anniversary of car manufacturing in the city. The annual light procession on 22 November will focus on the theme of Morris's marvellous machines.

Children make lanterns in workshops with local artists and then carry them through the streets to St Giles on the evening of 22 November. There is also an eight-week Christmas programme of art, music and dance, and many of the city's museums stay open for late night viewings.

The Oxford Mini plant is one of three to produce Minis in the UK but it is principally responsible for final assembly. About 11 million cars (including Austin Healey, MG, Wolseley, Riley, Austin, Tirumph and Rover brands) have been produced at the plant since car manufature started there in 1913. It is the oldest mass production plant still in use in the UK. It was bought by BMW in 1994 as part of the agreement to buy Rover.