Renee Oldfield

Published: 25 April, 2013
by HOWARD HANNAH

RENEE Oldfield, one of the New Journal’s original editorial staff members when the paper launched in 1982, has died aged 87.

Renee came to the CNJ as a passionate enthusiast for the new venture after retiring as deputy editor of the Enfield Gazette.

She brought with her a lifetime’s experience as a journalist which began in her home county of South Yorkshire during the darkest hours of the Second World War.

Born Renee Lightley in May 1925, she was the daughter of a mineworker in Wath on Dearne.

Her first job was as a reporter on the weekly South Yorkshire Times at Mexborough near Rotherham after which she moved to Eastbourne as a magazine editor.

She moved back to Yorkshire in 1946, married Irving Oldfield and they started a family.

In 1962 the family moved to Highgate after Irving took a job as press officer with the National Coal Board at its London HQ.

Renee got a senior reporter’s job at the Palmers Green and Southgate Gazette in 1963, later becoming a sub-editor and assistant editor.

A staunch trade unionist, Renee played a key role in the North London Branch of the National Union of Journalists. As treasurer she frequently rescued the branch from ruin. And in addition to her meticulous organisational abilities, she was politically committed to many progressive causes

Despite being part of her paper’s management, she was one of the most active participants in the 1978/79 national provincial journalists’ strike and suffered victimisation as a result.

She was involved in numerous campaigns including one that sought to tackle the problem of racist reporting in the media.

Her early experiences in the courtrooms of South Yorkshire turned her into an eloquent advocate and strong supporter of women’s right to choose abortion.

And during the 1984 miners’ strike, she and Irving would regularly stock up with groceries to be delivered to families of striking pitmen.

“To us she was a role model,” recalled one former colleague this week. “She was older and practised what she preached. She combined a steely determination with great kindness and understanding.”

Irving died in October 2009 and Renee spent her last months in Potters Bar where she died peacefully on Friday after a short illness.

Renee is survived by her daughter Karen, her son Simon, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Her funeral is being held on May 1 at 3.45pm at the New Southgate Crematorium, N14, with a reception at 4.45pm at Ye Olde Cherry Tree pub in Southgate Green. Donations to Alzheimer’s Research UK.