Mayor's parade proves a big hit (From thisisoxfordshire)

Mayor's parade proves a big hit

9:17am Tuesday 30th May 2006 in

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Oxford's new Lord Mayor, Jim Campbell, was grateful it did not rain on his parade yesterday but he was prepared in any event.

Mr Campbell, who took up office earlier this month, toured the city in an open-top bus in the annual tradition.

And although rain threatened to spoil proceedings for a while, the Lord Mayor's Parade went with a swing.

Mr Campbell said: "I was a little worried about the weather and I packed about five brollies just in case but the weather turned out well, and it was a great day.

"It was good to see so many people turn out."

An estimated 400 people joined a procession that weaved through the city from Banbury Road, down St Giles, Cornmarket Street, along High Street, up Headington Hill and into South Park for the Oxford Lions' gala.

Banbury and Chipping Norton town crier Anthony Church led the procession, which was followed by the Lord Mayor's eco-friendly Toyota Prius and an open-top bus crammed with local dignitaries including the Lady Mayoress, Margie Campbell, and city council leader John Goddard.

Oxford District Brass Band, Marston Twirlers and Falun Dafa dancers joined the slow-paced procession while the biggest cheers from the hundreds of well-wishers who lined the streets was reserved for the Old MacDonald's Farm float representing Helen and Douglas House, the Oxford hospices.

Bringing up the rear were a police van, ambulance and a city council dustcart flanked by two motorised road sweepers.

Last year, the date of the parade was moved from the Bank Holiday Monday to the Sunday and the location of the stalls was switched to Oxpens Park, off Oxpens Road.

This prompted charities to criticise the city council's organisation of the event because poor attendance meant less money was raised.