FOR all the fun that was had with the substitute party in South Park, it was always a pale imitation of the Cowley Road Carnival .

The organisers put on a fine event there but the truth is it could have been held in any town or city. Yet Cowley Road Carnival is distinctly Oxford.

The plea that is made by organisers today is not an uncommon one.

They have previously asked businesses in the area to help bankroll some of the costs.

The logic is that it can often be a big revenue generator for the businesses so asking them to share the burden of the cost is not unreasonable. Some business owners, not unreasonably, have wanted guarantees there would be return on their investment.

But next year is different. If we do not have a carnival in 2013 then that will be three years’ absence and even the most fervent supporter would doubt on a return following that.

The decision on the fate of the carnival for next year is really a decision on its fate for all years.