Oxford City Council has decided to cancel the Children's Lantern Parade, part of the Oxford Christmas Light Festival in the city centre this year and is currently in discussions to cancel the rest of the 3 day event. This is due to complaints from certain University Colleges which described the event,extremely popular with local residents and families as 'tawdry', official Oxford Dictionary definition, 'cheap, gaudy, vulgar'. An example of how local residents are perceived by staff and students of the Colleges. The Lantern Parade, made up of local school children, many from very deprived areas in Oxford,has become a real Oxford institution and is one event that really brings local people together in what is a very economically and culturally divided city. This event is extremely important to all residents of Oxford .Please sign my petition and pass onto anyone you know to save this event, I am hoping for 10,000 signatures. Many thanks for all your support
Please see below,a news report regarding the cancellation.
http://oxfordstudent.com/2014/03/25/exclusive-anger-as-colleges-call-st-giles-christmas-fair-tawdry-and-poor-quality/
Updates
April 1, 2014
The feedback I have received from local families reminds me how much this annual tradition anchors our community. I am currently reaching out to local representatives to ensure they hear the concerns of those who feel excluded by the recent decision.
April 1, 2014
Reaching this level of support confirms that our community values the spirit of this festival far more than the dismissive labels applied to it. It is heartening to see so many people recognize that these celebrations belong to the residents who call this city home.
Reached 100 supporters
April 1, 2014
58 Comments
This was one of the best, most culturally engaged, most community engaged things to happen in Oxford in a very long time. The100,000 visitors during this event are as much stakeholders in the future of this city as the many others involved in thia international-quality festival.
As the former JCR president of Jesus College, I'd like to say that I totally disagree with my college's complaint. I've always loved the event and so have all my friends here. Hopefully the colleges will listen to their own students even if they choose to ignore local residents.
I was in this last year supporting an inclusive group of disabled and non-disabled cheerleaders who shone as light as tier lanterns with enthusiasm and pride
Fed up with Gowns' attitude to the people of the Town. They represent the future of our city rather than the students who are only here for a few years and the majority are from priviliged backgrounds unlike the majority of the children from the Lantern Parade who produce such a vibrant event for Oxford
The Children's Lantern Parade engages children and families in something that is fun and magical; to dismiss this as 'tawdry' is to insult all those involved int he creationa nd participation of this event, and all those who enjoy it.
Come on Oxford ! It's Christmas !!
Scrooge comes to mind.
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Oxford City Council has decided to cancel the Children's Lantern Parade, part of the Oxford Christmas Light Festival in the city centre this year and is currently in discussions to cancel the rest of the 3 day event. This is due to complaints from certain University Colleges which described the event,extremely popular with local residents and families as 'tawdry', official Oxford Dictionary definition, 'cheap, gaudy, vulgar'. An example of how local residents are perceived by staff and students of the Colleges. The Lantern Parade, made up of local school children, many from very deprived areas in Oxford,has become a real Oxford institution and is one event that really brings local people together in what is a very economically and culturally divided city. This event is extremely important to all residents of Oxford .Please sign my petition and pass onto anyone you know to save this event, I am hoping for 10,000 signatures. Many thanks for all your support
Please see below,a news report regarding the cancellation.
http://oxfordstudent.com/2014/03/25/exclusive-anger-as-colleges-call-st-giles-christmas-fair-tawdry-and-poor-quality/
Updates
April 1, 2014
The feedback I have received from local families reminds me how much this annual tradition anchors our community. I am currently reaching out to local representatives to ensure they hear the concerns of those who feel excluded by the recent decision.
April 1, 2014
Reaching this level of support confirms that our community values the spirit of this festival far more than the dismissive labels applied to it. It is heartening to see so many people recognize that these celebrations belong to the residents who call this city home.
Reached 100 supporters
April 1, 2014
58 Comments
The Oxford Light Festival is a night of celebration for young people and their families. The Lantern Parade is an occasion where local people can inhabit their city streets, where, in fact, they have as much right to tread, as the great and good of Oxford University.
This was one of the best, most culturally engaged, most community engaged things to happen in Oxford in a very long time. The100,000 visitors during this event are as much stakeholders in the future of this city as the many others involved in thia international-quality festival.
As the former JCR president of Jesus College, I'd like to say that I totally disagree with my college's complaint. I've always loved the event and so have all my friends here. Hopefully the colleges will listen to their own students even if they choose to ignore local residents.
I was in this last year supporting an inclusive group of disabled and non-disabled cheerleaders who shone as light as tier lanterns with enthusiasm and pride
Fed up with Gowns' attitude to the people of the Town. They represent the future of our city rather than the students who are only here for a few years and the majority are from priviliged backgrounds unlike the majority of the children from the Lantern Parade who produce such a vibrant event for Oxford
The Children's Lantern Parade engages children and families in something that is fun and magical; to dismiss this as 'tawdry' is to insult all those involved int he creationa nd participation of this event, and all those who enjoy it.
Come on Oxford ! It's Christmas !!
Scrooge comes to mind.
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The Oxford Light Festival is a night of celebration for young people and their families. The Lantern Parade is an occasion where local people can inhabit their city streets, where, in fact, they have as much right to tread, as the great and good of Oxford University.