Tonight sees the climax of Oxfordshire's millennium year of celebration with the Winter Light festival.

It promises to be a fitting climax with many venues opening late, with ice, fire and light as the theme.

The 2007 celebrations grew out of the failed bid for Oxford to be the European City of Culture in 2008. It would have been easy to stop at that point, take a pat on the back for a strong bid that saw Oxford shortlisted, and for all the partners in the bid to go their separate ways.

There was, however, something to build upon and all agreed that Oxford Inspires should take the opportunity to create something of what Oxford had promised in its bid.

There was some money from the Government but not a lot. It is great credit to Oxford Inspires and all its partner arts and cultural organisations across Oxfordshire that we produced such a successful year of celebration in 2007.

Many traditional events took their place in the year of celebration, but 2007 was also notable for several new events, some of them quite breathtaking.

Our particular favourite was Luminox, when Broad Street was transformed by a wall of flame. It was closely followed by the Children's Food Festival.

Tonight's Winter Light festival looks set to be another highlight and we expect to leave with a feeling that we want more of this in the years to come.