On Sunday, I witnessed the most pathetic Lord Mayor's Parade ever. I have seen better village fete parades. I am not, in any way, decrying the efforts of those who did take part -- the various groups from Germany, Japan, China and a group with a banner (I have no idea what they represented) were excellent.

But a parade consisting of an open-top bus, a BMW Mini which looked liked it had wandered in by accident and a coach for the Germans bringing up the rear was hardly representative of this fine city.

Where were the floats of old, the brass bands, the military bands, Scouts, Cubs, Brownies etc who used to take part? Where was something from the university?

At one time, the parade would take 30 minutes or more to pass by.

This year, I was delayed for no more than five minutes.

I would hardly call it an extravaganza as you described it in your editorial. If this is the best we can now manage, I suggest we cancel the event in future.

Before anyone suggests that if I don't like what I see, I should get involved, my firm already was.

My colleague was driving the bus. Kevin Stevens, Oxford