Sir – As a local resident who has long held the opinion that Oxford, despite possessing some fine open public spaces while also having a singular lack of imagination about how to utilise them, I am moved to write to praise the efforts made over the holiday run-up to stage both the Christmas Lights procession and the two market events in St Giles and Broad Street.

I understand that opposition to both market events was a major hurdle that had to be surmounted by the organisers and having spoken to them informally during the events, wanted to congratulate and thank them more publicly for the enjoyment that they provided to the many people who turned out and supported them.

It is always easier to oppose an action rather than organise and execute one, so well done — the smiles on people’s faces told me how worthwhile their efforts were.

There is a lot that could be learned from other cities’ seasonal events, particularly Winchester and Birmingham. Our public spaces deserve better than to be simply regarded as convenient parking: so do our residents.

Geoffrey Lescott, Cowley