YEARS before Cowley Road Carnival, a street party that was not too dissimilar was held in East Oxford.

This photo shows the Bullingdon Road festival in full swing in August 1976.

Organised by the East Oxford Residents' and Community Associations, with the help of a morris dancer named Dick Brooker, the day's entertainment consisted of a 'bran tub', a lucky dip, gospel singers and the Sacred Dance Group.

Bullingdon Road was closed for the occasion, while residents festooned their windows with balloons and brought out tables and chairs.

"Why a street fair?" Dick Brooker was asked, to which he responded: "Why not?"