Completely agree with rabbel rowser. The carnival was great, but despite rather than because of the bureaucrats seeking to control it. Our stall (Brazil Solidarity) was actually evicted from Manzil Way for the crime of "trading" (selling cakes). Well in fact we're a voluntary group, and 100% of what we raise goes directly to support landless communities in Brazil. Because of some very "complex" by-laws, we were not allowed to sell cakes, but another stall 20 metres away was. And this was rigorously enforced by a guy in uniform with a walkie-talkie. We need a carnival under the people's control, and all daft rules should be challenged, so that our celebrations have the diversity and colour which really represents the community - like they do it in Brazil, in fact (they have a lot to teach us about participatory democracy).
I also completely agree that we should not be stewarded to allow cars through. We suffer them every other day of the year, so let them make a detour, and our carnival procession be safe and unmolested.
Did anyone else have similar experiences? Does anyone want to respond from the other side?