The Witney Pride Festival began at midday on Saturday, May 23, with a march through the town from Marriotts Walk Shopping Centre to The Leys Recreation Ground.

At the park there was a festival including music, drinks and food, all under the sun.

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Mayor of Witney Jane Doughty said: “What a fantastic weekend at Witney Pride!

“Thank you all for the incredibly warm welcome.

“It’s a true privilege to serve as your mayor and to represent everyone in our wonderful, diverse town.”

The Witney Pride Festival on May 23, 2026 (Image: Ed Nix)

At the festival there were performances by Banbury drag entertainer Miss Lightning, the Witney Vocals Choir and the Witney Guitar Club.

A spokesperson for the latter said: “We had a great time.”

In addition Amelia Lakes, Rokat, Kyle Finn and drag sensation Dosa Cat also performed, alongside Lady B, Nicolette Street, Amrick and Lucy Luscious Lips.

Local businesses were also encouraged to participate by decorating their shops with Pride flags and by setting up a stall at the event

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A spokesperson for The Shake and Sweet Shop witnessed the initial parade and was impressed.

They said: “Nice to get out, during a quiet minute and glimpse some of the colourful Witney Pride parade.

“What a wonderful sound and lovely to spot many of our customers. Hope the festival was as wonderful as the weather.”

Thames Valley Police has warned dog owners to “never” leave their pet in a hot vehicle, even if for a short time.

The force released the advice today (Tuesday, May 26) after a dog was removed from a car because of the “dangerously high temperature”.

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It was kept in an air-conditioned police vehicle until the owner returned.

A spokesperson for the South Oxon and Vale of White Horse team said: “We are urging the public to never leave dogs in hot cars—even for a short time.

“Recently, PC Hackett attended a report of a dog left in a vehicle.

“Despite the windows being slightly open and a bowl of water inside, the temperature was still dangerously high.

“The dog had to be removed and kept safe in an air-conditioned police vehicle until the owner returned, where advice was given.

“Cars heat up rapidly, even on mild days. Dogs cannot regulate their body temperature effectively and can quickly suffer or die.

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“Leaving a dog in a hot car may constitute an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

“If you see a dog in distress call 999 in an emergency otherwise report via 101.

“Remember: If you wouldn’t sit in the car, don’t leave your dog in it.”

The UK has recorded its hottest ever May temperature with provisional temperatures reaching 35°C in London and 33°C in Oxford on Tuesday, May 26.

This comes as temperatures in Oxfordshire hit record heights on Monday, May 25, with 33.6°C measured in Benson, near Wallingford.

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Meanwhile a yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued for the Tuesday evening with the possibility of isolated storms hitting large swathes of the country including Oxford.

The Met Office said many areas will stay hot and sunny but there is potential for as much as 30mm of rainfall in the space of an hour in some parts.

The warning is in place between 3pm and 10pm today (Tuesday, May 26).

People enjoying the hot weather (Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

The heat has caused some disruption in Oxfordshire with reports of freezers and fridges within supermarkets breaking down.

Multiple customers said they left the Aldi in Broadway, Didcot, without any chilled food due to broken cooling systems in the shop.

Several other supermarkets in the county are showing empty shelves, as products are returned to the warehouse to prevent spoiling them while fridges and freezers are out of action.

People enjoying the hot weather (Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

One such store is the Waitrose in Bell Street, Henley, where cooled shelves have been cleared and a notice put up in the place of products like dairy and meat.

The notice said: “Due to the extreme temperatures and a breakdown of our main refrigeration units we have, unfortunately, had to send our chilled and frozen products back to our warehouse to prevent the stock being destroyed.”

Meanwhile, a section of the Oxfordshire police called on the public to ensure dogs are not left in hot cars after one was found left in a vehicle with the temperature “dangerously high”.

People enjoying the hot weather (Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

The South Oxon and Vale of White Horse team said: “We are urging the public to never leave dogs in hot cars—even for a short time.

“Recently, PC Hackett attended a report of a dog left in a vehicle.

“Despite the windows being slightly open and a bowl of water inside, the temperature was still dangerously high.

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“The dog had to be removed and kept safe in an air-conditioned police vehicle until the owner returned, where advice was given.”

The Met Office said that the minimum temperature tonight is likely to be 15°C with Wednesday set to be “mainly dry and sunny again”.

A spokesperson said: “Fresher conditions expected near eastern coasts with stronger onshore breezes. Maximum temperature 29 °C.”

Longer term it is expected to stay warm for the remainder of the week albeit with a slight temperature dip.