Woodgreen outdoor pool in Banbury, a 50-metre open-air facility, will reopen for the summer from Monday, May 18, following a series of improvements.

Upgrades include refurbished flooring in the aqua splash area and new, more durable tiles around the pool.

These follow last year’s improvements to showers, toilets, and changing rooms.

Councillor Rob Pattenden, Portfolio Holder for Healthy Communities, said: “We’re really pleased to be welcoming the people of Banbury and beyond for another outdoor swimming season, with further upgrades to our Woodgreen pool now complete.

“We continue to invest in Woodgreen, not only because swimming is such a great way to improve your health and fitness, but because a facility like this has such an important role in bringing friends, families and communities together over summer.”

The Banbury Triathlon will begin the new season with their annual event, taking place on Sunday, May 17.

Facilities at the pool include a flume, an interactive aqua splash zone for toddlers, and a snack bar.

The pool is operated by Legacy Leisure on behalf of Cherwell District Council, with financial contributions from Banbury Town Council.

The gardens, located across the countryside in South Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, will welcome visitors on Thursday, June 18 in support of Maggie’s Oxford.

The event has been curated by Clare Foster, garden editor at House & Garden, and will raise funds for the cancer support charity.

Tickets can be booked online via: https://tinyurl.com/2f22ccyb

Guests will start the day at The Coaching Barn in Little Stoke, where they will enjoy morning coffee before exploring the gardens at their own pace.

Jodie Mutch, fundraising manager at Maggie’s Oxford, said: “This promises to be a truly special day celebrating beautiful gardens, community and generosity.

“We are incredibly grateful to Clare Foster and her friends for organising such a wonderful event, our garden owners, sponsors and volunteers for helping create such a unique event in support of Maggie’s Oxford.

“Every donation raised will help us continue supporting people with cancer and those they love.”

Highlights include Pyt House near Ashampstead with formal borders and a wildflower meadow, Froomes House in Upper Basildon—home of Clare Foster—and Hailey House in Ipsden, featuring a historic garden designed by Sylvia Crowe.

Guests will return to The Coaching Barn for a two-course lunch and can tour the flower fields at Green & Gorgeous Flower Farm with founder Rachel Siegfried.

Plants, seeds and artisan stalls will be available throughout the day.

Tickets are limited to 100 guests, with all optional donations going directly to Maggie’s Oxford.

SOFEA, based in Didcot, has received a £5,000 donation from The Cadbury Foundation through Mondelēz International’s Your Charity, Your Choice programme.

The charity helps young people aged 14 to 24 who are outside mainstream education by offering practical training, work experience, and personal development opportunities.

The grant was awarded following a nomination by Hannah Gardner, head of marketing and category development at Mondelēz International, receiving support from colleagues at the nearby Mondelēz International site in Uxbridge.

Ms Gardner said: “SOFEA does so much fantastic work helping young people aged 14-24 build their confidence, leadership and interpersonal skills, and I know this generous grant will have an incredibly positive impact.

“I’m delighted that my nomination was supported by my colleagues, and to know that the donation will help the charity continue to deliver its fantastic services supporting young people.”

SOFEA combines education with hands-on work experience.

It aims to improve employability and raise aspirations among young people who may face barriers to traditional education.

James Plunket, director of fundraising at SOFEA, said: “We are extremely grateful to Hannah Gardner for nominating us and to The Cadbury Foundation for this significant donation, which will help our young people gain practical skills and valuable work experience.

“At SOFEA, we believe all young people outside of mainstream education deserve opportunities to grow and succeed and, thanks to this grant, we can keep making that possible.”

The Cadbury Foundation was established in honour of company founders George and Richard Cadbury, who were known for their commitment to social responsibility.

Last year marked the 90th anniversary of the foundation.

More than £1 million has been donated since the Your Charity Your Choice scheme began.

The scheme allows Mondelēz International employees in the UK and Ireland to nominate charities close to their hearts for funding.

Kelly Farrell, community affairs manager at Mondelēz International, said: “Our ‘Your Charity Your Choice’ scheme was set up to support important causes and charities close to our employees’ hearts, and we’re incredibly proud that for 14 years, the programme has done exactly that.

“We’re thrilled that £90,000 was donated last year, as The Cadbury Foundation celebrated its 90th anniversary, and we’re delighted that, with the foundation’s support, SOFEA can continue delivering its services supporting the community, helping young people grow and develop their skills.”