Wantage Fire Station raised a total of £1,057 for The Fire Fighters Charity during the event, which drew strong support from the local community.

In a Facebook post, the station said: “A massive thank you to everyone who came out and supported our car wash.

“Whether it was sunshine or hail, the team powered through and kept the buckets and sponges moving.

“Thank you for your generosity and support, we could not have done it without you all – it is truly appreciated.”

People responded positively to the post, with James Goodman saying: “Thank you for all you do.”

Paul Keen said: “Well done, Wantage.”

Caroline Emanuel added: “Well done.”

The station on Ormond Road is crewed by on-call firefighters.

They needn’t have worried – despite some initial hiccups, it has become a popular annual event, attracting dozens of performers and delighting hundreds of fans.

This year will be no exception as the still volunteer-led and not-for-profit spectacle hits the city next weekend with music, dancing, colour and the jingling of bells.

READ MORE: Oxford Folk Festival pictures

There will be a full programme of indoor concerts and ceilidhs, and musicians, bands, choirs and dancers performing all around the city.

The historic Covered Market remains the hub of the festival, with performances from noon on Friday (April 10) to the evening of Sunday (April 12).

Shoppers, browsers and tourists will be regaled with all kinds of entertainment – a varied programme of folk music, from ancient to modern.

A free evening concert, which has become a tradition of the festival, will be held at the Market on Saturday at 7.30pm, with music from the Abingdon-based Ock Street Band.

A folk fan at Oxford Folk Festival in 2024 (Image: Ed Nix)

Organisers are particularly pleased to be welcoming Aisling, a folk band from Leiden, Oxford’s twin city in Holland.

They will perform at a song and dance evening with the Oxford Folk Dancers at St Matthew’s Church in Marlborough Road, off Abingdon Road, on Friday at 7.30pm, with a ploughman’s supper included.

The six-strong Dutch group will also appear at the North Parade market, the Covered Market and, appropriately, in Leiden Square in the Westgate Centre.

Other festival venues include Broad Street, Bonn Square, St Giles, Radcliffe Square and Oxford Castle, while indoor performances will be held at the Norrington Room in Blackwells, the Old Fire Station, the Westgate library, the Weston Library at the Bodleian and Modern Art Oxford.

As one of the organisers says: “There is plenty on offer to lift the spirits of everyone.” Full details at oxfordfolkfest.org.uk

Stow Veterinary Surgeons in Burford has reminded residents that dogs can experience hay fever, but their symptoms often differ from those seen in humans.

Becca Jones, senior clinical director at the practice, said: “Spring should be a fun season for our pets, not an itchy one.

“While dogs don’t show hay fever in the same way that we do, those little signs like nibbling paws or scratching can tell us a lot.

“The sooner we spot it, the sooner we can help them feel comfortable again.”

The most common sign of hay fever in dogs is itchy skin.

Dogs may scratch more than usual, chew at their paws, rub their faces on the carpet, or develop red, flaky skin patches.

Owners are urged to consult a vet if they notice these signs, as skin irritation can also result from allergies, parasites, or infections.

A vet will ask about the dog’s lifestyle, examine the skin, and may recommend tests to identify the cause.

Treatment options can include topical creams, sprays, shampoos, medication, or immunotherapy.

Early morning or late evening walks, when pollen counts are lower, can help reduce symptoms.

Other tips include gently wiping the dog’s fur after walks, regularly washing bedding, and using an air filter at home.

Dog owners are also reminded that some antihistamines are toxic to dogs and should only be given under veterinary guidance.