Oxfordshire: Alerts and cancelled events amidst heatwave

The first casualty of the extreme heat was the 12th Annual ‘Have A Go Festival’, which was cancelled due to severe weather risks.

An amber weather warning for extreme heat was issued across Oxfordshire, pushing the event organisers to call off the festival over safety concerns.

The event, a free inclusive sports day geared towards individuals with learning disabilities, was due to take place on Thursday, July 9, at the Horspath Athletics Track.

Organisers, which include the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and the charity Active Oxfordshire, cited the open-air location’s lack of shade as a central safety concern for vulnerable attendees.

Bicester Methodist Church also announced the closure of its ‘Open Doors Café’ on Friday, July 10, due to the forecasted extreme heat, prioritising the health and safety of its volunteers and patrons.

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Alerts have been issued by the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust about the high temperatures impacting the demand for its services. (Image: Supplied)

Alerts have been issued by the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust about the high temperatures impacting the demand for its services.

The ambulance service issued a reminder to residents to only use 999 in life-threatening emergencies.

They also advised people to use the NHS 111 online service for urgent medical advice if it’s not a life-threatening emergency, and to approach local pharmacists for advice on minor illnesses and common summer ailments.

Rail services have not gone unaffected.

Chiltern Railways has warned passengers about the heat expected over the next few days, advising them to stay hydrated and to get off at the next staffed station and seek help if they start feeling unwell.

The soaring temperatures are not just a risk to humans but wildlife too.

Brackley & District Angling Club decided to put a halt to carp fishing due to the rising water temperature and falling oxygen levels, a preventive step to protect their fish stocks.

There have also been warnings for pet owners from the RSPCA.

There have also been warnings for pet owners from the RSPCA. (Image: Archive)

They said the extreme weather expected over Wales and England can be particularly hazardous for animals.

Pet experts recommend a ‘dog lockdown’ for the coming days, highlighting that temperatures in the high 20s can pose a serious threat to pets.

With forecasted temperatures set to reach up to 29C on Sunday before going into the low 30s on weekdays, the South East could see a peak of up to 34C on Thursday or Friday.

Swimmers are advised to exercise caution after the body of a 14-year-old boy, named locally as Baltazar L’Quy, died in the River Thames in Oxford in May, bringing the total number of people who died in water-related incidents during the hot weather to at least 11.

No updates have been issued on any change in household waste and recycling centres, school closures, or road and driving conditions by Oxfordshire County Council.