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Police warning on Chinnor quarry swimming after viral posts

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Multiple warnings have been given against entering the water at Old Kiln Lakes, the disused chalk extraction pits in Chinnor, near Thame, known locally as the ‘blue lagoon’.

The lakes are extremely dangerous to swim in due to high alkaline levels, hazards in the water and steep cliff-sides, but swimmers have been attending in large numbers to use the site during the heatwave.

READ MORE: Chinnor pub issues warning against swimming in ‘blue lagoon’

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “Following an increase in reports of people visiting Chinnor Quarry, including social media posts encouraging others to attend and swim, we are issuing a renewed warning to the public.

“Chinnor Quarry is private property and should not be accessed under any circumstances. Entering the site is trespassing.

Chinnor Quarry 2009Chinnor Quarry (Image: Mark Bassett)

“The quarry poses serious and potentially life-threatening risks. The water is extremely hazardous and can cause significant health issues, and the site is surrounded by steep cliff faces with unstable ground.

“Entering the water or climbing within the quarry can quickly lead to serious injury or worse.

“We have also received reports of anti-social behaviour and parking issues in and around the quarry, causing disruption to the local community.

READ MORE: Oxford teenage boy dies after River Thames incident

“We are working with partners and the landowner to address these issues, and urge the public not to attend the site, enter the water, or promote it online.

“We thank residents for their continued support in helping to keep the area safe.”

It comes after a 14-year-old boy died after jumping into the River Thames at Donnington Bridge on Wednesday evening (May 27), the 11th person to die in open water during this month’s heatwave.





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Free Bicester Sundays in the Park returns to Garth Park

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‘Sundays in the Park’ took place in Garth Park on May 31, thanks to a collaboration between Bicester Town Council and Bicester Live.

Visitors enjoyed performances from Ukesnaile, Bicester Concert Band, and Malish, offering a variety of covers from pop to garage.

Food was provided by Garth Park Kitchen, with options like British bockwurst, halloumi buns, and wood-fired cheeseburgers, while others brought their own picnics to enjoy in the sunshine.

The council’s events team said: “We can’t wait to welcome you all for an afternoon of live music, great food, and community fun in the beautiful surroundings of Garth Park.”

The next ‘Sundays in the Park’ event will be held on June 14, featuring Hook Norton Brass Band and local soloists, starting at 12.30pm.





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Oxfordshire group protest following murder with Laurence Fox

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In a Facebook post on ‘Raise the Colours: Oxfordshire’, the principal leader of the group asked campaigners to join the demonstration for ‘justice for Henry Nowak’.

The protest follows days of demonstration outside the police station following the murder of University of Southampton student Henry Nowak.

Protesters hurled bins, chairs and bricks at police as hundreds gathered outside the station.

READ MORE: Nationalist group to protest after murder of student

Screen grab taken from PA Video of police and protestors clashing in Southampton during a protest following the death of Henry Nowak. Vickrum Digwa was jailed at Southampton Crown Court for life with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak. Digwa stabbed Henry to death with a Sikh kirpan ceremonial knife five times in the incident in Belmont Road, Southampton, on December 3 2025. Picture date: Tuesday June 2, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jamie Lashmar/PA WireScreen grab taken from a video of police and protestors clashing in Southampton during a protest following the death of Henry Nowak. (Image: Jamie Lashmar/PA Wire)

Activist Tommy Robinson and former actor Laurence Fox were among those who spoke to the crowd.

Speaking to the crowd Robinson said: “I heard someone say this wasn’t about race, this is about race.

“A white boy who done nothing was handcuffed, a murderer in possession of a knife who stabbed someone five times isn’t.”

Demonstrators were heard chanting “Henry, Henry” as large group moved across town and threw object at police in riot gear.

The controversy surrounding the murder of Mr Nowak centres on the initial police response after the 18-year-old student was stabbed in Southampton in December 2025.

Screen grab taken from PA Video of police and protestors clashing in Southampton during a protest following the death of Henry Nowak. Vickrum Digwa was jailed at Southampton Crown Court for life with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak. Digwa stabbed Henry to death with a Sikh kirpan ceremonial knife five times in the incident in Belmont Road, Southampton, on December 3 2025. Picture date: Tuesday June 2, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jamie Lashmar/PA WireScreen grab taken from a video of police and protestors clashing in Southampton during a protest following the death of Henry Nowak. (Image: Jamie Lashmar)

A trial heard that officers arriving at the scene were allegedly misled by the killer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, who claimed he had been the victim of a racist assault.

Police initially placed Mr Nowak in handcuffs.

In camera footage Nowak can be heard telling officers that he had been stabbed, with an officer on the scene replying “don’t think you have mate”.

Hampshire police’s Deputy Chief Constable Robert France said that within three minutes of interacting with Nowak they were starting to perform CPR.

He added that: “This is a complete tragedy and I am sorry that they couldn’t save Henry that night and I’m sorry that Henry was handcuffed and arrested as he lost consciousness.”

Screen grab taken from PA Video of police and protestors clashing in Southampton during a protest following the death of Henry Nowak. Vickrum Digwa was jailed at Southampton Crown Court for life with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak. Digwa stabbed Henry to death with a Sikh kirpan ceremonial knife five times in the incident in Belmont Road, Southampton, on December 3 2025. Picture date: Tuesday June 2, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jamie Lashmar/PA WireScreen grab taken from a video of police and protestors clashing in Southampton during a protest following the death of Henry Nowak. (Image: Jamie Lashmar/PA Wire)

In a statement to the press outside Southampton Crown Court after Digwa was sentenced, Mark Nowak, Henry’s father, said: “We are calling on the Government to treat knife crime as the national emergency that it is.

“Henry did not die with dignity. He did not die with the care he deserved. He lost consciousness before anyone believed him.”

A group of Oxford ‘patriots’ are due to protest in Oxford this week as well.

Aiden Noble, organiser of the protests, is calling on the public to stand in ‘justice for Henry Nowak’ on Friday, June 5.

The group will gather at 6pm outside Carfax Tower to ‘demand answers, accountability, and justice for Henry Nowak’.

The protests join other demonstrations in Southampton, Birmingham, Nottingham, Blackpool, Liverpool, London, and Gloucester.

Vickrum Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years served on Monday for the murder of 18-year-old Mr Nowak in Southampton.





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Iceland set to make major changes in stores across the UK

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It is part of its new ‘Frozen Pledge,’ aimed at helping shoppers reduce their grocery bills.

The decision follows reports that the supermarket’s prices rose by 5.8 per cent in April.

It was the second-highest increase among supermarkets and well above the industry average of 3.8 per cent, according to The Telegraph.



However, executive chairman Richard Walker disputed this data, calling it “flawed” and arguing the figures were skewed by “very specific lamb deals in place last year.”

He also said the figures did not reflect new products or deals introduced this year.

According to The Grocer, Mr Walker said: “Doing the right thing for customers has never been more important and this Frozen Pledge is a huge commitment to both our new and existing shoppers.

“It’s one of our biggest-ever refreshes on deals and now includes hundreds of our frozen products across our stores.

“We know people from all walks of life are continuing to feel the pressure of rising costs, so we want to help people save money just when they need it most.”



As part of the refresh, Iceland is extending its multibuy offers and adding new items to its promotional calendar over the coming months.

What products will be reduced?

The £2 ice cream deal now includes reduced prices on several branded packs.

Snickers ice cream four-packs, previously £2.89, are now £2.

Other reductions include Solero Strawberry Twists, reduced by 75p for three, and five-packs of Calippo Strawberry Minis, reduced from £2.75.

Starting July 28, three-packs of Magnum Almond, Mint, and Salted Caramel will also be reduced from £3.50 to £2.



The supermarket said it has halved the price of other branded staples.

The Chicago Town Tiger Crust Pepperoni Pizza has dropped from £4 to £2.

Young’s Chip Shop XL Battered Fish Fillets are down from £4.50 to £2.25, and McCain Smiles now cost £1.25 instead of £2.50.

Iceland has also added nine more own-label pizzas to its £1 Pizza Cabinet and extended its 10-for-£10 multibuy deal through to at least July 6.

Which is your favourite supermarket? Let us know in the comments





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