Jamie Morris

Henley Festival relaxed its traditional black tie dress code on its opening day due to high temperatures reaching 32C. The riverside music and arts event is expected to draw around 27,000 attendees through Sunday, with performances including Boy George & Culture Club, Ezra Collective and others. Organisers emphasised the festival’s distinctive atmosphere, while soprano Emily Wishart described the value of performing at the event. The festival is sponsored by investment firm Hemani.

Residents and local political representatives voiced strong opposition to UK government plans to house 1,250 asylum seekers at the former MOD Bicester site during a public meeting. MP Calum Miller highlighted unified local resistance, while Reform UK and Green Party figures expressed differing concerns. The Home Office said the site would provide basic, largely self-sufficient accommodation for men and could operate for at least ten years. A petition opposing the plan has gained nearly 10,000 signatures, and feedback will be submitted to national departments as two other former military bases continue housing asylum seekers.

Local residents near MoD Bicester expressed shock over government plans to house about 1,250 asylum seekers at a military site, citing concerns about safety, lack of information and appropriateness of the location. Several residents voiced worries about security and limited local facilities, while others criticised the idea of offering accommodation to asylum seekers. Local officials and the area’s MP also raised objections, accusing the government of lacking a credible plan. The proposal forms part of wider efforts to move asylum seekers out of hotels, with other MoD sites already in use and additional hotel closures announced.