15/08/2014 BBC Oxford News

Good evening. time for the news where you are.

The BBC has learned that a third of rivers and streams in Oxfordshire

are falling below the acceptable European standard on water quality.

The number described as "poor" has risen over the past five years.

That's led to some experts expressing concern for wildlife,

with some species of fish already facing

As Stuart Tinworth reports, unless significant improvement can

Assessing the eco`system after a major pesticide leak.

Last July, millions of aquatic insects on the River

Kennet were killed, leaving fish with a very limited supply of food.

While incidents such as this may be rare,

new research suggests the rivers in our region aren't in great shape.

Experts say farm pesticides, sewage leaks and flooding are all

We have species in Oxford that have almost

disappeared from Oxfordshire because of a decline in water quality.

You always find in these cases it is the most sensitive indicator species

which disappear first, and that is happening in parts of Oxfordshire.

Here in Farringdon, a man`made channel ` just one scheme

But a recent survey found more than 200 fish here.

The more fish, the more likely the water quality is to be good.

But experts say to improve things further it will take a lot of money.

The government will need to take a view as to

whether that is affordable, but it will be a challenge, without a

doubt, because some of the things, like physically restoring damaged

If our rivers aren?t up to scratch by 2027, the country could

Ultimately it'll be the taxpayer left paying the price.

The firm responsible for the huge rubbish tip fire that's

been burning in Swindon for almost a month has been given until tomorrow

That deadline has been set by the Environment Agency,

using its enforcement powers, to make the operator of the Averies

Thousands of tonnes of rubbish need to be moved, in order for

firefighters to reach the seat of the blaze, and put the flames out.

The cost of the operation has been estimated

It's only now that we have come to the conclusion that we see that they

don't appear to have any intention to move the waste to be able to give

the Fire Brigade access to the site that we believe action has to be

Cyclists using bridleways in South Oxfordshire are urged to be

vigilant after what police believe was a deliberate attempt to cause

It's after taut lengths of string were tied across two

The reported incidents were in Whitchurch and Goring.

Campaigners in Oxford trying to save a leisure

centre say they will pray for divine intervention to stop it closing.

Four years ago plans to shut the Temple Cowley swimming pool

were announced, but some don't want to see it replaced by a new one

The prayers will be said on Sunday morning at

around half a dozen churches before a fundraising swim at the pool.

We can say that? Certainly! Pray that we can keep this swimming pool

for the people, if nothing else works, let's try pray.

It's a big weekend for Oxfordshire pilot Nigel Lamb.

The veteran stunt flyer is set to take on his closest rivals in

the Red Bull Air Race taking place over Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire.

Over 50,000 people are set to watch the competition.

It's being held in the UK for the first time since 2010.

Tens of thousands of people are gathering in Henley this weekend

The event, which is now in its sixth year, celebrates eighties music.

Some of the big names performing are Sister Sledge,

Despite all the music and amenities on site, many local

businesses say the festival brings big financial benefits.

After hours of waiting, the gates are finally open,

and with many choosing to camp out on site, there's a big rush to get

This weekend, 40,000 will be partying to ?80s music here

The Rewind festival is one of Henley's largest annual events.

Tickets sold at six weeks ago, and it's clear people want to make the

most of the weekend. Some people even started queuing from seven

o'clock this morning. It's big business for those behind

the scenes on site, including the We have a crew of around 1000 people

working on it. There are traders and caterers, security, us that ran up

and down to the town. It is around 1000 people over the weekend.

But the benefits of this festival go further afield.

Many of those with businesses in the centre of Henley say they

In the last couple of years there has been a lot of more glamorous

camping, people have been saying Crawley Green Road staying for a

four days, staying on more expensive accommodation, and the coming to

town to do their shopping. Having last year this weekend was the best

weekend of the year for us. It's fair to say though that most

people come to Rewind for the music. When you do your own digs you play

new stuff and a selection right through to the present day.

Something like this, you just pick the ones that are most well`known.

Last time when we came here we were blown away because it was so much

fun. We just really enjoyed it last time

and always intended to come back. Is my 40th birthday ever come here

to celebrate. My brother came last year and said

how much fun it was. All the main acts are set to perform

from tomorrow through to Sunday We're back

in BBC Breakfast tomorrow morning, but for now, goodnight, and with

the weather here's Alexis Green. Possible mist patches in a few

places, temperatures dipping down to 12 Celsius. Much of tomorrow will

stay dry apart from the odd isolated shower. In the sunshine tomorrow

afternoon high`temperature as of 21 Celsius, 19 across`the`board. More

cloud in the afternoon then we see in the morning. The rest of the

weekend is a weekend of two halves. Sunshine and showers

look at the summary, as you can see - it is largely dry, but definitely

fresher. Good evening. This weekend's

forecast may be far from a summer classic, with a strengthening

breeze. At least it is not a washout. For many, there'll be

decent and dry spells to get out and enjoy. Most are dry. We have a few

heavy showers, drifting south-eastwards. A few showers into

the north-west of the UK. For the vast majority it is a dry night,

with lengthy clear spells. More cloud later. Temperatures 11-13

Celsius. In the suburbs and the countryside down to single digits. A

cool start to Saturday morning. Cloud from the north-west of

Scotland, with outbreaks of rain, will work southwards. Into the

afternoon it will be across southern Scotland and the far north of

England. You can expect more cloud over the rest of England and Wales.

All in all, a decent day. Few showers for many of you. In the

sunshine it should feel warm. 18-23 Celsius is possible. Some of the

best conditions on the south coast. Thicker cloud into north-west

England later