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Hospital fete attracts big crowd
THOUSANDS of pounds was raised for Burnham-On-Sea Hospital's League Of Friends on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon (August 31st) when the group held its annual summer fete. The town's Manor Gardens were filled with large crowds throughout the afternoon. More... | Photo Gallery

Street party boosts carnival club
MORE than £500 was raised for Burnham-On-Sea's Hillview Carnival Club when a town centre pub held a popular outdoor street party on Sunday evening (August 30th). A 70 year-old steam engine was also on show outside the Somerset and Dorset for the event, which featured live music and entertainment. More...

Brean fundraisers boost BARB
A BUSY summer of fundraising at a Brean holiday park has seen thousands of pounds being raised for the charity which runs Burnham-On-Sea's rescue hovercrafts. Scores of events have been held throughout the summer holiday at Diamond Farm to help BARB, with a big cheque being handed over this week. More...

Woman trapped in car overnight
Exclusive: An injured motorist has been freed from this car at Brean this morning (Monday August 31st) after spending the night trapped inside. Fire crews from Burnham-On-Sea and Bridgwater rushed to Warren Farm caravan park at 8.10am after a holidaymaker spotted the vehicle trapped in a ditch. More...

Body of huge whale found in river
Exclusive: THE body of this huge 10 metre long whale was spotted floating in the River Parrett, near Burnham-On-Sea, on Sunday afternoon (August 30th). Jet skier Derek Jones and his son Sean, 12, from Bristol, spotted the mammal drifting in the estuary at around 5pm in between Combwich and Burnham. More...

Fire crews tackle car blaze
A Burnham-On-Sea fire crew was sent to West Huntspill on Sunday evening (August 30th) after a car was set alight. One fire engine rushed to Old Pawlett Road at 10.14pm after a nearby resident raised the alarm. Fire crews quickly extinguished the car next to the roadside. More...

Model rail buffs roll into town
CROWDS of model train enthusiasts from across the UK gathered in Burnham-On-Sea over the Bank Holiday weekend for a popular two-day exhibition. The 27th annual Sedgemoor Rail show, run by Burnham and District Model Railway Club, was held on Saturday and Sunday. More...

New hula hooping record set!
OVER 200 people simultaneously hula hooped at the same time to set a new British record on Berrow beach today (Sunday, August 30th). While the number of people taking part fell far short of the 2,290 needed for a world record, organisers said they were still delighted to have achieved a new British record. More...

Tesco evacuated in fire drama
THESE were the scenes at Burnham-On-Sea's Tesco supermarket this morning (Sunday, August 30th) after a fire broke out in an oven, causing the evacuation of the store. Two Burnham fire crews rushed to the premises in Ben Travers Way at 9am after the store's alarms sounded. More...

Street party to be held tonight
BURNHAM-On-Sea High Street will be closed to traffic on Sunday evening (August 30th) when a town centre pub holds one of its popular outdoor street parties. A huge lorry will stretch across the street to become a make-shift stage for musicians outside the Somerset and Dorset pub. More...

In photos: Berrow fete fun
BERROW Church's vicar, Reverend Sally Lacey, joined in the fun at Berrow's summer fete on Saturday (August 29th) by dressing up as a clown! Large crowds attended the annual event at Berrow Church, where a wide range of entertainment and was laid on for the large numbers of crowds. More...

Asda gives rugby club a boost
YOUNG rugby players in Burnham-On-Sea raised hundreds of pounds towards their club's extension project during a fundraising event in Highbridge on Saturday afternoon (August 29th). Dozens of children from Burnham Rugby Club spent five hours packing shopping bags at Asda. More...

Peter's 250 mile mercy mission!
Exclusive: A well-known Burnham-On-Sea resident has travelled more than 250 miles to hand a lost handbag to its owner after finding it on a train. Fomer Mayor Peter Burridge-Clayton was travelling home with his family afer a day out when they spotted the handbag under a seat. More...

Pirates ahoy at holiday club!
PIRATE-themed fun has been enjoyed by over 70 children at a holiday club in Burnham-On-Sea over the past week. Burnham Baptist Church's annual summer club, for children aged 5-11, ended on Friday afternoon (August 28th) after a busy week of activities and fun at the church in College Street. More...

Peter's 250 mile mercy mission!
Exclusive: A well-known Burnham-On-Sea resident has travelled more than 250 miles to hand a lost handbag to its owner after finding it on a train. Peter Burridge-Clayton was travelling home with his family from Didcot Parkway last week afer a day out when they spotted the handbag under a seat. More...

Gridlock on M5 and A38
Motorists on the M5 and A38 in the Burnham-On-Sea area are facing long delays this evening (Friday, August 28th) after police partially closed the M5 near Bristol earlier in the day. Police shut the northbound side of the Avonmouth Bridge near Portishead this afternoon after a vulnerable man was spotted there. More...

Man bailed after town drugs raid
A pensioner has been arrested and released on bail by Burnham-On-Sea police following a drugs raid in the town on Thursday morning (August 27th). A 71-year-old from Weston was held by police after officers seized a quantity of cannabis from a house in Oxford Street, Burnham. More...

Burnham house prices increase
Exclusive: PROPERTY prices in Burnham-On-Sea have started to rise again, according to brand new figures out this week. During the past three months, house prices in the town have risen by 2.67 per cent, the first signs of a possible recovery in the property market in the Burnham area. More...

Marine Cove plans go on show
DOZENS of people flocked to Burnham-On-Sea's Marine Cove gardens on Thursday (August 27th) when a special open day was held to display plans to restore the facility. Sedgemoor's Park and Open Spaces Officers encouraged residents to visit the gardens during the special event. More...

Model train exhibition to begin
CROWDS of model train enthusiasts from across the UK will gather in Burnham-On-Sea this Bank Holiday weekend for a popular two-day exhibition. The annual Sedgemoor Rail event will be held on Saturday 29th August from 10.30am and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. The general public are welcome. More...

School achieves best-ever GCSEs
PUPILS and staff at Highbridge's King Alfred School are celebrating their best ever GCSE results today (Thursday August 27th). The school has achieved a 51 per cent pass rate for pupils getting five A*-C grades including maths and English. This has increased from 39.5 per cent last year. More...

Join world record hula hoop bid!
A HULA hooping world record attempt is set to be held on Berrow beach this Sunday (August 30th). The bid is set to be held from 11am-2pm, with the record attempt itself taking place at 12 noon. Over 2,290 people are needed to claim the world record. Participants will have to be able to hoop continuously for two minutes. More...

Drugs seized from house
Investigations are continuing after police officers seized a quantity of cannabis from a house in Oxford Street on Thursday morning (August 27th). News of the raid first broke on Burnham-On-Sea.com's discussion forums this morning when passers-by spotted police at the scene. More...

Charity walker coming to town
A DEVON pensioner will be striding through Burnham-On-Sea on Bank Holiday Monday (August 31st) when he's joined by police officers from across Somerset for a fundraising charity walk. Doug Hamilton-Cox will be putting his best foot forward during his charity walk from Devon to Wiltshire. More...

Olympic cyclist will pass town
BRITAIN'S triple Olympic gold medalist Bradley Wiggins will be cycling through the Burnham-On-Sea area next month when he competes in the 2009 Tour of Britain. The first day of the South West Stage of the race, on Thursday September 17th, will see the 96 riders travel through Wedmore, Mark and East Huntspill. More...

TV film crew visits Highbridge
Exclusive: SIR Martin Gilbert, Winston Churchill's official biographer, joined an American TV crew for a special visit to Highbridge last week to film a documentary about the town's wartime hero Frank Foley. Filming took place at the Frank Foley Statue and included interviews with Rev Robin Lodge of St John's Church and members of Highbridge's Frank Foley Committee. More...

O2 wins bid to keep mast
Exclusive: THIS mobile phone mast in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea will remain in its current position for at least a further nine months, the Planning Inspectorate has ruled this week. The 15 metre tall mast, which is mounted on a portable trailer, was first installed at the rear of Somerfields, which is now a Morrisons store, in 2007. More...

Naked runner in video prank
A CHEEKY streaker raised a few eyebrows when he ran naked through Burnham-On-Sea town centre and then posted the video online. The youngster was spotted running along the High Street last Friday and a video clip of the prank appeared shortly after on video sharing website YouTube. More...

Burnham gift shop to shut down
Exclusive: A LONG-running gift shop in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea is closing down after becoming a victim of the recession and high business rates. Magpie Gifts in the High Street is to close its shopfront shutters for the final time at the end of October when its owners close the business. More...

Victory for people power!
RESIDENTS were celebrating on Tuesday evening (August 25th) after proposals to build 69 new homes in Burnham-On-Sea were turned down by the district council. Persimmon Homes had applied to build a new estate on the former Worston Tip to the west of Lawrence Close, pictured here. More...

Crumbling jetty to be repaired
AN £80,000 project to repair Burnham-On-Sea's ailing jetty is set to begin next month, it was announced by Sedgemoor District Council on Tuesday (August 25th). The work will start on September 7th after the main holiday season when the council's contractors, Boley and Skuse, will replace a large section of missing road surface. More...

Speedway rider recovering well
A YOUNG speedway rider from the Burnham-based Somerset Rebels who was placed in an induced coma last week has been moved out of intensive care as he makes a strong recovery. We were first to report that 17-year-old Brendan Johnson was injured in a high-speed crash last week. More...

Stricken car retrieved from mud
THE stricken car at the centre of Saturday's dramatic incident on Brean beach was recovered from the mudflats on Monday (August 24th). Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report on Saturday how the Ford Fiesta had become stuck on the beach. Its occupants had swum out to try and pull it back to the shore. More...

Rare bird spotted in Burnham
A RARE part albino blackbird with a white head and a black body has been spotted in a garden in Somerset. The bird is a regular visitor to the home of Terry Fairchild, and his wife Lorraine, at their home in Burnham-On-Sea. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has said this week that semi-albino birds are rare. More...

Speedway club's future saved
THE future of Burnham-On-Sea's speedway club has been secured after the team's promoter, Dave Pavitt, shocked fans by saying he could not continue to financially support it. The long-term future of the Somerset Rebels had been put in jeopardy, but has been secured after what team bosses said were "two frantic hours." More...

Man held after river police chase
Exclusive: A SUSPECTED thief jumped into the River Brue to try and avoid being captured during a police chase through Highbridge on Friday (August 21st). The man - whose face has been obscured in this photo - was reported to have stolen a quantity of alcohol from the One Stop Shop in Market Street. More...

In photos: Berrow Gig On Green
AN afternoon of live outdoor music and entertainment attracted large crowds to Berrow on Saturday afternoon (August 22nd). The first 'Gig on the Green' was held on Berrow Village Green - and it was so successful that organisers Mike Wills and Carol Dyer say it is set to become an annual event. More...

Tennis fun day is smash hit!
A BUSY day of tennis-themed actitvities raised hundreds of pounds for Burnham-On-Sea's Nathan Edwards Tennis Academy on Saturday (August 22nd). Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Tessa Munt was among those supporting the fun day, held at Burnham's Manor gardens. More...

Classic cars converge on village
MORE than 100 classic vehicles were on display at an annual show near Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday (August 22nd). The third annual Classic and Vintage Vehicles Show was held at the Balliol Hall Field in West Huntspill, and attracted large crowds of enthusiasts and families in glorious summer weather. More...

Driver's desperate bid to save car
THESE were the dramatic scenes at Brean, near Burnham-On-Sea, on Saturday evening (August 22nd) as two desperate motorists swam out to try and save their car from the fast-incoming tide, the SIXTH vehicle to have got stuck in the past week. The two occupants waded out into the water in a last-ditch attempt to try and save their vehicle after its wheels became stuck in mud. More... | Video

Thieves attack parking machine
Exclusive: THIEVES cracked open this car parking cash machine on Burnham seafront early on Saturday morning (August 22nd) and stole cash from inside. It's not known whether any of the coins inside the machine, which is located on the South Esplanade, were taken in this incident. More...

Speedway rider seriously injured
Exclusive: A young speedway rider from the Burnham-based Somerset Rebels team is in hospital after being seriously injured in an accident. 17 year-old Brendan Johnson, pictured, was taking part in an Isle of Wight National League fixture on Thursday evening (August 20th) when he sustained head and other injuries. More...

Brean police praise public
Exclusive: POLICE have this week arrested a man following a spate of burglaries in Brean and also praised the public for their help in coming forward with valuable information. PC Stuart Curtis said: "I would like to thank the public for information regarding the recent spate of burglaries." More...

Floral tributes for Jon
BOUQUETS of flowers have been laid at the spot where a 20 year-old Burnham-On-Sea man was fatally injured in a car accident earlier this week. Flowers and messages of condolence have been left besides the A38 in Highbridge where Jon Puddy suffered multiple injuries in a horrific crash on Sunday night. More...

Classic cars go on show
ALMOST 100 classic vehicles will be on display at an annual show near Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday (August 22nd). The third annual Classic and Vintage Vehicles Show will take place at the Balliol Hall Field in West Huntspill off the A38. "It promises to be an excellent day, with more than 85 classic cars," said organiser Rev Geoff Walsh. More...

Fire crew tackles small blaze
A BURNHAM-On-Sea fire crew was called to tackle a small fire in the centre of Highbridge on Friday morning (August 21st). One engine was sent to the rear of a shop in Church Street at 11am after several nearby residents reported a wheelie bin alight. The fire was quickly brought under control. More...

First look at new clock plans
Exclusive: THE controversy surrounding plans to board up Highbridge's town clock due to a lack of council funding for repairs takes a new twist today as we reveal proposals to replace it with this brand new clock instead. Highbridge Chamber of Trade has drawn up detailed plans to replace the three-faced structure. More...

Lifeboats help grounded boat
BOTH Burnham-On-Sea's lifeboats were launched on Thursday afternoon (August 20th) to help re-float a grounded 20ft fishing boat on Gore Sands in the Bristol Channel. Burnham-On-Sea Lifeboat Operations manager Ricky Holmes had spotted the boat from Burnham. More...

BBC to feature marching group
A NEWLY-formed marching group set-up in Burnham-On-Sea with the aim of possibly reaching ITV's Britain's Got Talent television series was visited by a BBC radio team on Thursday (August 20th). BBC Somerset is airing a special feature about the team on Friday where the members will be interviewed. More...

Talks held over regeneration
'CONSTRUCTIVE' talks have this week been held between regeneration bosses and the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) over the decision not to award Burnham-On-Sea hundreds of thousands of pounds for the development of the town centre. More...

Five cars stuck on beach
A fresh safety warning about the dangers of driving on beaches in the Burnham-On-Sea area has been issued by beach wardens after FIVE vehicles became stuck in the incoming tide on Wednesday evening (August 19th). Three cars were engulfed by the incoming tide at Berrow and a further two were swamped at Brean. More...

Photos: 'A' level results success
DOZENS of A-Level students in Burnham-On-Sea are celebrating today (Thursday August 20th) after receiving their exam results. Emotions were running high when 100 pupils aged 17-18 from King Alfred School gathered to open their results envelopes and learn their fate. More...

Tributes paid to crash victim Jon
TRIBUTES have been paid to the 20 year-old man who was killed in an accident in Highbridge earlier this week. Burnham-On-Sea.com reported on Wednesday that Jon Puddy of Berrow Road had died in hospital after suffering multiple injuries in an horrific crash on the A38 on Sunday night. More...

Seafront CCTV cameras approved
Exclusive: TOWN councillors have this week given the go-ahead to CCTV cameras being introduced on Burnham-On-Sea seafront to tackle anti-social behaviour and speeding. Members of the council's Policy and Finance Committee voted in favour of the scheme at a meeting on Wednesday night (August 19th). More...

Reg, 84, retires from town band
A LONG-standing member of Burnham and Highbridge town band has blown his cornet for the final time. Reg Lewis, pictured, has decided to cut back his playing commitments at the age of 84 and has retired as a playing member. He has, however, been made a non-playing life-member by the band's committee. More...

Highbridge crash victim dies
A 20-year-old man who was seriously injured in a crash in Highbridge on Sunday night has died, police said today. The Highbridge man, named as Jon Puddy, suffered multiple life-threatening injuries in the accident on the A38. However, on Wednesday morning (August 19th) police confirmed that he had sadly passed away. More...

£330k pool plans 'hit by red tape'
Exclusive: RED tape is delaying the £330,000 expansion of Burnham-On-Sea's Swim and Sports Academy, it was claimed this week. Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported earlier this year how Mark and Sara Cox-Conklin wanted to build a modern, two-storey extension at the front of the Berrow Road property. More...

New bomb scare on Brean beach
A NEW bomb scare led to the closure of several hundred metres of Brean beach on Tuesday morning (August 18th). Metal detector enthusiast Mike Bailey, pictured, raised the alarm after discovering a large cylinder-shaped metal object partially uncovered in the mud and soft sand at the foot of Brean Down. More...

Community project celebrated
THE completion of a three year project to boost community development in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge was celebrated at a special event at the weekend. Burnham's Mayor Derick Cooper and Rosemarie Parsons, the outgoing chairwoman of the Regeneration Partnership, were among the audience at the function in Highbridge Community Hall. More...

Police seek A38 crash witnesses
POLICE have appealed for help in gathering evidence about Sunday's serious accident in Highbridge, which has left a 20 year-old man fighting for his life in hospital. Police signs have appeared at the scene of the crash on the A38 Huntspill Road, requesting the help of the public. More...

Mayday call tests RNLI's Stuart
A PROSPECTIVE lifeboat helmsman who was on a training session in Burnham-On-Sea on Tuesday evening (August 19th) was called to carry out a real rescue. Stuart Lacey had launched Puffin, the D-Class lifeboat, under the watchful eye of assessor Nigel Jones when the call came from Coastguards. More...

'Deliberate' fire tackled by crew
A BURNHAM-On-Sea fire crew was sent to West Huntspill on Tuesday morning (August 18th) to tackle a deliberate blaze. One fire engine rushed to the Ringstone play area at 7.20am after a nearby resident raised the alarm. One hose reel jet was used to extinguish the small fire. More...

Man 'remains critical' after crash
A 20 year-old man seriously injured after a two vehicle accident in Highbridge at the weekend remained in a critical state in hospital on Tuesday morning (August 18th). As we reported yesterday, emergency services rushed to the A38 Huntspill Road at 10.30pm after the two car collision. More...

Cash boost for clock campaign
Exclusive: Over £2,300 has been collected towards saving Highbridge's iconic clock from being boarded up since we first featured the campaign last week. Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report earlier this month that two of the three faces are set to be boarded up with decorative panels due to a lack of council money. More...

New cafe creates six town jobs
SIX new jobs have been created with the opening of a new cafe in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea today (Tuesday August 18th). The new BOS Cafe has opened its doors at 54 The High Street following a three month refurbishment programme of the property. Manager Tanya Russell said the team are delighted with the end result. More...

TV star's visit to charity to air
TV personality Michaela Strachan's recent visit to East Huntspill wildlife charity Secret World is set to be broadcast on TV this week. Michaela, pictured, will be shown in Wednesday's episode of Michaela's Animal Road Trip meeting one of the animal care managers looking after a badger at the centre. More...

Apex play area revamp delayed
A £140,000 project to modernise the play area at Highbridge's Apex Wildlife Park has been delayed until the autumn. The brand new play area, which is being partly funded by National Lottery money, was due to be completed by the start of the summer holidays but has now been put back due to equipment shortages. More...

Three injured in serious A38 crash
A MOTORIST has been left with life-threatening injuries following a serious, two vehicle accident which caused the closure of the A38 near Burnham-On-Sea for six hours on Sunday night (August 16th). Emergency services rushed to the A38 Huntspill Road at 10.30pm after a Ford Mondeo taxi heading towards Bridgwater collided into a Volkswagen Golf travelling in the opposition direction. More...

Video highlights of ESCAPE Day
THESE video highlights from Sunday's ESCAPE Day show Burnham's lifeboat crew rescuing a sinking boat, the hovercraft and Coastguards retrieving a man trapped in soft sand, a fly-past of micro-lights, a display by the police dog team and the final moments of the tug-of-war. More...

Crowd of 6,000 at ESCAPE Day
MORE than 6,000 people crowded onto Burnham-On-Sea seafront on Sunday (August 16th) as dozens of local rescue organisations from across the West Country took part in a joint safety awareness day featuring displays and demonstrations. ESCAPE took place on Burnham seafront and involved hovercrafts, lifeboats, micro-lights and even police dogs. More... | Photos of this event

Metal stolen in raid on factory
Exclusive: POLICE have appealed for the public's help following a night-time raid on a Highbridge factory. The premises in Evercreech Way, pictured, was broken into some time between 5.30pm on Friday 7th August and 10am on Saturday, 8th August. Unknown offenders forced their way into the building. More...

Town's regatta is underway
DOZENS of yacht owners are taking part in Burnham-On-Sea's annual regatta this week, with several sailing races being held up and down the river estuary. The first race was held at 12.30pm on Saturday (August 15th) and was followed by a duck race and a further sailing competition on Sunday. More...

River duck race hits trouble!
A CROWD of spectators turned out to watch the unusual sight of 600 rubber ducks floating down the River Brue on Saturday afternoon (August 15th) when Burnham-On-Sea's annual duck race was held at the start of the town's regatta... but things didn't quite go to plan! More...

Travellers leave Highbridge land
A GROUP of travellers who moved onto a strip of land near the entrance to Highbridge's Asda supermarket have left the area. The convoy of vans and caravans besides Caxton Drive left on Saturday morning (August 15th) after an eviction notice was set to be served on them. More...

West Huntspill Show in photos
JUDGES at West Hunstspill's annual horticultural show had their hands full on Saturday (August 15th) when they had to assess a record 850 entries! The number of flowers, vegetables, fruit and craft entries was well up on previous years, delighting the event's organisers, Bill Fisher and Jane Moreton. More...

Family's close encounter with PM
Exclusive: A Burnham-On-Sea family could hardly believe their eyes when Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his family boarded a boat in front of them while they were on holiday in the Lake District this week. John Llywarch grabbed his camera and took these shots of the Premier and his wife, Sarah. More...

Rail ticket prices up by 20%
THE cost of travelling by train from Highbridge railway station to London is set to rise by up to 20 per cent next month. From 6th September, First Great Western will introduce new restrictions on its cheapest off-peak return tickets for people travelling to the capital city. More...

Stunt show comes to fun park
HIGH-speed action came to Brean, near Burnham-On-Sea, on Wednesday (August 12th) when a stunt team held one of its regular summer displays. Almost 2,000 holidaymakers crowded into Brean Leisure Park's arena to watch Scott May's Daredevil Stunt Show, lasting over an hour. More...

Lake plunge shock at Brean
Exclusive: THE owner of this 4x4 has described his 'shock' at seeing his vehicle plunge into a fishing lake at a Brean holiday park earlier this week. Holidaymaker Andy Ellis, pictured, told Burnham-On-Sea.com how his Ford Maverick rolled into deep water at Warren Farm holiday park after he inadvertently left his handbrake off. More...

Bloom team's 'thank you meal'
ORGANISERS of Highbridge's bid to win the Britain in Bloom competition this week held a special meal to thank Sedgemoor District Council's street cleaners for their help in getting the town ready for the judges. The 'thank you lunch' was held on Wednesday afternoon (August 12th). More...

Post box sealed off after crash
A POST box in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea has been sealed up by Royal Mail after being damaged by a passing vehicle earlier this week. The main post box at the junction of Adam Street and the High Street was struck by a vehicle earlier in the week. Fears that the heavy metal structure could topple over have led to it being coned off. More...

Travellers move into Highbridge
Exclusive: A group of travellers has moved onto land near the entrance to Highbridge's Asda supermarket. The convoy of vans and caravans moved onto disused land besides Caxton Drive late on Wednesday evening (August 12th). The vehicles were still in place this morning, Thursday. More...

Large part of fire-hit hotel to go
Exclusive: SEVERAL large sections of the former Highbridge Hotel are to be removed when fire clearance work finally gets underway shortly. The formal plans, pictured here, show the areas of the building in red that are due to be removed while retaining its historical character. More...

Regatta starts this weekend
TWO weekends of sailing events will be held during this year's Burnham-On-Sea Regatta, which starts this weekend. The first race begins at 12.30pm on Saturday (August 15th) and will be followed by a further competition at 2.30pm on Sunday, which is also the annual ESCAPE Day. More...

Allotment contest judges in town
CABBAGES and runner beans were among the plants being inspected when judging took place for the annual Highbridge In Bloom Allotment Trophy. Judges Mary and John Silverthorne from Bristol are pictured touring the allotments in Highbridge as they graded rows of plants. More...

New drill squad aims for TV
A NEW marching drill squad was formed on Wednesday (August 12th) with the aim of possibly reaching ITV's Britain's Got Talent television series. Organiser Allan Roberts, who is a former army sergeant and retired police officer, wants to help youngsters in Burnham and Highbridge beat boredom during the school holidays while boosting their team-working. More...

Wave of thefts hits camp sites
Exclusive: A SPATE of thefts and burglaries at camp sites across the Burnham-On-Sea and Brean area has this week prompted police to issue an appeal for the public's help. The sites have suffered a lot of damage and some thefts and burglaries to awnings during the last few nights. More...

Long-running club to close
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea's longest-running club is set to close down after a history dating back over 100 years, we can reveal. The Burnham Institute in Regent Street is to permanently shut at the end of this month due to a lack of funds. The club's bosses have taken the "difficult decision" to avoid their financial problems worsening. More...

CCTV scheme for town seafront
Exclusive: PLANS to introduce CCTV cameras on Burnham-On-Sea seafront to tackle anti-social behaviour and speeding have taken a step forward with news of a major funding boost. Burnham Holiday Village has agreed to give £10,000 towards the purchase and installation of the cameras on the South Esplanade. More...

Continental market on seafront
AN outdoor continental market is being held on Burnham-On-Sea's seafront this week. Stalls selling a wide range of traditional European food and other items are lining the Esplanade, as pictured, until Sunday (August 16th). They are offering crepes, breads and cheese, among other items. More...

New bridge opened on footpath
A NEW bridge has been opened in Highbridge, giving walkers easier access between Isleport and the centre of the town. A wooden bridge has been constructed on the pathway between Isleport Road and Springfield Road, much to the delight of nearby residents. The old bridge over the ditch was a rail sleeper and it had collapsed. More...

Busy summer for Dreamscheme
MEMBERS of Highbridge Dreamscheme have been busy over the last two weeks, earning lots of points for some free trips at the end of the summer holidays. On July 28th, the youths' first work task was to design a logo for the Highbridge Dreamscheme to print on T-Shirts and this was another success. More...

Campaign to save clock started
Exclusive: A brand new campaign, backed by Burnham-On-Sea.com, was launched in Highbridge on Monday (August 10th) to save the town's iconic clock from being boarded up. Burnham-On-Sea.com exclusively reported last week how two of the three faces are set to be boarded up with decorative panels. More...

Berrow holds Gig On the Green
AN afternoon of live outdoor music will be held in Berrow on Saturday August 22nd to raise money for the refurbishment and extension of the village hall. 'Gig on the Green' will be held on Berrow Village Green in Berrow Road between 2pm and 6pm. The event will be free of charge. More...

M5 crash causes long delays
MOTORISTS faced long delays on the M5 motorway near Burnham-On-Sea on Monday (August 10th) after a car accident. Queues of stationery traffic backed up on the southbound carriageway for several miles for between junction 23 at Highbridge and junction 22 for Burnham-On-Sea. More...

Safety calls after motorbike crash
Exclusive: THE safety of a busy road in Burnham-On-Sea is in the spotlight this week after a motorbike accident. A motorcyclist came off Pople's Bow and careered into a verge, leaving the bike badly damaged and police to tape off the scene. A Highbridge District Councillor has suggested the road be partially shut. More...

Seafront hotel has star appeal!
THE owners of a seafront hotel in Burnham-On-Sea are celebrating this week after receiving official certification from the UK's national tourism board. Visit Britain, the national tourism agency, has given the Royal Clarence on The Esplanade a sought-after three star award. More...

ESCAPE Day fun this Sunday
DOZENS of emergency services from across the West Country will be gathering in Burnham-On-Sea this Sunday (August 16th) to take part in a joint safety awareness day featuring several action-packed rescue displays. ESCAPE Day will be held on the town's seafront from 10am-5pm. More...

In photos: Horticultural Show
MORE than 500 entries went on display at the 42nd annual Burnham-On-Sea Horticultural show over the weekend (August 8th and 9th). The two-day event was held at Sanders Garden World at Brent Knoll on Saturday and Sunday and featured ten sections and 133 classes. More... | Photo gallery

Rescued twice in 10 minutes!
IT was another evening of high drama on Brean beach on Saturday (August 8th) when a family of three was rescued twice in ten minutes after being rescued by a lifeboat crew after getting stuck on rocks by the incoming tide - then requiring a beach warden to pull their van free from the soft sand, as pictured here. More...

Card crafting marathon success
CARD-making enthusiasts in Burnham-On-Sea got out their scissors and glue to raise cash for a good cause on Saturday (August 8th). A card-making marathon was held at the Town Council Chambers in Jaycroft Road during the day by members of the Burnham Card Crafters group. More...

Bomb scare shuts Berrow beach
PART of Berrow beach was sealed off this afternoon (Friday, August 7th) when a Royal Navy bomb disposal team and Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards investigated a suspicious object in the sand. Several hundred metres of the beach, north of the car park, was sealed off at 4pm after a metal detector enthusiast uncovered the object. More...

Horticultural show underway
TOP quality vegetables, flowers and crafts are on show this weekend (August 8th and 9th) at Burnham-On-Sea's annual Horticultural Show. The 42nd show, run by Burnham & District Horticultural Society, is being held at Sanders Garden World. The show is open to the public on Saturday from 1pm and on Sunday from 10am. More...

Photo exhibition starts in town
THE work of two talented photographers has gone on show at an art exhibition in Burnham-On-Sea. The free-to-enter display is being held at Sea Breeze Gallery in Victoria Street until Saturday 22nd. Martin Uglow is based in Somerset and takes coastal photos and the other snapper is from London. More...

Lifeboat launched to help boat
ONE of Burnham-On-Sea's lifeboats was launched on Friday morning (August 7th) to help a 16ft boat in the River Parrett. The Staines Whitfield was launched just after 10am to assist the craft in the estuary upstream from Combwich after a member of the public said the craft was in difficulty. More...

New owners for town night club
Exclusive: A NIGHT club in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea is set to re-open next weekend with brand new managers. Shakers in the High Street has been closed for over a year since being put up for sale in July 2008. But Weston couple Tracey Coopland and Glen Howard plan to re-open the club on Saturday, August 15th. More...

Fire drama at nursing home
FOUR elderly people were treated for the effects of smoke inhalation after a kitchen fire at a nursing home in Burnham-On-Sea on Thursday evening (August 6th). Two fire engines and two ambulances rushed to Elizabeth Court in Mendip Way at 7.07pm, as pictured here, after alarms sounded at the property. More...

Flag raised at park celebration
AN official flag-raising ceremony was held at Highbridge's Apex Wildlife Park on Thursday (August 6th) to celebrate it receiving a Green Flag Award for 2009-2010. Cllr Jane Moreton, Chairman of Sedgemoor District Council, and Marina Turner, Sedgemoor's Parks and Open Spaces Project Officer led the ceremony. More...

Pig and donkey races underway
TROTTERS and hooves were pounding around Brean Leisure Park this week as the first of this summer's pig and donkey races got underway. The annual tradition has been held at the park for several years and helped to raise many thousands of pounds for local charities. More...

Town runner wins seafront race
OVER 40 runners from across the South West took part in the latest in a series of monthly 5km races on Burnham seafront on Thursday (August 6th). The event was organised by Burnham-On-Sea Swim and Sports Academy with the backing of Burnham Harriers Running Club and was well supported. More...

Stranded 4x4 pulled from mud
Exclusive: This vehicle was left rather worse for wear after being pulled from the mudflats at Brean on Wednesday (August 5th) following a two-hour retrieval operation. Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported on Tuesday how a fisherman had driven the Honda 4x4 almost a quarter of a mile from the beach and got stuck. More...

Continental market back in town
A SIX-day continental market is set to return to Burnham-On-Sea next week. Many stalls will be set-up along The Esaplanade from Tuesday 11th August until Sunday 16th August. They will be offering many continental products including food items and jewellery, plus other items from across Europe. More...

MP mocked in expenses video
A TONGUE-in-cheek film has been published on YouTube mocking Burnham-On-Sea's MP over his expense claims in a week when new revelations have emerged. The film, entitled 'DHA: The Movie', has been posted on the video sharing website over the last week by an anonymous user. More...

In photos: Apex Park Play Day
OVER 1,000 children and their families from across Somerset flocked to Highbridge's Apex Park on Wednesday (August 5th) for a fun-packed day of holiday activities. Called 'Sedgemoor Playday', the event included more than 30 workshops and activities including climbing, rope and bridge building. More... | Photo gallery

Anger over 'neglected' beach pool
Exclusive: The "neglected and crumbling" condition of Burnham-On-Sea's beach paddling pool has this week been attacked by a prominent town councillor. The district council has been criticised by Councillor Neville Jones for allowing the state of the familiar Burnham landmark to deteriorate. More...

Mud-plugged car stuck on beach
Exclusive: THE owner of this 4x4 was counting the cost of driving out onto Brean's notorious mudflats after getting stuck and losing his vehicle to the incoming tide. The Honda could not be saved before being swamped by sea water almost a quarter of a mile from the beach. More...

Town clock to be boarded up
Exclusive: IT IS a sign of tough times, but the appearance of Highbridge's iconic town clock is about to change for the worse. Two of the three faces are to be boarded up with decorative panels due to a lack of district council money to keep all the clock's faces running on time. More...

£250k rugby club project starts
A LONG-awaited £250,000 project to redevelop Burnham Rugby Club's changing rooms has been launched with a turf cutting ceremony. Sedgemoor District Council chairman Jane Moreton led the event at the BASC Ground alongside the club's committee and Burnham Mayor Derick Cooper. More...

Mum wins High Court legal fight
A BURNHAM-On-Sea mother who believes her daughter was born disabled after she was exposed to industrial toxins during pregnancy has won a landmark High Court battle. Barbara Mallin blames her 22-year-old daughter Dawn's birth defects on an industrial clean-up at a former British Steel works between 1984 and 1999. More...

Pensioner hurt in road accident
AMBULANCE crews treated an elderly man for cuts to his face after an accident on the A38 near Burnham-On-Sea on Tuesday afternoon (August 4th). Burnham-On-Sea police, ambulance and fire crews were called to the A38 junction with Lympsham Road after the vehicle collided with a roadside bollard. More...

Archers on target at local event
ARCHERS from across Britain gathered at Mark College, near Burnham-On-Sea, on Saturday (August 1st) to compete in a longbow tournament. Hosted by the Coastal Archers, the tournament was a two-way western event, involving the release of 96 arrows by each of the 34 competitors over distances of 60 and 80 yards. More...

Drawing contest winner named
A COLOURFUL drawing of buildings on Burnham's Esplanade has been judged the winner of a competition to sketch scenes around the town. Bill Edwards was awarded first place in the 'Draw Burnham-On-Sea Day' competition, held on Saturday (August 1st) during the River Brue Arts Festival. More...

Celebrity TV chef visits Brent Knoll
A CELEBRITY TV chef visited a garden centre near Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday (August 1st) to officially open a new part of the centre. Martin Blunos, who has a regular slot as a guest chef on BBC1's Saturday Kitchen, showed off his cooking skills at Sanders Garden World. More...

Driver injured in A38 crash
THESE were the scenes on the A38 at Brent Knoll on Monday morning (August 3rd) after a two-car collision left one vehicle upturned in a roadside ditch. Police and ambulance crews from Burnham-On-Sea were sent to the area near Harp Road at 7.35am after a Mitsubishi Shogun collided with a Volkswagen Passat. More...

SWRDA bosses snub meeting
BURNHAM-On-Sea Chamber of Trade this week expressed its "disappointment" at the decision by South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) not to attend a public meeting in Burnham to explain why the town had missed out on £750,000 of regeneration funding. More...

Carnival Queen is crowned!
BURNHAM-On-Sea's new Carnival Queen and her Princesses have been chosen at a ceremony in the town on Friday (July 31st). Jessica Rogers, 15, was selected as Queen and Danielle Hockey and Bethany May Ellis will be this year's two princesses. The event to choose the winners was held at Burnham's Ritz Social Club. More...

Arts festival hailed a success
THIS impressive willow sculpture was one of the many attractions on show along the banks of the River Brue in Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday (August 1st), when local artists created a unique arts trail as part of a two-day visual arts festival. Crowds of art enthusiasts braved poor weather to see numerous artworks. More...

Teenager rescued from Brean Down
A TEENAGE boy has been rescued by a Coastguard helicopter after getting stuck on the steep cliffs of Brean Down on Friday evening (July 31st). The 15-year-old boy was airlifted to safety from the south-facing cliffs near Brean Cove after becoming stranded while attempting to climb up from the beach. More...