December 2008 Burnham-On-Sea News

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Three-car crash shocks residents
Exclusive: RESIDENTS in part of Highbridge got an early morning wake-up call on Saturday (December 27th) when a tow truck careered into two parked cars. The 5am accident saw the vehicle collide with this red mini, which had been bought for a teenager as a Xmas present. More...

MBE joy for Berrow volunteer
A BERROW resident has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours. Andrea Johnstone has been recognised for her voluntary service to the community in Berrow, near Burnham-on-Sea. She was instrumental in raising thousands of pounds towards the rebuild of Berrow Football Club's changing rooms after a huge fire in 2005. More...

Mixed Xmas trade for town firms
Exclusive: SHOPS in Burnham-On-Sea saw a mixed Christmas of trade, although the overall trend was down on last year. Alex Turco, Chairman of the town's Chamber of Trade, told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Monday (December 29th): "There's been variable feedback about business. Footfall in the town was lower." More...

Pool re-opens after tiles problem
BURNHAM-On-Sea's swimming pool will re-open to the public on Wednesday (December 31st) after a problem with the pool's tiles was partially resolved. Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report on Tuesday how the pool's owners, Sara-Jane Cox-Conklin and husband Mark, had discovered several metres of tiles along the pool wall had fallen away overnight. More...

Pool closed after tiles peel away
BURNHAM-On-Sea's swimming pool was shut to the public on Tuesday (December 30th) after several metres of tiles came off the side of the pool overnight. A diver was brought in on Tuesday morning to remove dozens of the loose ceramic tiles, as pictured, as the investigation into the scale of the problem got underway. More...

Police appeal after woman assaulted
POLICE are appealing for information following a serious sexual assault on a 17-year-old woman in Burnham-On-Sea. The assault occurred in the Burnham area between 10pm on Tuesday 23rd December and 2am on Wednesday 24th December. The victim had spent some time in the Reeds Arms pub in Pier Street. More...

Action team launch drop-in centre
A GROUP of residents who recently formed an action team to tackle low-level crime and anti-social behaviour on their estate are to launch a new drop-in centre in January. The Rosewood Action Team's drop-in sessions will be held from Wednesday January 14th on the Rosewood estate. More...

Where to celebrate New Year
REVELLERS in Burnham-On-Sea will be able to celebrate the start of 2009 in style with a line-up of entertainment on New Year's Eve. Local group Snappa will be in action at the Old Pier Tavern in Pier Street, playing a line-up of popular music from 9.30pm onwards. There's also a disco at the Ritz Social Club. More...

20 memorable images of 2008
WHAT a year! BURNHAM-On-Sea.com looks back at a memorable year for Burnham and Highbridge in which there have been many highs and lows, from saving the town's swimming pool from threatened closure to the devastating fire that tore through the former Highbridge Hotel. More...

Fire crews tackle property blaze
BURNHAM-On-Sea fire crews were called to help fight a major property fire in Wellington, near Taunton, on Sunday morning (December 28th). Ten fire crews from Wellington, Taunton, Bridgwater and Tiverton were called to the Cornhill in Wellington before 1am. Crews were still in place at 7am. More...

Town road re-opens after crash
A BUSY route into Burnham-On-Sea was partially closed by an accident early on Saturday morning (December 27th). One lane of Queen's Drive was closed at 7.30am after a collision on the railway bridge. Police were quickly on scene to divert traffic around the incident. More...

National accolade for town pier
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea's pier has been named among the UK's top five piers in a survey published in a national newspaper. Burnham Pavilion, which is the UK's shortest pier, has been named the UK's fifth best by the Daily Express. The newspaper reviewed all the UK's top piers and put Burnham on a list behind four others. More...

19 arrested for drink driving
NINETEEN people have been arrested for drink driving in the Burnham-On-Sea area as police step up their patrols over the Christmas period. A total of 146 drivers were arrested up to December 24th in Somerset, and 19 of these were in West Somerset. More...

Subway to open store in Burnham
Exclusive: GLOBAL fast food sandwich chain Subway plans to open a restaurant in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea during 2009, the company confirmed to Burnham-On-Sea.com this week. Subway has already been in contact with several estate agents in the town about acquiring premises on the High Street. More...

Cafe shuts as credit crunch bites
A BURNHAM-On-Sea cafe has become the latest victim of the credit crunch, its owners said on Tuesday (December 23rd). French's in College Street closed its doors for the final time after Stephen and Claire French said they could no longer afford to keep the business running. More...

In brief: Xmas events round-up
CHRISTMAS events have been held across Burnham-On-Sea in recent days, and our photographers have been there to record the fun. Here, we present a round-up of events featuring the town's firefighters, Freewheelers emegency service, local swimmers and churchgoers. More...

Hedgehog food appeal by group
A WILDLIFE rescue charity near Burnham-On-Sea is in desperate need of food due to an influx of hedgehogs. Secret World Wildlife Rescue Centre in East Huntspill now has more than 100 of the creatures in its care, many of which are underweight. It needs donations of food for the animals. More...

Beach search finds missing man
AN RAF helicopter joined a team of Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards in searching for a missing man on Brean beach on Monday evening (December 22nd). This distinctive yellow helicopter from Chivenor in Devon was called in by Coastguards at 7.30pm to help in the search for a person said to be in a distressed state on the beach. More...

Fire-struck couple tie the knot
A BREAN couple whose home was destroyed in a huge fire last month tied the knot in an emotional wedding today, Monday (December 22nd). Burnham-On-Sea.com broke the news in November that a devastating fire had swept through a wooden chalet owned by Brean beach warden Ron Sharrard and his partner Angela Davies. More...

Xmas lights winners announced
THE winners of Burnham and Highbridge's annual Christmas lights competition were announced on Monday (December 22nd) following a search for the best illuminations. Mayor Peter Burridge-Clayton and Cllr Pat Burge picked the best residential properties in the two towns. More...

'Battle of the Bands' set to start
UP-and-coming bands from the Burnham-On-Sea area will get a chance to win a day at a recording studio and a photo shoot during a 'battle of the bands' competition which starts on Tuesday evening (December 23rd). The event is being held at the Pier Tavern in Pier Street. More...

Mayor's Christmas Message
BURNHAM-On-Sea and Highbridge's Mayor, Peter Burridge-Clayton, has issued his Christmas message. He says: "2008 has been a very special year for me in many ways. To be elected as the Town Mayor again after a gap of 15 years was a great honour and I am very proud to serve you all once again." More...

In photos: Burnham Jingle Fun Run
DOZENS of fun runners took part in Burnham-On-Sea's first 'Christmas Jingle Run' on the town's seafront on Sunday (December 21st). Fourty eight runners jogged around the four-mile fun run course, which started on The Esplanade and took in the Yacht Club and Apex Park before returning back to the seafront. More...

Brean couple prepare for big day
A BREAN couple whose home was destroyed in a huge fire last month are making final preparations for their wedding on Monday (December 22nd). Burnham-On-Sea.com broke the news on November 23rd that a devastating fire had swept through the wooden chalet of Brean beach warden Ron Sharrard and his partner Angela Davies. More...

140 children meet Santa in town
OVER 140 children met Father Christmas during a special two-day fundraising event held in Burnham-On-Sea over the weekend. Santa set up a grotto at the hovercraft station on both Saturday December 20th and Sunday December 21st, where he welcomed families and youngsters. More...

Highbridge lights up for Xmas
HIGHBRIDGE has this week put the final finishing touches to its Christmas street lighting display, which this year sees the return of a controversial illuminated star on the town's clock. Over 30 lights and Christmas trees have been installed on buildings across the town centre. More...

New farm food shop in Burnham
A NEW farm food shop has just opened in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea, selling a wide range of locally-made, fresh produce from across the West Country. Truckles Farm Shop was opened on the High Street on Friday (December 18th) by Ian and Carol Keane. We went along to find out more... More...

New barriers to stop boy racers?
NEW barriers have this week been introduced along the entrances to hard-standing parking areas on Burnham's South Esplanade in a bid to halt 'boy racers' congregating at night. Sedgemoor District Council hopes the plastic barriers, which are pictured here, will reduce anti-social behaviour and cut down late night noise for nearby residents by preventing vehicles from parking there. More...

Two arrested after shop raids
Police are appealing for information following burglaries at two shops in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea during the early hours of Friday morning (December 19). The incident occurred shortly after 1.10am and a BMW was used to gain access to the two shops, Boots and Superdrug, on the High Street. More...

Mayor leads Xmas lights judging
THE judging of Burnham and Highbridge's annual Christmas lights competition got underway on Friday (December 19th) when the town's Mayor and Mayoress toured the two towns in search of the best illuminations. They visited scores of homes in the two towns during the evening of judging. More...

Pubs fail underage drinking test
A THIRD of Burnham-On-Sea's pubs served drink to children during a special undercover test by police and trading standards bosses. Police and trading standards bosses organised a number of test purchases at licensees across Burnham-On-Sea earlier this week involving two teenagers. More...

Roof work underway at hotel
Exclusive: WORK to remove part of the damaged roof of the former Highbridge Hotel was underway on Thursday (December 18th), eight months after a devastating blaze swept through the property. A crane was used to lift workmen onto the roof of the fire-damaged building, as pictured, to allow them to inspect the timbers. More...

Join town's first festive fun run
THERE'S still time to enter Burnham-On-Sea's 'Christmas Jingle Fun Run', which will be held on the town's seafront this weekend. Organised by Burnham Swim and Sports Academy, the four-mile fun run will start at 10.30am this Sunday morning (December 21st). More...

Man jailed after drugs raid
A MAN from Burnham-On-Sea has today (Thursday December 18th) been sentenced to three years' imprisonment after appearing at Taunton Crown Court in connection with a drugs bust in the town. Ryan Andrew, 19, was found guilty of possession of a Class A drug with the intent to supply. More...

Burnham MP's blog updated
BURNHAM-On-Sea MP David Heathcoat-Amory's official blog on Burnham-On-Sea.com has been updated. In his latest entry, he gives us his thoughts on the economic recession, proposals to cut the number of MPs in parliament, and urges action on Berrow's Coast Road. More...

Barrage shortlist to be reduced
THE Government is expected to significantly reduce the number of power-harnessing schemes it is considering for the Severn Estuary at the start of 2009, it has been confirmed this week. A meeting of senior ministers was held this week to discuss which of the ten options, which include a £15 billion barrage. More...

Kids have a 'flaming' good time
CHILDREN in Burnham-On-Sea enjoyed a 'flaming' good evening on Wednesday (December 18th) when the recently-launched Play Rangers service held a bonfire night. Over the last few months, children’s charity Barnardo’s South West has hosted almost 2,000 visits. More...

Young engineers start research
A GROUP of young engineers from King Alfred School's Sixth Form in Highbridge have been working in the engineering laboratories at the University of the West of England in Bristol this week as part of a nationwide 'Engineering in Education' Scheme. The four are designing and building a micro-generator for a disaster relief centre. More...

Disabled parking under threat
Exclusive: FREE disabled parking could be scrapped in Burnham-On-Sea's public car parks under cost-cutting proposals by Sedgemoor District Council. The cash-strapped council is considering introducing parking fees for disabled motorists - and will decide on the proposals in the new year. More...

'Chaotic' town roadworks to end
Exclusive: 'CHAOTIC' roadworks which have brought the centre of Burnham-On-Sea to a standstill for two months are finally set to finish this weekend. Deep trenches, dozens of cones and temporary traffic lights have been in place at the junction of Abingdon Street and Pier Street since October 20th, causing delays for motorists. More...

Knoll path gets £11,000 revamp
WALKING to the top of Brent Knoll will soon become a lot easier thanks to an £11,000 project to introduce new steps and other path improvements. A County Council funded scheme is getting underway to make the existing muddy path from St Michael's Church up to the top of the Knoll easier to use. More...

Medical centre delight at decision
BOSSES at Burnham Medical Centre this week said they are "delighted" that their plans for a new health campus at Berrow have been unanimously backed by town councillors. Town councillors on the planning applicatons committee gave their backing to a proposed £2.5million medical centre at Berrow last Monday. More...

Santa to visit this weekend
FATHER Christmas will be the special guest at a special event in Burnham-On-Sea this weekend. Santa will be setting up his grotto at Burnham hovercraft station on the town's seafront, next to the Tourist Information Centre, where he will welcome families and hand out presents. More...

Town pub shuts for final time
A BURNHAM-On-Sea pub shut its doors for the final time on Sunday night (December 14th) after its landlords said they could no longer afford to run the business. The Lighthouse in Highbridge Road was leased from struggling pub chain Enterprise Inns by landlords Keith Holman (pictured) and wife Marci, who told Burnham-On-Sea.com the costs of running it had risen too high in recent months. More...

Centre needs £50k of repairs
BURNHAM-On-Sea's community centre needs £50,000 of repairs, it was disclosed this week. The committee that runs the building in Berrow Road, pictured here, has applied to Sedgemoor District Council for funding to help with major work to its roof and other modernisation work. More...

Christmas tree festival opens
BURNHAM-On-Sea's inaugural Christmas tree festival opened on Sunday evening (December 14th) when a dozen sparkling trees went on display in a town church. St Andrew's Church is holding the Christmas Tree Festival alongside its normal life-size crib scene - and on Sunday evening almost 100 people attended a service to formally light-up the colourfully decorated trees. More...

Visitors flock to photo display
PHOTOGRAPHERS from across the Burnham-On-Sea area held an exhibition of their best shots on Sunday afternoon (December 14th). A steady line of visitors attended the Burnham Area Youth Centre to see more than 100 photos taken by the Camera Club members. More...

Burnham Road re-opens after crash
A TWO-car collision which partially blocked a busy road in Burnham-On-Sea early on Sunday morning (December 14th) may have been caused by a motorist being dazzled by low sunshine. A passing car collided with a parked vehicle in Burnham Road, leading to its partial closure near the entrance to King Alfred School. More...

Vandals attack Burnham shop
VANDALS have left the owner of this shop in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea with a repair bill of hundreds of pounds. A large pane of glass at clothing repair shop Sew and Sew in Cross Street was smashed, leaving owner Jennifer Mitchell to board it up - and pay a repair bill of hundreds of pounds. More...

Accident shuts town centre
FIRE crews had to remove the roof of a vehicle after a two car collision shut the centre of Highbridge on Saturday morning (December 13th). Burnham-On-Sea fire crews, ambulance and police officers were called to Church Street at 11.45am after the accident shut the route, as pictured here. More...

West Country MEP visits BARB
NEIL Parish, the West Country's Member of the European Parliament, made a 'flying' visit to BARB, the Burnham-On-Sea charity that runs the town's rescue hovercrafts, on Saturday (December 13th). Mr Parish joined a training session and took a flight in the Spirit Of Lelaina hovercraft. More...

Solicitor consulted in mast row
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea town council is consulting with its solicitor over a mobile phone company's bid to extend its coverage in the area. Burnham-On-Sea.com learns Vodafone wants to use an existing phone mast in a field next to a Berrow graveyard, pictured here, to boost its signals. More...

Buy in Burnham, shoppers urged
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea's Chamber of Trade this week urged Christmas shoppers to 'buy in Burnham' amid concern that a decision by the district council to scrap free parking in the town's car parks may hurt trade over the festive period. Chamber Chairman Alex Turco said shoppers should not be put off visiting the town after Sedgemoor District Council's decision to scrap free parking. More...

Ferry 'could launch by 2011'
Exclusive: MULTI-million pound plans to launch a ferry service between Burnham-On-Sea and South Wales are still on track, the entrepreneur behind the plans said this week. Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to exclusively report in October how entrepreneur Chris Marrow is setting up a £5million venture called Severn Sea Ferries which will operate ferry services around the Bristol Channel. More...

Circus star performs for family
A BOY from Bristol who ran off to join the circus is looking forward to showing off his 'wheel of death' skills for the first time in front of his family at a garden centre near Burnham-On-Sea this month. Scott Glass will be entertaining his family with his 'wheel of death' act. More...

RNLI funds boosted by climbers
A CHEQUE for more than £3,000 has been handed over to Burnham-On-Sea lifeboat station following a successful fundraising climbing event. A group of a dozen graduates from Magnox held a climbing wall fundraising challenge in aid of the RNLI in which they clambered thousands of metres. More...

Camera Club to hold exhibition
PHOTOGRAPHERS from across the Burnham-On-Sea area will be holding an exhibition of their best shots this Sunday (December 14th). Burnham Camera Club members are inviting the public and fellow enthusiasts to the BAY Centre in Cassis Close from 11am-4.30pm. More...

Building site theft - police appeal
POLICE have issued an appeal for information following the theft of a £16,500 rendering machine in Highbridge. The theft occurred at around 6.30pm on 18th November when the machine was removed from a building site in Worston Road. Police are interested to hear from anyone who may have seen a car in the area. More...

14 new flats to replace church hall
Exclusive: A former church hall in Burnham-On-Sea is to be bulldozed and replaced with this modern development of 14 new flats, it was decided this week. Sedgemoor District Council has approved plans by Raglan Homes to demolish St Peter's Hall, located opposite Burnham's Catholic Church in Highbridge Road. More...

Brrr-nham shivers in icy chill
THESE were the wintry scenes at Highbridge's Apex Wildlife Park on Thursday morning (December 11th) as sub-zero temperatures left the Burnham-On-Sea area shivering. Overnight, temperatures in the town sank to a low of -6°c, leaving Apex Park's partially frozen over with icy. More...

Xmas tree festival announced
A CHRISTMAS tree festival is to be held in Burnham-On-Sea this coming weekend. St Andrew's Church, on the town's seafront, will be hosting its first Christmas Tree Festival to supplement its life-size crib scene, which will also be held in the church over the festive period. We have a preview. More...

Man arrested after town blaze
A HIGHBRIDGE man who was wanted by police has been arrested after he called emergency services to tackle a kitchen blaze at his home on Thursday morning (December 10th). Two fire engines from Burnham rushed to Market Street in Highbridge at 9.45am, as pictured here, after a faulty toaster set off a fire. More...

Sale of loos could fetch £30,000
Exclusive: THE controversial sale of a block of former public toilets in Burnham-On-Sea is set to raise at least £30,000, Sedgemoor District Council disclosed this week. The cash-strapped district council began inviting bids in March from firms interested in buying the building in Seaview Road, pictured here. More...

Car plunges off road into ditch
Exclusive: THIS Range Rover was left upturned and partially submerged in a ditch besides a notorious road near Burnham-On-Sea on Tuesday (December 9th) after sliding off a slippery road into a rhyne. The accident along Harp Road, close to Brent Knoll, immediately prompted renewed calls for safety improvements following many similar incidents during recent years. More...

Town Xmas lights contest starts
BURNHAM and Highbridge's annual Christmas lights competition gets underway this week when local councillors will be touring the two towns in search of the best illuminations. The town council will once again be awarding prizes in a range of categories in both the towns. More...

TV switchover date announced
ANALOGUE TV signals will be cut off in Burnham-On-Sea on March 24th 2010 when the region switches to digital TV, it was announced this week. Digital UK, the independent body in charge of the process, said analogue services from the Mendip transmitter would be switched off in two stages. More...

Sanders expansion delayed
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a 35,000 square foot expansion of a garden centre near Burnham-On-Sea were deferred by district councillors on Tuesday (December 9th). Plans to extend Sanders Garden World were considered by members of Sedgemoor's Development Control Committee at a meeting in Bridgwater. More...

GMTV broadcasts live from town
BURNHAM-On-Sea was in the national spotlight on Tuesday morning (December 9th) when breakfast TV station GMTV broadcast a live segment featuring a street's now-famous Christmas lights. Millions of viewers watched Richard Gaisford in Trinity Close interview several residents. More...

£2.5m medical centre wins backing
Exclusive: TOWN councillors gave their backing to a proposed £2.5million medical centre at Berrow on Monday (December 8th). Burnham-On-Sea.com exclusively reported last month how fresh plans for the centre in Brent Road had been resubmitted eight months after the first set of proposals were withdrawn amid concern that the building, pictured here, was out-of-keeping. More...

Xmas light show dazzles crowds
A BURNHAM-On-Sea couple hope to raise smiles - and charity funds - with their colourful display of more than 20,000 Christmas lights. Mike Perrin and wife Denise of Wilde Close have decorated their home with festive illuminations to raise funds for St Margaret's Hospice for the last eight years. More...

Decision day for garden centre
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a 35,000 square foot expansion of a garden centre near Burnham-On-Sea could be given the go-ahead by district councillors today (Tuesday December 9th). Plans to extend Sanders Garden World at Brent Knoll were unveiled by store boss Peter Burks in March (pictured) and are due to be considered by members of Sedgemoor's Development Control Committee at a meeting in Bridgwater on Tuesday. More...

Tickets selling fast for Scrooge
FINAL rehearsals are underway at a Burnham-On-Sea drama group as it prepares to perform its annual Christmas show. Members of the Burnham Excellent Entertainment Society (BEES) are busily rehearsing and preparing costumes for 'Ebenezer', which they will perform in the Princess Hall at the end of December. More...

£200k church extension opens
A £200,000 project to renovate a Burnham-On-Sea town centre church came to a successful end on Sunday (December 7th) with the official opening of the building. A brand new entrance has been built at the eastern end of Burnham Methodist Church in College Street, and dozens of guests attended a ceremony to see it opened. More...

Gig raises £500 for blaze couple
A CONCERT held in Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday night (December 6th) raised hundreds of pounds for a Brean couple who have been left homeless after a devastating fire. The Railway Inn on Burnham's High Street held the Blues Brothers Reloaded gig, pictured here, to raise money for Ron Sharrard, 58, and Angela Davies, 50, who are getting married later this month. More...

Cows on the line delay trains!
A HERD of cows caused long delays for train travellers in the Burnham-On-Sea area on Saturday afternoon (December 6th) after venturing onto railway tracks. The group of six cattle managed to escape from a field near Pople's Bow in Highbridge, causing speed restrictions to passing trains. More...

In photos: Berrow Xmas fair
SANTA Claus made a special appearance at Berrow School's Christmas Fair on Saturday afternoon (December 6th). Hundreds of pupils and their parents flocked to the annual event, which included stalls, entertainment and traditional games. We have a full photo round-up from the event. More...

Horse trapped in ditch rescued
A HORSE trapped in a water-filled ditch in East Huntspill, near Burnham-On-Sea, was rescued by fire crews on Saturday afternoon (December 6th). Fire crews from Burnham-On-Sea, Taunton, Street and Bridgwater were called out when the animal became stuck at 3.30pm. More...

Appeal into badger homes ruling
Exclusive: A planning application to build five new homes in Burnham-On-Sea that was turned down by councillors earlier this year amid concerns for several setts of badgers living on the land is due to be reconsidered next week. Sedgemoor District Council's planners turned down the scheme at 13 Rectory Road in June partly due to the impact the scheme could have had on the animals. More...

Historic local pub is up for sale
AN historic pub near Highbridge has gone on sale after its owners decided to retire. 'For sale' boards have gone up outside the Bason Bridge Inn, whose freehold is being advertised at £550,000. The village pub dates back over a century and has been at the centre of village life there for years. More...

Drugs and gun seized in raids
Exclusive: POLICE arrested three people and seized drugs and a shot gun during two raids on properties in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge on Thursday morning (December 4th). Officers smashed a glass door to gain entry to a home in Rosewood Close, pictured, before seizing a substance suspected of being cannabis. More...

Burnham group hits airwaves
A BURNHAM-On-Sea rock group is hitting the airwaves across the West Country on Friday (December 5th) when they are featured on a live radio programme. The Ginger Hitlas, who are well known across Burnham, will be interviewed on BBC Radio Bristol and Somerset Sound. More...

Fire crews called to town centre
BURNHAM-On-Sea fire crews were called to a small property fire in the centre of the town on Thursday evening (December 4th). As pictured here, two fire engines from Burnham attended a report of an electrical heater on fire in a property in Shearn Lane, off Cross Street, at 8.25pm. More...

Roads chaos as lorry overturns
THESE were the dramatic scenes on the M5 near Burnham-On-Sea on Thursday morning (December 4th) after a lorry overturned, causing long tailbacks of commuter traffic. Two lanes of the southbound carriageway were closed as police and Highways Agency staff dealt with the incident. More...

Shop wins disability award
BOSSES at a Burnham-On-Sea food shop are celebrating this week after winning a top award for its disabled access. Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported last month that Kyffins in Victoria Street had been nominated for a 2008 'Accessible Somerset Award' and now its won! More...

£150k available to sports clubs
SPORTS groups in the Burnham-On-Sea area are being encouraged to claim a share of £150,000 of funding that has been set aside for introducing new, local outdoor leisure facilities. Sports groups in the Burnham area who hold outside activities can submit applications for the funding. More...

New-look tattoo shop opened
A LONG-running Burnham-On-Sea tattoo business has invested over £100,000 in moving into a new premises in the town. Inked Images has moved from its former base in Oxford Street into refurbished premises in College Street, previously occupied by the collectables store Aladdin's Cave. More...

Future of Princess Hall brighter
THE future of Burnham-On-Sea's Princess Hall could be brighter following the creation of a new steering group at a meeting on Wednesday (December 3rd). The loss-making Princess, pictured here, was discussed by Sedgemoor District Council's Executive at a meeting i Bridgwater. More...

Coroner in safety call at inquest
A CORONER investigating the death of a Burnham-On-Sea teenager has called on council bosses to install additional safety measures at this dangerous road junction in Long Ashton, near Bristol where the 17-year-old died a year ago. Avon deputy coroner Terrence Moore made the recommendations at an inquest this week into the death of Nathan Edwards. More...

M5 re-opens after accident
TRAFFIC ground to a halt on the M5 motorway at Burnham-On-Sea on Wednesday morning (December 3rd) after a vehicle ploughed into the central reservation. The southbound carriageway between junction 21 at Weston and Burnham-On-Sea at junction 22 was closed at 7.55am. More...

D-Day for future of Princess Hall
COUNCILLORS are set to discuss the future of Burnham-On-Sea's Princess Hall and consider the possible sale of the town's Community Centre in Berrow Road at a meeting on Wednesday (December 3rd). The loss-making Princess, pictured here, and a £5million scheme to redevelop it will be debated by Sedgemoor District Council's Executive committee in Bridgwater. More...

Brean couple's thanks after fire
A BREAN couple whose home was destroyed in a fire have this week thanked Burnham-On-Sea.com visitors for their messages of support and offers of help. This website broke the news on November 23rd that a devastating fire had swept through their chalet beside Brean Down. More...

Crier welcomes new care unit
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Town Crier, Fred Smith, was among the more colourful patients to be invited to the official opening of Somerset's new Kidney Dialysis Unit in Taunton this week. Fred and his wife Shirley came dressed in traditional period costumes for the opening ceremony. More...

Students take part in mock trial
BUDDING young lawyers from Highbridge's King Alfred School got a taste of life in court when they took part in a mock trial at the weekend. The sixth form legal team travelled to Plymouth to take part in the regional finals of the Bar Mock Trial competition on Saturday (November 29th). More...

New cycle route plans unveiled
CYCLISTS could soon be able to use a new off-road cycle link between Brean and Weston-super-Mare under proposals unveiled this week. The link is among several sustainable transport routes being considered by Somerset County Council as part of an initiative to encourage healthy living and boost green links. More...

MP urges 'support local shops'
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP has this week urged shoppers to and support local shops and businesses in the town in the run-up to Christmas. He made the comments on Monday (December 1st) as the Christmas shopping season got into full swing despite continuing economic concerns. More...

Trinity Rise lights up for Xmas
A BURNHAM-On-Sea cul-de-sac whose impressive display of Christmas lights has been featured on national television several times in recent years burst into colour on Monday evening (December 1st) when residents lit up their homes for the start of the festive period. We have a full photo round-up. More...

Drama group tickets on sale
TICKETS have gone on sale for a Burnham-On-Sea drama group's annual Cristmas show. The Burnham Excellent Entertainment Society (BEES), now in their 14th year, are busily rehearsing and preparing costumes for their festive production, 'Ebenezer', which will be performed in the town's Princess Hall. More...

Police in air search of island
A POLICE helicopter conducted a search of Stert Island, near Burnham-On-Sea, on Sunday afternoon (November 30th) after reports that a commercial helicopter had been acting 'suspiciously' over the island earlier in the day. Police were alerted on Sunday morning at 11.30am by a beach walker in Burnham. More...

15,000 light display unveiled
THIS stunning display of more than 15,000 light bulbs, accompanied by Christmas music from a dedicated radio station, was unveiled in Burnham-On-Sea on Sunday evening (November 30th). Keith and Jane Mitchell unveiled their electrifying display at their Winchester Road home in front of a crowd of onlookers. More...

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