February 2008 Burnham-On-Sea News Archive

January 2008 news archive

MP attacks arcade law changes
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP has this week tackled a senior government minister over the "serious" impact that competition from new casinos and changes to laws is having on seaside amusement arcades. During Tuesday's parliamentary debate, Mr Heathcoat-Amory clashed with Andy Burnham - the Secretary of State. More...

Hundreds sign online petition
THE online petition to save Burnham-On-Sea's swimming pool from closure has become one of the UK's top 200 best-supported petitions on the Prime Minister's official Number 10 Downing Street website. By Friday morning (February 29th), a total of 766 people had signed the petition. More...

Rotarians' boost for charities
A HUGE £2,300 cheque was handed over to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance by members of Burnham-On-Sea Rotary Club on Thursday (February 28th) following a successful fundraising event earlier in the year. The money was raised at a wassailing event. More...

BT to help local Morris dancers
AN EXTRA skip and jump has been put into the performances of morris men in Brent Knoll, near Burnham-On-Sea, with the news that British Telecom is to give the group a grant worth several hundred pounds. The group sent out leaflets to 15,000 homes last month. More...

Library's information point to close
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Council Information Point is set to permanently close at the end of March in the latest of a long line of council cost-cutting moves. Burnham-On-Sea.com learns that the Information Point based in Burnham Library in Princess Street (pictured) will shut on March 31st. More...

Arctic pair continue training
TWO Arctic explorers who hope to be the first to travel to the North Pole in a hovercraft are back in Burnham-On-Sea this week, training with the town's rescue hovercraft crew. Simon Marshall, from Wembdon and Alex Henney will attempt the 500-mile trip in the spring of 2009. More...

Fudge shop visit for guides
OVER thirty girl guides were treated to a visit to a Burnham-On-Sea fudge shop on Wednesday evening (February 27th) when they saw how the sweets are made and even got to taste a few samples! The group of 35 Brent Knoll guides visited Roly's Fudge Pantry. More...

Walrow bridge to close again
HIGHBRIDGE'S Walrow Railway Bridge is set to close for up to three months from mid-March when work to strengthen it gets underway. Network Rail has confirmed this week that the controversial bridge - which has only been partially open to light vehicles since last September amid fears about the safety of its structure - will shut from March 15th. More...

Axe looms for local post office
A POST office near Highbridge has this week been earmarked for closure by the government. An announcement made on Tuesday (February 26th) revealed that Bason Bridge post office near Highbridge is being considered for the axe as part of a cost-cutting exercise. More...

Police seize alcohol in Burnham
POLICE in Burnham-On-Sea took action against under-age drinkers during the half-term break. Officers from Burnham seized alcohol from teenagers, mainly those drinking in parks and open spaces, and the youngsters concerned were spoken to and given words of advice, and some parents also informed. More...

Spring clean for seafront signs
A WINTER of storms and high winds has left signs along Burnham's seafront looking worse for wear, so work has begun this week on refurbishing them in time for the start of the tourist season. Town councillor Peter Clayton and several friends sprung into action. More...

Vandals attack shelters again
BURNHAM-On-Sea has been hit by a new wave of petty vandalism this week with the town's Marine Cove gardens and seafront being targeted. Vandals attacked the boarded-up seafront shelters in Marine Cove by removing roof tiles from the top of the buildings. More...

A glimpse at Burnham's future
A FUTURISTIC set of images released to Burnham-On-Sea.com on Monday (February 25th) show how the town centre could look in a few years' time if multi-million pound regeneration plans get the go-ahead. The photo montages show how the High Street and Victoria Street will look if the plans to modernise and pedestrianise Burnham get the green light. More...

Oil spill update: Agency appeal
MEMBERS of the public could hold vital clues to last week's serious oil spill in the village of Mark, near Burnham-On-Sea, where a pollution clean-up operation continued on Monday (February 25th). The alarm was raised last Thursday after thick black oil was discovered in the Mark Yeo. More...

Fire crews tackle M5 blaze
TWO fire crews from Burnham-On-Sea rushed to a vehicle blaze on the hard shoulder of the M5 motorway near the town on Monday evening (February 25th). On arrival, the crews confirmed that the car was well alight and several hose reel jets were used to extinguish it. More...

Tanker crash causes M5 chaos
TRAFFIC came to a standstill along the M5 motorway near Burnham-On-Sea on Monday morning (February 25th) after an accident involving this tanker resulted in fuel being spilt over all three lanes. The northbound carriageway was closed for several hours. More...

MP fights to save post offices
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP, David Heathcoat-Amory, has this week launched a new campaign to stop the closure of post offices in our area. Ten post offices across the Wells parliamentary constituency are under threat and the MP will be holding a series of public meetings. More...

Burnham RNLI announces AGM
THE date of Burnham-On-Sea RNLI's Annual General Meeting has been announced. The lifeboat station volunteers will be joined by a guest speaker from RNLI headquarters in Poole on Friday March 7th for the event, which will be held at Burnham-On-Sea Sailing Club. More...

Poor season for cod anglers
JUST four fish were reeled in by the 20 anglers taking part in a sea fishing competition off Burnham on Sunday (Februry 24th). Disappointed members of Burnham Boat Owners Association had taken to the waters of Bridgwater Bay in a flotilla of ten boats. More...

Court awards £4.1m to family
A FORMER Burnham-On-Sea family has been awarded £4.1 million in compensation after their daughter was left blind and suffering from severe brain damage when doctors in Bristol took more than 20 minutes to resuscitate her. Laura Gaines, now 29, was born with a defect. More...

Fire crews tackle vehicle blaze
A PARKED vehicle in Burnham-On-Sea was set alight in what fire crews believe was a deliberate blaze during the early hours of Sunday morning (February 24th). Two fire crews from Burnham were called to Stoddens Road at 1.39am after several 999 calls from worried residents. More...

Half term fun at sports centre
A BUSY week of activities was held at Highbridge's King Alfred Sports Centre as dozens of children enjoyed an active half-term holiday. The centre’s Half Term Junior Activity scheme included a wide range of activities ranging from trampolining to squash and football. More...

Former town councillor dies
A WELL-known Burnham-On-Sea businessman and former councillor has died at the age of 62. Mike Turco, pictured, passed away last week after a short illness. He was leader of Sedgemoor District Council and oversaw the introduction of Burnham swimming pool. More...

Step forward for charity walk
WALKERS are being encouraged to step forward to take part in the annual fundraising walk between Burnham-On-Sea jetty and Brean Down and back to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. The 15-mile beach walk will start at 11.30am on Sunday May 25th. More...

Town shop is 'best in west'
DELIGHTED Burnham-On-Sea shop owners John and Katharine Edwards are celebrating again after scooping a top award in a national competition for the second year running. Material Needs in the High Street has been voted 'South West Stitching Retailer Of The Year'. More...

Footpath re-opens after dispute
A LONG-running dispute over a Burnham-On-Sea footpath has finally been resolved after years of negotiations. A new, modern path was opened this week between Marine Drive and the Catholic Church's car park following agreement between Somerset County Council and the Clifton Diocese over the right of way. More...

Beach dog by-laws 'won't change'
SEDGEMOOR District Council has denied press reports that it is considering introducing changes to the laws which ban dogs from Burnham-On-Sea beach all year-round. It had been claimed that the town's beach could come under tougher, new proposals being considered by the council. More...

Grave problem for churchyards
SEVERAL gravestones in Burnham-On-Sea have been cordoned off following a health and safety check of the town's churchyards. Five headstones in Burnham have been deemed to be in such an unsafe condition that they have been taped off by Sedgemoor District Council. More...

Love Lane closed after crash
A BURNHAM-On-Sea road was shut to all traffic following an accident involving two vehicles on Thursday night (February 21st). One person was taken hospital in an ambulance following the collision in Love Lane, near the Tesco supermarket, at around 9.30pm. More...

Prize-winning chefs rewarded
TWO young local chefs who won Burnham-On-Sea Rotary Club's Young Chef Of The Year competition were presented their awards on Thursday night (February 21st). Natalie Peeke and Kelly Linthorne received their prizes from Rotary President Colin Durston. More...

Foley Parkway misses out on cash
A £64 million injection of money into Somerset's highways and transport infrastructure was approved by the County Council on Wednesday (February 20th), but there was disappointment that Burnham's Frank Foley Parkway will not be completed with the cash. County Councillors agreed their budget for the next year, which will enable improvements across the county. More...

Oil-coated birds rescued after spill
WILDLIFE rescuers from the Burnham-On-Sea area were called into action on Thursday (February 21st) after an oil spill polluted a mile-long stretch of a stream running through Mark village. Several oil-covered birds were rescued by volunteers from Secret World, helped by a rescue boat crew from Burnham-based BARB. More...

Regeneration plans given boost
MULTI-million pound plans to regenerate the centre of Burnham-On-Sea took another step forward on Wednesday (February 20th) when the district council approved the detailed design for the Civic Pride project. Sedgemoor's Executive Committee approved the designs for the scheme. More...

Fire tackled at cattle market
THESE were the scenes in Highbridge on Wednesday evening (February 20th) after a fire broke out in an outbuilding at the town's cattle market. Two fire engines from Burnham-On-Sea were called to the scene just before 7pm after smoke was reported to be billowing out of a covered building. More...

Cycle race boost for town
Exclusive: MANY of Europe's top cyclists will be rolling into Burnham-On-Sea this autumn when the town will take centre stage in the Tour of Britain Cycle Race. Burnham-On-Sea.com learns that Burnham will be formally announced next month as one of the finishing points for the Somerset stage of the 2008 Tour of Britain. More...

Woman cut free after accident
FIRE crews removed the roof of this badly damaged car to get to a passenger inside following an unusual accident in the centre of Highbridge on Tuesday afternoon (February 19th). The driver of the Mercedes lost control of the vehicle in the Somerfield supermarket car park after the vehicle's accelerator pedal apparently jammed. More...

Film workshops prove popular
BUDDING young Steven Spielbergs of the future were able to try out their film-making skills during a series of half term workshops in Highbridge this week. The 'Make A Film in A Day' workshops were held in the town's Morland Community Centre in Pearce Drive. More...

Dinner boxing returns to Brean
BOXING enthusiasts from the Burnham-On-Sea area will be gathering in Brean next month when the Leisure Park holds its 23rd annual Dinner Boxing evening. The boxing event, to be held on Thursday 6th March, will include many boxers from clubs across the West Country. More...

Town pool's lease advertised
ADVERTS will appear in the press this week inviting bids from companies who want to take on the lease of Burnham-On-Sea's closure-threatened swimming pool. Sedgemoor District Council’s ‘Task and Finish’ group has been considering various ways of keeping the pool open in recent weeks. More...

New CCTV camera for gardens
A BRAND new CCTV camera was installed in Burnham's vandalism-hit Manor Gardens on Monday (February 18th) in a fresh attempt by local police to crack down on crime. The new CCTV camera, pictured here, was installed in the northern part of the gardens where it will have good views of the area. More...

Weather kit boost for RNLI
MEMBERS of Berrow Social Club have presented Burnham-On-Sea RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Ricky Holmes with a new electronic weather station. The gadget was handed over during a brief presentation ceremony held on Saturday evening following a quiz. More...

Swimming pool hit by vandals
A CLEAN-up operation was underway at Burnham-On-Sea swimming pool this week after vandals painted graffiti over the glass windows of the facility and damaged a door. Racial comments and other offensive terms were spray painted over windows. More...

Fire crews sent to town blaze
FIRE crews from Burnham-On-Sea rushed to a Highbridge home during the early hours of Tuesday morning (February 19th) after a blaze broke out. Two fire engines were sent to the fire at River Bed House in Sparks Way at 3.29am. The occupants had evacuated. More...

Volunteers clean up dunes
CONSERVATION volunteers armed with shovels, saws and wheelbarrows were out in force in Berrow Dunes on Sunday (February 17th) when a day of scrub clearance took place. Twenty green-fingered local residents met in the Berrow nature reserve. More...

20 years of Civic Awards marked
DOZENS of Burnham and Highbridge Civic Awards winners gathered together at a special tea party to mark the 20th anniversary of the awards on Monday afternoon (February 18th). The event also saw the unveiling of a brand new Honours Board by Mayor Pauline Pollard and Deputy Mayor Neville Jones. More...

Pool re-opens after power fault
BURNHAM-On-Sea swimming pool re-opened to the public on Monday evening (February 18th) after a 36-hour closure caused by a technical problem. The pool was closed on Sunday morning and Monday due to an electrical problem in the plant room. More...

Biker gets that sinking feeling!
THE owner of this motorbike got a sinking feeling when his machine became trapped in thick mud on Burnham-On-Sea's beach on Sunday afternoon (February 17th). The scrambler had been riding along the beach close to the town's pier when his machine sank into the notorious mud at around 3pm, sparking a rescue bid by sympathetic passers-by. More...

Electrical fault shuts pool
BURNHAM-On-Sea swimming pool was shut to the public on Sunday (February 17th) due to a technical problem and is likely to remain closed later on Monday. "The pool closed at 7am this morning due to an electrical problem in the plant room," said Duty Manager Jeff Smith. More...

'Stranded' goat sparks rescue
WILDLIFE rescuers launched a mission to rescue this goat on Sunday (February 17th) after it was believed to be injured and trapped on steep cliffs at Brean Down, near Burnham. East Huntspill based Secret World were alerted to a goat reported to have been stranded. More...

Guest house gains 4 stars
The owners of a Burnham-On-Sea guest house are celebrating this week after achieving four star status from both the AA and Visit Britain. Magnolia House in Manor Road is the only guest house in the town to hold both these sought-after awards simultaneously. More...

Library hours to be cut back
EVENING opening hours at Burnham-On-Sea Library are to be cut back from March when a new opening schedule is introduced. Somerset County Council has decided to reduce opening of Friday hours, but at the same time start Wednesday opening. From March 31st, the library will no longer open on Fridays after 6pm. More...

Winter chill leaves icy scenes
THESE were the unusual scenes on Brean beach, near Burnham-On-Sea, on Sunday morning (February 17th) as sub-zero temperatures left a bank of ice along the high tide line. The ice was deposited along the beach after thermometers fell to -6°c. More...

Bird garden's expansion rejected
PLANS to expand a busy tourist attraction at the foot of Brean Down have this week been turned down by district planners. Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported last year how Brean Down Bird Gardens at Brean Cove (pictured) had submitted a planning application to extend its facilities in time for the summer. 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 writes about the "darkening economic picture", the decision to turn down the bid to build a Brent Knoll wind farm, and plans for a Severn Barrage. More...

Talks due on farmers' market
A MEETING is to be held between Burnham-On-Sea Town Council and the organisers of Somerset's Farmers Markets later this month to secure the future of the monthly events. The loss of Town Centre Manager, Anne-Marie Spalding had put a question mark over the future of the markets. More...

New local restaurant opened
MORE than 150 people were invited along to the official opening of a new £450,000 restaurant on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea on Friday evening (February 15th). The Oak Tree was formally opened at the Oak Tree Arena speedway track by the Chairman of British Speedway. More...

Vandals attack phone box
SHARDS of broken glass were strewn over pavements near a Highbridge school on Friday (February 15th) after vandals attacked a phone box. The glass surrounds of the box on the corner of North Avenue, opposite the entrance to King Alfred School, was kicked in. More...

Drugs seized in new police raid
POLICE recovered hundreds of pounds worth of cannabis following a raid on a home in Highbridge on Thursday morning (February 14th). The intelligence-led operation involved Burnham police officers executing a warrant under the misuse of drugs act. More...

Pool community bid gathers pace
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Burnham-On-Sea's closure-threatened swimming pool met this week to discuss a possible community bid to take on ownership of the facility. Tom Ashton, Chairman of the Save Our Swimming Pool campaign group, met local Liberal Democrats to discuss the plan. More...

Panto fun comes to Brean!
FINAL rehearsals are underway in Brean this week as the village's Coastline Players prepare to perform their annual pantomime, which this year is Aladdin. Tickets are on sale now for the colourful show, which will be held in Brean Village Hall from Monday February 18th-23rd. More...

Petition calls for road re-opening
Exclusive: Hundreds of angry beach users have signed a petition calling for Berrow Beach to open to vehicles all-year-round. The petition, signed by 200 people, comes after Sedgemoor District Council took the decision to shut the entrance onto the beach over the winter months at the end of last year. More...

Groups braced for lighting bill
Exclusive: SEVERAL groups in Burnham-On-Sea face bills for thousands of pounds due to tough new regulations requiring them to test street lighting columns. Tighter health and safety regulations have recently come into force that require lighting columns to be tested for their structural integrity. More...

Civic award nominees sought
BURNHAM and Highbridge Town Council is soon to consider nominations for this year's annual Civic Awards. The awards are given to people deemed to have rendered outstanding service to the community and will be presented at the Annual Civic Service. More...

District council's 4.5% tax rise
SEDGEMOOR District Council will boost its coffers by around £200,000 following a decision on Wednesday (February 13th) to set its proportion of the Council Tax at 4.5 per cent. The increase equates to a rise of £5.23 per year for a Band D property, totalling £121.38. More...

Injured swan rescued on lake
A SWAN that had been shot in the eye with an airgun is in the safe hands of animal carers after being retrieved by an inshore rescue boat crew from Burnham-On-Sea on Wednesday morning (February 13th). BARB and Secret World conducted the rescue in Weston. More...

Should town be pedestrianised?
BURNHAM-On-Sea businesses are this week being asked for their opinions on controversial plans to pedestrianise the town centre. Hundreds of survey forms have been sent to firms in the centre of the town to assess their feelings about restricting traffic along the High Street (pictured) at certain times of the day. More...

Police find drugs at Highbridge pub
BURNHAM-On-Sea police found traces of Class A drugs during a search at a Highbridge pub on Tuesday (February 12th). A warrant was carried out at the Coopers Arms at 9am as a result of intelligence given to police from the community that drug misuse was going on at the premises. More...

Call for Berrow volunteers
CONSERVATION volunteers are being invited to help with a day of scrub clearance and other work at Berrow Dunes this Sunday (February 17th). Sedgemoor Conservation Volunteers will be visiting the nature reserve to undertake a day of work, including marram grass planting. More...

Seafront shelters boarded up
SEAFRONT shelters in Burnham-On-Sea's Marine Cove gardens have been boarded up in an attempt to protect them from ongoing vandalism. Burnham-On-Sea.com reported on two incidents during January when the windows of the seafront shelters were smashed. More...

MP steps up footpath pressure
A BURNHAM-On-Sea MP David Heathcoat-Amory has written to the Transport Minister, Rosie Winterton, to try and push forward a scheme to build a footpath and cycle way along a dangerous stretch of road at Berrow. The scheme for Coast Road has been blocked. More...

Man arrested after crash fight
A MOTORIST was arrested for assault after allegedly fighting with another driver following a road accident outside Highbridge on Tuesday morning (February 12th). Police were called to a two-vehicle collision involving a Ford Transit and a Ford Escort on the Isleport Road. More...

Agency steps in to river bank row
THE Environment Agency has stepped in to stop residents felling trees and cutting back bushes along the banks of the River Brue in Highbridge. Several new residents living in Clyce Road have cleared away greenery along the side of the river bank in recent days without the permission of The Environment Agency. More...

Fire crews tackle major blaze
FIREFIGHTERS from Burnham-On-Sea and across Somerset were called to tackle a major fire in a building in the centre of Bridgwater on Monday morning (February 11th). Three people were rescued from the property as eight fire crews from Burnham, Bridgwater, Taunton and Street fought the blaze. More...

Police plea after tyres slashed
BURNHAM-On-Sea police are seeking the public's help following a spate of criminal damage to parked vehicles in the town. Thirteen cars had their tyres slashed or bodywork damaged on January 30th and 31st in and around the town centre of Burnham-On-Sea, as first reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com. More...

In photos: Charity night fun
ALMOST 200 people filled the main hall of Burnham-On-Sea's Lakeside Holiday Park on Saturday evening (February 9th) when more than £2,000 was raised for a town charity. The event included a race night and auction for Burnham's Community Medical Equipment Fund. More...

New TV drama filmed at Brean
BREAN Down was transformed into a film set over the weekend when a BBC film crew recorded scenes for a major new TV drama series. The six-part, primetime BBC One series Bone Kickers is being filmed across the West Country, with the Brean Down scenes shot on Sunday (February 10th). More...

Mild weather pulls in visitors
UNSEASONALLY warm weather brought crowds of visitors to Burnham-On-Sea on Sunday (February 10th), giving businesses in the town a boost. The sushine and mild temperatures saw dozens of walkers strolling along The Esplanade and creating a surge in ice cream sales. More...

RNLI re-opens station shop
BURNHAM-On-Sea RNLI's shop is re-opening for business on Saturday 16th February following its winter break and is looking for new volunteers to help run it. The shop is located in the lifeboat station compound at the rear of Somerfield Supermarket in Pier Street. More...

Purple Love Week celebrated!
SCORES of Burnham-On-Sea residents flocked to a health food shop in the town on Saturday (February 9th) to take part in a nationwide food-tasting event. Kyffins in Victoria Street is one of 600 shops nationwide involved in the third annual 'Purple Love Week'. More...

£5,000 CCTV boost for gardens
MORE than £5,000 has been spent upgrading the CCTV camera in Burnham-On-Sea's Marine Cove gardens in an effort to stamp out ongoing vandalism. Burnham-On-Sea.com reported on two seperate incidents last month in which the windows of shelters in the gardens were smashed and fences were torn down. More...

Burnham shop owner to retire
ONE of Burnham-On-Sea's longest running shops is to close at the end of February when its owner retires after 46 years of business. Keith Cox, 72, told Burnham-On-Sea.com he has "enjoyed every minute" of his time running the electrical store on the High Street. More...

Hovercraft joins search for angler
ONE of Burnham-On-Sea's rescue hovercrafts was called to Weston-super-Mare on Friday (February 8th) to help Coastguards in their search for a missing fisherman. The Light Of Elizabeth hovercraft was launched from Uphill beach with several Weston Coastguards onboard to conduct a search of more than 14 miles of mudflats. More...

Upbeat message on pool talks
"PROMISING progress" is being made in the search to find a new owner for Burnham-On-Sea's closure-threatened swimming pool, bosses from Sedgemoor District Council told 150 people at a packed meeting in the town on Thursday (February 7th). The public meeting gave residents a chance to grill the council. More...

Dog group's charity boost
A CHEQUE for £1,000 has been handed over to local animal rescue charity Secretworld this week in Burnham. Marion Day from local dog training and agility group Canine Capers handed over the money to Secretworld's Pauline Kidner in a ceremony at St Andrew's Hall. More...

Chimney blaze in Burnham
A BURNHAM-On-Sea fire crew was called to a chimney blaze in a private house in the town on Thursday evening (February 7th). A team of firefighters was sent to Stoddens Road after a resident near the junction with Rectory Road reported his chimney alight. More...

Surgeries 'threatened by reform'
GPs in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge fear medical centres in the town could be put under threat by new government reforms that seek to introduce longer opening hours. GPs at the two medical centres are urging patients to contact local MPs amid concerns that government pressure to extend opening hours could put the future of the surgeries under threat. More...

Top cop pledges more patrols
MORE visible policing looks set to be introduced in Burnham-On-Sea following a meeting between by the region's top cop and town councillors this week. Chief Superintendent Sandy Padgett said that she would like to see PCSOs patrolling the town centre on foot. More...

Smoke causes Brean fire alert
THESE were the scenes in Brean on Wednesday afternoon (February 6th) when thick, billowing smoke led to a call-out for Burnham-On-Sea firefighters. One engine was sent to the Three Acres Caravan Park in the centre of the resort at 5.15pm after residents raised the alarm. More...

Lions Club gives charity boost
MEMBERS of Burnham-On-Sea Lions Club handed out £2,000 to two grateful charities on Wednesday evening (February 6th). In a ceremony held at the Oak Tree Arena at Edithmead, near Burnham, the club gave £1,000 to the National Blind Childrens Society and BIBIC. More...

Future of Stert Island Swim saved
THE future of Burnham's annual Stert Island Swim has been safeguarded thanks to a local athletics group. Nigel Roderick, Leisure Manager at the council confimed to Burnham-On-Sea.com on Wednesday morning (February 6th) that West Country Tri-athletes would be taking over the event. More...

Felling of 48 trees is approved
CONTROVERSIAL plans by a Burnham-On-Sea holiday park to fell 48 protected trees on its property have been met with objections by town councillors. Burnham Holiday Village wants to fell a long line of trees that have grown beside homes in Maple Drive, pictured. More...

Sea wall struck by more graffiti
BURNHAM'S sea wall has been attacked again by graffiti vandals, prompting a renewed clean-up operation. A racist slur and various four-letter words have been daubed in paint over the structure near the top of Cross Street - much to the anger of the town council. More...

Early Spring bursts into colour
SIGNS of an early Spring are already starting to show at Burnham-On-Sea's Apex Wildlife Park this week. It may only be early February, but bunches of colourful daffodils are already in full bloom at the park, as pictured here on Wednesday morning. More...

Town fashion show is a hit
HUNDREDS of bargain-hunters filled King Alfred School's Main Hall in Highbridge on Tuesday evening (February 5th) when a special fashion show and sale was held. Almost 200 ladies flocked to the event, which was organised by Burnham Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs. More...

Hinkley set for more repairs
BRITISH Energy has announced this week that it is to shut the nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point, near Burnham-On-Sea, later this year for further inspections. Hinkley Point was shut down for seven months for boiler repairs last year and has been running at 60-70 percent. More...

25% jump in council tax rates
RESIDENTS in Burnham-On-Sea have this week been warned to brace themselves for a 25 per cent hike in council tax rates. Town councillors in Burnham approved the inflation-busting increase at a meeting on Monday evening (February 4th). It means a cost of £57.65 per Band D property, a jump of £10. More...

New Active Living Centre opens
A BRAND new Active Living Centre for residents over 50 opened in Highbridge on Tuesday (February 5th). The facility, in Morland Hall, was officially opened during a ceremony attended by Highbridge County Councillor Rosemary Parsons, local PCSOs and the Stroke Club. More...

Drink up for Secret World funds
A COFFEE morning to raise funds for local wildlife rescue charity Secret World is to be held this Saturday (February 9th) at Burnham-On-Sea's Methodist Church in College Street. Open from 10am to midday, the event will feature many stalls including bric-a-brac and raffle. More...

Mayor hands out grants boost
REPRESENTATIVES from more than a dozen Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge groups received grant boosts from the town council on Monday (February 4th). The council awards grants to local groups every year at this time and Mayor Pauline Pollard handed over £2,500. More...

Sea safety advice for sailors
ALMOST fifty members of Burnham Sailing Club were treated to a specially arranged sea safety talk by newly appointed Burnham RNLI Sea Safety officer Chris Spencer. Chris and his two deputies, Nick Redding and Dave Humphrey, examined club members’ lifejackets. More...

More new homes for Highbridge
A NEW housing development in Highbridge could be set to grow still further if plans for nine new homes are given the go-ahead by local planners. Raglan Housing has just applied for planning permission to build nine dwellings, within two buildings, on land north of Worston Road, pictured here. More...

200 set to attend fundraiser
MORE than 200 people are set to enjoy a 'Mysterious Night Of Fun and Laughter' this Saturday (February 9th) when a special fundraising event is held in Burnham-On-Sea. In addition to a race night, there will be a star cabaret, Irish bingo and a charity auction. More...

'Don't sell-off town's car park'
CONCERNED councillors and traders in Highbridge have officially launched a campaign to save Bank Street Car Park from closure. Burnham-On-Sea.com reported last week how the car park faces the axe by Sedgemoor District Council as part of its cash cutbacks. More...

Cyclists roll up for security day
SCORES of cyclists had their bikes security marked and were given crime advice when police in Highbridge held one of their weekly surgeries in the town's Asda supermarket on Sunday (February 3rd). PCSOs Claire Chambers and Gill Udall handed out crime reduction advice. More...

Auction night raises £850
AN AUCTION of well-known people from across the Burnham-On-Sea area has raised more than £880 for a tennis academy set up in memory of young tennis player Nathan Edwards who died last year. Dozens of people flocked to Oaktree Arena on Friday evening (February 1st). More...

Over 40 attend public meeting
MORE than 40 worried residents attended a 'street briefing' in Burnham-On-Sea's Manor Gardens on Saturday (February 2nd) to air their concerns about vandalism and crime in the area. Burnham police organised the event, which was held at the band stand in the gardens, to explain what it is doing to tackle the issues. More...

Bowlers donate their winnings
GENEROUS members of a Burnham-On-Sea bowling club have donated their winnings from last season to the life-saving charity that runs the town's rescue hovercrafts. June Bridges, ladies captain at Burnham Bowling Club, handed £90 to BARB on Saturday (Feb 2nd). More...

Fire crew rescues trapped babies
IN one of their most unusual call-outs, firemen in Burnham-On-Sea released two babies from a locked vehicle on Saturday lunchtime (February 2nd). One fire engine from Burnham was sent to St Mark's Road at 12.05pm after the parents of two 18 month old babies reported the youngsters stuck in a car. More...

Mariners warned of faulty buoy
MARINERS in Burnham-On-Sea are this week being warned to take extra caution when sailing into the town's bay due to a faulty buoy. An official Notice to Mariners has been distributed to water users due to 'number two buoy' being unlit due to a technical problem. More...

Lib Dems back pool protesters
CANMPAIGNERS battling to save Burnham-On-Sea swimming pool from possible closure have been given the support of the town's Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate this week. Tessa Munt (pictured) met Tom Ashton, Chairman of the SOS group. <