June 2007 Burnham-On-Sea News Archive

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Rare albatross released at Brean
A RARE albatross found on Brean beach, near Burnham-On-Sea, by a walker was released back into the wild from the top of Brean Down by local animal rescuers on Saturday afternoon (June 30th). The two-year-old bird was taken to Secret World Wildlife Rescue Centre, near Burnham-On-Sea. More...

14 beachfront flats planned
Exclusive: PART of Burnham-On-Sea's beachfront could be set to change after a house developer this week unveiled multi-million pound plans to build a three-storey block of 14 apartments next to the beach, replacing the house pictured here. The plans go before planners shortly. More...

Shop damaged in arson attack
QUICK thinking by a doorman from a Burnham-On-Sea night club saved a High Street shop from major damage when an arsonist set fire to it during the early hours of Friday (June 29th). Two Burnham fire crews rushed to S&A Linens in the High Street at 1.30am. More...

Accidents cause traffic chaos
THIS was the scene on the M5 motorway at Burnham-On-Sea on Friday evening (June 29th) after a series of four accidents caused major delays for motorists in the area. The air ambulance landed on the northbound carriageway of the M5 near to junction 22. More...

Burnham postmen join strike
POSTAL deliveries and collections were cancelled in Burnham-On-Sea on Friday (June 29th) as Royal Mail staff in the town joined a nationwide strike over pay and conditions. This was the picket line outside the town's Royal Mail sorting office in Dunstan Road. More...

Witnesses to burglary wanted
POLICE in Burnham-On-Sea are appealing for three females to come forward who may have witnessed an aggravated burglary in the town. At around 10.20pm on Friday June 22nd the girls were pictured on CCTV walking along Cross Street before the incident in the street. More...

New bid to stop seafront speeders
TOWN councillors in Burnham-On-Sea have this week given the go-ahead to a £2,000 project to draw up plans for new traffic calming measures along the resort's seafront. A traffic engineer is to be commissioned to devise a scheme to curb the long-running problem of excessive speed and noise disturbance. More...

Barrage backer 'humbled'
GARETH Woodham, the entrepreneur behind plans to build a Severn Barrage between Brean, near Burnham-On-Sea, and Wales, says he has been "truly humbled" by the response to his invitation for expressions of interest from members of the public. More...

Show is a blooming success!
GREEN-fingered gardeners flocked to Sanders Garden World, near Burnham-On-Sea, this week for the UK's 2007 National Sweet Pea Show. The National Sweet Pea Society organised the annual two-day event, which ewas started on Tuesday (June 26th) and ended on Wednesday (June 27th). More...

Water skiing bosses in town
BRITISH water ski racing bosses visited Burnham-On-Sea on Wednesday (June 27th) as preparations continue for the return of the UK's water skiing championships in August. Sailing Club Commodore Terry Moule met British team captain Tony Williams and colleagues. More...

Tea party raises charity cash
MORE than 50 people flocked to a fundraising tea party in Burnham-On-Sea on Wednesday afternoon (June 27th) when they helped raise money for St Margaret's Hospice. The event, held in the Masonic Hall in Burnham, was part of a series of parties across the country. More...

21 homes for historical site?
A BATH company which is behind plans to build 21 new homes on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea will have to conduct a £100,000 archaeological investigation before it can develop the site. Charlcombe Estates unveiled the proposals for land at Alstone Lane. More...

Tornado spotted near Burnham
DRAMATIC photos of a tornado in the skies near Burnham-On-Sea have been snapped this week by a local photographer. Chris Abbott was walking at Mark on Sunday evening (June 24th) when he saw this incredible funnel cloud form towards the Crook Peak area. More...

Car seized in police crackdown
BURNHAM-On-Sea police seized another vehicle on Tuesday afternoon (June 26th) as their crackdown on illegal motorists continued. A Ford Probe was seized at 4.30pm in Brent Knoll after the female driver was pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt. More...

Civic service date announced
BURNHAM-On-Sea's annual Civic Service is to be held in the town's St Andrew's Church this autumn. The yearly event, which sees local people recognised for their commitment to the town, is due to be held on 9th September, it was confirmed this week. More...

Speedway boost for hotels
BURNHAM-On-Sea hotels and guest houses are enjoying a bumper week of bookings, thanks to the town's biggest-ever speedway event coming to town this Friday (June 29th). Over 4,000 people are expected to crowd into the Oaktree Arena on the outskirts of Burnham. More...

Cartwheels earn charity cash
A SEVEN-year-old Burnham-On-Sea girl has raised £250 for charity by performing over 300 cartwheels in ten minutes! Chloe Venarncombe held the sponsored cartwheel challenge to raise cash for 'Action for ME' after her mum, Kelly Edrich, was diagnosed with the condition. More...

New lights arrive this week
BURNHAM-On-Sea's brand new seafront illuminations are due to be delivered this week, with work to install them scheduled to start early next week. The brand new lights - which have cost £21,000 - will be delivered by manufacturer Gala Lights and be installed from next week onwards. More...

600 sign job centre petition
MORE than 600 residents have now signed a petition to save Burnham-On-Sea's closure-threatened job centre. Local councillors launched the campaign earlier this month after Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report the Jobcentre Plus office is under threat. More...

Storms cause town disruption
HEAVY rain and winds caused disruption in Burnham-On-Sea on Monday (June 25th) when a power cut left dozens of homes in the dark, a school closed for the day, and roads in the town were left under water. Several hours of heavy downpours left roads flooded. More...

Smile Walk raises thousands
COLOURFUL costumes and strong walking shoes were the order of the day when more than 30 Burnham-On-Sea residents took part in a fundraising fancy dress walk on Sunday (June 24th). Participants in the 'Smile Walk' started at Burnham Jetty. More... | Photos | Video

Alert over forged bank notes
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea businesses and shoppers are being asked to be on their guard after counterfeit bank notes were used in the town during the last few days. A £20 note was accepted by staff at the Victoria Hotel in the centre of town, pictured, last week. More...

Fire crews tackle town house blaze
BURNHAM-On-Sea fire crews extinguished a blaze in a house in the town on Sunday morning (June 24th). The fire service was alerted to reports of smoke emerging from a property in Highbridge Road at 8.57am and two pumps from Burnham were sent to the scene. More...

Lelaina anniversary is marked
THE fifth anniversary of the tragic death of young Lelaina Hall on mudflats near Burnham-On-Sea was marked with a special open day at the rescue charity whose hovercraft is named after her on Saturday (June 23rd). Over 200 visitors came to the seafront station of BARB. More...

Two injured in town accident
TWO people were rushed to hospital following a three-vehicle collision on the A38 at Highbridge on Friday evening (June 22nd). Fire, police and ambulance crews rushed to the scene, near the Texaco garage at 6.10pm after reports that people were trapped in the wreckage. More...

World sailing challenge for Mark
Exclusive: A Burnham-On-Sea man is to take part in the prestigious 2007 Round The World Yacht Race as the skipper of a huge 68 foot yacht. Mark Preedy, 35, is to skipper 'Uniquely Singapore' in the 35,000-mile ocean race, which will set off from Liverpool on 16th September and return in July 2008. More...

Golfers raise £11k for charity
OVER £11,000 has been raised for a Highbridge childrens charity by generous golfers. Bob Champion MBE, the former jump jockey and winner of the 1981 Grand National, was among the golfers taking part in the competition at The Isle of Wedmore Golf Club. More...

Fresh bid to make road safer
A new community speedwatch group is to be set up along a Burnham-On-Sea road in a fresh bid to make it safer. Marine Drive residents have the support of Somerset County Council for the initiative, which comes after a petition was launched in the town last month demanding new safety measures. More...

Night club opens for teenagers
A BURNHAM-On-Sea night club is to introduce a weekly special evenings for teenagers in the town. Backed by Burnham Police and the YMCA, the weekly sessions at Shakers Night Club in the High Street will be held every Friday during the summer from June 29th. More...

Town artists' work on show
COLOURFUL paintings and photos from a trio of local artists have gone on display at an exhibition in Burnham-On-Sea this week. The work of Bev Lewis, Chris Abbott and Jane Smith has been inspired by scenes in our area and is on display in the Community Centre. More...

Berrow school shuts for a day
PUPILS at a school near Burnham-On-Sea were given a day off on Thursday (June 21st) while workmen dealt with blocked drains. The school's toilet facilities were taken out of action by the problem on Wednesday, forcing the temporary closure of the school (pictured). More...

Helicopter surprise for pupils
EXCITED children at a Highbridge school could hardly believe their eyes when they had a surprise visit from a helicopter on Wednesday (June 20th). Beechfield School's Deputy Head, Di Davison, had organised the unannounced visit as part of a lesson. More...

Football club in expansion plan
PLANS to convert an open field on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea into several new football pitches have been unveiled this week. Burnbridge Wanderers Junior Football Club has applied for full planning permission to convert agricultural land opposite in Stoddens Lane. More...

Town roads flooded by downpour
A DELUGE of torrential rain left parts of Burnham-On-Sea under several inches of water on Tuesday evening (June 19th). The electric storm lasted only 30 minutes at 5.15pm, but left several streets in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea under deep pools of rain water. More...

Walker injured in fall on Down
AN air ambulance and Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards were called out to Brean Down on Tuesday afternoon (June 19th) after a woman fell and suffered a suspected broken leg. Paramedics were quickly on the scene near to Brean Down Fort, pictured, after the 48-year-old holidaymaker injured herself in a fall. More...

Online safety tips for school
BURNHAM-On-Sea Police Community Support Officers Gill Udall and Claire Chambers visited St Johns Primary School in Highbridge on Monday (June 18th) to give year six pupils advice on how to safely use the Internet. The lesson aimed to increase awareness. More...

Voters reject unitary status
DISTRICT council leaders have joined Burnham-On-Sea's MP David Heathcoat-Amory in welcoming the news that voters in Somerset have rejected the County Council's proposals for unitary status. About 400,000 people across the county were asked their views. More...

Sandcastle event is a big hit!
DOZENS of Burnham-On-Sea youngsters took part in a mass sandcastle building competition on the town's beach on Tuesday morning (June 19th) as part of National Childcare Month. The annual 'Tide Fight' event saw more than 70 children and their parents take part. More...

Vandals force closure of loos
VANDALISM and anti-social behaviour have led to the closure of a block of public toilets in Burnham-On-Sea. The building in Seaview Road was shut by owners Sedgemoor District Council in April following a spate of problems, leaving a question mark over its future. More...

Mayor waves off club members
BURNHAM-On-Sea Mayor Pauline Pollard helped excited members of Burnham and Highbridge Gateway Club with their last-minute packing at the town's BAY Centre on Monday (June 18th) when the group gathered for the start of their annual holiday to Blackpool. More...

Van seized and driver arrested
POLICE continued their crackdown on illegal vehicles in the Burnham area on Monday evening (June 18th) when they seized a van and arrested its driver. Brean Beat Manager PC Dominic Bryant and Special Constable Chris Guest pulled over this white van at 7.20pm. More...

Success at Le Mans for local driver
LOCAL motor racing driver Chris Buncombe, from East Huntspill near Burnham-On-Sea, fulfilled a dream on Sunday (June 17th) by triumphing at the world-famous Le Mans 24 Hours Race. Taking part in the prestigious race for the first time, he drove a Lola-Zytek B05-40 car for the team Binnie Motorsports. More...

Guitarists on song in town
BURNHAM-On-Sea guitar music fans were treated to lively mix of music from several of the UK's leading guitarists on Saturday night (June 16th). Organised by Jeff Ham of Burnham-On-Sea Rock, the event at the Ritz Social Club featured Cliff Moore and Jason Morris. More...

Arrests after late night trouble
THIS was the scene in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea on Friday night (June 15th) after police made several arrests following several disturbances in the town. Two people were arrested in the town centre after a fight broke out between youths in two seperate locations. More...

MP backs fight against lorries
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP has this week pledged his support to beleaguered residents of a town street whose lives are being plagued by heavy goods vehicles thundering past their homes. On Friday (June 15th), MP David Heathcoat-Amory met residents to hear about the problem. More...

Emma's parachute challenge
A BRAVE Burnham-On-Sea hairdresser is preparing to parachute jump from a plane to raise funds for a cancer charity. Emma Snook, 34, of N-Hance hair studio in the High Street, will perform the daring jump in Devon on July 21st to raise cash for a cancer charity. More...

Archers hit charity target!
SCORES of archery experts took part in a fundraising event at Berrow, near Burnham-On-Sea, this week to raise money for charity. The event, organised by the Coastal Archers, was held at Red Road playing fields and raised cash for the Childrens Hospice South West. More...

Severn Barrage share scheme planned
Exclusive: Businesses and the general public are being invited to get involved with ambitious plans to build a multi-billion pound Severn Barrage between Brean Down, near Burnham-On-Sea, and Lavernock Point in Wales. Welsh entrepreneur Gareth Woodham is inviting 'expressions of interest'. More...

Fears grow for missing man
BURNHAM-On-Sea police are growing increasingly worried about the welfare of a 63-year-old Highbridge man who has been missing for ten days. Anthony Davies went missing in the early hours of the 5th June from Highbridge, raising the concerns of police in the area. More...

Town pub granted late licence
A BURNHAM-On-Sea High Street pub's bid to open later at weekends has this week been approved by licensing bosses despite complaints from nearby residents. The Railway Inn is able to serve drinks until 1am from Sunday until Wednesday and until 2am at weekends. More...

Two arrests after 80mph chase
A DRAMATIC 80mph police chase ended at Burnham-On-Sea Holiday Village on Thursday afternoon (June 14th) with the arrest of two people. The incident, involving a stolen 4x4 vehicle, started at lunchtime in Love Lane and then moved to the seafront. More...

Concert line-up announced
THE organisers of Burnham-On-Sea's popular annual outdoor concert, Under A Summer Moon, have announced the line-up of acts playing at this year's event. The event will be held from 6.30pm to midnight on Saturday July 21st at the BASC ground in Stoddens Lane. More...

Two injured in M5 accident
TWO people suffered injuries in a two vehicle collision on the M5 motorway sliproad near Highbridge on Thursday afternoon (June 14th). Burnham-On-Sea police were called to the accident, at junction 23, involving a coach and camper van, shortly before 2.20pm. More...

Nine-day regatta plan unveiled
Exclusive: A busy line-up of events is being lined up for this summer's Burnham-On-Sea sailing regatta, which is expanding into a nine day event this year. We have full details about all the events being lined up for the event, which organisers say has something for all. More...

Developer to rethink homes
Exclusive: The developers behind plans for a new 190-home housing estate on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea have this week been asked to rethink their scheme after a large number of objections from local residents. Case officer Rob Morgan a new scheme is expected. More...

£21k lights spend defended
BURNHAM-On-Sea Town Council has this week released photos of the town's new seafront lights and defended its decision to proceed with a £21,000 project to buy them. Town Clerk Eileen Shaw said: "I feel I must clarify the Town Council's position." More...

Seal spotted near sailing club?
A SEAL was caught on video swimming in the waters near Burnham-On-Sea's Sailing Club on Wednesday evening (June 13th). The creature was spotted by seafront walkers near the entrance to the River Brue, feeding in the clean waters of the River Parrett. More...

Tyre fly tipper fined £1,500
A GARAGE owner who asked someone to illegally dump 100 tyres on land near Burnham-On-Sea has this week been fined £1,500. In a case brought by the Environment Agency, garage owner Roger Collins was ordered to pay £1,500 for allowing the tyres to be dumped. More...

Web site 'highly commended'
BURNHAM-On-Sea.com has once again been recognised as one of the region's top Web sites by being highly commended at the annual South West Media Awards. We were short-listed in the category for South West Website of the Year and were praised by judges this week. More...

Man falls from tanker into sea
AN RAF rescue helicopter travelled over Burnham-On-Sea on Tuesday evening (June 12th) as a major search got underway in the Bristol Channel for a man who was reported to have fallen overboard from a tanker. It is believed the man fell from a tanker. More...

Motorist held for 'drug driving'
POLICE have arrested a 57-year-old Chard woman on suspicion of driving while unfit through drugs following a collision at Sedgemoor Services on the M5 motorway near Burnham-On-Sea. Officers launched a pursuit along the M5 northbound near Weston on Monday. More...

Roadworks restart after glitch
Exclusive: Just days after a busy road near Burnham-On-Sea was resurfaced, county council workers have had to return this week to patch up several potholes. Barton Road in Berrow was the centre of attention for workers last week, but several potholes were overlooked. More...

Walrow bridge work confirmed
NETWORK Rail has this week confirmed that work to re-open Highbridge's controversial Walrow railway bridge by next Spring will go ahead. Burnham's Deputy Mayor, Cllr Neville Jones, confirmed talks between the Town Council and Network Rail had been successful. More...

Town band to perform concert
BURNHAM-On-Sea and Highbridge Town Band is back in action later this month when it holds a concert in the town. The group, who will be sporting new uniforms following a recent donation from the County Council, will perform in The Princes Hall on 24th June at 7.45pm. More...

Martial arts experts in town
A CHURCH hall in Burnham-On-Sea came alive with the sound of judo at the weekend when a tournament was held in the town. The third annual Burnham-On-Sea Ju Jitsu and Judo tournament was held in St Andrew's Hall, with competitors coming from across the UK. More...

Full town triathlon coverage
THE 21st annual Burnham-On-Sea triathlon, comprising a 500m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run, took place on Sunday (June 10th) with 260 competitors completing the event in hot summer sunshine. We have full coverage: More... | Photos | Results | Video highlights

Yacht runs aground on Stert
BURNHAM-On-Sea's rescue hovercraft was called out on Sunday evening (June 10th) after a yacht ran aground on Stert Island with two crew onboard. Burnham Coastguards were unable to communicate with the vessel, called Jakandy Fudge, by radio. More...

Girl injured in boat incident
A TEENAGE girl was rushed to hospital after suffering suspected neck injuries after an accident in the sea off Burnham-On-Sea beach on Sunday afternoon (June 10th). The 14-year-old was sitting on the inflatable ring pictured here whilst being towed along by a speedboat. More...

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