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June 2008 Burnham-On-Sea News

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People power overturns plans
Exclusive: Campaigners fighting plans by developers to build two new houses on a patch of green land besides their homes are celebrating today (Monday June 30th) after being told they have been successful in getting the scheme thrown out. A petition signed by over 40 Winchester Road residents was handed to the council in March. More...

Bishop ordains town Reverend
THE Reverend Christine Judson, Curate of St John's Parish Church in Highbridge, was ordained as priest on Saturday (28th June) by the Bishop of Taunton. She was ordained alongside two of her fellow curates, the Revd Dr Gilly Bunce from Worle and the Revd Julie Sims from Winscombe. More...

DNA system to beat burglars
Exclusive: BURGLARS will get a nasty shock if they try to break into supermarkets in Burnham and Highbridge when they get sprayed with a fluorescent liquid. SmartWater, an invisible, colourless liquid that shows up under UV light, has just been introduced at Somerfield's stores in Pier Street, Burnham and Highbridge. More...

250 attend Caribbean Night
COLOURFUL costumes were the order of the day when Burnham-On-Sea Rotary Club held a fundraising Caribbrean night on Saturday (June 28th). Over 250 people attended the successful event in Mark, which was held to raise money for two life-saving Somerset charities. More...

In photos: Tai Chi Taster Day
DOZENS of Burnham-On-Sea residents took the opportunity to try out Tai Chi during a special martial arts taster day being held across the country on Sunday (June 29th). More than 50 people of all ages flexed and stretched their muscles in the town's Manor Gardens, as pictured here. More...

Legion's book sale raises £200
MORE than £200 was raised for Burnham-On-Sea's Royal British Legion during a two-day fundraising book sale which ended on Saturday (June 28th). Organiser Bob Northcombe told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "We were very pleased to raise £217 over the two days." More...

New buoys to be introduced
BOAT owners using the waters of Bridgwater Bay now have several new buoys to help them navigate their way past Burnham-On-Sea. A formal Notice To Mariners has been issued this week by Burnham's Harbour Master Chris Spencer alerting water users to the changes. More...

Petition launched to save gardens
Exclusive: A PETITION has been launched this week to assess public support for a £670,000 project to regenerate Burnham-On-Sea's Marine Cove gardens. In March, Sedgemoor District Council made a submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund's 'Parks For People' programme to restore the seafront gardens. More...

Police target seafront speeders
BURNHAM-On-Sea police launched a crackdown on speeding motorists on the town's seafront on Friday evening (June 27th). Several drivers were pulled over and issued with warnings as officers equipped with speed cameras monitored traffic along The Esplanade over the course of the evening. More...

Charity boss at badger rally
THE founder of East Huntspill's Secret World Wildlife Rescue charity will be joining a demonstration in Wales this weekend to campaign against the culling of badgers. Pauline Kidner and supporters will take part in the protest in Cardiff on Saturday lunchtime (June 28th) in the centre of the city. More...

Roof of fire-hit hotel removed
THESE were the scenes at the former Highbridge Hotel on Thursday (June 26th) as workers dismantled the roof of the fire-hit property. The charred roof beams at the top of the building were removed to allow fire safety inspectors to begin assessing the property over the next few days. More...

Cash boost for Lions Club
GENEROUS visitors to a garden centre near Burnham-On-Sea have helped raise £1,500 for the town's Lions Club by dropping their loose change into a 'wishing pool'. Peter Burks, the General Manager of Sanders Garden World this week presented a cheque to the club. More...

TV crews film chariot racers
BERROW Beach was turned into a scene from the ancient Egyptian desert on Thursday (June 26th) when a film production company recreated a chariot scene from the Battle of Kadesh. The programme for National Geographic TV will about about an Egyptian Pharaoh. More...

In photos: Teachers win awards
TWO teachers from Burnham and Highbridge have been recognised for their work when they received awards at a ceremony in Bath this week. Sheila Bellingham from St Joseph's Primary School and Martyn Ellis from Highbridge's King Alfred School both received recognition at the plush ceremony. More...

Council boss opens public loos
SEDGEMOOR District Council's Chairman Dennis Davey cut the ribbon to open a revamped block of public toilets at Berrow on Thursday (June 26th). The block of public conveniences has been given a new lease of life in a joint partnership which has improved facilities for visitors. More...

Video: Fire crews tackle major blaze
FIRE crews from across Somerset, including Burnham-On-Sea, are among dozens of fire fighters tackling a major blaze at a scrapyard near Glastonbury. The blaze near the site of the Glastonbury Festival has led to tailbacks around the site and two people were taken to hospital with minor burns. More...

OFSTED praises 'outstanding' school
Exclusive: STAFF and pupils at a pre-school near Burnham-On-Sea are celebrating this week after OFSTED inspectors praised the facility as "outstanding". Brent Knoll Tadpoles Pre-School, which opened last year in Brent Street and has less than 20 pupils, is one of only a handful of schools in the area to achieve the top rating. More...

Tickets for fashion show on sale
A FUNDRAISING fashion show will be held at Highbridge Community Hall on Tuesday July 8th to raise money for Burnham-On-Sea's annual folk festival. Quality clothes of all sizes will be modelled on the night and then sold at low prices, with High Street brands on offer - all to raise money for this year's FolkFest. More...

In photos: Bird catches attention
THE colourful plumage of this cormorant has been catching the attention of walkers at Highbridge's Apex Park this week. The bird was perched on one of the lake's 'no fishing' signs on Wednesday (June 25th), waiting to dive in after unsuspecting fish! One reader has sent in these wonderful photos. More...

Badgers halt new homes scheme
Exclusive: PLANS to build five new homes in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea have been halted by a sett of badgers. Sedgemoor District Council's planners have this week turned down an application to build five dwellings on land at 13 Rectory Road due largely to badgers living in the area. More...

Hunt for carnival queen starts
THE search has begun this week for a carnival queen and princesses to lead this year's Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Carnival. The annual competition to find a queen and two princesses will be held on Saturday July 19th at Home Farm Holiday Park in Burnham. We have full details about how to sign up for the event. More...

Lorry incident causes delays
BURNHAM-On-Sea motorists faced queues along a busy road into town on Tuesday evening (June 24th) after a lorry carrying two mobile homes partially blocked the route. One of the vehicle's trailers developed a fault, leaving a mobile home teetering at a steep angle as pictured here. More...

Mum and daughter rescued
A MOTHER and daughter have been flown to safety onboard one of Burnham-On-Sea's rescue hovercrafts after becoming stranded in an inflatable dinghy on the mudflats at Uphill, near Weston-super-Mare, on Tuesday (June 24th). BARB, the Burnham-based charity that operates two life-saving hovercrafts, was called out by Weston Coastguards at 3pm. More...

Award is icing on the cake!
A BURNHAM-On-Sea cake maker is celebrating this week after being named 'Cake Designer Of The Year.' Val Bagateles, who runs Especially For You 2 in Cross Street, told Burnham-On-Sea.com she is "over the moon" to have won the sought-after award from Weddings Review UK. More...

'Tidy up our town's streets'
RESIDENTS in Burnham-On-Sea have this week called on refuse collection teams to spend more time tidying up the town's streets after litter and debris was left strewn across pavements following the latest refuse collection. Home owners in John Street and Kingsway Road say the roads were left in an "appauling" condition. More...

Teenager arrested after crash
POLICE confirmed on Monday (June 23rd) that a teenager had been arrested following a dramatic accident in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea at the weekend. A 19-year-old man was held following an accident in Oxford Street in which a car careered into a garden wall. More...

Park 'n' ride plan confirmed
A FREE 'park and ride' scheme will be in operation in Burnham-On-Sea this September when the South West Stage of the Tour of Britain cycle race ends in the town, it was confirmed on Monday (June 23rd). Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported the plans to introduce a free parking scheme last month. More...

Mayor launches information boards
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Mayor and Mayoress officially launched the town's new information panels on Monday afternoon (June 23rd). The boards, which aim to help visitors navigate their way around the town, feature a street map of Burnham-On-Sea illustrated with images. More...

Elderly housing meeting in town
MEMBERS of the public are being invited to share their views on Somerset County Council's future provision of Extra Care Housing at a meeting in Burnham-On-Sea next week. The public consultation meeting will take place on Friday 27th June in Rosewood Close, Burnham. More...

Swimmers line up to join pool
SWIMMERS queued for up to two hours to join Burnham-On-Sea's new Swim & Sports Academy on Saturday (June 21st) when the new owners of the town's swimming pool held a successful enrolment day. A long line of people stretched out of Burnham-On-Sea's Princess Hall and onto the street. More...

Beach toilets get a makeover
A BLOCK of outdated public conveniences has been given a new lease of life which has improved facilities for visitors and residents who visit Berrow Beach. The council-owned loos were rapidly approaching the end of their economic life with the prospect of closure already being considered. More...

Stert swim is full for this year
THE organisers of Burnham-On-Sea's annual Stert Island Swim have stopped taking entries almost a month earlier than planned due to all the places being filled. The entry period for the popular event began in May and was due to remain open until mid-July, but all 80 places have now been filled. More...

Youngsters give beach a clean
EIGHT sacks of rubbish were collected from Burnham-On-Sea beach when members of Burnham and Highbridge's Youth Town Council held a special litter-pick at the weekend. Mayor Peter Clayton and Mayoress Jo Burridge organised Saturday's two and half hour beach clean. More...

In Photos: Burnham Smile Walk
OVER 30 colourfully dressed walkers strode out for charity when Burnham-On-Sea's annual Smile Walk took place on Sunday afternoon (June 22nd). The popular fancy dress walk started next to the town's jetty and the walkers made their way along The Esplanade and then onto the Sailing Club and back. More...

Disney film boosts town charity
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Ritz Cinema hosted the gala screening of Disney's new blockbuster movie 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian' in aid of a Burnham charity on Friday evening (June 20th). The movie is not due to be released across the UK until June 27th but the Burnham cinema negotiated the special gala screening. More...

Residents in shock after crash
Exclusive: A BURNHAM-On-Sea family says they are fortunate to have escaped injury after a car dramatically ploughed into the front of their home during the early hours of Saturday morning (June 21st). The car was being driven at speed along Oxford Street when it came off the road at around 6am, destroying a wall and sending bricks and concrete through the front windows of a house. More...

Rain fails to stop play!
OVER 150 people filled the garden of a Brent Knoll home on Saturday evening (June 21st) when a professional theatre company gave an outdoor performance of Shakepeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing'. Heavy rain failed to halt the performance, but the audience was forced to shelter under umbrellas. More...

Power cut blacks out 50 homes
DOZENS of homes in Highbridge and West Huntspill were without electricity on Saturday morning (June 21st) following a power cut. Western Power Distribution confirmed to Burnham-On-Sea.com that supplies had been cut at 6.38am, affecting 53 homes, following a fuse fault. More...

In photos: David Bellamy visit
TELEVISION star David Bellamy visited a Burnham-On-Sea holiday park on Friday afternoon (June 20th). The botanist, author and broadcaster made a special appearance at Burnham-On-Sea Holiday Village for the park's 'Big Green Weekend'. We have a full photo round-up of his visit. More...

Car fire tackled in Berrow
THIS was all that remained of a car that was deliberately set alight in Berrow late on Friday evening (June 21st). One fire engine from Burnham-On-Sea was called to extinguish the blaze at 10.09pm in Red Road near to Rose Farm. Our photo shows the badly damaged vehicle on Saturday morning. More...

Injured man air-lifted from road
A MAN was air-lifted to hospital with "life-threatening injuries" following a serious crash near Burnham-On-Sea on Friday (June 20th). Burnham police were called to the A38 after a pedestrian was struck by a passing car, leaving the route shut for two and a half hours. More...

New information panels for town
A SERIES of new information panels are being installed around Burnham-On-Sea this week to help visitors find their way around the town. The panels feature a street map of Burnham illustrated with images of key landmarks such as churches and public gardens painted by a local artist. More...

Smile Walkers ready to stride out
DOZENS of brightly coloured costumes will be on show at Burnham-On-Sea annual's Smile Walk this Sunday (June 22nd). The popular fancy dress walk will start at 2pm next to the town's jetty and is open to all. The walkers will then wander along the Esplanade to the town's Sailing Club. More...

Bomb expert thanked by Mayor
A BOMB disposal expert who defused a device on Burnham-On-Sea beach during World War II was welcomed back to the town on Thursday (June 19th) by the Mayor and Mayoress. Albert Holmes, 83, was officially thanked for his work by Cllr Peter Clayton and Jo Burridge. More...

Hotel's future to be discussed
Exclusive: THE owner of the fire-ravaged Highbridge Hotel plans to hold a meeting during the next fortnight to unveil his plans for the site. Talking to Burnham-On-Sea.com on Thursday (June 19th), Derek Mead said he hopes to unveil his plans for the market site and former hotel (pictured) at a special meeting. More...

Road re-opened after crash
A TWO-car collision led to the main road through Mark being closed by police on Thursday evening (June 19th). Police and paramedics from Burnham-On-Sea were called to the B3139 Church Street in Mark following the rush-hour accident. Motorists had to take diversions around the scene. More...

Stricken yacht pulled to safety
A YACHT was pulled to safety by Burnham-On-Sea lifeboat crews on Wednesday evening (June 18th) after its owner got into difficulties in gusty winds next to the town's jetty. With Burnham's two lifeboats standing by, three crew members entered the water to help pull the 17ft cabin sailing yacht from the sea and onto its trailer. More...

Injured swan rescued by boat crew
AN injured swan is in the safe hands of animal carers after being retrieved by an inshore rescue boat crew from Burnham-On-Sea on Wednesday afternoon (June 18th). BARB, the Burnham-based charity, was contacted by animal rescuers from East Huntspill's wildlife centre Secret World after a walker spotted the injured bird. More...

TV crew heads for Berrow beach
BERROW Beach will be turned into a scene from the ancient Egyptian desert next week when film production company Atlantic Productions recreates a chariot scene from the Battle of Kadesh. The programme is being made for National Geographic TV and is about an Egyptian Pharaoh. More...

Tesco denies new store rumours
TESCO has this week denied that it is considering opening a convenience store in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea. The supermarket giant has been linked to the building previously occupied by Burnham's job centre, situated on the junction of the High Street and Regent Street. More...

Police issue update on child alert
POLICE from Bridgwater CID who are investigating a recent attempted abduction incident in Wedmore confirmed on Tuesday (June 17th) that they are also probing a separate incident in Highbridge. There is nothing to suggest the man was trying to pose as a woman, as some media have reported. More...

Petrol shortages ease in town
NEW supplies of petrol and diesel were delivered to Burnham-On-Sea on Tuesday (June 17th), helping to ease the shortages in supply following several days of panic buying. However, several petrol stations still had limited stocks on Tuesday evening, as shown in our exclusive guide. More...

Hair stylists take part in show
THREE young Burnham-On-Sea hair stylists were among 30 'apprentices' who took part in a hair and beauty show held on Monday evening (June 16th) to shine the spotlight on the talents of those being trained at Weston College's Business Enterprise Centre. More...

River arts festival to be held
THE River Brue estuary running through Burnham and Highrbidge will be a hive of activity during August when a three day visual arts festival is held along its banks. The event, from August 1st to 3rd, is being hailed as a 'celebration of local creative arts' and preparaions are already underway. More...

Mayor gives signs fresh look
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Mayor, Peter Clayton, installed one of several newly refurbished signs along the town's seafront this week when work to spruce them up in time for the summer holiday season was completed. A winter of storms and high winds had left many worse for wear. More...

Zapat pilots retire after win
BURNHAM-On-Sea zapcat racers Ryan Jones and Ashley Chappell announced their retirement from the sport this week, just days after winning a round of the national championships. The duo took to the Cornish waters of Newquay on Saturday (June 14th) where they won. More...

Parents issued with warning
PARENTS in Burnham-On-Sea were warned on Monday (June 16th) to be on the look out for a possible child abducter in the area. Schools in the town sent out warning letters to parents following two incidents - one in Highbridge's Apex Park - in which children were approached by a man wearing a woman's wig. More...

Inquiry on flats scheme delayed
RESIDENTS in Burnham-On-Sea who are fighting plans for a seafront property to be be turned into a multi-million pound block of apartments are celebrating a small victory after planners delayed their decision on whether the controversial scheme should proceed. Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report in March how residents of Allandale Road are up in arms over the plans. More...

Jack's family thank air rescuers
BURNHAM-On-Sea youngster Jack Dyer, 3, is recovering well after being air-lifted to hospital following a serious garden accident last month. And to show their appreciation for the swift response of the Air Ambulance team, Jack's family, friends and the Round Table have given £850 to the service. More...

Newsletter ready to download
BURNHAM-On-Sea and Highbridge Regeneration Partnership has published a new issue of its quarterly newsletter. The publication is available to download online for free from the group's official website, which is hosted exclusively here on Burnham-On-Sea's town website. More...

Growers put on blooming show
GREEN-fingered gardeners from the Burnham-On-Sea area displayed a colourful collection of blooms when the town's Horticultural Society held its annual Rose & Sweet Pea Show during the weekend. A steady flow of visitors came to the show, held at Sanders Garden World for a fourth year. More...

RNLI cyclists complete event
A TEAM of Burnham-On-Sea lifeboat station supporters completed a 90-mile sponsored cycle ride to raise funds for the charity on Saturday (June 14th). The team set off on their bikes from Burnham lifeboat station in Pier Street and then rode to RNLI headquarters in Poole, Dorset. More...

Panic buying runs pumps dry
PANIC buying of petrol left several Burnham-On-Sea fuel stations turning away customers on Saturday (June 14th) as their supplies ran out. Staff at the Esso station in Love Lane closed the forecourts at lunchtime and brought out signs, as pictured, to explain why the station was closed. More...

Town band entertains crowds
BURNHAM-On-Sea and Highbridge's Town Band was in top form at a charity concert in the town's Manor Gardens on Sunday afternoon (June 15th). Despite rain during the afternoon, the outdoor event still attracted over 200 people, which was held in aid of St Margaret's Hospice. More...

Large seal removed from beach
A LARGE grey seal was washed up on Burnham-On-Sea's beach on Friday afternoon (June 13th). The dead animal, pictured here, weighed approximately 150kg and was spotted near the high tide line by a walker when the sea receded. Volunteers from Secret World and BARB carried the animal away. More...

In photos: Brent Knoll fete
HOT summer weather attracted large crowds to Brent Knoll's annual fete on Saturday afternoon (June 14th). The event was opened by Tim Dean, the village's postman, and featured entertainment from Brent Knoll School's young dancers and the village's Chalice Morris Men. More...

Fundraising cyclists set off
A TEAM of Burnham-On-Sea lifeboat station supporters set off on a 90-mile sponsored cycle ride on Saturday morning (June 14th) to raise funds for the charity. The team - called 'Coast To Coast' - set off on their bikes from Burnham lifeboat station in Pier Street on their way to Poole in Dorset. More...

Town estate agent set to move
AN expanding Burnham-On-Sea estate agent is set to move into a High Street property in the coming week. Saxons, currently based in Abingdon Street, is moving into a vacant building on the corner of Burnham's High Street and Victoria Street this coming Wednesday (June 18th). More...

New £160,000 cafe to open
A NEW £160,000 cafe is set to be officially opened in Brean, near Burnham-On-Sea, later this month. The Sundowner Cafe, located besides the main sliproad onto Brean beach, is run by Beachside Holiday Park and will be formally opened on the morning of Thursday June 26th. More...

Deliberate car fire extinguished
A FIRE crew from Burnham-On-Sea was called to Wick Lane in Brent Knoll on Thursday evening (June 12th) to tackle a deliberate car blaze. On arrival, soon after 10.30pm, the Burnham firefighters confirmed that the vehicle was well alight next to the main railway line. More...

£190 fine for Apex dog fouler
DOG wardens are stamping down on pet owners who let their animals foul community spaces in the Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge area. Sedgemoor District Council said on Thursday (June 12th) it had prosecuted a walker at Apex Park for failing to pick up after their pet. More...

Bridge re-opens one day early
THIS was the scene on Highbridge's Walrow railway bridge on Friday morning (June 13th) as it re-opened one day earlier than scheduled as work to strengthen it was finally completed. It follows a long-running 18-month saga that saw the bridge completely closed in 2007. More...

Pool to hold enrolment day
BURNHAM-On-Sea's new Swim & Sports Academy is to hold a swimming lesson enrolment day later this month when swimmers of all ages will be able to sign up for tuition and find out more about the classes and activities on offer. The event will be held on Saturday June 21st. More...

Firms support fireworks event
OVER £1,000 was raised towards securing the future of Burnham-On-Sea's annual seafront fireworks display on Thursday (June 12th) when dozens of local business people attended a special fundraising business breakfast. Sedgemoor Tourism Association and Burnham Chamber of Trade organised the event. More...

Three month road closure starts
MOTORISTS living on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea are facing more disruption as a three month closure of a busy country road came into force this week. Network Rail is carrying out bridge strengthening work along Ham Street and Station Road in Brent Knoll, prompting the closure. More...

Car stolen from disabled man
POLICE have appealed for help in tracing a car belonging to a disabled man and his wife which was stolen while they were on holiday in Brean earlier this week. George and Jenny Nunn's black Vauxhall Astra estate has the registration number VA57 NNY and is similar to the one pictured here. More...

New £160,000 cafe set to open
A NEW £160,000 cafe is set to be officially opened in Brean, near Burnham-On-Sea, later this month. The Sundowner Cafe, located besides the main sliproad onto Brean beach, is run by Beachside Holiday Park and will be formally opened on the morning of Thursday June 26th. More...

Police appeal after Brean attack
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after two men were assaulted in a homophobic attack in Brean, near Burnham-On-Sea, earlier this week. The men, aged 35 and 20 years, were drinking in the centre of Brean at Krackers pub shortly after 10pm on Monday (June 9th). More...

Council axes Seaside Fun Day
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea's long-running Seaside Fun Day has been axed by the district council, it was confirmed this week. The event has been held on Burnham's Esplanade at the height of the busy tourist season in early August for the last five years and attracted large crowds of families. More...

It's official: Public toilets sold
A CONTROVERSIAL block of public toilets in Burnham-On-Sea is to be sold off by Sedgemoor District Council, it was announced on Wednesday (June 11th). Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report last month how three bidders had expressed an interest. The bids were reviewed by council bosses. More...

Society set to hold flower show
COLOURFUL displays of roses and sweet peas will be on display when Burnham-On-Sea Horticultural Society holds its annual show this weekend (June 14th and 15th). Sanders Garden World has been chosen for the fourth year running as the venue for the popular event. More...

Walrow bridge set to re-open
Exclusive: HIGHBRIDGE'S Walrow railway bridge is set to finally re-open for the first time in 18 months this Saturday (June 14th) when work to strengthen the bridge is completed. It follows a long-running saga that saw the bridge completely closed in March 2007, then partially re-opened to light traffic last autumn. More...

Fireworks future secured?
THE future of Burnham-On-Sea's annual seafront fireworks display is expected to be secured this week when thousands of pounds is raised towards running the event at a special business breakfast. Sedgemoor Tourism Association is holding the meeting at the Oaktree Arena at Edithmead. More...

Shop shutters are 'hurting town'
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea shops which shutter their windows after closing time are putting off visitors coming to the town, a town councillor claimed this week. Councillor Ken Smout told a meeting that too many High Street shops in Burnham use metal shutters after closing time, as pictured above. More...

In photos: Scouts beach contest
OVER 250 Scouts, Beavers, Cubs and Explorers from across the district gathered on Burnham-On-Sea beach on Tuesday evening (June 10th) for a mass sandcastle building competition. Scouts from packs including Burnham, Highbridge and Bridgwater took part. More...

O2 told 'phone mast must go'
Exclusive: MOBILE phone giant O2 has this week lost its bid to keep a 15 metre tall 'temporary' phone mast in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea. The mast, which is mounted on a portable trailer, was first installed in May 2007 after O2 was forced to remove a controversial mast in nearby Marine Drive. More...

MP reaches 25th year in job
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP, David Heathcoat-Amory, said this week he has no intention of stepping down from his job any time soon as he marks his 25th year in the role. His remarks came at a Conservative Group meeting, when he was asked if it was correct that June 9th marks his 25th year of being a MP. More...

Singers set for Royal Albert Hall
YOUNG singers from Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge will join over 500 singers from across the county in representing Somerset at the last night of the Schools Prom at the Royal Albert Hall later this year. Somerset has been invited to take part in the event for the first time in the event's history. More...

Gateway Club sets off on trip
MORE than 70 Burnham-On-Sea people who suffer from learning difficulties boarded a coach at the start of a special summer break on Monday (June 9th). Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Gateway Club has organised a five-day break in Minehead for the group and some of their carers. More...

Injured walker air-lifted after fall
AN RAF helicopter joined Coastguards from Burnham-On-Sea and Weston in rescuing a walker who suffered multiple injuries after falling 30 feet down a steep cliff-face on Sunday evening (June 8th). Coastguards from Burnham-On-Sea and Weston were called to Sand Point, near Weston, at 5.45pm after the 34-year-old man missed his footing and fell down the cliffs onto the rocks below. More... | Video

Big crowds attend Jazz In Park
HOT summer weather and a great line-up of jazz bands attracted large crowds of spectators to Burnham-On-Sea's annual Jazz In The Park event on Sunday (June 8th). The Manor Gardens were filled with deckchairs and picnic parties for the popular summer concert run by CADS. More...

Big crowds flock to car rally
LARGE crowds of spectators filled Burnham's seafront Saturday afternoon (June 7th) to see more than 100 vintage vehicles arrive in town for the 15th annual Vale of Avalon Vintage Vehicle Road Run. Burnham's Mayor Peter Clayton and Mayoress Jo Burridge were on hand to judge the event. More...

Hollywood movie to help BARB
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Ritz Cinema is to hold an exclusive gala screening of a major new Hollywood blockbuster on June 20th called 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian' in aid of BARB, the Burnham charity that runs the town's two rescue hovercrafts and an inshore rescue boat. More...

Volunteer Day hailed a success
THE work of volunteers in the Burnham-On-Sea area came under the spotlight when a special volunteer day was held on Saturday (June 7th). The event was run by the Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Regeneration Partnership as part of National Volunteer Week at Highbridge Community Hall. More...

MP visits new-look Legion HQ
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP visited the newly refurbished headquarters of Burnham-On-Sea Royal British Legion on Saturday morning (June 7th). David Heathcoat-Amory met members of the group at their new-look Victoria Street premises, which has recently undergone a major revamp. More...

BBC TV auctioneer to visit area
AN antiques expert who is a regular contributor to BBC One's Antiques Roadshow will be the guest auctioneer at a fundraising event near Burnham-On-Sea later this month. Philip Taubenheim will be leading a charity fundraising auction at Sanders Garden World on June 14th. More...

Beach gets a spring clean
A GROUP of youth volunteers carried out a clean-up of Burnham-On-Sea's beach this week following recent reports about the poor state of the sands. A dozen members of the Somerset Youth Volunteering Network from across the county aged between 16 and 25 held the special clean-up on Thursday (June 5th). More...

BT calls time on phone boxes
Exclusive: BRITISH Telecom has this week called time on six telephone boxes in the Burnham-On-Sea area, announcing that they are to be removed as part of a cost-cutting programme. The half dozen pay phones - some of which are the traditional red boxes - have been chosen because BT says they are used less than once a month. More...

Burnham jazz fans in for a treat
JAZZ fans are in for a treat this Sunday afternoon (June 8th) when three of the region's top bands play at Burnham-On-Sea's annual Jazz In The Park concert. The popular event will be held in the Manor Gardens from 1pm onwards. We have a full preview and times of the key acts. More...

Photo club winners announced
THIS superb photo of rays of sunshine over a beach has won the latest monthly photography competition organised by Burnham-On-Sea Photography Club. The image and two runners-up can be seen on the club's recently-launched website here on Burnham-On-Sea.com. More...

Motorist hurt in Berrow crash
THESE were the scenes in Berrow, near Burnham-On-Sea, on Thursday afternoon (June 5th) after a two vehicle accident caused delays for motorists. Police and paramedics were called to Barton Road at 3.15pm following the two vehicle collision, which involved a Ford and a Vauxhall. More...

Burnham beach wins award
BURNHAM-On-Sea beach has been awarded a Quality Coast Award, delighting tourism bosses in the town. The awards, which were announced on Thursday (June 5th), shine the spotlight on the UK's beaches that offer the best cleanliness and facilities. Burnham has won the award for several years. More...

Signed guitar to be auctioned
AN electric guitar autographed by by the legendary Status Quo drummer John Coughlan is to be auctioned off to help a group of young musicians in Burnham-On-Sea. The instrument will be given to one lucky person at Burnham's Under a Summer Moon concert next month. More...

Man injured in cement accident
A 24-year-old man was rushed to hospital after an accident on a Burnham-On-Sea building site on Thursday morning (June 5th) that left wet cement sprayed over nearby homes. Two ambulances were sent to Oxford Street at 8.43am, as pictured here, after the incident at the building site of the former Crown Inn. More...

Power cut hits local homes
SEVERAL homes in East Huntspill, near Burnham-On-Sea, were still without electricity on Thursday morning (June 5th) after a series of power cuts. Western Power Distribution confirmed to Burnham-On-Sea.com that a fault had occurred at 10.21pm, affecting 23 homes in the village. More...

Tennis academy picks players
A TENNIS academy set up in memory of a Burnham-On-Sea tennis player who died last autumn has picked the group of eleven young players it is going to train. The first training session of the Nathan Edwards Tennis Academy was held on Wednesday afternoon (June 4th). More...

£200k revamp for town church
A MAJOR £200,000 renovation project is underway at a Burnham-On-Sea town centre church. A brand new entrance is being built at the eastern end of Burnham Methodist Church in College Street. The work is due to be completed in August and a second phase of development will then start later in 2008. More...

TV's David Bellamy visits town
TELEVISION star David Bellamy will be visiting a Burnham-On-Sea holiday park later this month. The botanist, author and broadcaster will make an appearance at Burnham Holiday Village for the park's 'Big Green Weekend'. The star last visited the Burnham area in 2006 when he was in Brent Knoll. More...

In photos: Burnham In Bloom
A SPLASH of colour has been added to Burnham-On-Sea's streets in recent days as the town gears up to take part in this year's Britain In Bloom competition. Hanging baskets have been hung along the town's High Street and flower beds and pots have been planted in preparation. More...

Balloon race ends in Ireland!
ONE of the 250 balloons which lifted off from Burnham-On-Sea High Street last month at the start of a fundraising balloon race has been blown all the way to Ireland! Hundreds of the balloons were released outside Sue Ryder Care's High Street shop on May 23rd, as we reported at the time. More...

Starbucks to open in Burnham
Exclusive: STARBUCKS, the world's biggest coffee chain, is to open in Burnham-On-Sea later this summer. The firm has this week signed a deal with Burnham swimming pool's new bosses, Sara Cox-Conklin and Mark Conklin, to sell its coffee in the building's new cafe when it opens later this year. More...

Tourism hovercraft unveiled
TOURISTS in Burnham-On-Sea could soon be offered trips around Bridgwater Bay in a hovercraft if plans by a commercial hovercraft company are given the go-ahead. Hovercraft Rental wants to launch the service in Burnham this summer and is in discussions with Bridgwater Bay's Harbour Master, Chris Spencer, and local councils. More...

Summer ball tickets go on sale
TICKETS have gone on sale for a special summer ball being held later this summer to raise funds for Burnham-On-Sea RNLI lifeboat station. The Grand Summer Ball will be held on Saturday 26th July from 8pm at Rookery Manor in Lympsham (pictured) and tickets are now available from several sources. More...

Group makes a song and dance!
AN all-female cast of performers from a Burnham-On-Sea drama group will perform a foot-tapping line-up of music and cabaret in the town this weekend. The cast from BEES, the Burnham Excellent Entertainment Society, will perform in The Princess Hall this coming Saturday and Sunday. More...

Public toilets sale decision due
A CONTROVERSIAL decision on whether a block of public toilets in Burnham-On-Sea should be sold off will be made by the district council next week. Burnham-On-Sea.com reported last month that three bidders have come forward to express an interest in buying the Sea View Road loos. More...

Burnham Mayor appoints VIPs
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Mayor, Peter Clayton, officially named several important council positions on Monday evening (June 2nd). Tom Barker was confirmed as the Mayor's Cadet for the year and Christine Judson, Curate of St John's Church in Highbridge, became Mayor's Chaplain. More...

Stranded car hauled from sea
A CAR was hauled from the sea by a team of rescuers in Burnham-On-Sea on Monday evening (June 2nd) after its owner misjudged the fast-incoming tide. Volunteers from Burnham-based rescue charity BARB were called to the beach at 6pm to pull the stranded vehicle onto the steps of Burnham's sea wall. More...

Work begins on £1.6m club
BUILDING work has begun this week on a new £1.6m health club and swimming pool on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea. The first concrete piles have been driven into the ground at Home Farm Holiday Park as a team of builders starts the six-month construction project. The complex should open in January 2009. More...

Local Volunteer Day to be held
THE work of volunteers in the Burnham-On-Sea area will come under the spotlight on Saturday (June 7th) when a special Volunteer Day is held. It will be run by the Burnham and Highbridge Regeneration Partnership as part of National Volunteer Work. Fifteen groups are set to take part. More...

Dinghy duo's ordeal - new pics
Exclusive: THESE exclusive photos show the two teenagers who sparked a Coastguard rescue near Burnham-On-Sea last week. The images were taken on a waterproof camera by the pair and show them floating about in their £4.99 dinghies before getting swept out. More...

Vintage vehicles roar into town
MORE than 100 vintage vehicles are set to converge on Burnham-On-Sea's seafront on Saturday (June 7th) for the 15th annual Vale of Avalon Vintage Vehicle Road Run. The South Esplanade will be closed to traffic for several hours to allow the crowds to wander around and see the vehicles. More...

Triathlon photos and results
PENSIONER Arthur Gilbert was among the finishers of Burnham-On-Sea's annual Triathlon on Sunday (June 1st). A total of 250 athletes ran, swam and cycled their way around the challenging route, but it was 87-year-old Arthur (pictured) who got the loudest cheers from the spectators when he finished. More... | Results

Search launched for parachute
ONE of Burnham-On-Sea's rescue hovercrafts joined Coastguards in searching four miles of Somerset's coastline on Sunday morning (June 1st) after reports that a parachute had been spotted in the skies above Burnham. The Spirit Of Lelaina hovercraft was launched at around 10.30am. More...

Weekly food markets to begin
WEEKLY outdoor food markets are set to be held at a garden centre near Burnham-On-Sea starting during June. Food market operators Good Food Wales are to host a series of 'Good Food Markets' at Sanders Garden World in Brent Knoll on Tuesdays from 10am-3pm. More...

Police called to pier incident
POLICE were called to Burnham-On-Sea pier on Saturday afternoon (May 31st) after a customer allegedly became abusive after being asked to stop taking photos in the building. Burnham Pavilion has a strict rule that photographs of children cannot be taken inside its gaming area and amusements. More...

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