March 2009 Burnham-On-Sea News Archive

February 2009 news archive
January 2009 news archive

Noise fears over race track
Exclusive: CONCERNED residents living on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea fear plans to start banger racing in a local field will cause a sharp increase in noise and traffic problems. The field, which is located next to the A38 at Edithmead close to the M5 junction 22, is being prepared for its first banger racing event later in April. More...

Could day of carnival change?
Exclusive: CARNIVAL bosses have this week been considering proposals to change the day on which Burnham-On-Sea's annual winter carnival is held. Each November's Burnham and Highbridge carnival is always held on a Monday, but it could move to a Friday or Sunday. More...

Have your say on barrage plans
TWO public meetings are set to be held in Burnham-On-Sea and Brean during April to discuss controversial plans to build a Severn Barrage across the Bristol Channel. Burnham's MP, David Heathcoat-Amory, has organised the two meetings for local people to discuss and ask questions about the Severn Tidal Power scheme. More...

Police in Highbridge drugs raid
Exclusive: A MAN was arrested after a quantity of drugs was seized in a dramatic police raid on a property in the centre of Highbridge on Monday morning (March 30th). These were the scenes in Church Street as officers swooped on a home at 10am, forcing their way in through the front door, before carrying out a search. More...

Town's yachts hoisted into river
TWO huge cranes towered over Burnham-On-Sea's Sailing Club on Monday morning (March 30th) when the annual spring 'crane-in' saw 19 boats hoisted into the River Brue. The event is arranged by Burnham Sailing Club every year at this time to mark the start of the new sailing season. More...

Wedding fayre is just the ticket
GROOMS and brides-to-be were able to pick up information about tying the knot when Burnham-On-Sea's Princess Hall held its first ever wedding fayre on Sunday (March 29th). A steady flow of visitors throughout the day meant the inaugural free event was declared a success. More...

Concern grows for missing man
POLICE issued an appeal on Monday (March 30th) for the public to help in tracking down this Burnham-On-Sea man, who has gone missing. Robert Hands, 52, attended a family funeral in Worcestershire more than a week ago, but has not been seen since - prompting the police appeal. More...

Man arrested over car attack
Exclusive: A MAN was arrested in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea early on Sunday (March 29th) following an attack on a car. Police were called to Jaycroft Road at 7.30am after residents were woken by the sound of breaking glass. A Vauxhall car's windscreen and several side windows had been smashed. More...

In photos: Aquathon in action
OVER 40 athletes from across the South West took part in the second of three Burnham-On-Sea Aquathons on Sunday (March 29th). The event, organised by the town's Swim and Sports Academy, comprised a 750m swim and a 7km run and was won by 17-year-old Tom Derrick. More...

Colourful scenes of Burnham on show
BURNHAM-On-Sea's colourful coastline is featured in a new art exhibition that is currently underway in the town. Local artist Graham McPherson is holding an exhibition at Sea Breeze gallery in Victoria Street. He told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "I'm glad to be portraying something of the drama and atmosphere we have." More...

100 complete Easter egg race
DOZENS of youngsters took part in the annual Easter run to the top of Brent Knoll on Saturday (March 28th). The annual race is held from outside the village's primary school and this year's event saw almost 100 children and parents making their way to the summit and back. More...

New Knoll footpath is opened
WALKING to the top of Brent Knoll is now a lot easier thanks to the completion of an £11,000 project to introduce new steps and a footpath. Delighted villagers and councillors held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday morning (March 28th) to officially open the new route, as pictured here. More...

Couple celebrate 80 years together
Exclusive: A BURNHAM-On-Sea couple who are both aged 100 celebrated another major milestone on Friday (March 27th) when they reached their 80th wedding anniversary. Great-great-grandfather Walter Postings, known as Wally, and wife Beatrice, known as Pete, are understood to have Britain's second-longest marriage. More...

Seafront lights to be turned on
DECORATIVE illuminations along Burnham-On-Sea seafront will be lit up for the summer season in the middle of April. Town councillors have decided to switch on the lights from Good Friday (April 10th) for the remainder of the summer tourist season. They will be lit each night from 9pm-11.30pm. More...

Farmers warned after sheep stolen
FARMERS in the Burnham-On-Sea area have been warned to be on their guard following the theft of livestock from a field in West Huntspill earlier this month. Police said on Friday (March 27th) that the incident had occurred between approximately 5pm on Thursday 12th March and 5pm on Friday 13th March 2009. More...

PC stolen in break-in at kids centre
Exclusive: MEAN thieves broke into Highbridge Childrens Centre during the early hours of Thursday morning (March 26th) and stole a laptop computer worth hundreds of pounds. A cleaner found the centre in Coronation Road had been struck for a third time in as many months when she discovered a window had been smashed. More...

Wedding fayre to be held in town
A WEDDING fayre is set to be held in Burnham-On-Sea's Princess Hall this Sunday (March 29th). The day-long free event is being arranged by the theatrical group BEES in association with Sedgemoor District Council and the 'Friends of The Princess'. We have a full preview of the event. More...

Accident closes one lane of M5
ONE lane of the M5 motorway at Burnham-On-Sea was briefly closed on Thursday afternoon (March 26th) after a car collided with the central reservation. This was the scene on the southbound carriageway between junction 22 at Burnham and 23 for Bridgwater after police and fire crews were called out at 3.20pm. More...

Rugby club extension approved
Exclusive: Proposals for a major new extension at Burnham-On-Sea rugby club were approved by district council planners today (Wednesday, March 25th). The Burnham Association of Sports Clubs had submitted an application to build a single storey extension with a flat roof to form a new viewing terrace at the BASC ground. More...

Slow down! Sign warns drivers
Exclusive: A FRESH drive to slow down speeding motorists travelling through Berrow, near Burnham-On-Sea, is underway with the installation of this flashing speed sign. Funded by the county council, the sign flashes up the speed of passing traffic if a vehicle exceeds the limit of 30mph. More...

Church gets new hi-tech security
Exclusive: A church near Burnham-On-Sea has become one of the first in the south west to invest in a high-tech forensic security system to prevent the theft of lead and copper from its roof. Warning signs have been installed outside St Mary's Church in Berrow to alert would-be thieves that SmartWater is in use. More...

Discovery of body 'not suspicious'
POLICE say the discovery of a body at a property in Burnham-On-Sea on Tuesday (March 24th) was not suspicious. Officers were called to a house in Winchester Road at about 11.20am where the body of a man, believed to be in his 50s, had been found. Police have referred the incident to the coroner. More...

Busy year for Burnham RNLI
OVER 70 people crowded into Burnham-On-Sea Sailing Club to hear about a busy year for the town's lifeboat station last Friday (March 20th). Burnham RNLI Chairman Graham Wills welcomed the audience to the group's AGM, before giving his thoughts on an active year for the station. More...

UK's top land yachts in action
THIRTY of the UK's leading sand yachting enthusiasts were in action on Brean beach at the weekend. Strong onshore winds on Saturday and Sunday provided ideal weather conditions, helping them to flash across the sand at speeds of up to 60mph. We have a full photo and results round-up. More...

Mayor confirms election run
Exclusive: Burnham-On-Sea Conservatives have this week officially announced that the town's Mayor will be on ballot papers at June's County Council elections. Peter Burridge-Clayton, pictured, has been selected as the Tory candidate for Burnham North/South for the County Council elections. More...

Anglers bemoan lack of fish!
OVER sixty anglers lined Burnham-On-Sea's beach for a charity match on Sunday (March 22nd)... but the fish stayed away! The long-established competition, organised by Weston Outcasts Sea Angling Club, was well supported by 64 anglers, however they were disappointed by the catches. More...

Church celebrates 150th year
ST John's Church in Highbridge is to celebrate the 150th year since its consecration with a week of events in June to mark the milestone. The celebrations will begin on Saturday June 13th with a Victorian Children's Tea Party. An exhibition of Highbridge life from many local organisations and businesses will be open during the week. More...

German twinning group visits
A GROUP of residents from Sedgemoor's twin district in Germany of Schwalm-Eder-Kreis visited Burnham-On-Sea at the weekend to celebrate 30 years of twinning activities. The visit has been arranged by the Schwalm-Eder-Kreis Twinning Society on behalf of Sedgemoor under the Presidency of Sedgemoor District Council, Chairman Dennis Davey. More...

New Princess Hall group formed
A NEW group of Burnham-On-Sea residents who want to take on the running of the town's ailing Princess Hall has been unevield this week. Called 'Team Princess', they have been working behind the scenes for several months on plans to revitalise the theatre and community building, pictured here. More...

Rookery expansion put on hold
Exclusive: A multi-million pound expansion project at an events venue near Burnham-On-Sea has been put on hold due to a planning wrangle. Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported earlier this month how Rookery Manor had unveiled plans for a new £6m health centre, plus other facilities at its centre near Rooksbridge. More...

Lorry carring train catches fire
FIRE fighters from Burnham-On-Sea and Weston were called to the M5 motorway on Saturday afternoon (March 21st) after a lorry carrying a steam train caught fire. Two lanes of the southbound carriageway, near Sedgemoor Services, were closed while fire crews dealt with the incident, pictured here. More...

Diabetes group calls it a day
BURNHAM-On-Sea based Burnbridge Diabetes group has decided to call it a day after several years of successful operations. The group held their final meeting at the Berrow Inn last week, where the group was officially wound up. We have photos from the final meeting. More...

Hovercraft called to trapped car
ONE of Burnham-On-Sea's two rescue hovercrafts was called to Brean on Saturday morning (March 21st) to check whether anyone was inside a vehicle trapped in mud almost a mile from the shore. A local resident raised the alarm at 7am after spotting the Vauxhall Corsa, pictured here, stuck on the mudflats near Brean Down. More...

Mayor supports fundraising day
A BURNHAM-On-Sea pottery shop owner who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis held a day of fundraising at her seafront shop on Saturday (March 21st) to raise money for a charity that helps fellow sufferers. Anya Burridge held the event at her shop for a local MS Therapy Centre. More...

House prices fall 13% in a year
Exclusive: AVERAGE property prices in Burnham-On-Sea have fallen 13.47% over the last year, according to new figures out this week. The gloomy figures, from the Land Registry, show the average price of a home in Burnham is now just 2.38% higher than in 2004. It comes as a new survey reveals the town's top 20 most expensive addresses. More...

Berrow Rd re-opens after crash
A MOTORCYCLIST was taken to hospital with leg injuries after an accident partially closed a busy road in Burnham-On-Sea on Thursday evening (March 19th). Paramedics and police rushed to Berrow Road at 6pm after a collision involving a motorbike and a car outside the Warren Guest House. More...

Grow your own food to cut bills
GARDENERS who are keen to beat the recession will be able to pick up advice about how to grow their own vegetables during an event at a garden centre near Burnham-On-Sea later this month. Sanders Garden World at Brent Knoll will be holding a 'Grow Your Own Weekend' on March 28th and 29th. More...

Lorry crashes off M5 into ditch
TRAFFIC on the M5 motorway near Burnham-On-Sea was reduced to a crawl on Thursday morning (March 19th) after this lorry careered off the southbound carriageway into a ditch. The juggernaut ploughed through a metal barrier on the hard shoulder near junction 22 at Burnham, went down an embankment, and landed in a ditch. More...

Free football training at Berrow
YOUNG people in the Berrow and Brean area are being invited to sign up for free football coaching sessions as part of an initiative from Avon and Somerset police. Local police officers have worked with Berrow Parish Council, who own the Multi Use Games Area in Berrow, to establish twice weekly football sessions. More...

Carpets firm closes in Burnham
Exclusive: A CARPETS and flooring business based in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea has this week closed with the loss of several jobs. Stephen Woods Floor Contractors shut its shop in Victoria Street, pictured, due to the downturn in the housing market. Ten employees have been laid off over the last year. More...

New signs for Burnham seafront
SEDGEMOOR District Council has officially unveiled a series of new beach safety signs in Burnham-On-Sea and Berrow this week. The signs, pictured, provide maps of the beaches, emergency contact details, lifeguard service times and also explain useful safety and beach information. More...

Fire-hit hotel plans unveiled
Exclusive: PLANS to renovate the fire-ravaged Highbridge Hotel have finally been submitted to Sedgemoor District Council by its owner this week - almost one year after a huge blaze swept through the building. Mead Realisations, the owners, have submitted an application to carry out "fire clearance and partial demolition." More...

Dinghy duo stranded in river
TWO men became stranded for several hours in an inflatable boat in the River Parrett estuary, near Burnham-On-Sea, on Tuesday afternoon (March 17th). The pair, pictured here, became trapped in their large dinghy when it ran aground in the muddy estuary about two miles from Combwich. More...

Vandalism-hit building removed
Exclusive: WORK got underway on Tuesday (March 17th) to dismantle a disused storage building in Highbridge that has been struck by arsonists and vandals during recent years. The property is situated next to the railway line at the rear of the town's Somerfield supermarket. More...

Drive to cut truancy underway
SOMERSET County Council and local police will be launching a drive to reduce truancy in the Burnham-On-Sea area over the next few weeks. Education Attendance Officers will be conducting truancy sweeps, together with Avon and Somerset Police, in the lead up to the Easter holidays. More...

Beach mud tests cadets
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea's beach was transformed into a military training ground on Monday afternoon (March 16th) when the physical ability of a group of young cadets was put to the ultimate test. Eighteen cadets from Taunton took part in a series of rigorous tests aimed at assessing their fitness. More...

Kimberly is 'Young Artist 2009'
A TALENTED youngster from East Huntspill, who is just five years old, has won the title of 'Somerset Young Artist 2009' for under ten year-olds. Kimberly Shepherd, pictured, attends Mark First School, who entered her self portrait into an exhibition in Taunton, where judges chose her work for the sought-after award. More...

Police appeal after shop attack
Exclusive: POLICE issued an appeal for information on Monday (March 16th) after a brick was thrown through the window of this shop in Highbridge. Officers were called to the former BIBIC charity shop in Church Street, pictured, on Sunday morning after a youth was seen running away following the incident. More...

Pottery shop owner's fundraiser
A BURNHAM-On-Sea pottery shop owner who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis will be holding a day of fundraising at her seafront shop this Saturday (March 21st) to raise funds for a charity that helps fellow sufferers. Anya Burridge of Purrr-fect Pottery on the Esplanade will be donating £1 from every piece of pottery painted towards the West of England MS Therapy Centre. More...

Grant boost for youth club
MEMBERS of Highbridge Youth Club are celebrating this week after receiving a bumper grant windfall from a Somerset charity. The club has received a grant of £2,686 from Somerset Community Foundation that will enable them to provide a sports worker to run weekly sports activities and co-ordinate sporting activities during holidays. More...

In photos: Burnham Hospital Friends party
OVER 170 members and supporters of Burnham-On-Sea Hospital's League Of Friends attended the group's annual party on Saturday evening (March 14th). The party, held at Lakeside Holiday Park, had a 'black and white' theme this year and this was reflected in the clothes of those who attended. More...

80 new jobs at Rookery Manor
A MULTI-million pound expansion scheme at an events venue near Burnham-On-Sea looks set to create 80 new jobs. Rookery Manor has this week unveiled plans for a new health centre. The new facilities will include six saunas and steam rooms, a small swimming pool, hydro pools and treatment rooms. More...

Red Nose fun raises thousands
A sponsored chest shave was one of several fundraising events held in the town on Friday (March 13th) to raise money for Comic Relief. The Somerset and Dorset pub's chef bared his chest in front of a large crowd to help raise hundreds of pounds for charity on the BBC's annual Red Nose Day. More...

Town Guides celebrate awards
A GROUP of Burnham-On-Sea Ranger Guides were celebrating on Saturday (March 14th) after receiving their silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards. The six girls have been working hard on practical and educational tasks over a period of 18 months, including volunteering and expeditions. More...

Major revamp for town hospital
BURNHAM-On-Sea's War Memorial Hospital is to get a major refurbishment over the coming year, thanks to £300,000 of funding from the hospital's League of Friends. NHS Somerset, formerly the Somerset Primary Care Trust, is also providing further investment for the project. More...

Red Nose Day fun at King Alfs!
STAFF and students at King Alfred School in Highbridge raised more than £1,000 by holding a non-uniform and fancy dress day for Red Nose Day on Friday (March 13th). The students and staff did the school proud, with each year group chosing a cause to help, said the school's Assistant Head Teacher. More...

Garden centre holds orchid show
COLOURFUL blooms will go on show when a garden centre near Burnham-On-Sea holds its annual Orchid Weekend this weekend (March 14th and 15th). A representative from the West of England Orchid Society will be attending the event at Sanders GardenWorld at Brent Knoll. More...

Body was found on town beach
AN inquest heard this week how a psychotic church-goer drowned after being swept out to sea as he tried to baptise himself - and his body was later found washed up on Burnham-On-Sea beach. Gary Lane, of Clarence Road North, walked out into treacherous waters off Anchor Head, near Weston, last May after apparently being told in his prayers to cleanse himself, an inquest heard. More...

Pub's smoking shelter approved
PLANS for a new permanent smoking shelter to be built outside a Burnham-On-Sea town centre pub have this week been given the go-ahead by council planners. The Railway Inn on Burnham High Street had applied for planning permission to build the structure in place of a temporary shelter. More...

Man held after attempted robbery
Exclusive: A 22 year-old man has this week been charged with attempted robbery after an incident outside a Highbridge supermarket. Police were called to the Asda store in Caxton Road at 9pm on Saturday (March 7th) after a 28-year-old woman was approached while using the cash machines. More...

Raiders strike at sign factory
Exclusive: THIEVES stole hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of equipment from a Highbridge sign-making company in a raid early on Thursday (March 12th). A van, computers, tools and other high-value equipment was stolen when the thieves smashed a window to gain entry to Bespoke Signs on the Walrow Industrial Estate. More...

Day of live music for FolkFest
A DAY of live music is to be held at a Burnham-On-Sea pub next month to raise money for the town's annual FolkFest. Ten acts will be performing at the Railway Inn on Easter Sunday, April 12th, to raise cash towards the ever-increasing costs of holding the September festival. More...

Sky boost for Oak Tree Arena
SKY Sports will broadcast live speedway racing from Burnham-On-Sea's Oak Tree Arena for the first time ever next month, it has been announced this week. Somerset Rebels General Manager David Croucher confirmed to Burnham-On-Sea.com that Sky will be broadcasting live from the track on Tuesday April 28th. More...

First look at £140k play area
Exclusive: RESIDENTS in Highbridge are to be asked for their views about plans for a £140,000 revamp of Apex Wildlife Park's children's play area. The facility is to get a revamp thanks to £60,000 of lottery funding and a further £80,000 from local property developers' contributions. More...

Parkway work gets started
LONG-awaited construction of the final section of the partially complete Frank Foley Parkway in Burnham-On-Sea has finally got underway this week. Work to build the missing link between Love Lane in Burnham and Pepperall Road in Highbridge got underway. More...

£2.5m health centre wins approval
BACKERS of a proposed £2.5million medical centre at Berrow, near Burnham-On-Sea, are celebrating this week after the scheme won the approval of district council planners. The new Berrow Health Centre, on land to the north of Brent Road, was granted appoval at a district council meeting in Bridgwater on Tuesday (March 10th). More...

New speed camera for A38
A NEW high-tech digital camera is to replace a traditional speed camera at Rooksbridge, near Burnham-On-Sea, to help improve road safety, the partnership behind the scheme has announced this week. The new equipment will be installed on the A38 at Rooksbridge during the next few weeks. More...

Police appeal to letter writer
POLICE in Highbridge are keen to speak to a mystery author of over 50 letters containing information that outlines criminal activity in the area. The police and Sedgemoor District Council have received anonymous letters over the past few months containing useful information about local crime. More...

Cold calling fight stepped up
A NEW 'no cold calling zone' has this week been launched in Highbridge to help protect residents from distraction burglars and rogue traders. Over the past months, the Highbridge police team has been working with Sedgemoor District Council to set up the scheme in Apex Drive. More...

VIP guest at school ceremony
INTERNATIONAL rugby player Danielle Waterman was the special guest at this year's annual sports presentation evening at Highbridge's King Alfred School. Danielle opened the proceedings, talking about her experience and triumphs as an international rugby player, much to the students' interest. More...

Over 50 finish town Aquathon
MORE than 50 athletes took part in the first of three Burnham-On-Sea Aquathons being held this year at the town's Swim and Sports Academy on Sunday (March 8th). Steve Ferguson from Plymouth won the event, comprising a 500m swim and a 5km run, in a fast time of 28 minutes and 19 seconds. More...

Shop window contest announced
BURNHAM-On-Sea Chamber of Trade is set to hold its annual 'Spot the Odd Item in the Shop Window Competition' next month. The contest will be held between Saturday April 4th and Saturday April 18th inclusive and the 'odd items' will be goods not normally sold in the businesses. More...

Woman assaulted on bus trip
POLICE issued an appeal for information on Monday (March 9th) after a woman travelling to Burnham-On-Sea was assaulted at Bridgwater Bus Station. The incident occurred last Thursday (March 5th) at the bus station in Rope Walk at about 8.30am when the 38-year-old was waiting at the Burnham-On-Sea bus stop. More...

False alarm for lifeboat crew
A BURNHAM-On-Sea lifeboat crew was called out on Sunday afternoon (March 8th) after a sighting of a possible windsurfer in difficulty in Bridgwater Bay. The Staines Whitfield lifeboat was launched at around 4pm to investigate, but the object was found to have been a buoy. More...

Police probe hair salon break-in
Exclusive: POLICE have begun their investigations into a break-in at a hair salon in the centre of Highbridge during the early hours of Sunday morning (March 8th). A window was smashed at Inspired Hair Academy in Church Street, as pictured, at 3.40am and almost £100 of hair products were stolen by the thief, who fled the scene. More...

In photos: Lorry rescue drama
A QUIET drive across the Somerset moors turned into an afternoon of high drama for a Burnham-On-Sea motorist when the rescue of this stranded lorry unfolded in front of him. Marcus Smith was near Westhay when he came across this juggernaut teetering on the side of the road verge. More...

Jon's marathon effort for charity
AS A long-distance lorry driver, Jon Cassin is quite comfortable clocking up thousands of miles a week by criss-crossing Britain. But at the end of March he will have to go through the ultimate pain barrier just to complete a mere 13 miles when he relies on his feet to complete a half marathon. More...

In photos: Mayor tree ceremony
A TREE was planted in memory of Denis Hewings, a former Mayor of Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge, during a special ceremony on Saturday afternoon (March 7th). The short ceremony in remembrance of Mr Hewings, who died in 2007, was held outside the Burnham Area Youth Centre in Cassis Close, as pictured here. More...

New youth cafe opens in town
A BRAND new youth cafe was officially opened in Burnham-On-Sea on Friday afternoon (March 6th). The long-awaited opening of the Burnham Area Youth Centre's cafe in Cassis Close was attended by a crowd of youngsters and supporters of the centre. We have the first photos from the opening. More...

Small blaze tackled overnight
TWO fire crews were sent to investigate a blaze at a home in Burnham-On-Sea during the early hours of Saturday morning (March 7th). One fire engine from Burnham and another from Bridgwater rushed to Mendip Way. On their arrival, the crews found this was a fire involving the fuse of the electricity main supply. More...

Updated: Deceased man named
Exclusive: THE identity of a man who was found dead in a Highbridge property last week was revealed by police on Friday (March 6th). Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report how a Highbridge man had been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after police made the grizzly discovery of a body at a home in the town centre last Friday. Police were called to an address in Market Street at 4.45pm on February 27th. More...

New health centre set for approval
A NEW £2.5million medical centre near Burnham-On-Sea looks set to win approval from district council planners next Tuesday (March 10th). Plans for the proposed Berrow Health Centre, on land to the north of Brent Road, are set to be considered at a meeting in Bridgwater. The new-look scheme includes two new NHS dentists and extra medical services. More...

Healthy Scouts earn rewards
A GROUP of Burnham-On-Sea Beaver Scouts who have learning all about healthy eating and living have this week been presented with badges to mark their new knowledge and skills. Mandy Williams has been working with the group to help them gain their badges over the last few weeks. More...

Lucky escape after car plunge
Exclusive: A Burnham-On-Sea fire crew rushed to West Huntspill on Wednesday evening (March 4th) after this car careered off the road into a water-filled ditch. The driver of the silver Daewoo lost control as he tried to negotiate a bend in Langlands Lane at 6.15pm. All three people inside escaped unhurt. More...

New childrens scheme launched
A PIONEERING scheme to strengthen the bond between parents and children in the Burnham-On-Sea area has been launched by Highbridge Children's Centre this week. The centre in Coronation Road has been picked to launch an innovative 'Partnership With Parents' scheme. More...

Man held by police after body found
Exclusive: A Highbridge man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after the grizzly discovery of a body at a home in the town centre. Burnham-On-Sea.com learns police were called to an address in Market Street at 4.45pm last Friday (February 27th) following a report of a sudden death. More...

Oops! Trapped lorry causes chaos
Exclusive: THE centre of Highbridge came to a complete standstill on Wednesday afternoon (March 4th) when a cement mixing lorry became trapped in a trench. The 35-tonne vehicle became stuck when one of its rear wheels plunged into a trench in Church Street during the current roadworks. More...

New police pod opens at store
A NEW police information pod was opened at Highbridge's Asda supermarket on Wednesday morning (March 4th). The pod, which is being jointly funded by Asda, Avon and Somerset Police and Somerset County Council, aims to give the public access to local police info within the near vicinity of their communities. More...

Festival of the arts starts today
HIGHBRIDGE'S annual Festival of the Arts gets underway on Wednesday (March 4th). The popular festival, which is now in its 62nd year, will feature talented youngsters from the age of three at The Princess in Burnham-On-Sea until March 14th. Entries this year total almost 1,600, which is a slight increase on last year. More...

Mayor's anger over town roads
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea's Mayor has this week called on Somerset County Council to repair the "worryingly poor" condition of many roads in the town. Cllr Peter Burridge-Clayton says a winter of harsh weather has left many roads littered with deep pot holes and crumbling surfaces which pose a danger to users. More...

Fire couple's wait for insurance
Exclusive: A BREAN couple who lost their home in a devastating fire are still waiting for their insurance company to pay them compensation more than three months after the horror blaze. Burnham-On-Sea.com broke the news last November that a devastating fire had swept through their wooden chalet. More...

Aquathon to be held this Sunday
THERE'S still time to enter this weekend's Burnham-On-Sea Aquathon, which is going ahead at the town's Swim and Sports Academy on Sunday (March 8th). Three Aquathons of varying distances will be held this year, instead of the normal single race. We have a full preview of the first race. More...

Lay-by barriers hailed a success
Exclusive: BOLLARDS placed along lay-bys on Burnham-On-Sea seafront to prevent groups of 'boy racers' congregating there have this week been hailed a success after a fall in anti-social driving. Town councillors said at their meeting on Monday night (March 2nd) that the bollards had helped to reduce the problems since being introduced last December. More...

Bumper fish reeled in by angler
THIS bumper-sized Thornback Ray has been reeled in by a sea angler from the waters off Burnham-On-Sea. Delighted Bristol angler Tony Cox is pictured holding the 14lb 12oz specimem, which he caught from his fishing boat, The Sea Sprite, near Stert Island. It comes during a poor season of catches for local anglers. More...

Pool open despite tile problems
BURNHAM-On-Sea's swimming pool will be open as normal this week, despite major new tile problems that have emerged on the bottom of the pool. As first reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com last week, Mark and Sara Cox-Conklin, owners of the Burnham Swim and Sports Academy, discovered a large 15x3 metre area of tiles had worked free in the middle of the pool. More...

Signs of spring burst into colour
JUST three weeks after Burnham-On-Sea was shivering under several inches of snow, signs of spring are now bursting into colour across the town. These colourful blooms were spotted next to the car park at Apex Wildlife Park on Monday (March 2nd). Daffodils and crocuses are pushing up through the grass in several places. More...

Video: Wrinkly Rappers in action!
A GROUP of rapping pensioners from Burnham-On-Sea who are set to appear on ITV's Britain's Got Talent later this year performed at a charity's fundraising event on Sunday (March 1st). The Wrinkly Rappers appeared at a busking event at the Sue Ryder charity shop on Burnham High Street. More...

Tree to be planted for ex-Mayor
A TREE is to be planted in memory of a former Mayor of Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge later this week. The special ceremony will be held in remembrance of the late Dennis Hewings on Saturday 7th March at 2pm at Burnham Youth Centre in Cassis Close. Mr Hewings, pictured, died in 2007. More...

BARB boosted by £400 donation
MEMBERS of Burnham-On-Sea Moose International have this week handed over a chqeue for £400 to BARB, the charity that runs the town's two rescue hovercrafts. BARB Secretary Roger Flower was handed the cheque by Moose Brother John Cuff, Moose Lady Treasurer Doreen Ateyo, and Moose Lady President Yvonne Cornelius. More...

Lifeboat crews in helicopter drill
BURNHAM-On-Sea lifeboat crews took part in a training session with an RAF helicopter from Chivenor in Devon on Saturday (February 28th). Both Burnham lifeboats launched at 10am for the trip along the Bristol Channel coast towards Minehead, where the exercise was held. More...

Tom serves up ace performance!
YOUNG Burnham-On-Sea tennis player Tom Colls reached the semi-finals of an Under Tens county tennis tournament in Bristol last week. The under 10 players were split into three groups at the David Lloyd Tennis Centre and Tom, 9, won his group by wining two out of three games to advance into a play-off. More...

RNLI in search for teenager
A BURNHAM-On-Sea lifeboat crew was called out at 3am on Sunday morning (March 1st) to help search for a missing teenager in the River Parrett near Combwich. Two helicopters and Coastguards from Minehead and Watchet were also involved in the night-time operation. More...

Do you recognise these men?
BURNHAM-On-Sea police have this week appealed for help in tracing these two men who they believe may be linked to a theft at a farm shop near Highbridge in January. Photos taken from CCTV cameras show two white males walking into the farm shop in the village of Watchfield. More...

Huge search for missing OAP
A TEAM of Coastguards, police and volunteers from Burnham-On-Sea rescue charity BARB conducted a search for a missing person on Sunday afternoon (March 1st). A frail, elderly man in his 70s went missing from a residential nursing home on Sunday morning, prompting worried staff to call emergency services for help. More...

Dog killed in Brean cliff fall
Exclusive: COASTGUARDS have issued a safety warning after a dog plunged to its death on Brean Down on Thursday (February 26th). Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards were alerted after the dog tumbled down the steep cliffs while chasing a goat, but there was nothing they or the animal's owners could do to help. More...

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