March 2012 Burnham and Highbridge News Archive

February 2012 news archive
January 2012 news archive

Cafe re-opens after £10k blaze
A SEAFRONT cafe in Burnham-On-Sea which was forced to temporarily close following a fire re-opened for business on Saturday (March 31st). Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported here on Monday how a fire had broken out on the ground floor of Jacks after an electrical fault in a tumble dryer. More...

Girl, 4, hurt in Brean rock fall
A four year-old girl was rushed to hospital on Saturday afternoon (March 31st) after suffering injuries when she fell onto rocks at Brean. The youngster suffered cuts to her head and face after tumbling on rocks at the top of Brean beach, near the entrance to the parking area. More...

Anneka Rice visits Burnham
TV and radio presenter Anneka Rice made a special visit to Burnham-On-Sea's rescue hovercraft station on Saturday (March 31st). She met volunteers from the charity and had a tour of the station, which she built as part of her popular BBC Challenge Anneka TV series. More...

BT phone outage hits Burnham
BRITISH Telecom has blamed a 'computer error' for a problem which left thousands of residents across Burnham-On-Sea without their telephone service on Friday morning (March 30th). Outgoing and incoming calls were unavailable for thousands of residents for more than two hours, BT confirmed. More...

Big school expansion approved
A BURNHAM-On-Sea school is among two in Somerset which are to benefit from a £550,000 expansion investment to give them more space. St Andrew's School in Burnham is over-subscribed and has been making the most of its current space, meaning that some classes number up to 38 pupils. More...

It's a wrap! Portas bid submitted
BURNHAM-On-Sea's bid for a share of £1million of regeneration funding for the town, backed by retail guru Mary Portas, has been formally submitted this evening (Friday). Burnham's application for £99,000 was submitted just before the deadline after several weeks' work by the recently-formed Town Team. More...

Town school wins swim gala
SCORES of swimmers took part in Burnham-On-Sea Swim and Sports Academy's third annual Sedgemoor Schools Swimming Gala on Wednesday (March 28th). The team from Burnham-On-Sea's St Andrew's School, pictured, won the event with a superb 10 points overall. More...

Seafront cafe re-opens after fire
A SEAFRONT cafe in Burnham-On-Sea which was forced to temporarily close following a fire is set to re-open this Saturday (March 31st). Burnham-On-Sea.com reported on Monday how a fire had broken out on the ground floor of Jacks after a fault with a tumble dryer. More...

War plaques unveiled in town
A SPECIAL ceremony was held in Highbridge on Thursday (March 29th) when the town's Mayor officially unveiled the new replacements for two wartime plaques that were stolen by mean thieves last year. The plaques were dedicated to Frank Foley and US soldiers. More...

Vintage bus service launches
A UNIQUE vintage bus service running between Burnham-On-Sea and Weston-super-Mare launches this weekend for the Easter holidays. Crosville Motor Services is operating the new hourly service between Burnham and Weston Super Mare via Brean and Berrow using two distinctively coloured green buses. More...

Panic buying at petrol stations
PETROL stations in the Burnham-On-Sea area are reporting long queues as motorists panic buy fuel ahead of a potential tanker driver strike. Queues formed at petrol stations including the Total garage in Burnham Road and the Texaco garage in Berrow Road. Demand has shot up across the country. More...

Dozens join Knoll Easter run
DOZENS of youngsters have taken part in the annual Easter run to the top of Brent Knoll and back. The race is held each spring from outside the village's primary school and this year's event saw more than 50 children making their way to the summit of the hill and back. More...

Burnham businesswoman dies
THE funeral of a long-time Burnham-On-Sea businesswoman will be held this Friday (March 30th). Iris Brown of local company Brown, Brown and Rogers passed away surrounded by her family on March 21st. Her funeral will be held on Friday at 2pm at St Andrew's Church. More...

Expert helps Churchfield School
AN education expert has been drafted in to help Highbridge's Churchfield Primary School to improve its results before it settles into a new £4.6 million campus. Claire Axten, pictured, who is a National Leader of Education, is visiting the Highbridge school regularly. More...

Post office flats plan rejected
Exclusive: PLANS to convert Highbridge's Post Office building into a development of seven new flats have been rejected by the Planning Inspectorate this week following a formal appeal. The owner of 9 Church Street applied for the change of use of the building. More...

Air cadets head skywards!
TAKE off and landing practice, air navigation and aerobatics were just some of the activities that this group of Air Cadets from Burnham & Highbridge's 290 Air Squadron got up to during an action-packed trainining session this week at Colerne airfield, near Bath. More...

Author recounts Titanic rescue
Exclusive: A Burnham-On-Sea pensioner has this week published a new book recounting how one of his family members escaped from the sinking Titanic liner a century ago. Peter Crimmins, 78, has written 'Titanic: From One Extreme To The Other', which outlines how his father's cousin worked on the ill-fated ship. More...

Sanders sold to equity group
SANDERS Garden World, near Burnham-On-Sea, has a new owner this week after a multi-million pound deal was announced. The Garden Centre Group, which currently owns the Brent Knoll business, has agreed to sell its brands to Terra Firma in a deal worth £276m. More...

Ofsted report slammed by school
HIGHBRIDGE'S Churchfield School is "failing to deliver a satisfactory standard of education" and has been placed under special measures by government education inspectors from Ofsted. The damning new report on the school has been published this week and has been formally challenged. More...

Lighthouse is a cover model!
BURNHAM-On-Sea beach and its iconic lighthouse are to be featured on the front page of a national magazine. Sedgemoor District Council has entered into a licence agreement with Future Publishing to allow a series of images to be taken of the building today. More...

Karate fundraiser raises £140
BURNHAM-On-Sea and Highbridge Karate Club has raised over £140 for Sport Relief with a morning of fundraising this week. The club invited people to a taster session at Highbridge's King Alfred School gym where it invited donations and also held a number of fun charity events. More...

'Unplanned outage' at Hinkley
EDF Energy, Britain's biggest nuclear power producer, stopped output at its Hinkley Point B power station near Burnham-On-Sea today (Tuesday, March 27th) due to an 'unplanned outage'. A spokesman confirmed to Burnham-On-Sea.com: "Reactor 4 at Hinkley Point B power station came offline at 9.50am." More...

440 raise fears in hotel survey
Exclusive: HUNDREDS of residents have taken part in a survey to air their concern about potential plans for a new housing development on the site of the fire-hit Highbridge Hotel. Over the past few days, 440 residents have taken part in the survey organised by Cllr Helen Groves (pictured). More...

Wrinkly Rappers on Sky 1 show
Exclusive: A COMEDY rap group from Burnham-On-Sea are making a fresh bid for stardom by taking part in a Sky 1 talent show. The Wrinkly Rappers have filmed a segment for the satellite channel's brand new talent series, which is broadcast every Sunday and is called Don't Stop Me Now. More...

New role for Burnham inspector
BURNHAM-On-Sea police inspector Roger Tolley is taking on an expanded role in covering the whole of Sedgemoor from the start of April. He is to be appointed to a new post as the command of the new single Sedgemoor policing area from the start of April in a restructuring move. More...

Ideal conditions for 'crane-in'
TWO huge cranes towered over Burnham-On-Sea's Sailing Club on Monday morning (March 26th) when the annual spring 'crane-in' saw 21 boats hoisted into the River Brue. The annual tradition is arranged each Spring by the Sailing Club for the new sailing season. More...

Cash rolls in at skater's event!
DONATIONS have been rolling in for a Highbridge fundraiser's unique netball challenge which was held on Sunday afternoon (March 25th) in aid of Sport Relief. Jessica Norris took part in a sponsored netball goal challenge in the village of Mark while wearing roller skates! More...

Blaze tackled at seafront cafe
FIREFIGHTERS tackled a blaze at a seafront cafe in Burnham-On-Sea this afternoon (Monday, March 26th). Two fire engines were called to Jacks Cafe Bar on The Esplanade at 1.44pm, as pictured, after a blaze in the kitchen caused an evacuation of staff and customers. More...

Updated: Plane crash-landing
Exclusive Photos: POLICE have said the pilot of a light aircraft which crash-landed into a field near Wedmore on Sunday (March 25th) suffered only minor injuries in the accident. Emergency crews rushed to the scene at 4.34pm after the two-seater aircraft came down, as pictured. More...

Hot weather boost for traders
SOARING temperatures gave Burnham-On-Sea a welcome financial boost at the weekend as the good weather attracted large numbers of visitors. Temperatures peaked at 21°C (69.8°F) on Saturday in Burnham - and the good weather created queues for ice creams and left High Street shops busier than normal. More...

Youth team wins the league
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Burnbridge Wanderers U13s are celebrating this week after being crowned champions of Woodspring League Division 2. The youngsters have clinched the overall title and gained promotion to Woodspring First Division next season after a final win of their season. More...

Busy day for town Coastguards
BURNHAM-On-Sea Coastguards had a busy day on Sunday (March 25th) after being called to two separate incidents. In the first incident, shortly after 10am, Coastguards were called to help a lady who had fallen off her horse on Berrow Beach - and then they were called to help a man in the River Axe. More...

In photos: Sport Relief Mile
OVER 150 runners took part in Burnham-On-Sea's Sport Relief Mile today (Sunday, March 25th), raising hundreds of pounds for the BBC's nationwide fundraising appeal. Blue skies and sunshine swelled the numbers at the seafront event as the runners pounded the pavement along the River Brue. More...

Lifeboat called to water skier
A BURNHAM-On-Sea lifeboat was called to help a water skier in difficulty near Brean Down on Sunday morning (March 25th). The crews were taking part in a training session near Berrow beach when they were diverted by Coastguards at 9.30am to assist the man. More...

Plane crash near Wedmore
Exclusive photos: THESE were the scenes outside Wedmore this evening (Sunday, March 25th) after a light aircraft crashed into a field, injuring one person inside. Police, fire and ambulance crews rushed to the scene at 4.34pm after the two-seater aircraft came down, injuring the pilot inside. More...

Vehicle stuck in mud on beach
A CAR had to be towed to safety after getting stuck in mud on Burnham-On-Sea beach this morning (Sunday, March 25th). The front wheels of the Volkswagen sank into the mud, stranding the vehicle next to Burnham jetty, after its owner attempted to recover a jet ski. More...

100 attend hospital fundraiser
PINK and black was the colour theme for a fundraising buffet dance held in aid of Burnham-On-Sea Hospital on Saturday night (March 24th). Over 100 people attended the successful event at the Oak Tree Arena, where hundreds of pounds was raised towards the upkeep and maintenance of Burnham's War Memorial Hospital. More...

Seafront sandwich bar opens
BEACH visitors and seafront walkers in Burnham-On-Sea have a new venue to buy tasty snacks from after a new business launched on Saturday (March 24th). Beach's Sandwich Bar has opened next to Sunspot Amusements on Burnham-On-Sea's Esplanade. More...

Driver hurt in second A38 crash
Exclusive: THE driver of this car was taken to hospital on Saturday night after losing control on the A38 near Highbridge. Burnham-On-Sea police, ambulance and fire crews rushed to the Isleport roundabout at around 6.30pm after the vehicle demolished a lamp post and ended up in a ditch. More...

Three-car crash shocks villagers
RESIDENTS have spoken of their shock following a three-vehicle accident on the outskirts of Highbridge on Saturday afternoon (March 24th), which left one motorist with head injuries. A lady was taken to hospital after a Citroen was involved with a collision and careered through a wall. More...

Four sports bursaries awarded
HIGHBRIDGE'S King Alfred School has awarded Sports Bursaries to four of their most outstanding students post-16 sports players. The bursary of £250 is awarded annually to all sixth form students who compete at county, national or international level to help with their travel costs. More...

Orchid expert giving advice
COLOURFUL Spring flowers are on show at a garden centre near Burnham-On-Sea as it holds its annual Orchid Weekend this weekend (March 24th and 25th). The President of the South West Orchid Society will be the special guest at the event at Sanders Garden World in Brent Knoll. More...

Fire crew visits town nursery
YOUNGSTERS at Burnham-On-Sea's Playaway Day Nursery had a special visit from one of the town's fire engines on Thursday (March 22nd). The nursery's Julia Gaskell told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "The children were able to go in the engine, sound the sirens and generally explore the vehicle." More...

Tiny orphan fox cub rescued
THIS fox cub, who is so tiny he sits in the palm of a hand, is the first orphan of the spring breeding season to arrive at Secret World Wildlife Rescue Centre near Burnham-On-Sea. The tiny creature, called Pedro, has been rescued after its cries were heard coming from of a bramble bush in Lympsham. More...

Join Burnham's Sport Relief Mile
THERE'S still time to sign up to Burnham-On-Sea's Sport Relief Mile, which takes place on Sunday 25th March as part of the BBC's nationwide fundraising drive. Dozens of fun runners will be taking part in the seafront run to raise cash for charity while running several distances. More...

Mary Portas team finalising bid
THE finishing touches are being made to Burnham-On-Sea's bid to secure a share of a £1million pot of regeneration funding for the town, backed by retail guru Mary Portas. A group of 23 residents attended a meeting in The Princess on Thursday (March 22nd). More...

Hospital fundraiser tomorrow
FINAL tickets are available for a fundraising dance which aims to boost the finances of Burnham-On-Sea Hospital. The Friends of Burnham-On-Sea Hospital will be holding their annual buffet dance at the Oaktree Arena in Edithmead this Saturday (24th March). More...

New war plaques to be unveiled
Exclusive: A SPECIAL ceremony is to be held in Highbridge next week to officially unveil the new replacements for two wartime plaques that were stolen by mean thieves last year. Plaques dedicated to war hero Frank Foley and a group of American soldiers were stolen. More...

Man convicted after stabbing
A BRIDGWATER man has been convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent to wound following a stabbing in Highbridge last year. Burnham-On-Sea.com reported last year how Highbridge man James Hobbs, 37, had to use a donner kebab to stem the flow of blood. More...

Car fire in Burnham High Street
FIREFIGHTERS were called to tackle a car blaze in Burnham-On-Sea this afternoon (Thursday, March 22nd). One fire engine from Burnham was sent to the street outside Boots at 3.14pm where a car was alight. The vehicle sustained moderate fire damage. More...

'Volunteer crisis' hits carnival
Exclusive: WORRIED carnival organisers have this week begun distributing thousands of leaflets across Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge warning the event is in 'crisis' due to a lack of volunteers. The attention-grabbing leaflets warn the carnival's future is in jeopardy. More...

Tesco's £300k boost for town
Exclusive: TESCO has this week confirmed that the multi-milion expansion of its Burnham-On-Sea store is finally set to begin, with the new-look store opening before Christmas and delivering a major financial boost to the town. The supermarket giant told Burnham-On-Sea.com that long-awaited construction work at its store in Ben Travers Way will begin shortly. More...

£50k theatre overhaul begins
Exclusive: SCAFFOLDING has gone up outside Burnham-On-Sea's Princess Theatre this week as work begins on the building's £50,000 external overhaul. Town councillors in Burnham recently approved a raft of improvements to the exterior of the theatre, including roof repairs. More...

Pupils support Fairtrade scheme
A GROUP of children from St Andrew's School in Burnham-On-Sea held a successful coffee morning on Wednesday (March 21st) to highlight the issues of Fairtrade. The event turned the spotlight on the differences between the First World and the Third World, whose farmers produce many of our food products. More...

Burnham joins UK beach clean
A MAJOR beach clean-up will be held in Burnham-On-Sea this weekend as part of a nationwide initiative to rid the UK's beaches of litter. The Big Spring Beach Clean will be held this Saturday morning (March 24th) from 11am on Burnham-On-Sea beach when all will be welcome. More...

Theatre company to visit town
A PROFESSIONAL touring theatre company will be visiting Highbridge next week to perform a new comedy. The Riding Lights Roughshod Theatre Company will perform 'Take The World' in which five actors come together to put their personal spin on contemporary life. More...

Police in CCTV bank fraud appeal
POLICE have this week issued an appeal for help in identifying this man as part of their investigation into an attempted fraud offence in Highbridge. It follows an incident where a man entered Highbridge's Natwest Bank in Huntspill Road and attempted to cash a fraudulent cheque to the value of £2,500. More...

Over 200 back Mary Portas bid
Exclusive: HIGH Street pedestrianisation and extra street markets are among the suggested improvements proposed by more than 200 people who have completed a survey supporting Burnham-On-Sea's bid to secure a share of £1million of Mary Portas regeneration funding. More...

Join Saturday search for Ollie!
THE owners of a lost parrot in Burnham-On-Sea are appealing to residents to join a town-wide search for the bird over the next few weekends. Pauline and Ade Hale have launched a 'Find Ollie Saturday Campaign' in the hope that residents will search outside ocer the next few Saturdays. More...

Fresh fears over fire-hit hotel
Exclusive: ALMOST four years after a huge fire swept through the Highbridge Hotel and turned it into a crumbling eyesore, fresh concerns have been expressed this week about long-overdue proposals to redevelop the site. Highbridge district councillor Joe Leachsays he is "increasingly disappointed". More...

Fairtrade event in Burnham
CHILDREN from Burnham-On-Sea's St Andrew's School children will be hosting a coffee morning at St Andrew's Church in the town on Wednesday (March 21st). Ten children will be making and serving coffee to visitors to promote the idea of 'Fairtrade' which they have been studying as part of their lessons. More...

Belmont flats plan approved
Exclusive: A FORMER mental health centre in Burnham-On-Sea which was controversially shut down and sold by the NHS last year will be turned into a block of holiday apartments by its new owner. Sedgemoor District Council has this week approved the plans. More...

Cubs back from closure threat
A CUB pack near Burnham-On-Sea which was on the brink of closure has bounced back after support from the local community. Berrow Cubs faced a real danger of closing last year due to low numbers, but has since been boosted by the arrival of new members and a cash injection. More...

Local 2012 torchbearers named
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Sarah Milner Simonds and Jason Vickers are among several local people who have this week been officially announced as torch bearers in this Spring's Olympics torch relay. Jason, who has raised more than £11,000 for charity over the past seven years, will be carrying the flame in Glastonbury on May 22nd. More...

Olympics age gremlin for Arthur
Exclusive: A 91 year-old Burnham-On-Sea pensioner who holds the title of the world's oldest triathlete and is set to be a torchbearer during the London 2012 torch relay has laughed off an error on the official Olympics website which states he is aged eight!. More...

Dreamscheme set to relaunch
HIGHBRIDGE Dreamscheme is set to hold a grand relaunch later this month with a day of fundraising fun. The organisation is to hold a family fun day at Highbridge's Morland Hall throughout Saturday 31st March from 11am until 3pm. There will be refreshments, tombola, cakes, raffle and bric-a-brac. More...

Boost for BAY Centre roof fund
BURNHAM-On-Sea Camera Club has donated £80 towards the BAY Centre's roof replacement fund. The money has been handed over this week following a fundraising raffle held by members during the club's recent meal at the Oak Tree Arena at Edithmead, near Highbridge. More...

Inspector to hold cyber surgery
RESIDENTS in and around Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge will be able to chat directly to their local police inspector from the comfort of their own home this week. Inspector Roger Tolley is holding a live web chat between 7pm and 8.30pm on Thursday March 22nd. More...

Artists announce Easter event
LOCAL arts group HaBA (Highbridge and Burnham Artists) will be holding an Easter arts and crafts exhibition at Burnham-On-Sea Community Centre on Saturday 31st March. A wide range of work from talented local artists, including paintings, will be on show and be available to buy. More...

Why skydiving Alex is no fool
AN 18 year-old Highbridge leisure assistant who does not have a head for heights is planning a skydive on April 1st to help raise funds for Sport Relief. Alex Crocker, who works at King Alfred’s Leisure Centre in Highbridge, is planning to make the jump as part of a tandem team at Dunkeswell Airfield in East Devon. . More...

Family show to open at theatre
FINAL tickets are available for a series of performances of The Lion, The Witch and Wardrobe at Burnham-On-Sea's Princess Theatre, which start this week. More than 40 youngsters from Mark Youth Theatre Group will be performing the family show from Thursday. More...

Sea cadets are best in west!
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Sea Cadets are celebrating again after winning a south west drill competition at the weekend. Following their success last month, Burnham's TS Dulverton unit took part in the South West area competition by travelling to HMS Raleigh in Plymouth. More...

Town air cadet corps re-opens
BURNHAM-On-Sea's air training corps has re-opened after a temporary closure caused by a shortage of leaders. The detached flight of 290 Squadron Air Training Corps is now welcoming new cadets, aged between 13 and 18, to its weekly Thursday evening meetings. More...

New warning after dog accidents
Exclusive: THE National Trust has issued a fresh safety warning to dog owners using Brean Down after two animals tumbled down the cliffs this weekend. National Trust staff scrambled down the rockface near Brean Fort this morning (Sunday, March 18th) to help a dog owner reach his stranded Alsatian. More...

Brave fire teenager praised
A BRAVE teenager who helped holidaymakers out of a burning building at Pontins in Brean earlier this year has received an award for his courage. Liam Whitworth, 15, kept a cool head when a fire broke out at 2.14am on January 2nd while he was staying on a break at the holiday park. More...

Appeal after shop vandalism
Exclusive: POLICE have appealed for witnesses to come forward after a shop window in Highbridge was smashed by vandals in the early hours of Saturday (March 17th). A glass pane in the William Hill bookmakers shop in Market Street was broken, as pictured here, prompting the appeal. More...

Karate taster session on offer
BURNHAM-On-Sea and Highbridge Karate Club will be marking BBC Sport Relief with a morning of introductory sessions next Sunday (March 25th). The club is inviting people aged five and over to its taster session at Highbridge's King Alfred School gym and to make a donation to Sport Relief. More...

Hinkley plans aired at RNLI AGM
MORE than 30 crewmembers and supporters of Burnham-On-Sea lifeboat station attended its AGM on Friday evening (March 16th). The meeting, which was held at Burnham-On-Sea Sailing Club on the seafront, began with a talk by guest speaker David Eccles from EDF Energy. More...

Full house for Princess concert
A SELL-out audience of more than 200 people filled Burnham-On-Sea's Princess Theatre on Friday night (16th March) to watch an adrenaline-filled performance by a top Queen tribute act. Mercury are regarded as one of the world's most authentic tributes to Freddie Mercury and Queen. More...

Rees-Mogg to stand in election?
CONSERVATIVE MP Jacob Rees-Mogg may stand against Burnham-On-Sea's MP Tessa Munt at the next General Election, according to a national newspaper report this week. The Daily Mail's political columnist Quentin Letts questioned how secure the Wells parliamentary seat is for Tessa Munt. More...

Gemma to appear on TV show
A HIGHBRIDGE student is to appear in a TV documentary about cyber bullying on Monday evening (March 19th). Gemma Cain, 16, from King Alfred School will be featured in a BBC3 documentary called The Anti-Social Network focusing on the problems around cyber bullying. More...

Coastguards called to dog walker
BURNHAM-On-Sea Coastguards were called to Brean Down on Friday afternoon amid concern for the safety of a dog owner after his pet was thought to have tumbled down steep cliffs. A spaniel went missing just before 1pm, prompting the owner to raise the alarm by contacting Coastguards. More...

Police parking request rejected
Exclusive: TOWN councillors have turned down a request from Burnham-On-Sea Police for a new permanent parking bay to be installed along the town's High Street. Councillors considered the proposal at their latest meeting where they raised concerns about the lack of parking spaces. More...

Duo run for Somerset team
TWO young Burnham-On-Sea athletes have been selected to represent the Somerset Schools Cross Country team in the English Schools National Championships this weekend. Matt Dickinson and Luke Prior from King Alfred School have both been selected to take part in the event this Saturday (17th March). More...

Play areas receive cash boost
Exclusive: THOUSANDS of pounds of improvements are set to be made to play areas across Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge as part of a modernisation programme, it has been announced. Sedgemoor District Council is to use cash from housing developers' community contributions to proceed with the work. More...

Cinema's £500 Folkfest boost
HUNDREDS of pounds was raised for Burnham-On-Sea's Folkfest this week when a successful fundraising event was held in the town's cinema. The Ritz Cinema's owners, Pat and Beryl Scott, provided a screen free-of-charge and a packed house watched Les Miserables. More...

Cove fundraiser for BIARS
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Friends of Marine Cove have presented a cheque to the group that runs the town's seafront information centre following a recent fundraising event. A pancake flipping fundraiser was held at the gardens on Shrove Tuesday and raised £30 for BIARS. More...

Mother's Day charity car wash
A CHARITY car wash is to be held in Brent Knoll on Mother's Day in aid of a cancer charity. The event will be held at Sanders Garden World from 10am-4pm this Sunday (March 18th) to raise funds for Breast Cancer Care. The event will see 50% of the cost being donated. More...

'No hosepipe ban' for Burnham
THE firm that provides water supplies to the Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge area has this week said it has no plans to introduce a hosepipe ban in our area despite one of the driest winters on record. Across the West country, reservoir levels are down by up to one fifth. More...

Young singers are on song
FOUR local singers from the Burnham-based Siobhan Johnson Singers who sang at the Highbridge Festival of the Arts all won silver medals. For three of them it was their first time performing at the festival and three of them gained "distinctions" for their performances. More...

£250k arts plan for town unveiled
Exclusive: A BRAND new £250,000 project to regenerate part of Highbridge town centre by creating an 'arts and crafts quarter' has been unveiled this week. Under the proposals, a dozen boarded-up shops along Market Street would be transformed into workshops, studios and retail outlets for artists. More...

Three-wheeler road trip feat!
Exclusive: A BURNHAM-On-Sea pensioner is seeking a mechanic to join him on an incredible fundraising road trip across Europe in a three-wheeled vehicle. Keith Saunders, pictured, is currently planning the huge charity trip, which he hopes to undertake next summer. More...

Nursing student celebrates
A HIGHBRIDGE woman is among a group of Weston College friends celebrating after all getting places on the same university course. Emma Bobbett, 33, along with Leanne Preston, Alex Brammer and Lamisa Agilah are all on a Higher Education course and have qualified to go to the same university. More...

EDF plans 'wholly inadequate'
THE Executive of Sedgemoor District Council has this week said that EDF Energy's transport plans during the construction of a proposed nuclear power station at Hinkley Point are "wholly inadequate". The comments came at a meeting on Wednesday afternoon. More...

New date for RNLI car wash
A POSTPONED car wash to raise money for Burnham-On-Sea RNLI will be held in April. Volunteers from the lifeboat station in Pier Street had to cancel the second of their charity car washes due to wintry weather in February. Now, a new date has been set. More...

£1m Portas bid gathers pace
Exclusive: A successful public meeting was held in Burnham-On-Sea on Tuesday evening (March 13th) when more than 20 residents gave their backing to the town's bid to win a share of £1million of Mary Portas funding to improve the town centre. 24 people representing local groups attended. More...

100 sign up for Sport Relief Mile
MORE than 100 runners will be taking part in Burnham-On-Sea's Sport Relief Mile on Sunday 25th March as part of the BBC's nationwide fundraising drive. Burnham's event has this week received the backing of the town's Mayor, along with the organisers. More...

Sponsor found for record bid
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Sunspot Amusements has come forward as the main sponsor of the town's attempt to set a new sandcastle building world record this Spring. The event is to be held atr 12.30pm on Saturday June 2nd during Burnham's Royal Jubilee celebrations. More...

M5 crash probe 'is ongoing'
A POLICE inquiry into the cause of November's M5 motorway crash in which seven people died and another 51 were injured, is continuing. Reports in some media suggested the probe had concluded that smoke from a nearby fireworks display was not to blame. More...

Town's MP calls for tax cuts
BURNHAM-On-Sea MP Tessa Munt has called for tax cuts for millions of people across the UK during a speech at the Liberal Democrat's conference. She addressed the party's members during its annual Spring conference in Gateshead on the benefits of tax cuts. More...

Car blaze tackled in Brent Knoll
BURNHAM-On-Sea firefighters were called to tackle a car blaze in Brent Knoll on Monday night (March 12th). One fire engine from Burnham-On-Sea rushed to the A38 running through the village at 10.41pm after reports from passers-by that a vehicle had been seen in flames. More...

Cancer group marks 15th year
BURNHAM-based Somerset Breakthrough Breast Cancer Group has celebrated its 15th anniversary this week. The group has raised more than £300,000 towards supporting people with the disease and was originally formed in 1997 by a group of people, including Christine Piper. More...

Olympics joy for Sarah
Exclusive: A 'dream has come true' for Burnham-On-Sea gymnastics coach Sarah Moon, who is set to take Britain's Rhythmic Gymnastics Senior Group to this summer's Olympic Games. Sarah - a former King Alfred School student - has coached the team at Bath University for the past year. More...

1,500 attended arts festival
THE 65th annual Highbridge Festival Of The Arts has been hailed a success by its organisers after attracting 1,700 entries and more than 1,500 spectators. The ten-day event was held at Burnham's Princess Theatre and Arts Centre between February 29th and 9th March. More...

Man in court on porn charges
A PENSIONER from near Burnham who stored thousands of images of child pornography on his computer has been handed a community order. Raymond Cox, 62, of Church Close in East Huntspill, pleaded guilty to ten counts of making indecent photographs. More...

Historic Burnham man in focus
THE life and times of a Burnham-On-Sea investor who is credited with funding the construction of many of the town's historic buildings will go under the spotlight this week. The late George Reed will be the focus of a presentation on Wednesday evening at King Alfred School. More...

Pig racing is runaway success!
BURNHAM-On-Sea Moose International club's latest fundraising evening took on a new streak with these battery-operated pigs! Around 50 Moose and Ladies Circle members gathered at Berrow Village Hall on Saturday (March 10th) for the evening of racing. More...

Niall wins football competition
A FOOTBALL-mad Burnham-On-Sea youngster enjoyed a day to remember after winning a top club's competition. Niall Francis won an official shirt signed by all the members of the title-chasing Premiership team Manchester City and met a former boxing champion. More...

Join Jubilee mosaic workshops
A SERIES of glass mosaic making workshops with a Royal Jubilee theme are to be held in Highbridge over the next few weeks. Sedgemoor Community Partnership is running the workshops in Morland Hall. Participants will make a Mosaic Art Creation based on the Queens Diamond Jubilee Logo. More...

Boat rescued from thick fog
AN inflatable boat from Watchet was rescued by lifeboat crews this morning (Sunday, March 11th) after its crew became disorientated in thick fog. Burnham's RNLI crews were taking part in regular training when they were tasked by Swansea Coastguard. More...

Huge search for girl lost in fog
BURNHAM-On-Sea Coastguards, rescue hovercrafts and police launched a major search for a missing autistic teenager in thick fog on Brean beach this afternoon (Sunday, March 11th). The carers of the 14 year-old contacted Brean's beachwarden at 1.45pm to report the girl missing. More...

Three arrested after theft
Exclusive: THREE people have been arrested by Burnham-On-Sea police following the theft of a box of valuables from a garden on Friday (March 9th). Police were called to a block of flats in Berrow Road at 12.30pm after a box of household items was stolen from outside the property while a family was moving home. More...

Crash at Apex Park's entrance
Exclusive: THE group that runs Highbridge's Apex Wildlife Park says it faces a repair bill of several hundred pounds after a car demolished part of its wooden entrance on Friday evening (March 9th). Police were called to the entrance to Apex Park at 6pm. More...

Protesters converge on Hinkley
LARGE crowds of protesters gathered at Hinkley Point nuclear power station, near Burnham-On-Sea, on Saturday (March 10th) to mark the first anniversary of the Fukushima disaster in Japan. The protesters walked around the perimeter fence to call for an end to the government's 'nuclear renaissance'. More...

Town's Spring show hailed a hit
CROWDS of visitors flocked to Burnham-On-Sea Horticultural Society's annual Spring Show on Saturday (March 10th). Organisers said the event in St Andrew's School had beenCrowds of visitors flocked to Burnham-On-Sea Horticultural Society's annual Spring Show on Saturday (March 10th). More...

Rotarians give £4k to hospice
BURNHAM-On-Sea Rotary Club has this week handed over thousands of pounds to Childrens Hospice South West following a successful fundraising event. Burnham Rotary Club President Ian Breed presented £4,744 to the charity's fundraising representative at a function on Thursday. More...

Help for heating bills on offer
PEOPLE living in cold homes or struggling with heating bills in the Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge area will be able to pick up free help and support at a special event this month. The event will take place at Burnham-On-Sea Community Centre on Friday 30th March. More...

Boost for super-fast Web hopes
THE campaign to bring superfast broadband Internet to homes in the Burnham-On-Sea area has been given a boost with the news that 15,000 individuals and businesses across Somerset have responded to a survey being run by the Connecting Devon and Somerset project. More...

Crews called to stranded girl
A YOUNG girl became stuck in mud on Burnham-On-Sea beach this afternoon (Friday), prompting a call-out for the town's emergency services. Burnham Coastguards, BARB's rescue hovercraft and a fire rescue crew were called to the South Esplanade at 4.40pm after the family reported the youngster in difficulty. More...

Dozens of Brean jobs on offer
DOZENS of job opportunities for the coming summer season will be go on offer in Brean this weekend. Brean Leisure Park and Holiday Resort Unity will be holding their annual recruitment open day for seasonal positions this Sunday (11th March) between 10.30am and 4pm. More...

30 arrests during police raids
OFFICERS across the Somerset West police area, which includes Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge, arrested over 30 people during its Operation Relentless clampdown on crime throughout Wednesday (March 7th). Officers executed ten misuse of drugs act warrants in the area. More...

Wedding exhibition on Sunday
COUPLES who are planning on tying the knot will be able to pick up ideas on how to make their big day extra special by attending a wedding exhibition near Burnham-On-Sea this Sunday (March 11th). The event is being held at The Battleborough Grange Hotel from 10am. More...

Call for Civic Award nominees
BURNHAM-On-Sea and Highbridge Town Council is inviting nominations for the towns' annual Civic Awards. The awards are given to local people who are deemed to have rendered outstanding service to the community and will be presented at the Civic Service. More...

Berrow pub to hold 'Ska Fest'
THE West Country's critically acclaimed pop group The Communicators will headline a music festival in Berrow on Saturday (March 10th). The Berrow Inn is holding a Ska Fest featuring performances by The Communicators, Sole Room DJ and Weston Scooter Museum. More...

Major wildlife plans approved
PLANNING permission has this week been granted to create one of the UK's largest areas of new wildlife habitat on the Steart Peninsula near Burnham-On-Sea. Over the next two years 400 hectares of the Steart Peninsula will be turned into wildlife-rich habitats including saltmarsh and freshwater wetlands. More...

Fresh fears over 95 new homes
Exclusive: FRESH concerns have been expressed this week about plans to turn this boatyard in Highbridge into a development of 95 homes. At a meeting last night (Wednesday), town councillors raised concerns about access to the site and the types of properties. More...

Town Spring Show on Saturday
BURNHAM-On-Sea and District Horticultural Society will hold its colourful annual Spring Show this Saturday (March 10th). As well as exhibits of flowering bulbs and plants, there will be photography, floral art, domestic and junior classes. The event takes place at St Andrew's School in Dunstan Road. More...

Mary Portas bid team to meet
BURNHAM-On-Sea Chamber of Trade is to hold an open meeting next week to discuss the town's bid for a share of a £1million cash injection from TV star Mary Portas to improve the town centre. The meeting is being held for everyone who has expressed an interest in helping. More...

Gymnasts win haul of medals
MEMBERS of Highbridge's Monarchs Acro Gymnastics Team are celebrating after winning a haul of medals at their first competition of the year. A group of 35 gymnasts from the club travelled to Taunton to compete against 15 other clubs for medals and came home with a number of wins. More...

Tessa gets new Commons role
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP has been given a new role at the heart of government this week. Tessa Munt has been appointed as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Vince Cable. The role of PPS is widely seen as a starting point for many MPs who are looking to become ministers themselves. More...

New apprentice scheme starts
SANDERS Garden World in Brent Knoll has launched an apprenticeship programme this month. The garden centre is offering the scheme to people aged 16 and above and all apprentices who successfully complete the programme will receive a work-based diploma. More...

New pizza takeaway opened
A NEW pizza take-away opened for the first time in Burnham-On-Sea's High Street on Wednesday evening (March 7th). The new business, called Del Mondo Pizza, has opened in place of the former Magpie Gifts shop at 63 The High Street in the north of the town. More...

£30k of drugs seized in police raid
Video and photos: DRUGS with a street value of more than £30,000 were seized by police during a raid in Highbridge on Wednesday morning (March 7th). Over a dozen police stormed a flat in Highbridge Quay at 7.39am and a man was arrested, as pictured here, during Avon and Somerset Constabulary's annual Operation Relentless initiative. More...

New Russian twin for towns?
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea and Highbridge could soon be twinned with a town in Russia. Burnham and Highbridge Council has been approached by a dance group based at King Alfred School to see whether a formal link with Pereslavl Zalessky is possible. More...

Tickets selling fast for pop act
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Princess Theatre and Arts Centre will play host to the Queen tribute act Mercury on Friday 16th March. Mercury are widely regarded as being established as one of the world's most authentic tributes to the pop legend Freddie Mercury and Queen. More...

Fire authority boss resigns
HUNTSPILL county councillor Mark Healey has resigned from the post of chairman of Devon and Somerset Fire Authority this week after a row about a 25% rise in allowances. Mark Healey and his deputy have stepped down after being criticised by council leaders. More...

Man arrested over drugs find
Exclusive: A man has been arrested by Burnham-On-Sea police after dozens of cannabis plants were seized at a property. A 21 year-old man was held and later arrested on bail after the raid on a property near Lympsham. More than 30 fully grown plants were seized. More...

Cannabis found by town road
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea police are seeking the public's help in finding out how a cannabis plant became to be dumped next to a road in the town at the weekend. Officers were called to Pople's Bow on Sunday afternoon after the fully grown plant was spotted besides the road. More...

550 new homes approved
MULTI-million pound plans for 550 new homes on this farmland in Highbridge have been given the go-ahead today (Tuesday, March 6th) - and the town is also set to receive a huge financial boost as part of the scheme. Sedgemoor District Council's Development Control Committee granted outline planning permission. More...

Town centre wi-fi plans unveiled
Exclusive: PROPOSALS to introduce super-fast wireless Internet access across Burnham-On-Sea's town centre received a cool welcome from town councillors last night night (Monday, March 5th) when they expressed concern about the £40,000 cost of the project. More...

World record sandcastle bid
BUCKETS and spades will be at the ready when a world record attempt to build the most sandcastles in one hour is made on Burnham-On-Sea beach. Sponsors are currently being sought for the event, which will be held on Saturday June 2nd, during the Jubilee celebrations. More...

£1m Mary Portas bid boosted
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea's bid for a share of a £1million cash injection from TV personality Mary Portas to improve the town centre was given a boost on Monday (March 5th) when the town council gave its backing to the proposal. The council is supporting Burnham Chamber of Trade's application. More...

Get on your bike for charity!
SUPPORTERS of East Huntspill's Secret World wild animal rescue centre are being invited to get on their bikes to help the charity's £4m fundraising campaign. The charity is holding a Willows and Romans fundraising cycle ride on Sunday April 15th across the Somerset levels. More...

Boxer punches way to victory
AN up-and-coming young boxer from Burnham-On-Sea's Titans Boxing Club punched his way to a well-deserved win during a hard-fought bout in Devon at the weekend. Lewis Stacey was in action in Bideford where he faced a local favourite, James Hill Perrin. More...

Updated: Arts Festival results
THE results are in for the latest competitions at this year's 65th annual Highbridge Festival of the Arts. Hundreds of talented youngsters from the ages of three upwards are competing for dozens of top honours at The Princess Theatre in Burnham-On-Sea. More...

Ian nominated for police award
A BURNHAM-On-Sea policeman has been nominated to become Avon and Somerset Constabulary's Special Constable of the Year. Special Constable Ian Phillips has been put forward by residents as part of the annual Community Policing Awards, which seek to shine the spotlight on the best police on the beat. More...

Calls for pedestrian crossing
Exclusive: A HIGHBRIDGE councillor has this week called for a new pedestrian crossing to be introduced outside the town's medical centre amid increasing concern about road safety there. Town councillor Pat Burge wants Somerset County Council to introduce a crossing in Pepperall Road to help residents. More...

It's all grow for town pupils!
GREEN-fingered pupils at a Highbridge school are taking part in a nationwide growing challenge. The Gro-Sure Challenge is encouraging children to grow their own vegetables from seeds and is taking place at more than 570 Asda stores across the UK and involving primary schools. More...

Exclusion order for purse thief
Exclusive: A MAN has been given a six-month exclusion order preventing him from entering Somerset after stealing shoppers' purses in Burnham-On-Sea and the surrounding area. The man was arrested after his car was stop-checked in the town last month. More...

Power cut hits 10,000 homes
MORE than 10,000 homes across Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge were briefly plunged into the dark on Sunday evening (March 4th) following a widespread power cut. The cut lasted just 10 seconds, but affected homes across the Burnham area following a high-voltage fault. More...

MP: 'People power saved bus'
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea and Highbridge's MP says the county council's decision to save a vital bus service from the axe is an example of how 'people power' can work. We first reported last week that Somerset County Council had decided not to axe the 113 bus service. More...

Weather halts UK championships
DOZENS of the UK's leading sand yachting enthusiasts were in action on Brean beach on Saturday, competing in the British Land Yachting Championships, but today's racing was halted by wet weather. Over 30 pilots from across the country took part in Saturday's British Land Yachting Championships. More...

Marine Cove to hold plant sale
THE group that runs Burnham-On-Sea's Marine Cove gardens will be holding a fundraising plant sale on Monday morning (March 5th). Residents are being encouraged to visit the seafront gardens, located next to St Andrew's Church, between 10am and mid-day. More...

Festival's Frank marks 25 years
A LONG-serving organiser of Highbridge's Festival Of The Arts was presented with a special award on Saturday (March 3rd) to mark his 25 years of involvement with the event. Frank Burton received a certificate from the town's Mayor and Mayoress during a ceremony at Burnham's Princess Theatre. More...

Society joins BBC music event
BURNHAM and Highbridge Choral Society held a short concert this evening (Saturday, March 3rd) as part of the BBC's nationwide Music Nation project. 35 members of the Society sang an Olympics-themed programme of music at a Burnham Holiday Village event. More...

Floral tributes laid at crash scene
THE family and friends of the two men who died in a tragic car accident in Berrow, near Burnham-On-Sea, last weekend have been laying floral tributes at the crash scene. A number of flower bouquets have been left along the verge in Coast Road where the two men died last Sunday (February 26th). More...

Highbridge Arts Festival: latest
Updated: THE results are in for the first few days of competition at this year's 65th annual Highbridge Festival of the Arts. Hundreds of talented youngsters from the ages of three upwards are competing at The Princess Theatre and Arts Centre in Burnham-On-Sea. More...

All dressed up for book week!
YOUNGSTERS at a Burnham-On-Sea kindergarten were invited to dress up as their favourite literary characters to celebrate World Book Day and the start of Book Week. The children at Southleigh Kindergarten in Rectory Road were encouraged to come as book characters. More...

Town shop is named best in UK
Exclusive: DELIGHTED staff at a Burnham-On-Sea shop are celebrating this week after scooping several top awards in a national competition for a fourth year running. At the British Craft Awards in Birmingham, Material Needs in Burnham High Street was named the UK 'Stitching Retailer Of The Year'. More...

Crews tackle Highbridge fire
FIREFIGHTERS from Burnham-On-Sea tackled a blaze in the centre of Highbridge on Friday evening (March 2nd). Fire crews were called to the Walrow shortly before 7.30pm after a bonfire accidentally spread and set alight a stretch of fencing and a shed. More...

New RSPCA shop for Burnham
AN animal charity is set to open a new shop in Burnham-On-Sea's town centre on Monday (March 5th). The RSPCA is opening the new shop at the junction of Burnham High Street and Cross Street. The charity is closing its existing small shop in Regent Street. More...

Bomb scare at council offices
SEDGEMOOR District Council has resumed normal operations following the lifting of a cordon caused by a bomb scare and evacuation in Bridgwater on Friday afternoon (March 2nd). An unexploded World War II bomb was the cause of the incident, which caused the evacuation. More...

Town fireworks clash debated
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea's seafront fireworks display will be held on the evening before this year's winter carnival, despite a clash with Remembrance Sunday. At a meeting on Wednesday night (February 29th), councillors considered the date of the event. More...

Clock to be unveiled in April
Exclusive: HIGHBRIDGE'S brand new town clock will be fully installed by the end of April, the town council has said this week. The new £20,000 four-faced clock will be installed in the town's Jubilee Gardens to replace the existing crumbling structure, as pictured. More...

Top land yacht racers in action
DOZENS of the UK's leading sand yachting enthusiasts will be in action on Brean beach this weekend, competing in the British Land Yachting Championships. The two-day event is being organised by Brean Land Yacht Club and begins on Saturday March 3rd and cotinues on Sunday. More...

Philosophy author to visit town
BURNHAM-On-Sea Philosophy Group will be visited by a leading philosophy author next week. Gary Cox, who is widely regarded as one of Britain's top philosophers, will be talking at the group's meeting on 7th March at 7.30pm in Burnham Community Centre in Berrow Road. More...

Town MP branded 'a lunatic'
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP Tessa Munt has been branded a "publicity-hungry lunatic" by Conservative Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger this week after she was filmed with anti-nuclear campaigners who were occupying a barn on the site of Hinkley Point's proposed nuclear power station. More...

Tennis visit is a smash hit
COACHES from Burnham-On-Sea's Avenue Tennis Club have made a special visit to pupils at a school in the town this week to introduce youngsters to the sport. Head Coach Vinny Duddy and Club Coach Craig Phillips visited the town's St Andrews Junior School. More...

Vandals attack line of cars
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea police have appealed for witnesses after vandals damaged a line of parked cars in the town centre earlier this week. Four vehicles parked in Burnham High Street outside Lloyds Bank had their wing mirrors damaged early on Sunday. More...

£186,000 boost for town centre
Exclusive: A £186,000 project to modernise Burnham-On-Sea town centre is set to go ahead over the next few months. Burnham-On-Sea.com learns a Sedgemoor District Council 'task and finish' group has met over the past week to approve a list of improvements. More...

Police receive bravery awards
THREE Burnham-On-Sea police officers who saved the life of a woman stuck in mud on Brean beach have this week received bravery awards. PC Ryan Dinham, PC Adrian Jones and PCSO Peter Williams were awarded Royal Humane Society Awards on Wednesday. More...

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