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Video: Crowds watch fireworks
A HUGE crowd of more than 2,000 people watched a sparkling fireworks display at Brean on Saturday night (May 30th). The display, captured here on video, took place at the village's Leisure Park and raised hundreds of pounds for several local charities, including hovercraft group BARB. 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 to mark the milestone. The celebrations will begin on Monday June 15th and will include free concerts, slide shows and religious services. An open-air service will also be held at Apex Park. More...

Historic train passes Highbridge
THE first main line steam engine to be built in Britain for 50 years steamed through Highbridge on Saturday (May 30th). The Tornado locomotive visited the West Country for the first time, with its £3m engine hauling several Severn Coast Express excursion carriages behind it. More...

Fire crews tackle dunes blaze
THESE were the scenes on Brean beach on Saturday evening (May 30th) as Burnham-On-Sea fire crews tackled a blaze in the sand dunes. A barbecue that had been lit on the edge of the dunes, close to the Seagull Inn, set 20 square metres of grass on fire. Two fire engines rushed to the scene. More... | Video

Dog killed in Brean cliff fall
Exclusive: BEACH wardens have issued a safety warning to dog owners after a pet plunged to its death from Brean Down on Saturday morning (May 30th). Brean beach warden Pete Williams was called to the foot of the Down at 11am after a Staffordshire Bull Terrier fell down the cliffs close to Brean Cove. More...

Two arrests in drugs operation
BURNHAM-On-Sea police have this week arrested two men on drugs possession offences and searched 20 others during an ongoing crackdown against drugs use in the town. A specialised drug testing machine was used at Michaels Bar on Burnham seafront, as pictured, to undertake random testing. More...

River body 'from Gloucestershire'
Exclusive: THE body of a middle-aged man found washed up in a river estuary near Burnham-On-Sea earlier this week came from Gloucestershire, learns Burnham-On-Sea.com. West Somerset Coroner Michael Rose told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Thursday (May 28th): "We are certain the body is not a local person." More...

Brean fireworks preview
A SPARKLING fireworks display will take place above Brean on Saturday night (May 30th) when the village's Leisure Park holds the second of four free events. The display will get started at 9.30pm, giving visitors an opportunity to enjoy the fun park rides before the display begins. More...

In photos: Town police open day
POLICE and fire crews from Burnham-On-Sea held an open day in Highbridge on Thursday (May 28th) when these young visitors got a chance to see their work up close. The event, held at the recently-opened community police pod in the car park outside Asda, also allowed local people to meet Inspector Sam Williams from Burnham Police Station. More...

Crunch time for regeneration
Exclusive: Regeneration bosses in Burnham-On-Sea are keeping their fingers crossed for good news, with an announcement due next week on whether the town has been successful in gaining millions of pounds of funding. The South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) is due to announce on June 8th which regeneration schemes across the region will gain funding. More...

No TV fame for Wrinkly Rappers
A GROUP of rapping pensioners from Burnham-On-Sea have this week expressed their disappointment at not getting shown on ITV's Britain's Got Talent. Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported in January how the 'The Wrinkly Rappers' were heading off to Cardiff to take part in the programme's auditions. More...

Police holding Pod open day
POLICE in Highbridge are holding an open day at the recently-opened Police Pod next to the town's Asda store today (Thursday May 28th). The Pod will be open from 12pm-3pm, when local people will be able to meet Inspector Sam Williams from Burnham Police Station and members of the fire brigade. More...

Driver unhurt after ditch plunge
Exclusive: THE driver of this vehicle escaped unhurt despite ending up in a roadside ditch near Burnham-On-Sea on Tuesday afternoon (May 26th). Burnham fire brigade was called to Rooksbridge Road at 1.20pm after the Mitsubishi Shogun went into a rhyne near the village of Rooksbridge. More...

Green light for centre's plans?
Exclusive: Controversial proposals to build a new entrance and covered walkway at Sanders Garden World in Brent Knoll look set to be approved by district councillors next week. Planning officer Colin Arnold has recommended that the plans are given a 'thumbs up' when the council's development committe meets at Burnham's Princess Theatre on June 2nd. More...

Loo homes plan is rejected
Exclusive: PLANS to turn a block of former public loos into two new bungalows in Burnham-On-Sea have been thrown out by district council planners. The owners of the building in Hall Terrace, off Seaview Road, had requested full planning permission to convert the property into one bedroom homes. More...

Chris Jagger comes to Burnham
HIGHLY acclaimed musician and song writer Chris Jagger will be performing at Burnham-On-Sea's Princess Theatre next month. The brother of Mick Jagger, who is an artist in his own right, will be in town on Saturday 6th June for the first of a series of concerts over the summer. More...

Car park closure 'is temporary'
SUPERMARKET giant Morrisons has this week reassured motorists that a busy seafront car park in Burnham-On-Sea will only close temporarily while work is carried out. A large section of the Pier Street car park was cordoned off throughout Tuesday (May 26th), with bollards preventing access to approximately 200 spaces. More...

Nightmare day for lorry driver
THIS was the dramatic scene in Highbridge on Tuesday afternoon (May 26th) as emergency crews dealt with a bizarre lorry accident. Burnham-On-Sea fire crews, paramedics and police were called to Worston Road at 3pm after the accident left the shocked driver stuck in his cab. More...

Body found in river estuary
THIS was the scene at Burnham-On-Sea Sailing Club this evening (Monday May 25th) after a body was found in the nearby river. Police, paramedics and two Burnham lifeboats are at the scene after a body was spotted near the mouths of the River Brue and the River Parrett. Police have sealed off the yacht club's slipway and nearby footpaths with tape, as pictured. More...

In photos: Brent Knoll tug-of-war
HUNDREDS of pounds was raised for two good causes at a fundraising tug-of-war was held near Burnham-On-Sea on Bank Holiday Monday (May 25th). Seven teams of six tried to out-pull each other during the event, which was held outside the Brent Knoll Inn in aid of two good causes. More...

Street party boost for Hillview
HUNDREDS of pounds was raised for a carnival club when a street party was held in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea on Sunday evening (May 24th). Large crowds flocked to the Somerset and Dorset pub for the bank holiday party, which featured four hours of live music and entertainment. More...

Top BMX riders descend on town
HUNDREDS of high-flying BMX riders descended on Burnham-On-Sea's BMX track over the weekend for a three-day cycling competition. The track in Apex Park was the venue for rounds three and four of this year's British Cycling National BMX series. We have a full photo round-up of the weekend. More...

Van swamped by incoming tide
A BIG rescue attempt to try and save this stranded vehicle took place on Burnham-On-Sea beach this evening (Sunday May 24th). The van's wheels became stuck in soft sand and mud near the town's jetty at 6.10pm, prompting a call-out for rescue charity BARB. Its crewmembers used a tractor, winches and ropes to try and tow the vehicle to safety, but they were unable to pull it free. More...

Fire crew helps trapped horse
BURNHAM-On-Sea and Weston fire crews helped to pull a stranded horse out of a ditch in Brent Knoll on Sunday afternoon (May 24th). The race horse had become stuck on farmland near Station Road and the alarm was raised when a nearby resident spotted the animal in a distressed state. More...

Graffiti contest deadline looms
YOUNG graffiti artists in Burnham-On-Sea have just a few days remaining to enter their spray-painted designs into a competition being run by the town's Youth Centre. The BAY Centre is holding the contest in order to decorate the exterior of its building in Cassis Close. More...

Street Pastor scheme launches
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea's first group of Street Pastors held their first walkabout in the town on Saturday night (May 23rd) in an effort to reduce anti-social behaviour and petty crime. As first reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com earlier this month, the Street Pastor group has been formed to support local police. More...

Pier kissing couple visit town!
Exclusive: A COUPLE of serial snoggers who found love on a pier are touring dozens of seaside towns to kiss on every pier - including Burnham-On-Sea's, which they visited on Saturday (May 23rd). Romantics Hazel Costin and Jay Preller intend to smooch on all of Britain's 56 piers, finishing at Weston, where they could become the first couple to marry at the new pavilion. More...

Councillors' expenses in full
THE expense claims of district councillors living in the Burnham-On-Sea area has been unveiled this week. The records show Sedgemoor District Councillors claimed £315,884 in expenses over the last year, which was nearly £2,000 up on the previous year. We list the expense claims of all local councillors. More...

Two arrests in police crackdown
POLICE in Burnham-On-Sea arrested two people during a crackdown on rogue traders earlier this week. Officers were out in force across Somerset and the initiative was part of a nationwide Rogue Trader Day, when police and other agencies worked together during the special day of action. More...

Prom Night for 170 youngsters
OVER 170 pupils from Highbridge's King Alfred School attended an end-of-term prom near Burnham-On-Sea on Friday evening (May 22nd). Stretch limousines were out in force as the Year 11 students travelled in style to Rookery Manor, where the formal Prom Night dance was held for 173 youngsters. More...

What's on this Bank Holiday
THERE'S a busy weekend of entertainment lined up across the Burnham-On-Sea area this Bank Holiday weekend. Our guide gives you a quick, at-a-glance guide to all the highlights, which vary from a street party with live music to BMX racing, a tug-of-war and an art exhibition! More...

Foley Parkway 'to open in June'
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea's Frank Foley Parkway is set to fully open to vehicles next month, it was confirmed on Thursday (May 21st). Work to build the missing link, between Love Lane in Burnham and Pepperall Road in Highbridge, got underway in March, as reported here, and plans are now being made for the grand opening. More...

Payback time for offenders
A PIONEERING scheme that allows magistrates to ask offenders to carry out community work, instead of going to prison, has this week been put to good use at Highbridge's Apex Park. Members of the 'Community Payback Team' have been helping Sedgemoor District Council refurbish the park's information boards, waymarker posts, bollards and entrance gates. More...

Town cadets visit Coastguards
MEMBERS of Highbridge and Burnham St John Cadets made a special visit to two of Burnham-On-Sea's marine rescue services this week. The group of 28 youngsters and leaders visited the Coastguard and hovercraft stations on the town's seafront, where they were given a talk about beach safety and also got to see the rescue equipment up close. More...

Widow backs bike safety campaign
A BURNHAM-On-Sea widow who lost her husband in a motorbike accident is backing a new police campaign to reduce serious motorcycle collisions on Somerset's roads. Heather Bartlett, 36, knows first hand how important it is to reduce the number of motorcycle collisions on our roads each year. More...

Deer oh deer! Fawn causes stir
Exclusive: THIS timid, young deer has been fascinating residents on a Burnham-On-Sea housing estate this week after spending several evenings grazing on wasteland. To the surprise of residents, the fawn has been seen several times in recent days around Wallace Wells Road. More...

Bishop visits town on pilgrimage
THE Bishop of Bath and Wells made a brief visit to Burnham-On-Sea's St Andrew's Church on Wednesday (May 20th) during a marathon 330-mile walk to mark the 1,100th year of the Diocese of Bath and Wells. The Rt Rev Peter Price was met by vicar Rev Witts and parishoners on Wednesday. More...

MP's blog: Expenses apology
BURNHAM-On-Sea MP David Heathcoat-Amory's official blog on Burnham-On-Sea.com has been updated. In his latest entry, he apologises over the expenses rumpus, talks about his recent visit to Afghanistan, and explains his views about power generation and the Severn Barrage. More...

Arsenal coach visits Berrow
AN Arsenal football coach has been giving youngsters in Berrow tips on improving their game during a series of special coaching sessions as part of a new police scheme. Stuart Kennard led a training session at the new sports facility next to Berrow Village Hall for more thna 20 kids over the last week. More...

Fish and chip seller calls it a day
Exclusive: ONE of Highbridge's longest-running businesses has been put on sale after its owner this week announced he is retiring after a career spanning 46 years. Dennis Moore, 65, owner of Moore's Fish and Chips, a Highbridge institution, hopes to sell the business. The shop in Church Street has been running for 83 years. More...

Lotto bid for £50,000 play area
Exclusive: PROPOSALS for a £50,000 revamp of a play area in Berrow were unveiled on Tuesday evening (May 19th)... but the scheme will only go ahead if the village wins a Lottery windfall! Berrow Parish Council has submitted a £50,000 bid to the People's Millions scheme for the funding. More...

More jobs go at Highbridge firm
A FURNITURE-making company in Highbridge has this week announced it is to shed a further 17 jobs as the recession bites. Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported in January that David Salisbury Conservatories, which is based on the Isleport Business Park, had shed 19 jobs. More...

Police arrest motorbike youth
POLICE in Burnham-On-Sea have seized a motorbike and arrested a 17 year-old youth in a fresh crackdown on anti-social use of vehicles in the town. It followed reports from the public that motorcycles were being ridden in an anti-social manner around the town by concerned local residents. More...

Battle lines drawn in elections
ELEVEN candidates will be contesting four seats in the Burnham-On-Sea area in this year's local elections on June 4th. All the local County Council seats are up for grabs - and the Brent seat will be the most keenly contested with five local people vying to win the most votes. More...

School and police get cash boost
TWO groups were handed financial boosts by Berrow Parish Council on Tuesday evening (May 19th). The council's chairwoman, Jenny Bentley, handed over £500 to Berrow Primary School and a further £50 to local police officers towards their new county-wide Horse Watch scheme. More...

Work to build 73 homes begins
Exclusive: WORK to build dozens of new homes on land next to Highbridge's Asda supermarket has begun over the last week. Land alongside Caxton Road has been landscaped with new turf, as pictured here, and construction equipment has moved onto the site to start the work. More...

20 evacuated after town fire
THESE were the scenes in Highbridge on Monday evening (May 18th) when 20 residents of a flats complex were evacuated following a kitchen fire. Fire crews equipped with breathing apparatus were called to General Higgins House in Southwell Crescent at 6pm after a fire broke out. More...

Volunteers' Week event in town
THE work of volunteers will be in the spotlight when a special event is held in Burnham's Princess Hall to mark the 25th Anniversary of National Volunteer Week. Sedgemoor District Council and other groups will be holding the special open day on Monday June 1st from 10am-3pm. More...

Dreamscheme fun set to return
HIGHBRIDGE'S Dreamscheme is set to kick back into action over the Half Term Holiday Week. On Wednesday May 27th, the group will hold a special car wash at Burnham-On-Sea Fire Station from 1.30pm - 5.30pm. The kids will be equipped with buckets, water and sponges to wash cars. More...

Welsh lifeboat visits Burnham
A LIFEBOAT crew from South Wales made a surprise visit to Burnham-On-Sea this week during a training exercise. The RNLI Offshore lifeboat from Barry moored at Burnham-on-Sea Sailing Club's pontoons and met members of Burnham's RNLI, BARB and Coastguard. More...

Anger over road crossing decision
Exclusive: MEMBERS of a Highbridge campaign group have this week expressed their disappointment after plans for a new pedestrian crossing on Burnham Road were axed by the County Council. The recently-formed pressure group RAPYD (Residents Against Proposed Yellow Disaster) is unhappy. More...

Burnham ladies 'race for life'
DOZENS of women from Burnham-On-Sea were among the 3,000 participants who pulled on their running shoes for a good cause on Sunday (May 17th). Thousands of pounds was raised for Cancer Research UK at the annual Race For Life, which was held on Weston Beach, despite rain and cold winds. More...

BAY Centre visited by tech boss
THE boss of the government's UK Online initiative visited Burnham-On-Sea's Youth Centre to see its technology clinic last week. During a tour of the South West's UK Online centres, Helen Milner, Managing Director of UK online centres, discussed the strategy with volunteers at the centre. More...

Celebrations for Berrow players
A TEAM of celebrating young footballers enjoyed an open air tour of Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday evening (May 16th) when they travelled to their annual presentation night. Berrow Boys Under 10s won the North Somerset Mini League Cup and were delighted to show off their trophy. More...

Man injured as car upturns
ONE person was taken to hospital after this vehicle span off a road into a ditch in Brean on Saturday evening (May 16th). Two fire engines, police officers and an ambulance from Burnham-On-Sea rushed to Weston Road in the village shortly before 7pm after a passing motorist raised the alarm. More...

Fire crew tackles van blaze
FIREFIGHTERS from Burnham-On-Sea tackled a van blaze at Edithmead on Saturday evening (May 16th). One fire engine attended the blaze in a field just off Burnham Moor Lane at 7.30pm. The fire had been seen and reported by motorists on the M5 southbound carriageway. More...

Two jailed after shop raids
RAM raiders who stole a BMW car from Bristol and then used it to carry out smash and grab raids on two shops in Burnham-On-Sea were each jailed for three years on Friday (May 15th). Southmead men Richard Hebdidge and Lee Tucker were with an unknown accomplice when they used the vehicle to batter their way into Superdrug and Boots. More...

MP in town for charity's AGM
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP David Heathcoat Amory was in town on Friday evening (May 15th) to present several awards at the AGM of hovercraft rescue charity BARB. The MP joined almost 50 people at the Council Chambers in Jaycroft Road for the annual meeting, which was also attended by the Chief Exec of Sedgemoor. More...

Police probe 'deliberate fire'
POLICE investigating a suspicious car fire in Burnham-On-Sea on Friday lunchtime (May 15th) believe the blaze may have been started deliberately. One fire engine from Burnham was called to Rectory Road at 12.06pm after a nearby resident spotted the vehicle in flames. More...

Diane gets well-deserved medal
DIANE Britton of the local Highbridge and Burnham St John Ambulance Cadet Division has this week been awarded a medal at the St John Ambulance County AGM for her voluntary service. Medals are only awarded on completion of 12 years' efficient service and Diane has actually been a member of St John Ambulance for nearly 20 years, having spent some of the time as a Cadet. More...

Author visits Highbridge centre
HIGHBRIDGE Children's Centre hosted a visit by a highly-respected writer on child development earlier this week. Author Sue Palmer spoke on several topical subjects at a conference organised by the centre as part of a project that seeks to involve parents in their childrens' development. More...

Boy shocked after accident
A YOUNG boy was treated for shock after being hit by a passing vehicle outside a Highbridge school on Friday (May 15th). Police and two ambulance crews were called to Burnham Road at 3.24pm, where the incident occurred outside St John's School. The boy was not seriously injured, said police. More...

Police seize cannabis plants
Photo Special: BURNHAM-On-Sea police seized thousands of pounds worth of cannabis plants and made several arrests during drugs raids in our area on Thursday (May 14th). The plants pictured above were seized from a home in Cuthbert Street in Highbridge during the police's ongoing 'Operation Relentless' campaign. More...

350 apply for Morrisons jobs
OVER 350 people have applied to work at the new Morrisons store on Burnham-On-Sea seafront, the company said on Thursday (May 14th). The job applications are currently being sifted through to find potential candidates to fill up to 45 roles, which include checkout operators, bakers, butchers and other staff. More...

Star on TV's Come Dine With Me
GRANADA Television is looking for contestants in the Burnham-On-Sea area to take part in a new, prime-time series of the popular Channel 4 show Come Dine with Me. In each episode, the film crew visits a different town or city in the UK and picks four amateur chefs to appear on the programme. More...

Cash machine targeted by crooks
Exclusive: POLICE cordoned off several cash machines at Burnham-On-Sea's Tesco supermarket on Wednesday (May 13th) after thieves damaged one in a bid to steal cash from inside. This was the scene outside the store in Love Lane, when police tape was placed around the cash points as the investigation got underway. More...

Cash concerns for town carnival
Exclusive: ORGANISERS of Burnham-On-Sea's winter carnival have this week spoken of the group's "financial struggles" as the costs of holding the popular event continue to rise, while donations fall. Carnival President Malcolm Borland was speaking at the carnival assocoiation's AGM on Wednesday (May 13th). More...

Burnham concert cancelled
A LIVE rock music concert which was due to be held at The Princess in Burnham-On-Sea this coming Saturday (May 16th) has been cancelled due to technical problems. Internationally-known guitarist Larry Miller and his band and local musician Cliff Moore had been due to perform at the event. More...

Burglars target nursing homes
Exclusive: POLICE have confirmed they are investigating two burglaries, which are believed to be connected, at nursing homes in Burnham-On-Sea and Brent Knoll. The incidents occurred in the early hours of Monday morning at BUPA's Nursing and Reisdential Centre in Oxford Street and at a second nursing home in Brent Knoll. More...

New drive to bring back coaches
Exclusive: A NEW voucher scheme is to be launched in Burnham-On-Sea later this year to encourage coach drivers to bring day-trippers back into the town. Traders in Burnham are increasingly concerned that the Pier Street coach park is often empty because coach drivers receive incentives to drop their passengers out-of-town. More...

Volkswagen festival in Brean
OVER 2,000 Volkswagen enthusiasts flocked to Brean at the weekend for a three-day festival celebrating the vehicles. Van West 2009 was held at Brean Leisure Park, where car-themed trade stands, exhibitions and entertainment were laid on for the large crowds of car fans from across the UK. More...

Tour of Britain returns to area
THE Tour of Britain Cycle race will be returning to the Burnham-On-Sea area this September, it was announced on Tuesday (May 12th). The first day of the South West Stage of the race, on Thursday September 17th, will see the 96 riders start the day in Frome, travel through Wells, then through Wedmore, Mark and East Huntspill on their way to Bridgwater, as shown on the map above. More...

MP in expenses controversy
HUNDREDS of pounds of manure have allegedly been claimed as expenses by Burnham-On-Sea's MP, David Heathcoat-Amory, according to a report in a national newspaper on Tuesday (May 12th). The Daily Telegraph reported in a special report about MPs' expenses that he made 19 claims over a three-year period. More...

Burnham's new Mayor unveiled
BURNHAM-On-Sea and Highbridge has its first Labour Mayor for over 20 years after town councillors elected Derick Cooper to the position on Monday evening (May 11th). Outgoing Mayor Peter Burridge-Clayton congratulated Mr Cooper on his appointment as he formally passed over the mayoral chain at the Town Council Chambers. More...

Watercolours exhibition opens
AN exhibition of original watercolours and acrylics by local artist Michael Squire has this week opened at a Burnham-On-Sea art gallery. The display of colourful images from across the West Country is on show at Sea Breeze in Victoria Street, opposite the Ritz Cinema, until Saturday May 30th. More...

In photos: Stranded 4x4 retrieved
THESE were the scenes on Brean beach on Monday afternoon (May 11th) when the owners of a vehicle that had become stranded in mud at the weekend managed to retrieve it. Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported on Sunday how the Nissan Patrol 4x4 had got into difficulty after being driven approximately half a mile out from the beach near Brean Down. More...

Jo set to run in county elections
FORMER Burnham and Highbridge Mayoress Joanna Burridge-Clayton has this week announced that she is standing as the Labour candidate for Highbridge and Burnham South in next month's County Council elections. She will be contesting the seat against Liberal Democrat candidate Rosemary Parsons and the Conservatives' John Woodman. More...

Burnham wins Coast Award
BURNHAM-On-Sea has achieved category 'A' status in the annual Quality Coast Awards, it was announced on Monday (May 11th). The awards seek to highlight resorts across the UK that make the most of their natural assets and maintain environmental standards to encourage visitors to return. More...

Bikers roar into town for charity
HUNDREDS of pounds was raised for a Burnham-On-Sea charity when dozens of motorbikers took part in a fundraising cycle ride on Sunday (May 10th). A total of 55 bikers from across the South West took part in the 110 mile tour of Somerset, which began in Highbridge and went on to Bridgwater. More...

In photos: Highbridge craft show
ARTWORK, greetings cards, jewellery and pottery were among the items on show at a special art and craft fair held in Highbridge on Saturday (May 9th). Enterprising students from King Alfred School's Kings Kards organised the event, which was held in the main school hall. More...

Man charged after town crash
A 44-year-old Brigwater man has been charged with aggravated vehicle taking and driving without insurance following a dramatic crash in Burnham-On-Sea early on Sunday morning (May 10th). One man was taken to hospital after a BMW careered off Marive Drive near Apex Park's entrance. More...

4x4 lost to incoming tide
A 4x4 vehicle which became stuck on the mudflats at Brean beach on Sunday evening (May 10th) has been completely lost to the incoming tide. The Nissan Patrol 4x4 vehicle, pictured, got into difficulty in soft sand after being driven approximately half a mile out from the beach near to Brean Down. More...

Party In Park: Donna's surprise!
LARGE crowds filled Burnham-On-Sea's Manor Gardens on Sunday (May 10th) for the town's annual Party In The Park when they were treated to five hours of top-quality music... and a spur-of-the-moment marriage proposal! Members of Burnham-based Ginger Hitlas were giving out flowers to their partners. More...

Lions boost for speedway fund
THE Somerset Riders’ Equipment Fund (SREF) have this week been presented with a cheque for £100 by Burnham-On-Sea Lions Club. Lions President Andrew Bryant is pictured handing over the cheque this week to SREF members Diane Phillips and Sue Tomkinson at the Oak Tree Arena. More...

10,000 homes hit by power cut
THOUSANDS of homes across Burnham-On-Sea were briefly without power on Sunday evening (May 10th) following a power cut. Over 10,000 homes in the town suffered a short power cut at 5.43pm following a high voltage fault, confirmed a spokesman for Western Power Distribution. More...

Shock as car crashes into garden
Exclusive: ONE man has been rushed to hospital after this car careered off a road in Burnham-On-Sea, demolishing two lamp posts, smashing through a brick wall and ending up in a front garden early on Sunday (May 10th). Residents in Marine Drive were woken by the sound of a series of loud bangs at 4.15am. More...

Drunken man in ditch drama
FIVE fire crews from across Somerset were called to West Huntspill, near Burnham-On-Sea, early on Sunday (May 10th) after a drunken man became trapped in a ditch. Fire crews from Burnham-On-Sea, plus others from Bridgwater, Glastonbury and Taunton were sent to Withy Road. More...

Chip pan causes caravan fire
FIRE crews were called to a caravan fire in Brean early on Sunday morning (May 10th). One fire engine from Burnham-On-Sea, two from Weston, plus an incident support unit from Taunton were sent to Warren Farm to investigate the incident, caused by a chip pan left unattended, shortly before 3am. More...

Man held after new drugs raid
Exclusive: These were the scenes in Highbridge on Friday morning (May 8th) when police officers carried out a new drugs raid in the town. Police entered a building in Church Street at 9.45am, where they seized suspected drugs and also arrested a man on suspicion of drug dealing. More...

Stranded van pulled to safety
A VAN was towed to safety on Saturday evening (May 9th) after it became stuck in soft sand and mud on Berrow beach. Burnham-based charity BARB was called to the scene shortly after 5pm after being alerted by a nearby resident. Volunteers used a tractor and ropes to pull the stranded vehicle free. More...

Party In The Park this Sunday
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Manor Gardens will be alive with music this Sunday (May 10th) when the town's annual Party In The Park is held. The event will be held in the gardens from 12.30pm to 5.30pm and will feature live music from the Ginger Hitlas, Dave Chave and a ukelele band. More...

O2 phone mast appeal to begin
Exclusive: THE Planning Inspectorate is to hold a public inquiry in Burnham-On-Sea next week regarding the location of mobile phone giant O2's 'temporary' phone mast in a car park. The 15 metre tall mast, which is mounted on a portable trailer, was first installed at the rear of Morrisons supermarket in Pier Street in 2007. More...

Seed firm's donation boosts park
HIGHBRIDGE'S Apex Wildlife Park will soon be bursting into colour following a seed manufacturer's donation of thousands of wild flower seeds. Sutton Seeds has given more than 30 packets of free seeds to the park as part of a scheme to encourage public parks to plant more flowers. More...

Loo homes plan wins approval
Exclusive: THE owner of this block of former public loos in Burnham-On-Sea looks set to be 'flushed with success' after town councillors this week gave a green light to plans to turn the building into two new bungalows. The new owners have requested full planning application for the scheme. More...

Five-star award for take-away
Exclusive: STAFF at a Highbridge take-away are celebrating this week after officially being told they offer a 'five star' service. Tasty Bitez in Bank Street is one of only a handful of food businesses to earn a coveted 5-star rating in Somerset's Food Scores scheme, run in our area by the district council. More...

Craft fair to be held on Saturday
ARTWORK, greetings cards, jewelry and pottery are among the items that will be on show at a special art and craft fair being held in Highbridge this Saturday (May 9th). Enterprising students from King Alfred School's Kings Kards firm, ste up earlier in the year, have organised the event. More...

Thanks, Burnham-On-Sea.com!
Exclusive: AN RSPCA shop volunteer has this week thanked Burnham-On-Sea.com readers for coming to her help after mean thieves stole her bicycle as she worked inside the charity shop. Pat Ponting's bike was stolen from outside the RSPCA shop in Regent Street last Wednesday. More...

Objections over new flats scheme
Exclusive: PROPOSALS to convert this run-down property in the centre of Highbridge into new flats have this week prompted objections from councillors and local residents. Members of the Town Council's Planning Applications Committee gave a 'thumbs down' to the plans to convert and extend two homes at 29-30 Church Street. More...

New history panel unveiled
A NEW sign charting Highbridge's colourful history was formally unveiled in the town on Wednesday afternoon (May 6th). The newly created Highbridge History Panel was unveiled during a short ceremony outside the Asda store attended by Highbridge councillors and history group members. More...

'Positive talks' on hotel's future
TOWN councillors have this week been reassured by a local conservation officer that positive talks are being held with the owner of the fire-ravaged Highbridge Hotel over long-awaited repairs to the property. Catherine Saunders addressed the council on Tuesday evening (May 5th). More...

Street Pastor scheme to launch
Exclusive: A PIONEERING scheme to introduce night-time Street Pastors into Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge is set to launch this summer. In an effort to reduce anti-social behaviour and petty crime in the two towns, the groups of Christian volunteers will be patrolling the town centres late at night. More...

TV crew films charity's work
Exclusive: A CHANNEL Five television crew is in the Burnham-On-Sea area this week, filming a local organisation's wildlife rescue work. The TV cameras have descended on Secret World Wildlife Rescue Centre, based at East Huntspill, to record footage for the brand new series fronted by a well-known personality. More...

'Outrage' over £100m 'idea'
Exclusive: HIGHBRIDGE Liberal Democrats have this week expressed their "utter outrage" after it emerged that plans for a £100million re-development of the town were nothing more than an 'idea'. Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report last month how bosses from Property Link had unveiled the regeneration plans. More...

Litter-free summer for town?
Exclusive: STREETS, pavements and beaches in Burnham-On-Sea should be free of litter this summer following a decision by the Town Council to employ two new cleaners. A full-time town centre cleaner is being added to the council's staff to keep streets in Burnham litter-free over the tourist season. More...

Climbers spark RNLI call-out
FEARS that this group of climbers had been cut-off by the incoming tide at Brean Down prompted the launch of two lifeboats on Monday afternoon (May 4th). The four climbers had been spotted at around 4pm scaling the cliffs of the southern side of the Down, with the fast-incoming tide beneath them. More...

Biker air-lifted after A38 crash
THESE were the scenes on the A38 at Burnham-On-Sea on Sunday morning (May 3rd) after a motorist had to be air-lifted to hospital following a serious accident. Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to Edithmead at 11.15am following a collision between a car and a motorbike. More...

£1,000 boost for local groups
BURNHAM-On-Sea's rescue hovercraft charity is among two local groups to share a funding boost of more than £1,000 this week. The money was raised at the Tyntesfield Masonic Lodge annual Ladies Night, held at Cadbury House Hotel near Bristol. Both BARB and a local nursing home received over £500 each. More...

Tickets on sale for town concert
TICKETS have gone on sale for a night of live music being held at Burnham-On-Sea's Princess Hall later this month. Guitarist Larry Miller and his band, plus local legend Cliff Moore, bass player Richie Blake and drummer Tim Price, will be performing at the Princess Hall in Burnham on May 16th. More...

Fire alert at Burnham post office
A FIRE crew rushed to the centre of Burnham-On-Sea on Sunday evening (May 3rd) to investigate a sighting of smoke rising above the town's post office. One fire engine was sent to Vicarage Street at around 4.30pm after a local resident called emergency services after spotting the smoke. More...

Wrinkly Rappers back net event
A GROUP of rapping pensioners who are set to appear on ITV's Britain's Got Talent are backing an event in Burnham-On-Sea to encourage OAPs to use the Internet. The Wrinkly Rappers, pictured, are supporting the Burnham Area Youth Centre Internet awareness day on May 15th. More...

Protest causes roads chaos
OVER 150 protesters held a disruptive protest in Berrow on Saturday morning (May 2nd) as villagers stepped up their campaign to get safety improvements introduced Coast Road. Berrow's Local Action Team organised the protest march to cause maximum disruption to motorists on one of the busiest weekends. More... | Photos

Kids entertainer raises funds
A children's entertainer drew families to Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday (May 2nd) for an afternoon of fun and fundraising. Pip Critten performed a line-up of magic and musical fun at the Ritz Social Club in Victoria Street, where the proceeds went to St Andrew's Church Choir funds. More...

Swine Flu rumours quashed
Exclusive: NHS officials quashed concerns on Friday (May 1st) that a resident in Burnham-On-Sea is suffering from suspected Swine Flu. Comments on Burnham's online discussion forums had raised fears that a pupil at a local school had been isolated with the contagious flu bug. More...

Police probe mystery fire
Exclusive: POLICE and two fire crews from Burnham-On-Sea were called to a mystery blaze at a building in Huntspill on Friday afternoon (May 1st). Firefighters used two water jets to damp down the building in Ringstone, just off Withy Road, just after mid-day on Friday, as pictured here. More...

Ram raid attempt on town store
Exclusive: Police are investigating an attempted ram raid on a supermarket in Highbridge earlier this week. Police officers from Burnham rushed to Somerfield, near Bank Street, in the early hours of Wednesday morning (April 29th) after a vehicle was driven at speed into the building. More...

Second rescue for stranded boat
BOTH Burnham-On-Sea's lifeboats were launched on Thursday morning (April 30th) to help a fishing boat in difficulty on Brean beach. The boat, which had also required assistance from emergency services on Wednesday evening, encountered fresh problems on Thursday morning. More...