Latest Burnham-On-Sea News

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Nine rescued in mudflats drama
BURNHAM-On-Sea Coastguards helped to rescue a family of nine stuck on mudflats at Uphill on Monday evening (May 31st). A team of five Burnham Coastguards was called to the scene, near the north side of Brean Down, at 5.50pm after the group was spotted over half a mile from shore. More...

It's A Knockout at Apex Park
WACKY team challenges were the order of the day when a Highbridge park hosted a comeback of the classic gameshow 'It's A Knockout' at the weekend... without a single TV cameras in sight! Somerset Rural Youth Project organised the annual fun day at Apex Park on Saturday (May 29th). More...

Hannah sets sights on nationals
A BURNHAM-On-Sea youngster has an extra spring in her step this week after winning a regional trampoline competition. Hannah Bird, 11, competed in the South West Regional Grading Competition on Sunday (May 30th) and came away with a trophy. Hannah is a member of Cheddar's High Flyers Trampoline Club. More...

Plucky Malcolm in 13,000ft jump
A PLUCKY 73-year-old pensioner from Burnham-On-Sea raised over £550 for charity when he completed a second parachute jump on Friday (May 28th). Malcolm Hill leapt out of a plane at 13,000ft after one his friends was refused medical permission to make a jump and he took his place. More...

In photos: Burnham Street Party
OVER £500 was raised for Burnham-On-Sea's carnival club when a fundraising street party was held in the centre of town on Sunday (May 30th). Burnham's MP, Tessa Munt, was among the crowd of supporters at the event, which took place in Burnham High Street over six hours. More...

Tiny trains attract big crowds!
MODEL railway layouts of all shapes and sizes were on show at an exhibition in Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday (May 29th). Burnham and District Model Railway Club held its annual summer open day at the town's Community Centre in Berrow Road, where its members displayed over a dozen layouts. More...

Yacht rescued after mayday call
THIS yacht was rescued by Burnham-On-Sea's lifeboats this evening (Sunday, May 30th) after its skipper made a 'mayday' distress call in the Bristol Channel. Burnham's two lifeboats were launched at 5.25pm to help the 58 year-old skipper after he got into difficulty in strong winds and heavy seas to the south west of Stert Island. More...

Walkers stride out for charity
FIFTY fundraisers pulled on their walking boots to take part in a charity walk from Burnham-On-Sea to Brean Down on Sunday (May 30th). The weather was breezy, but dry, for the seventh annual Alzheimer's Society walk, which saw energetic residents walking either 15 or 7 miles. More...

Lifeboat sent to 'struggling' yacht
A BURNHAM-On-Sea lifeboat was launched on Sunday morning (May 30th) amid concern for a yacht in Bridgwater Bay. A walker on Burnham's Esplanade contacted Coastguards after he spotted that the yacht appeared to be struggling during rough seas and strong onshore winds. More...

Marriage festival opens in town
A THREE day Festival Of Marriage is being held at a Burnham-On-Sea church this weekend. St Andrew's Church is hosting the one-off event, where wedding dresses, cakes and floral displays are on show. Among the items is a 1931 wedding dress, which is in excellent condition. More...

Pylons drop-in sessions planned
NATIONAL Grid has announced a series of events to give people in the Burnham-On-Sea area more information about controversial plans for a huge power line through Somerset. The energy giant will hold the extra drop-in events in our area during June and July to seek more views. More...

New O2 mast for Burnham in July
Exclusive: MOBILE phone giant O2 has this week said its new phone mast on top of Burnham-On-Sea's Ritz Cinema is set to be installed during July. The Planning Inspectorate gave the proposed mast the go-ahead in 2009 after several years of discussions between O2 and Sedgemoor District Council. More...

Butcher retires after 50 years
Exclusive: A WELL-known butcher in Burnham-On-Sea hung up his meat cleaver for the final time on Saturday (May 29th) after a 50 year career. Keith Britton, 65, has been a familiar face at the butcher's counter in Burnham's Tesco supermarket for the past 13 years, and previously worked at Palmers in the High Street. More...

Photo special: It's prom night!
MORE than 170 pupils from Highbridge's King Alfred School attended an end-of-term prom near Burnham-On-Sea on Friday evening (May 28th). Stretch limousines, Porches and even a jeep were out in force as the Year 11 students arrived in style at Rookery Manor, where the formal Prom Night dance was held. More... | Gallery of photos

Final goodbye for local farmer
HUNDREDS of mourners crowded into a Highbridge church on Wednesday (May 26th) for the funeral of well-known local farmer Arthur Duckett. 80 year-old Arthur died earlier this month following a short spell in Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton. His coffin was taken to St John's Church on a horse drawn carriage, as pictured. More...

Tessa visits 'Sounds and Voices'
BURNHAM-On-Sea's newly-elected MP Tessa Munt was in town on Friday (28th May) to record an interview to be broadcast on the Sounds and Voices audio news service. The new Liberal Democrat MP visited the group's studios in the town council buildings in the Old Courthouse in Jaycroft Road. More...

Mark elected fire authority boss
A COUNTY Councillor from the Burnham-On-Sea area was elected Chairman of Devon & Somerset's Fire & Rescue Authority on Friday (May 28th). Huntspill county councillor Mark Healey, pictured, was chosen during the group's AGM which was held on Friday at Clyst St. George in Exeter. More...

RNLI warning over illegal parking
Exclusive: TWO motorists in Burnham-On-Sea had their vehicles clamped and were issued with hefty fines on Thursday (May 27th) after leaving their vehicles illegally parked outside the town's lifeboat station. The owners of this van and a car were given fines of more than £100. More...

Street party in town this Sunday
A STREET party will be held in Burnham-On-Sea this weekend to raise funds for the town's carnival club. The event will take place in Burnham's High Street on Sunday evening (May 30th) outside the Somerset and Dorset pub in aid of the town's Hillview Juvenile Carnival Club. More...

New £1.8m housing project opens
A NEW £1.8m, 15-home affordable housing project has been opened at the site of a former Burnham-On-Sea church hall this week. The 14 flats and one house were officially opened at the site of the former St Peter's Hall in Highbridge Road by Raglan Housing Association's Chief Executive, Nick Harris, and Sedgemoor District Council's Chairman, Cllr Jane Moreton. More...

'Restorative justice' for shooter
THE teenager accused of shooting a boy in the face with a BB gun in a Highbridge park last weekend has been dealt with by means of restorative justice, police said on Thursday (May 27th). The youngster was called into Burnham police station this week where he met his 10 year-old victim. More...

Mixed views on seafront golf course
CONRTROVERSIAL plans to build a mini golf course on Burnham's seafront have this week been attracting mixed reactions from residents and local businesses. Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported in February how Birmingham entrepreneur Paul Chatwin wants to turn a grassy area of The Esplanade into a large, purpose-built golf park to act as a tourist attraction. More...

Cyclists fined in safety drive
Two cyclists have been fined by Burnham-On-Sea police as part of a safety initiative to reduce the number of night-time accidents involving unlit bikes. A 23 year-old man from Highbridge and a 21 year-old man from Burnham have both been stopped while using a bicycle without lights and given fines. More...

Funding blow for Christmas lights
the future of Burnham-On-Sea's annual town centre Christmas lights display was plunged into fresh doubt on Tuesday (May 25th) when Sedgemoor District Council reduced the funding for the display. Burnham Chamber of Trade had hoped for £2,500 towards the display. More...

Now that's a 'leaflet drop'!
THESE were the scenes at a busy Burnham-On-Sea roundabout on Wednesday morning (May 26th) after a lorry shed its load of thousands of leaflets. Police and council cleaners were called to the Edithmead roundabout next to Burnham-On-Sea's junction 22 of the M5 at 8.38am. More...

Tessa sworn in as new MP
BURNHAM-On-Sea's new MP, Tessa Munt, was sworn in during the official state opening of parliament on Tuesday (May 25th) and enthusiastically welcomed measures in the Queen's Speech. She said she is "genuinely pleased" about the formation of the new coalition government. More...

Harriers boost BASC funding
GENEROUS members of a Burnham-On-Sea running club have this week handed over a £500 donation to the town's BASC sports club to help fund its expansion project. Burnham-On-Sea Harriers Chairman Brian Beale presented the cheque to BASC Chairman Neil McKen. More...

'Orb-shaped UFO' over Burnham
A SILVER, orb-shaped UFO was spotted in the skies above Burnham-On-Sea at the weekend, it has emerged. The unexplained object was seen by a visitor on Saturday afternoon (May 22nd) at 1.55pm when it travelled "very fast from east to west across the Bristol Channel over Burnham." More...

Carnival won't move to Fridays
ORGANISERS of Burnham-On-Sea's annual carnival have expressed their disappointment that the event will not move to Friday nights from 2012. Representatives from carnival groups across Somerset met this week and voted in favour of Weston-super-Mare getting the sought-after Friday night slot when Bridgwater Carnival moves to Saturday nights in two year's time. More...

Town's residents thank Gill
BURNHAM and Highbridge's MP, Tessa Munt, is among the local people who have this week thanked PCSO Gill Bawler for her work in the town as she moves to another job. Gill has been a familiar face about Highbridge in her role as a PCSO for five years and earlier this year was named 'PCSO Of The Year' for Somerset West. More...

Highbridge bursts into bloom!
DOZENS of colourful hanging baskets have been installed along the streets of Highbridge this week by the town's Dreamscheme members. More than 40 youngsters from the Highbridge Dreamscheme made a total of 76 baskets during the April half-term holidays earlier this year. More...

Charity tug-of-war this weekend
A BRENT Knoll pub is to hold a fundraising tug-of-war in aid of a Burnham-On-Sea charity this Bank Holiday Monday (May 31st). Teams of six people are being sought for the Brent Knoll Inn's annual tug-of-war competition, which will be held during its four day beer festival over the weekend. More...

Boy, 10, shot at Highbridge park
Exclusive: A ten year-old boy was shot in the face with an airgun at Highbridge's Apex Park at the weekend, police confirmed to Burnham-On-Sea.com today (Monday). Police said the youngster suffered injuries to his mouth after being shot by a teenager on Saturday evening (May 22nd) near the Mallard Place entrance. More...

Fire crew called to hedge blaze
BURNHAM-On-Sea firefighters were called to a put out a hedge blaze next to a town supermarket today (Monday, May 24th). One fire crew was sent to Ben Travers Way at lunchtime after a walker spotted a hedge on open land next to the huge Tesco supermarket site was alight. More...

Farewell to popular town PCSO
RESIDENTS in Highbridge have bid a fond farewell to a popular PCSO, who is moving to another job this week. Gill Bawler, pictured here on the right, has been a familiar face about Highbridge in her role as a PCSO in the town for five years. She is moving to Somerset County Council shortly to take on a new community role. More...

Motorist air-lifted to hospital
FIRE crews from Burnham-On-Sea had to remove the roof of a car trapped in a roadside ditch near Cheddar on Sunday to help a casualty inside. Fire engines from Cheddar and Burnham, together with a Rescue Tender from Glastonbury, attended the accident at 12.01pm. More...

Heatwave brings crowds to town
CROWDS of visitors flocked to Burnham-On-Sea's seafront over the weekend when temperatures in the town were warmer than many Mediterranean holiday resorts. This was the scene on Burnham's Esplanade on Sunday morning (May 23rd) when crowds of walkers thronged the seafront and beach users filed onto the sand. More...

Coast Road protest cancelled
Exclusive: A FOOTPATH protest march in Berrow that was planned to take place on Bank Holiday Monday (May 31st) has been cancelled. Campaigners in Berrow who are calling for a new pavement to be introduced along Coast Road said that policing issues are to blame for the cancellation. More...

Missing girl reunited with family
THIS was the emotional moment that a missing six year-old girl was reunited with her father after a huge search this afternoon (Sunday) involving police, coastguards, hovercrafts and lifeboats on Berrow beach. The alarm was raised at 2pm when distraught father Russell Webb from Wells reported his daughter, Lilly, missing. More...

West Huntspill pub boarded up
Exclusive: A ONCE-popular pub on the outskirts of Highbridge has closed its doors and been boarded up. The Royal Artillery Arms in Alstone Lane was shut earlier this month by its owners after the pub struggled to survive during the financial downturn. It is one of several pubs to have closed in recent years. More...

Lifeboats called to dinghy user
A TEENAGER was helped by lifeboat crews in Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday (May 22nd) after he got swept away on an inflatable dinghy. The 17 year-old, from Burnham, had paddled out on his dinghy to reach an inflatable but when his oar snapped in half, he struggled against the receding tide. More...

Sketching event proves a draw
A BURNHAM-On-Sea artist led a creative workshop at the town's Apex Park on Saturday (May 22nd). The special sketching and painting session was overseen by local artist Margaret Micklewright, who helped a group of youngsters draw wildlife and several locations around the park. More...

West Huntspill concert tonight
SOMERSET opera singer Tim Pitman will give a performance in West Huntspill in aid of charity on Saturday (May 22nd). The concert will be held at 7pm in the parish church of St Peter and All Hallows in West Huntspill with a line up of talent including Mr Pitman and a local concert band. More...

New £50k play area taking shape
WORK to create a new £50,000 play area in Berrow using funding from the National Lottery is set to be completed over the next three weeks. The project on the village green is being overseen by Berrow Parish Council and is on schedule to be completed in June. The project will see the old play area turned it into a modern new facility. More...

In photos: Tony Bullimore visits
WELL-known yachtsman Tony Bullimore was the special guest at a Burnham-On-Sea charity's AGM on Friday night (May 21st). Mr Bullimore, who famously survived for five days in an upturned boat during the 1996/97 round the world yacht race, visited BARB's AGM in the town. More...

Turning trash into high fashion!
A CREATIVE student from Burnham-On-Sea was among a group who staged a unique fashion show and photography exhibition earlier this week using an environmentally friendly theme. The aptly named 'Trash to Fashion' show and exhibition took place in Weston earlier this week. More...

New homes approved by council
Exclusive: TWO new homes will be built on a Burnham-On-Sea housing estate despite objections from town councillors and local residents. Sedgemoor District Council has this week granted permision for two new homes on an area of green land in Winchester Road. More...

Tennis awards for young players
SIX teenagers from Burnham-On-Sea's Avenue Tennis Club have achieved the English Lawn Tennis Association’s Junior Tennis Leaders Award. The players completed a course developed by the LTA to encourage more young people into tennis volunteering and give them the opportunity to take their first steps into tennis careers. More...

Police in CCTV photo appeal
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea police have released these CCTV photos of a man they want to speak to following the theft of £80 from a town supermarket's cash machine earlier this week. The man, who has short dark hair and was wearing a dark blue V-neck top and jeans, was captured on CCTV cameras at around the same time that the money was taken from a cash point at Tesco. More...

Burnham night club set to re-open
Exclusive: A controversial night club in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea is set to re-open this weekend with a new name under new management. Shakers in the High Street has been renamed Skye Bar and Club by new licensees, Weston couple George Panayi and wife Katie. The new-look club will open its doors to the public for the first time this Saturday. More...

Alert over illegal charity collectors
Exclusive: Residents in Burnham-On-Sea have this week been warned to look out for bogus charity collectors carrying out door-to-door visits on behalf of a fire fighters charity. Several illegal charity collectors were reported to Burnham police on Wednesday (May 19th) after being challenged while collecting coins in Berrow Road. More...

Enjoy a night of silver band tunes
BURTLE Silver Band will perform a concert in Burnham-On-Sea this Sunday (May 23rd). The popular group will be playing their first concert of the summer season at Burnham's Princess Hall. The event will start at 7.45pm and tickets will be on sale from the organisers on the door at £5 each. More...

Huge power line costs explained
NATIONAL Grid has said this week that it still wants to build electricity pylons across Somerset's countryside rather than bury them, despite opposition from residents. The energy company wants to build the 37-mile network from Hinkley Point power station to Avonmouth near Bristol. More...

Full house for town fashion show
A GROUP of Burnham-On-Sea fundraisers pulled on the latest fashions and paraded on a catwalk in front of almost 100 people during a charity fashion show in the town on Wednesday (May 19th). The 'Handbags and Gladrags Show' was held at Burnham-On-Sea's BASC Ground. More...

Town ladies unleash inner divas!
OVER a dozen dancers unleashed their inner divas when they took part in a Burlesque workshop at a new dance studio in Burnham-On-Sea earlier this week. DanceFit was visited by Burlesque teacher Charlotte Holland on Sunday afternoon (May 16th). Burlesque has been made popular by celebrity dancer Dita Von Teese. More...

Residents ejected from meeting
Exclusive: A group of residents was asked to leave a stormy Burnham-On-Sea council meeting on Monday night (May 17th) after they confronted town councillors over controversial proposals to build an extension to the block of flats where they live. A group of 14 residents of Brue House in Berrow Road arrived en masse. More...

Success for volleyball players
VOLLEYBALL players from Highbridge's King Alfred School competed in the South West Junior Mini Volleyball Championships at the weekend. The tournament, held in Taunton, attracted teams from across the region covering Devon, Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset. More...

70s film fans at Ritz fundraiser
FANS of the 1970s musical smash hit film Grease headed to Burnham-On-Sea's Ritz Cinema on Monday night (May 17th) when a special funraising theme night was held. Burnham fundraisers Keith and Jane Mitchell from Winchester Road organised the special film night to raise funds for Scope, a charity that helps cerebral palsy sufferers. More...

Secret World opens its doors
SECRET World Wildlife Rescue in East Huntspill will be opening its doors to the public later this month for a special fundraising weekend. The 'Wildlife Babies Weekend' will be held on May 29th, 30th and 31st from 10am to 4pm each day, when visitors will get an insight into the work of the busy centre. More...

Free bike security marking today
CYCLISTS can have their bikes security marked and get road safety advice when Highbridge police hold a special bike marking event today (Tuesday, May 18th). The marking session will be held during a regular police surgery at 6pm at the Police Pod in the Asda car park in Highbridge. More...

Man guilty over indecent photos
A BURNHAM-On-Sea man has been handed a sixteen week prison sentence after admitting making indecent photographs of a child. Garry Arthur Capel, 51, of Westmere Crescent in Burnham-On-Sea pleaded guilty when he appeared before Sedgemoor Magistrates last week. More...

Yachtsman Tony Bullimore visits
WELL-known yachtsman Tony Bullimore will be the special guest at a Burnham-On-Sea charity's AGM later this week. Tony Bullimore, who famously survived for five days in an upturned boat during the 1996/97 round the world yacht race, will give a talk about his experiences during Friday's annual general meeting of BARB, the charity that operates Burnham's rescue hovercrafts. More...

Wave of thefts hits holiday park
Exclusive: Laptops, TVs, handbags and other valuables have been stolen during a spate of thefts from caravans at a holiday park in Burnham-On-Sea over the weekend. Police told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Monday (May 17th) that over a dozen caravan awnings were slashed at Home Farm Holiday Park when the thieves struck. More...

Lucky escape after lorry crash
Exclusive Photos: THIS was the scene on the M5 motorway near Burnham-On-Sea this morning (Monday May 17th) when a lorry crashed through the central reservation and ended up facing the wrong way on the opposite carriageway. Incredibly, the lorry driver narrowly missed several oncoming vehicles at a busy time of day. More...

Busy open day for kids centre
DOZENS of people attended an open day at Highbridge Children's Centre on Monday (May 17th). The centre, based in Coronation Road, threw open its doors to give the general public a chance to see its modern facilities. Centre Manager Julian Plested said it was a busy day, with many visitors. More...

TV comedian visits Burnham
A TOP TV comedian from the 1970s was the main act at a variety show held in Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday evening (May 15th). Don Reid, a frequent performer on the original The Comedians TV series, was at Burnham's Princess Hall for the one-off special 'Bring Back Variety'. More...

Hinkley Point plans 'delayed'
THE expected date for the Hinkley Point C planning application to be submitted to the Infrastructure Planning Commission has slipped by four months from August to December, it has been claimed this week. Campaigners from the Stop Hinkley pressure group say the delay comes amidst new uncertainty for the project. More...

Brean wins best panto award
BREAN'S Coastline Players drama group has won a haul of awards, including best village pantomime, at Saturday's Somerset equivalent of the panto Oscars. The group were delighted to win the sought-after Spotlight Shield for the best panto at the Cinderella Awards. More...

New Coast Road march planned
ANGRY campaigners in Berrow who are calling for a new pavement to be introduced along a dangerous stretch of road in the village will hold their second protest of the year on Bank Holiday Monday (May 31st). Berrow's Local Action Team will start the march at 11am. More...

Free art workshop at Apex Park
A FREE event for children aged between 7-12 years who enjoy sketching and painting will be held at Apex Park in Marine Drive this Saturday (May 22nd) between 10am and 12 noon. The sketching and painting workshop will be run by Burnham artist Margaret Micklewright. More...

Search for missing woman
BURNHAM-On-Sea Coastguards were called out to search for a missing person on Saturday night (May 15th). A woman in her 40s was reported to be in a 'distressed state' and had last been seen in the vicinity of Uphill Sailing Club next to the River Axe at around 10pm. More...

Boost for Burnham youth cafe
A LOCAL County Councillor has presented a proportion of his community fund to Burnham-On-Sea's Youth Cafe this week. The Shed at Burnham Area Youth Centre in Cassis Close has been given £250 by Burnham and Highbridge councillor John Woodman to supports its ongoing work. More...

Mayor opens school's new HQ
Photo Special: BURNHAM'S Mayor and Mayoress were the VIP guests at an opening ceremony held on Saturday (May 15th) for a local performing arts school's new premises in Highbridge. Curtain Call School of Performing Arts' new premises in The Old Creamery on the Huntspill Road in Highbridge were opened. More...

Cello concert raises over £700
OVER £700 was raised for charity when a leading cellist performed a concert in Brent Knoll on Saturday night (May 15th). Anup Kumar Biswas played at St Michael's Church in front of an audience of more than 60 people. The event raised £749 for Mathieson Music Trust. More...

VIP's visit is music to the ears!
THE High Sheriff of Somerset, Pat Hunt, made a special visit to Highbridge Youth Club on Friday evening (May 14th) where she was shown its new juke box, which has been bought through a countywide scheme to promote improved quality of life through the prevention of crime. More...

Tributes for well-known farmer
TRIBUTES have been paid to a Highbridge farmer who was a big name on the national farming scene. 80 year-old Arthur Duckett died on Thursday following a short spell in Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton. He shot to fame when one of his bullocks, called The Field Marshall, was officially named the UK's biggest. More...

Club bowled over by donation!
A BURNHAM-On-Sea club has been 'bowled over' by a £1,250 donation this week. Burnham Short Mat Bowls Club has received £1,000 from The Somerset Community Fund and £250 from County Councillor John Woodman's community fund, delighting the club's members. More...

Council tackles beach erosion
Exclusive: 40 tonnes of new sand was added onto Burnham-On-Sea beach today (Friday, May 14th) in a bid to replace sand that has been swept away during recent weeks. Contractors working for Sedgemoor District Council used tractors and diggers to spread the new material onto the beach. More...

Gallery showcases local artists
AN art and photography exhibition by two local artists has opened in Burnham-On-Sea this week. Graham McPherson and Wendy Asplin, pictured, are displaying paintings, photoart and photography at Seabreeze Gallery in Victoria Street - their second exhibition together. More...

Burglar arrested after tip-off
A MAN who Burnham police believe is responsible for two burglaries in the area has been arrested following a tip-off by a suspicious local resident. Peter Davies Smith from Highbridge was arrested on Thursday (May 13th) for an attempted burglary in Burnham-On-Sea and another in Highbridge. More...

Carnival may move to Fridays
THE organisers of Burnham-On-Sea's winter carnival have this week made a formal application to change the night on which it is held. At the AGM of the Highbridge and Burnham Carnival Committee, members voted in favour of switching the event to Fridays. More...

Radio station plans gather pace
PREPARATIONS for the launch of a temporary radio station in Highbridge have continued this week with the recording of several programmes and jingles. It comes after Ofcom, the UK's radio regulator, formally accepted the station's application and gave it approval. More...

Euro MP makes visit to Berrow
A MEMBER of the European Parliament who represents the Burnham-On-Sea area made a special visit on Thursday (May 13th). Julie Girling, Conservative MEP for the South West of England, visited Berrow Guides and Brownies at St Mary's Church Hall, as pictured. More...

Singing goose raises £400!
A SINGING goose has helped to raise more than £400 for a childrens’ charity while in residence at a Brent Knoll garden centre. Gilbert the Goose, a talking interactive display, has been entertaining visitors at Sanders Garden World in Brent Knoll during recent months. More...

Burnham beach wins award
THE quality of Burnham-On-Sea's beach has today (Thursday) been praised when it was given an 'A' grade in the 2010 Quality Coast Awards. Keep Britain Tidy announced 150 beaches across England have received Blue Flags and Quality Coast Awards in recognition of their high quality environments. More...

CCTV privacy fears in Burnham
Exclusive: Concerned residents in Burnham-On-Sea have this week voiced fears that a new CCTV camera that is due to be switched on over the next few days will affect their privacy. The new 30ft camera has been installed outside the entrance to Apex Park in Marine Drive and is set to help Burnham police monitor traffic and activities in the busy car park. More...

Martin's picked for GB team
Exclusive: A BURNHAM-On-Sea athlete has won a place on the Great Britain team for this autumn's World Duathlon Championships. Martin Rogers, from Burnham Swim and Sports Academy, has been selected to represent his country at the event this September. More...

Let's make Burnham bloom!
BURNHAM-On-Sea's streets will soon be bursting into colour - and organisers of the town's annual Burnham In Bloom competition are urging residents to join in by making it the most colourful year yet. Home owners and firms across the town are encouraged to enter. More...

Busy year for town Watch team
LOCAL Neighbourhood Watch organisers have gathered together for their annual general meeting over the past week. Invited guest speakers at the event, which was held in Saxondale Avenue, were Burnham-On-Sea PCSOs Sarah England and Eliot Green, as pictured. More...

Police probe ditch discovery
Exclusive: POLICE have launched an investigation after this stolen vehicle was found upturned in a rhyne near Brent Knoll today (Wednesday, May 12th). Officers were called to Harp Road this morning after this red Vauxhall 4x4 was spotted by a passing motorist. More...

Park group seeks more helpers
HIGHBRIDGE'S Friends of Apex Park has this week appealed for new members to come forward to join their active group of up to 20 members. The aim of the group is to provide opportunities for the community to improve and promote the use of and awareness of the facilities. More...

'Pie the teacher' proves a hit!
A 'PIE the teacher' contest at Highbridge's King Alfred School has helped to raise £400 for Amnesty International. The school's Year 8 students have taken part in a week of events organised by the Sixth Form Amnesty group that aimed to raise awareness of the charity. More...

30 teams compete in golf event
OVER thirty teams took part in the annual Charity Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Brean Golf Club on Tuesday (May 11th). A total of 33 teams, which is believed to be a record number, took to the greens on a dry, cold day as they attempted to avoid the many hazards. More...

Wind farm concerns expressed
OVER 100 West Huntspill residents voiced their concerns about controversial plans to build five new wind turbines in the village during a special open day on Tuesday (May 11th). Green electricity company Ecotricity put its proposals for the 'Black Ditch' project on display. More...

Fire crews at suspicious blaze
Exclusive: A PLUME of smoke towered over the outskirts of Highbridge on Tuesday afternoon (May 11th) when fire crews were called to tackle a "suspicious" blaze. Firefighters were called to Alstone Road at 1pm, as pictured here, when a resident reported seeing the thick black smoke. More...

Get a blast from Burnham's past
BURNHAM-On-Sea residents are being invited to take a trip down memory lane when the town's history goes under the spotlight during a special historical talk this Wednesday (May 12th). North Sedgemoor Local History Group is holding 'A Time Travel Walk Around Burnham' at King Alfred School. More...

Action-packed visit for students
A GROUP of Highbridge geography students have completed an action-packed weekend of activities and fieldwork. The Year 9 students from King Alfred School travelled to Barton Hall in Torquay, where raft building (pictured) was one of the activities on offer. More...

Kids centre to hold open day
HIGHBRIDGE Children's Centre will be throwing open its doors to the general public when it holds an Open Day next week. The centre, based in Coronation Rd, will be open on Monday 17th May from 1.30pm – 4.00pm. Visitors will be welcome to come in and look around. More...

New Mayor and Mayoress elected
MICHAEL Clarke and his wife Maria became Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge's new Mayor and Mayoress on Monday evening (May 10th). The Burnham couple, pictured here, were chosen by town councillors when Derick and Christine Cooper's year in the posts came to an end. More...

Two-car smash delays traffic
MOTORISTS travelling near the roundabout next to Burnham-On-Sea's junction 22 of the M5 faced long queues of traffic on Monday afternoon (May 10th) following an accident. A two-car crash left one woman passenger shaken and another with a minor head injury. More...

Man arrested over pub attack
Exclusive: This was the scene outside a Burnham-On-Sea town centre pub at the weekend after a man suffered serious head injuries when he was attacked with a glass. Police rushed to the Somerset and Dorset in Abingdon Street on Saturday night (May 8th), as pictured here, and arrested the alleged attacker. More...

Former MP thanks supporters
BURNHAM-On-Sea's former MP, David Heathcoat-Amory, has formally thanked those who voted for him in last week's General Election and talked about how he will miss leading the constituency. He talked to Burnham-On-Sea.com on Monday (May 10th) about the result and his thoughts. More...

Cadets win through to finals
THE first aid team from the Highbridge and Burnham-On-Sea's St John Cadets Division are celebrating after winning the South West regional first aid competition, held in Devon on Saturday (May 8th). Lucy Westlake, Rhiannon Parsons and Hannah Dowell were competing against teams from across the region. More...

Hospice celebrates its 30th year
THE 30th anniversary of St Margaret's Hospice was celebrated during a fundraising concert in Burnham-On-Sea on Sunday evening (May 9th). Over 100 supporters attended the event in The Princess where Berrow's Coastline Singers and Burnham's King Alfred Concert Band performed. More...

Crowds flock to Party In Park
BURNHAM-On-Sea's season of free outdoor music events kicked off on Sunday (May 9th) with the town's annual Party In The Park. The town's Manor Gardens were alive with five hours of live entertainment and music acts including Burnham's Ginger Hitlas and The Fallen Apples. More...

School's visit to rescue groups
EIGHTEEN youngsters from a local school picked up beach safety advice during a special visit to Burnham-On-Sea's rescue hovercraft, Coastguard and lifeboat stations on Saturday (May 8th). The group from Shapwick School were given guided tours of the three services. More...

£135k boost for community centre
Exclusive: Celebrations are underway at Burnham-On-Sea's Community Centre this week after it received a massive £135,000 windfall. The centre in Berrow Road has been awarded a huge grant by environmental company Viridor's Landfill Communities Fund towards the cost of its much-needed modernisation. More...

VE Day marked at Marine Cove
A WARTIME-themed open day was held at Burnham-On-Sea's Marine Cove gardens on Saturday (May 8th), marking 65 years since the end of WW2 in Europe. The event was held to commemorate VE Day and also to highlight plans for the seafront site. More...

Writing workshop hailed a hit
IMAGINATIONS ran wild when a special writing workshop for children who enjoy writing stories was held at Highbridge's Apex Park on Saturday (May 8th). Creative writing teacher Debby Grice, dressed as a witch, oversaw the fun workshop at the Apex Information Point. More...

Volkswagen fans flock to Brean
THOUSANDS of Volkswagen enthusiasts have descended on Brean this weekend for the annual Van West festival. Over 500 VW vans are on show at Warren Farm in the village during the popular two-day festival. More than 1,000 visitors are expected at the annual festival. More...

Two arrested after burglary
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea police have arrested two people as part of their investigation into a burglary at a town centre bakery shop earlier this week. Greggs was broken into during the early hours of Tuesday morning (May 4th). Two males aged 48 and 50 from South Wales were arrested. More...

New MP gets straight to work
BURNHAM'S freshly-elected MP Tessa Munt wasted no time in getting straight down to work today (Friday, May 7th) when she made a visit to a Highbridge community hall within hours of being voted in. Tessa visited Highbridge's Morland Hall where she discussed current issues affecting the facilities with residents and leaders. More...

Three-car crash shuts M5
THE M5 motorway at Burnham-On-Sea was closed for over an hour on Friday afternoon (May 7th) after a three-vehicle accident. Fire, police and ambulance crews rushed to the southbound carriageway between junctions 22 at Burnham and 23 at Highbridge at 2.45pm. More...

Video of Tessa's historic night
VIDEO coverage of Liberal Democrat Tessa Munt's historic election night when she clinched victory in the General Election race in the Wells constituency, which includes Burnham-On-Sea. She won with a slender majority of just 800 votes from David Heathcoat-Amory. More...

In photos: Tessa wins election
LIBERAL Democrat Tessa Munt has clinched victory in the General Election race in the Wells constituency, which includes Burnham-On-Sea. She won with a slender majority of just 800 votes from second-placed David Heathcoat-Amory, the long-standing Conservative who had been MP for 27 years. More...

Crash causes delays in town
HIGHBRIDGE was briefly brought to a standstill this afternoon (Thursday) after this car accident in the centre of the town. Queues of traffic built up in Church Street after a car slammed into the back of a lorry, as pictured here, at around 2.30pm. The driver was shaken. More...

Kids menus get a makeover
A HOLIDAY park in Brean is among ten local food retailers that have taken up an opportunity to give their menus a Jamie Oliver style makeover. Unity Farm Holiday Park is one of 50 firms that have received direct training on how to introduce healthier menu options. More...

We've got five star appeal!
TWO food businesses in Burnham-On-Sea are celebrating after being awarded a maximum five stars for their food hygiene practices. The Newquay Pasty Company in the High Street and Truly Scrumptious in College Street have been praised in the latest council survey. More...

Travellers arrive in Highbridge
Exclusive: THIS large convoy of travellers has moved onto an empty field in Highbridge's Isleport Industrial Estate. Over 25 vehicles took up residence on the field next to Brake Brothers food factory, opposite the recycling centre, on Wednesday night. More...

Second arson blaze of the week
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea firefighters have been tackling a SECOND deliberate blaze of the week at the rear of the former Highbridge Hotel. Two fire crews rushed to the site at 7pm on Tuesday evening (May 4th), as pictured here, just 24 hours after they battled another deliberate blaze at the same location. More...

Polls close in general election
POLLING stations across Burnham-On-Sea have closed and counting has begun in the local General Election battle. It follows a very busy day at the polls across the Burnham area, with the turnout expected to be one of the highest for many years. The results of the battle between the six candidates is expected to be announced at around 5am on Friday. More...

Voting underway in election
POLLING stations have opened across Burnham-On-Sea today (Thursday) as voting gets underway in the General Election. After weeks of campaigning, the six candidates are facing voters, who have until 10pm tonight to cast their ballots in what could be a very close race. More...

New car-free zone launched
Exclusive: A NEW car-free zone has been introduced on the beach next to Brean Down this week. The zone - which covers the area between the Brean Cove Cafe and the cliffs - was launched on Tuesday (May 4th) by the National Trust. A long line of wooden stakes which stretches out into the mud, as pictured, marks the edge of the vehicle-free area. More...

Candidates' pledges compared
STILL undecided on who to vote for in tomorrow's General Election? The six election candidates for the Wells constituency, which covers Burnham-On-Sea, have been asked by the BBC to make three pledges on what their priorities would be if they were elected. More...

Radio station seeks helpers
VOLUNTEERS who want to get involved with Highbridge's soon-to-launch community radio station can find out more about the project this weekend when a special open day is held. The event will be held this Saturday during the day at Highbridge Community Hall. More...

Party In The Park this Sunday
BURNHAM-On-Sea's summer season of free outdoor music events kicks off this Sunday (May 9th) with the annual Party In The Park. The town's Manor Gardens will be alive with entertainment and live music from 12.30pm to 5.30pm featuring the Ginger Hitlas and The Fallen Apples. More...

Plea for more carnival helpers
THE organisers of the annual Highbridge and Burnham-On-Sea winter carnival have this week warned that the event's future could be under threat unless more volunteers come forward to help. Members of the event's committee, pictured, have issued an appeal for more helpers to come forward. More...

Wind farm plans to go on show
GREEN electricity company Ecotricity is to hold an open day next week where its controversial proposals for five new wind turbines in West Huntspill will go on display. The exhibition on the 'Black Ditch' project is being held on Tuesday 11th May at Balliol Village Hall. More...

New date for weather-hit fayre
BERROW'S village fayre has been rearranged for Saturday June 5th after damaging gales caused the event's cancellation at the weekend. High winds damaged marquees and tents on the village's playing field on Saturday, as pictured, leaving them strewn in trees. More...

New fire drama at Highbridge Hotel
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea firefighters have been tackling a new deliberate blaze behind the Highbridge Hotel this evening (Monday, May 3rd) - the fourth such incident in the town in just three weeks. Fire crews used a hose reel jet to douse the flames and extinguish the blaze in a shed at the rear of the damaged hotel. More...

School's super spellers shine!
THREE Burnham-On-Sea students have completed a gruelling spelling challenge in front of a big crowd at the regional heats of The Times 2010 Spelling Bee Competition. The Year 7 pupils from King Alfred School finished in an impressive third position overall. More...

Stolen sign retrieved by police
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea police have this week helped to re-unite a stolen village road sign with its rightful owners on the other side of the country. The metal sign for Breamore in Hampshire had taken pride of place in the centre of the village for many decades until it mysteriously went missing. More...

Kite surfer rescued at Brean
A KITE surfer was rescued at Brean Down on Sunday (May 2nd) after getting into difficulties. Weston-super-Mare's RNLI lifeboat was called out after the woman was reported to be struggling in the water. Crews found the woman's harness had become twisted. More...

Council cash boost for groups
A BURNHAM-On-Sea youth club and a disabled group have received financial boosts following donations from a County Councillor's community fund. Cllr Peter Burridge-Clayton has given £1,000 to The Shed Youth Club and £250 to the Burnham Gateway Club. More...

Folk group plays in Burnham
A POPULAR folk band will be performing a one-off concert in Burnham-On-Sea next month. Magenta will play a mixture of original and traditional music when they take to the stage of Burnham’s Princess Hall on Saturday June 12th. Tickets have just gone on sale, priced £12.50. More...

More medal wins for Monarchs
SEVEN members of Burnham-On-Sea's Monarchs Gymnastics Club have returned from a top regional competition with a haul of medals. The group qualified to represent the South West Team in the Southampton-based Inter-Regional Team Competition in March. More...

Story Circle seeks members
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Story Circle is appealing for more members of the public to join their monthly meetings. The group meets on the last Tuesday of each calendar month in the Dunstan Hotel in Love Lane and is appealing for extra members of the public to get involved. More...

Tennis contest comes to town
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Avenue Tennis Club has been selected to host Somerset's County Tennis Championships next month. The closed competition will be held over three weekends, with the finals taking place on the day of the Wimbledon Men's Finals Day, Sunday 4th July. More...

High winds cancel Berrow Fayre
Exclusive Photos: SUNDAY'S Berrow May Fayre was cancelled after high winds caused havoc overnight, damaging marquees and tents on the village playing field. This was the scene on Red Road Playing Field early on Sunday as organisers cancelled the event and launched a big clean-up. More...

Marine Cove plans go on show
AN open day is to be held at Marine Cove on Burnham seafront next Saturday (May 8th) to highlight the restoration plans for the gardens. The event, organised by the Friends of Marine Cove in partnership with Sedgemoor District Council, will be held from 11am-3pm. More...

'Dirty tricks' claim as signs go
Exclusive: ANGRY politicians in Burnham-On-Sea believe 'dirty tricks' are behind the removal of scores of signs promoting their candidates in this week's Election. Sixteen Lib Dem signs were removed in Burnham Road and Marine Drive early on Sunday morning (May 2nd). More...

Radio Station reunion is held
FORMER staff of the BT Radio Station in Highbridge held a reunion on Friday night (April 30th), ten years to the day since the station closed down. Over 120 guests attended the special function at the Battleborough Grange, with many travelling from afar to attend. More...

Concert raises £800 for Trust
OVER £600 was raised for a cancer charity when a successful fundraising concert was held in Burnham-On-Sea on Friday evening (April 30th). Dozens of people flocked to the event at The Railway Inn in the High Street, which raised a total of £816 for the Teenage Cancer Trust. More...

Wild West fun in Brent Knoll!
THE Wild West has arrived in Brent Knoll this weekend as Native Americans, cowboys and horses take part in a three-day fundraising event for local charities. A re-enactment will take place at Sanders Garden World each day from Saturday (May 1st) until Monday (May 3rd). More...

Record turnout at path protest
OVER 100 angry campaigners in Berrow held their first protest march of the year today (Saturday, May 1st) to place more pressure on Somerset County Council to introduce a new pavement along Coast Road. Berrow's Local Action Team organised the protest. More...

Nick Clegg backs Tessa in visit
Photo Special: NICK Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, made a flying visit to our area this morning (Saturday, May 1st) to give his support to Tessa Munt, the party's parliamentary candidate for Burnham-On-Sea. Hundreds of people turned out to hear Mr Clegg give a rallying election call. More...

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