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Burnham-On-Sea News - November 2007

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Santa arrives in town in style!
A BURNHAM schoolboy’s Christmas wish came true on Saturday morning (December 1st) when he escorted Santa in the real Chitty Chitty Bang Bang motor car to a local garden centre in time for his first grotto appointment of the festive season. Jack Kilcoyne, 6, was nominated by his family. More...

Two more drugs arrests in town
POLICE made a further two arrests in Highbridge on Friday (November 30th) in connection with their ongoing investigations into drug dealing in the town. Burnham-On-Sea.com learns two people - a male and female - were held after a drugs warrant was executed in Morland Road. More...

28 evacuated after nursing home fire
TWENTY eight residents have been evacuated from a Burnham-On-Sea nursing home after a major blaze left 25 rooms damaged on Friday night (November 30th). Burnham-On-sea.com reported earlier how a blaze had broken out in a first floor room at Hillview Nursing Home in Berrow Road. More...

Fire hits Burnham nursing home
FIRE crews from across the region rushed to a Burnham-On-Sea nursing home on Friday evening (November 30th) after a big blaze. Several residents at Hillview Nursing Home in Berrow Road were rescued by firefighters after a fire broke out in an upstairs room at the building. More...

Burglars target shop for second time
BURGLARS have made a second attempt to break into a shop in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea in less than a week. Burnham-On-Sea.com exclusively reported last week how a large quantity of cash had been stolen from stationery shop Bastins in the High Street (pictured) in a night-time raid. More...

Winter opening at hospital
WINTER opening hours have come into operation for members of the public seeking treatment for minor injuries or ailments at Burnham-on-Sea War Memorial Hospital. During the summer months the hospital’s Minor Injury Unit (MIU) extends its opening hours. More...

Xmas safety drive is launched
A NEW drink driving safety campaign has been launched in Burnham-On-Sea this week in a bid to make the festive period a safer one for Christmas party-goers. Revellers are being urged to take a taxi rather than risk accidents or losing their driving license. More...

New bid to build Berrow chalets
Exclusive: NEW plans to build a dozen holiday chalets at a Berrow holiday park have been submitted this week. John Fowler Holidays has applied for full planning permission to construct 12 holiday chalets, within a pair of two-storey blocks, at Sandy Glade Holiday Park. More...

Praise for town Coastguards
A TEAM of Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards who helped with flood relief work in Gloucestershire during the summer have been formally thanked by the UK's Chief Coastguard. The Burnham team helped to provide much-needed water supplies to flood-affected areas in July. More...

Improve 'UK's ugliest roundabout'
THIS Highbridge roundabout has been labled 'Britain's ugliest' by local councillors this week as they launched fresh calls for urgent improvements to the 'hideous' structure. The lop-sided traffic island on the Bristol Road was opened outside Highbridge's Asda supermarket last month after being hastily finished. More...

Free parking to lure shoppers?
BURNHAM-On-Sea shoppers will able to park for free in the town at weekends during the run-up to Christmas as part of an initiative to help shops. Sedgemoor District Council's scheme will see charges waived at all car parks from December 1st to 23rd. More...

Four arrests in town drugs busts
BURNHAM-On-Sea police have this week warned drug dealers in the town that there is no place to hide after a series of warrants were carried out. During the last four weeks four warrants have been carried out in the Abingdon Street, Smith Way, Huntspill Road and Worston Lane areas with four people arrested. More...

New N-plant for Hinkley Point?
BRITISH Energy has named Hinkley Point, near Burnham-On-Sea, as a possible location for one of its 'next-generation' nuclear plants. The firm said on Tuesday (November 27th) that it had also earmarked Sizewell in Suffolk, Bradwell in Essex and Dungeness in Kent. More...

Wish comes true for Jack!
A BURNHAM-On-Sea schoolboy’s Christmas wish will come true this Saturday (December 1st) when he escorts Santa in the real Chitty Chitty Bang Bang motor car to a local garden centre in time for his first grotto appointments of the festive season. Young Jack, 6, was nominated by his family. More...

Child injured on road crossing
A CHILD was taken to hospital with leg injuries after a car collided with the youngster and his mother as they crossed a Highbridge pedestrian crossing on Tuesday afternoon (November 27th). Paramedics and police were called to Church Street at 4pm, as pictured here, after a car collided with the pair. More...

Success for town judo experts
BURNHAM and Highbridge Ju Jitsu and Judo club have enjoyed success at the UK's National Bushido Championships. Against senior competitors from all over the Great Britain, Burnham's Matt Bloska and Nick Williams fought into the finals in their weight categories. More...

MP steps up Parkway pressure
BURNHAM'S MP Heathcoat-Amory has this week piled pressure on Somerset County Council to complete construction of the town's Frank Foley Parkway. The unfinished road, pictured, should run between Burnham’s Love Lane and Highbridge’s Pepperall Road. More...

Fuel spill after road accident
A BURNHAM-On-Sea fire crew rushed to the M5 motorway roundabout at Edithmead on Monday evening (November 26th) after an accident led to fuel spilling onto the road. The accident involved a motorbike and a car, but there were not believed to have been any injuries. More...

Woman attacked at Apex Park
BURNHAM-On-Sea police have issued an appeal for information after a 37-year-old woman was the victim of a robbery in the town last Thursday (November 22nd). The woman was walking along Southern Avenue and another footpath that runs by Apex Park lakes. More...

Tributes for Burnham teenager
TRIBUTES have this week been paid to Nathan Edwards, the Burnham-On-Sea teenager who was killed in an horrific car accident near Bristol last Tuesday. Nathan, 17, was killed in a crash at Long Ashton, near Bristol, on November 20th. The former King Alfred School student was a talented tennis player. More...

MP tackles Chancellor over CDs
BURNHAM-On-Sea MP David Heathcoat-Amory has tackled the Chancellor of the Exchequer over the loss of 25 million Child Benefit records by HM Revenue and Customs. The MP asked Alistair Darling what other organisations have access to personal information. More...

End in sight for lorry noise?
Beleaguered residents of a Burnham-On-Sea street whose lives are plagued by heavy goods vehicles thundering past their homes have welcomed the news that new road signs could soon be introduced directing lorries along alternative routes. We were first to highlight the problem of lorries in Abingdon Street. More...

Pensioner shaken by vandals
VANDALS attacked a house in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday evening (November 24th), smashing the front window of the property. The elderly owner of the house in Oxford Street was left "shaken" by the incident which occurred around 4-5pm, according to neighbours. More...

Pool shut by staff sickness
BURNHAM-On-Sea's swimming pool was closed to the public on Monday morning (November 26th) after an outbreak of sickness among its lifeguards resulted in the facility being partially closed. Swimmers were turned away from the pool in Berrow Road (pictured). More...

Brent Knoll Run photo special
ALMOST 120 runners from across the South West took part in the annual gruelling race from Burnham-On-Sea to the top of Brent Knoll and back on Sunday (November 25th). The 5.5 mile Brent Knoll Run has been held for more than 20 years, having originally been started as a small race attached to the village's summer fete. More... | Photo gallery | Results

Secure your property for free
OWNERS of bicycles, mobile phones, laptops and cameras in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge can get their property security-marked at a free police event in the town this week. Police are holding a security marking evening on Tuesday (November 27th). More...

Video highlights of Xmas switch-on
RELIVE the best moments from Burnham's annual Christmas lights switch-on, which took place on Saturday (November 24th). Our special online video highlights let you watch and hear the entertainment that led up to the switch-on, performed by the BBC's Clinton Rogers. Video

Council shortfall threat to jobs
Exclusive: SPECULATION is growing that Sedgemoor District Council will this week announce major job cuts after hitting a financial shortfall. Burnham-On-Sea.com understands the shortfall amounts to around £1.8m, and that scores of staff lay-offs are being planned. More...

Big crowds at lights switch-on
BIG crowds flocked into Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday (November 24th) for the town's annual Christmas lights switch-on. BBC Points West reporter Clinton Rogers and Mayor Pauline Pollard flipped the switch at 4pm to light up the town for the festive period. An all-day Christmas market started the day. More... | Photo gallery

17-year-old crash victim named
THE name of the Burnham-On-Sea teenager who was killed in an horrific car accident near Bristol on Tuesday night (November 20th) has been announced by police. Nathan Edwards, 17, was killed in the crash at Long Ashton on Tuesday night (November 20th). More...

Xmas light-up this Saturday
BIG crowds are expected in Burnham-On-Sea this Saturday (November 24th) for the town's annual Christmas lights switch-on. BBC Points West reporter Clinton Rogers will flip the switch at 4pm to light up the High Street and other parts of the town over the festive period. More...

Thumbs down for 90 new flats
PLANS to build 90 new flats on this industrial land in Highbridge have been given a cool welcome by planners this week. Members of the Burnham and Highbridge Planning Applications Committee recommended that the project for land off Newtown Road (pictured) be turned down. More...

Fire crew tackles car blaze
BURNHAM-On-Sea firefighters rushed to Highbridge's King Alfred School on Thursday evening (November 22nd) after a car burst into flames. The fire crew was called to the car park besides the school's sports centre at 6.57pm after a white Volkswagen Scirocco GT was reported to be well alight. More...

Burglars target Burnham shop
BURGLARS broke into a shop in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea this week before fleeing with a large quantity of cash. The thieves struck at Bastins on the High Street early on Monday morning (November 19th), cutting a hole in the roof of the building before taking the money. More...

Flood damage may shut home
A PUBLICLY-owned property in Highbridge which is used as emergency temporary accommodation for homeless families could be permanently closed after a flood caused over £40,000 of damage. Wade House's complete closure is one of three options. More...

Town's top boxers in action
THE best of Burnham and Highbridge's up-and-coming boxers will be pulling on their gloves for a special night of bouts this weekend. King Alfred Amateur Boxing Club is holding a series of matches in Highbridge's King Alfred School Hall this Saturday (November 24th). More...

Burnham teenager killed in crash
A 17-year-old boy from Burnham-On-Sea has been killed in an horrific crash near Bristol. Police have issued an appeal for witnesses following the accident in the Long Ashton area on Tuesday night (November 20th). They were called to the incident at 6.18pm on the B3128. More...

Sea water quality survey blow
SEA water quality in Burnham, Brean and Berrow has failed to meet UK and EU water quality standards in a new government study. The annual survey from DEFRA - the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - found that local bathing waters pass only basic standards. More...

CCTV photo appeal after theft
POLICE have issued a photo of a man they want to talk to in connection with their enquiries into a theft at Sedgemoor Services, near Burnham-On-Sea, earlier this month. Police want help in identifying the man following a theft on Saturday November 10th. More...

Two-car accident in Brean
A TEAM of Burnham-On-Sea firefighters rushed to Brean on Wednesday afternoon (November 21st) after a two-vehicle accident. The incident in Wick Road occurred at 2.30pm and there were initially concerns that one of the two cars involved may be on fire. More...

Road Safety Week tips for kids
SCHOOLCHILDREN in Burnham-On-Sea have been learning about road safety from the town's police this week and creating their own posters to advise motorists about speeding and other problems. Two PCSOs visited St Johns and St Josephs Primary Schools. More...

First look at Cultural Quarter building
A NEW architect's drawing of Burnham-On-Sea's planned Learning and Cultural Quarter has been released this week for the first time. Consultant architect Nigel Grainge has drawn up an artist's impression of how the new building on the existing Princess Hall site in Princess Street will look. More...

Burnham club wins top trophy
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Hillview Juvenile Carnival Club is bringing home a top trophy after winning second place at Weston-super-Mare Carnival on Monday night (November 19th). The club has won a joint share of the County Cup with Toppers Carnival Club of North Petherton. More...

New owner for Brean Pontins?
PONTINS has confirmed that its Brean holiday park could soon be sold to a new owner. The holiday firm confirmed to Burnham-On-Sea.com that it is in talks with another holiday firm about a possible sale. Pamela Knight, Pontins spokeswoman, said: "Pontins has been approached by a potential purchaser." More...

Lottery scam alert in Burnham
POLICE in Burnham-On-Sea are warning people against being duped into a lottery scam which has been reported in the town. A letter was handed into Burnham Police Station on Saturday (November 17th) which had been delivered to an elderly man living in a local care home. More...

'Photo clinic' starts in town
DIGITAL photographers in Burnham-On-Sea can pick up advice and tips from experts at a special 'technology clinic' in the town. The Burnham Area Youth Centre's Technology Clinic is holding a special taster session in digital photography on December 5th. More...

Weather woes hit Brean event
STRONG onshore winds led to the cancellation of the second day of racing at the UK Land Yachting Championships in Brean, near Burnham, on Sunday (November 18th). A series of races went ahead as planned on Saturday in ideal conditions, but the weather deteriorated overnight. More...

Nursery enjoys special visit
EXCITED youngsters at a Burnham-On-Sea nursery enjoyed a visit from the town's rescue hovercraft and Coastguards this week. BARB, the charity that operates Burnham's life-saving rescue hovercrafts, was invited to the Playaway Day Nursery in Maddocks Slade. More...

Mayor welcomes Dutch group
A colourful group of musicians from Holland was welcomed by Burnham-On-Sea's Mayor when they visited the town last week. Members of the Spuug-Zat band enjoyed a breakfast with Mayor Pauline Pollard at the Somerset and Dorset pub before they marched around town. More...

More success for carnival club
DELIGHTED members of Burnham-On-Sea's carnival club are celebrating again after winning more prizes on the Somerset carnival circuit over the weekend. Hillview Juvenile Carnival Club's float, called 'Daddy Cool - Ice Cool', has impressed the judges. More...

Coastguards find missing man
BURNHAM-On-Sea Coastguards launched a search for a missing person on Brean Beach on Saturday morning (November 17th). They were alerted at 11.30am after a 34-year-old man suffering from depression was reported missing by a friend staying in the resort. More...

Eight arrests over town vandalism
Exclusive: Burnham-On-Sea police have made eight arrests following the latest spate of vandalism in the Manor Gardens area of town. The arrests come just days after an attack on Burnham Bowling Club, recent graffiti vandalism in Manor Gardens and an attack earlier this week at Marine Cove. More...

Cheers! Wine festival success
DOZENS of wine bottles were uncorked when Burnham-On-Sea Rotary Club's 46th annual wine festival took place on Friday night (November 16th). Hundreds of pounds are expected to have been raised for local charities at the popular event, which was held at Lakeside Holiday Park. More...

Christmas craft show a hit
A CHRISTMAS craft and produce show held in Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday (November 17th) attracted crowds of festive shoppers. The event, held for the first time this year, saw almost a dozen gift sellers gather in the Ritz Social Club in Victoria Street. It was well supported. More...

Town bowling club hit by vandals
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea's Bowling Club was attacked by vandals on Thursday night (November 15th) as the town's crime spree continued. Vandals sprayed paint on three vehicles, damaged a fence and left bicycle tyre marks on the club's bowling green. More...

Boost for cultural quarter plans
MULTI-million pound proposals for a Learning and Cultural Quarter in Burnham-On-Sea took a major step forward this week. It comes after an agreement between several community groups that initial plans be drawn up for a bigger community facility based on the Princess. More...

Thumbs down for cinema mast
BURNHAM-On-Sea councillors have this week given the thumbs down to controversial proposals to build a mobile phone mast on top of the town's cinema. O2 has submitted a planning application to build the mast, disguised as a flag pole, plus three antennae on the cinema. More...

Funeral for 21-year-old man
A FUNERAL service is to be held at St Andrew's Church in Burnham-On-Sea next Tuesday (November 20th) for a 21-year-old Burnham man who was killed while walking home from Bridgwater Carnival last weekend. Ashley Taylor, 21, grew up in Burnham-On-Sea. More...

Young Burnham chefs battle it out!
BUDDING young Burnham-On-Sea chefs battled it out on Thursday evening (November 15th) when they took part in the nationwide Rotary Club Young Chef Of The Year competition. Seven students from King Alfred School aged 14-16 took part. More... | Photo gallery

Fire alert at Brean holiday site
A BURNHAM-On-Sea fire crew rushed to a Brean holiday park on Thursday morning (November 15th) after a nearby resident reported seeing "thick black smoke" towering over the site. The crew was called to the Pontins holiday centre in South Road at 11.45am. More...

Police probe wave of vandalism
Exclusive: POLICE are this week investigating a spate of vandalism attacks against properties in the centre of Highbridge. Two firms and a house in Market Street were attacked, with windows being smashed - leaving the owners with repair bills running into hundreds of pounds. More...

Fundraising with bounce!
A GROUP of energetic youngsters in Burnham-On-Sea have been bouncing for charity this week by taking part in a sponsored trampoline jump! Seventy children at Southleigh Kindergarten have taken part in a series of events for this year's BBC Children In Need. More...

TV man visits garden centre
HUNDREDS of people visited a garden centre near Burnham-On-Sea last Saturday (November 10th) to see the presenter of the successful BBC2 television programme 'Flog It'. Paul Martin was at Sanders Garden World to sign copies of his new book and meet shoppers. More...

Lorry crash delays M5 traffic
MOTORISTS travelling past Burnham on the M5 motorway faced delays on Wednesday morning (November 14th) when a lorry accident shut two lanes. The heavy goods vehicle ploughed into the central reservation on the northbound carriageway at 10.20am. More...

Town briefly lights up for Xmas!
WITH Burnham-On-Sea's carnival finished for another year, the centre of town took on a distinctly festive feel on Tuesday (November 13th). A team of workmen was in town to install the first 20 of Burnham's High Street Christmas lights in readiness for the grand switch-on later this month. More...

O2 plans phone mast on cinema
Exclusive: MOBILE phone giant O2 has submitted a controversial planning application to build a huge new phone mast disguised as a flag pole on top of Burnham-On-Sea's cinema. The company wants to install the mast plus three separate antennae on the roof of the Ritz Cinema in Victoria Street. More...

Artists to hold open weekend
A GROUP of Burnham-On-Sea artists are opening their homes to the public for three days later this week to let visitors see their work. Judith Champion, pictured, is among the local artists taking part in the open weekend, which starts on Friday (November 16th). More...

Watch carnival video highlights!
RELIVE the very best moments from the 2007 Burnham-On-Sea Carnival with Burnham-On-Sea.com's online video highlights. We've condensed the whole two-hour event into a ten-minute bite-size package, giving you the chance to quickly see the best bits. Video...

Vandals target Marine Cove again
Exclusive: VANDALS have struck again at Burnham-On-Sea's Marine Cove gardens on the town's seafront. Wire fencing installed around the seating shelters at the entrance to the troubled gardens has been torn down and paving slabs have been damaged. More...

£11,000 collected at Burnham carnival
A TOTAL of £11,000 was collected for local good causes at Monday night's 2007 Burnham-On-Sea Carnival. The amount was up more than £1,500 on last year - much to the delight of organisers. A team of over 80 charity collectors urged the crowds to dig deep. More...

90 more new homes for Highbridge?
A MAJOR planning application to build 90 new homes in Highbridge is set to be debated by town councillors on Wednesday (November 14th). The proposal from Gaia Partnership is for outline planning permission to build 90 dwellings on land opposite Newtown Road. More...

Burnham-On-Sea 2007 Carnival results
DELIGHTED members of Masqueraders Carnival Club were celebrating on Monday (November 12th) after scooping the top prize at the 2007 Burnham-On-Sea Carnival. Their impressive float - 'Wrath Of Neptune' - impressed a majority of the event's 60 judges to win the Cup for the best entry in the procession. More... | Photos | Results | Your opinions