November 2008 Burnham-On-Sea News Archive

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150 runners complete Knoll Run
A RECORD turnout of over 150 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 30th). The 5.5 mile Brent Knoll Run has been held for more than 20 years and is popular wit local runners. More... | Video

Michael Eavis lights up Burnham
BIG crowds turned out to watch Glastonbury Festival boss Michael Eavis light up Burnham-On-Sea's colourful Christmas illuminations on Saturday evening (November 29th). Mr Eavis said he was "delighted" to be asked to perform the switch-on of over 60 lights across the town centre from a special stage outside the Victoria Hotel. More...

Liam opens new sports centre
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Olympic BMX rider Liam Phillips performed the official opening of Berrow's new flood-lit multi-use games area on Saturday afternoon (29th November). The facility, located next to the Phoenix Pavilion, was officially opened to the public at mid-day watched by local supporters. More...

New Catering service launches
A NEW Burnham-On-Sea party planning and catering company has launched in time for the Christmas party season. Occasions Catering, which is based in Axbridge Close provides a wide range of food and party planning services for functions and events from 15- 250 people. More...

Vandals attack Highbridge shop
POLICE have appealed for witnesses after a vandalism incident in Highbridge left a shopfront damaged. It comes after a fish and chip take-away in the town centre had a large pane of glass smashed in an overnight attack late on Friday night, into Saturday (November 29th). More...

Santa visits Highbridge fair!
SANTA dropped in for a visit to Highbridge when members of the town's Local Action Team held a Christmas fair on Saturday (November 29th). Residents were able to buy Christmas presents, cards and stocking fillers during the event at Morland Hall in Pearce Drive. More...

Eavis to light up town from Xmas
FINAL preparations are underway for the switch-on of Burnham-On-Sea's Christmas later today, Saturday November 29th. Over 60 lights have been installed on lamp posts and buildings in recent days to add a splash of festive colour to Burnham's main shopping areas. The switch-on goes ahead at 5pm. More...

Train fares set to rise in January
COMMUTERS using Highbridge Railway Station will face higher fare charges from the New Year. First Great Western has confirmed this week the level of fare increases that will come into force from January 2nd. Fares from Highbridge to Weston will rise from £3 for single journeys to £3.20. More...

Three-day art event underway
FOURTEEN of Burnham-On-Sea's leading artists are opening up their studios to the public this weekend for a special three-day Christmas event. Five studios are open across Burnham from Friday until Sunday evening, giving the public a chance to see various colourful works. More...

Lives at risk at 'danger junction'
Exclusive: A WORRIED Burnham-On-Sea resident has this week launched a campaign to get a pedestrian crossing introduced at what he calls an "extremely dangerous junction where an accident is waiting to happen." Terence Williams wants safety improvements made at the junction of Burnham Road and Pepperall Road. More...

Spring's just round the corner!
CHRISTMAS may be less than a month away, but Spring was on the minds of a Burnham-On-Sea group on Thursday (November 27th) when its members planted hundreds of bulbs at Apex Wildlife and Leisure Park. Green-fingered members of The Friends Of Apex Park were all armed with spades, gloves and trowels. More...

Busy day of Christmas events
A BUSY day of Christmas events is being planned in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge this Saturday (November 29th). Residents in Highbridge will be able to buy Christmas presents and stocking fillers at a craft fair being organised by the Local Action Team at Morland Community Hall. More...

Joe's crowned top Rotary chef
BUDDING young Burnham-On-Sea chefs battled it out on Thursday when they took part in the nationwide Rotary Club Young Chef Of The Year cooking competition. Six students from King Alfred School were invited to prepare a healthy, two-course meal on a budget of £7. More...

Boost for town farmers' markets
Exclusive: THE future of Burnham-On-Sea's regular farmers markets seems to be secure after the Town Council this week pledged its financial support to the events. Members of the Town Improvements Committee voted in favour of giving £1,200 of funding - or £100 per month - towards the cost of organising the markets in the High Street. More...

In photos: Foley plaque unveiled
MEMBERS of Highbridge's Frank Foley Committee have attended a special ceremony at London's Foreign and Commonwealth Office where Foreign Secretary David Miliband unveiled a plaque commemorating Frank Foley and others who helped Jews escape from the Nazis. More...

Two injured in town accident
THE centre of Burnham-On-Sea came to a standstill on Wednesday (November 26th) after a car crashed into a wall. The Peugeot careered into the side of Burnham Funeral Services next to the Esso roundabout just before mid-day, leading to the temporary closure of Oxford Street. More...

Recycling banks to be removed
PAPER and card recycling banks are set to be removed from several locations in the Burnham-On-Sea area due to the effects of the economic downturn. Recycling company Perry's has said it is removing paper banks from Burnham-On-Sea Holiday Village and the Seagull Inn in Brean. More...

Triathletes make a splash
DOZENS of the region's top triathletes, including one who competed in this year's World Triathlon Championships, were in action at Burnham-On-Sea swimming pool this week. West Country Triathletes held a 'turbo swim' at the pool in Berrow Road attended by more than 30 athletes. More...

£2.5m medical centre plan unveiled
Exclusive: NEW proposals to build a £2.5million medical centre at Berrow, which will provide extra health facilities for the Burnham-On-Sea area including two NHS dentists, are set to be submitted to planners shortly. Eight months after the first set of plans were withdrawn after concerns that the building, pictured below, was out-of-keeping, the scheme is now poised to move forward. More...

Caravan Club boosts BARB funds
THE Caravan Club of Great Britain has handed over a donation of almost £1,400 to the Burnham-On-Sea charity that runs the town's two life-saving hovercrafts. BARB's secretary, Roger Flower, received a cheque for £1,395.23 from David Palmer, Chairman of the Somerset branch of the Caravan Club for Great Britain, during a presentation at Hugh Sexey's School in Blackford. More...

School re-opens after break-in
KING Alfred School in Highbridge will be fully open as normal today (Wednesday, November 26th) after a break-in led to hundreds of pupils being sent home on Tuesday. The school's A Block was struck by burglars and around 750 students were sent home yesterday to allow police to start their investigations. More...

Scouts start Xmas post service
SCOUTS in the Burnham-On-Sea area are gearing up to provide their popular Christmas post service, which launches shortly. The 1st Huntspill and Highbridge Scout Group is providing the annual festive delivery service for the cost of 12p per card. We have a full preview explaining how you can use the service. More...

Burglars attack childrens centre
POLICE cordoned off part of Highbridge's Childrens Centre on Monday (November 24th) as they began their investigations into a burglary over the weekend. Mean vandals smashed their way into the centre in Coronation Road, causing widespread damage to the front of the facility, as pictured here. More...

Fire probe blames power fault
AN ELECTRICAL fault is being blamed for the devastating fire which destroyed this chalet at Brean and killed two pet dogs on Sunday afternoon (November 23rd). The remains of the home, pictured above, were still smoldering on Monday afternoon after Sunday's horrifying blaze. More... | Video

King Alfred School break-in
DOZENS of pupils were sent home from King Alfred School in Highbridge this morning (Tuesday, November 25th) after an overnight break-in. The school's A Block was struck by burglars and students in years 7, 8 and 9 were not in today as police began their forensics work at the scene. More...

New-look Indian opens in town
A NEWLY expanded Indian restuarant opened its doors for the first time in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea on Monday evening (November 24th). Burnham's Mayor and Mayoress were among the special guests at the opening of Chandni's new larger premises in Burnham's High Street. More...

Kite buggy racer injured in fall
Exclusive: A KITE buggying enthusiast suffered head injuries after an accident on Brean beach at the weekend. An ambulance was called to the beach at lunchtime on Sunday (November 23rd) after a sudden gust of strong wind lifted the man and then sent him down onto the hard sand. More...

Countdown to Xmas switch-on!
FINAL preparations are underway for the switch-on of Burnham-On-Sea's Christmas lights this Saturday (November 29th). Over 60 lights have been installed on lamp posts and buildings in recent days to add a splash of festive colour to Burnham's main town centre shopping areas. More...

Marjorie celebrates 100th year!
A BURNHAM-On-Sea pensioner celebrated her 100th birthday with a special visit from the town's Mayor and Mayoress and a telegram from the Queen on Monday (November 24th). On Sunday, the day of her special birthday, Marjorie Brown enjoyed wine and cakes with friends and residents at Tudor Lodge. More...

Huge fire destroys home
FIRE CREWS from across Somerset have been tackling a huge fire that completely destroyed a home beside Brean Down on Sunday evening (November 23rd). Fanned by gusty onshore winds, flames tore devastated the wooden home close to Brean Down Bird Garden. Police, ambulance crews and at least five fire engines were at the scene at 4pm on Sunday evening. More... | Video

Man arrested over beach incident
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea police have arrested a 26 year-old man following an incident on the town's beach. Police and an ambulance were called to the beach at Maddock's Slade, pictured, at the northern end of the Esplanade, last Saturday night after a late night incident. More...

Rotary members in clean-up
MEMBERS of Burnham-On-Sea Rotary Club performed their annual litter picking and bulb planting sessions in the town on Sunday morning (November 23rd). A group of eight members collected several sackfuls of discarded rubbish along Queen's Drive and planted bulbs elsewhere in the town. More...

TV star backs charity campaign
Exclusive: ACTOR Tony Head was the special guest at a ball near Burnham-On-Sea in aid of local wildlife charity Secret World on Saturday evening (November 22nd), where he gave his backing to the group's campaign to halt badger culling. Mr Head, who has appeared in the BBC's comedy show Little Britain, lent his support to the East Huntspill-based charity during its annual ball. More...

Festive bikers roar into town!
THESE were the colourful scenes in Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday (November 22nd) when a group of circus performers, accompanied by 30 motorbikes, roared through the centre of the town to promote the start of a series of Christmas circus shows at a local garden centre. More...

Art exhibition opens in town
A TWO-day exhibition showcasing the artistic talent of local people is being held in Burnham-On-Sea this weekend. The free event is being held at Burnham Community Centre in Berrow Road on Saturday (November 22nd) and Sunday (November 23rd). It features paintings, photos, cards, and acrylics. More...

New eye screening clinic opens
PEOPLE with diabetes living in and around Burnham-On-Sea now have their own diabetic eye screening clinic at the town's hospital. Somerset's NHS Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Service as just opened and its weekly eye screening clinics are already proving a convenient option for some 1,650 diabetic patients living in and around Burnham. More...

Two arrests in tax evasion probe
TWO people near Burnham-On-Sea have been arrested on suspicion of income tax evasion, VAT evasion and money laundering offences amounting to around £400,000. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) investigators, assisted by local police, searched properties and vehicles in the Highbridge and Bridgwater area on Thursday (November 20th). More...

Support grows for tidal reef
SUPPORT for a multi-billion pound proposed tidal reef across the Bristol Channel between Minehead and Aberthaw, which could protect Burnham-On-Sea from tidal surges and flooding, is growing with a new study out this week backing the scheme. Burnham-On-Sea.com exclusively featured the proposals for the Severn Tidal Reef in July this year. More...

'Grot spots' visited by task force
Exclusive: A TASK force of councillors, police and council bosses performed a walkabout of Highbridge on Thursday (November 20th) to see for themselves the 'grot spots' in the town that need improving. They were there to see the areas of the town that need attention and draw up a hit-list of what needs to be done. More...

Rotarians launch festive appeal
SHOPPERS at a Highbridge supermarket are being invited to spread a little Christmas cheer by donating gifts to needy people in the local area. Burnham-On-Sea Rotary Club has this week launched a collection box in the entrance foyer of Highbridge's Asda supermaket to collect the gifts. More...

Fire crews tackle kitchen blaze
BURNHAM-On-Sea firefighters tackled a kitchen blaze in the town on Wednesday evening (November 19th). Two fire engines rushed to a house in Stoddens Road at 8pm after the occupants dialled 999 to report a dishwasher in their property's kitchen had caught fire. The blaze was quickly extinguished. More...

Victory for residents fighting flats
Exclusive: A GROUP of residents in Burnham-On-Sea who have been fighting plans by a developer to turn a seafront property into a block of apartments were celebrating on Wednesday (November 19th) after learning they had won their bid to get the controversial scheme thrown out by the Planning Inspectorate. More...

BNP members details publicised
THE contact details of three members of the British National Party (BNP) living in Burnham-On-Sea have been posted online. The entire BNP membership list, including the names, addresses and telephone numbers of more than 10,000 people, has been published on the Internet by a former member. More...

Man charged after supermarket theft
A THIEF has been given a 12-month community order after Burnham's radio link scheme and Sedgemoor CCTV operators helped the police in his arrest following the theft of toiletries from a supermarket in the town. The man was arrested at the Somerfield store in Pier Street after he stole more than £200 worth of toiletries. More...

Photography work goes on show
STUNNING landscapes and breathtaking scenes of wildlife are on show at a new photography exhibition that has just opened in Burnham-On-Sea this week. The exhibition at Seabreeze Gallery in Victoria Street features landscape, flora and fauna photos plus wilflife images. More...

Lorry fire causes M5 delays
MOTORISTS faced long delays on the M5 motorway near Burnham-On-Sea on Tuesday afternoon (November 18th) after a lorry fire. Two fire engines from Burnham rushed to the southbound carriageway between junctions 22 at Burnham and 23 at Bridgwater at 1.55pm after a lorry carrying straw bales burst into flames on the hard shoulder. More...

Police officer's work praised
A BURNHAM-On-Sea police officer has this week been presented with a District Commander's Commendation after being recognised for his outstanding work. PC Pete Wills was commended for his work with the Burnham Radiolink scheme. He has been instrumental in managing the initiative and has worked hard to build strong relationships. More...

Police helicopter conducts search
POLICE in Highbridge used a helicopter to track a group of five youths after the theft of a scooter in the town on Tuesday afternoon (November 18th). Police were alerted after the scooter was stolen in the town on Tuesday lunchtime and then driven around the streets of the town. More...

Princess overhaul hit by delays
A DECISION on the future of Burnham-On-Sea's Princess Hall is to be put on ice for at least a year because of problems in finding enough funding for the regeneration of the building. Nicola Slawski, Group Manager of Regeneration at Sedgemoor District Council, revealed on Tuesday (November 18th) that problems in finding enough cash for the ambitious plans to overhaul the hall, pictured, mean she wants to delay the project by 12 months. More...

New history panels unveiled
A SERIES of new history panels highlighting Highbridge's colourful past are set to be introduced across the town during the next few months. Highbridge History Group has been working with the Burnham and Highbridge Regeneration Partnership to create the information panels. More...

Tesco gives £300k boost to town
TOWN councillors in Burnham-On-Sea have this week given a 'thumbs-up' to proposals by Tesco to expand its Love Lane store and inject £300,000 into the town. At a meeting of the town's planning applications committee on Monday evening (November 17th), councillors gave their backing to the multi-million pound expansion of the store. More...

Vicarage garden case adjourned
A BURNHAM-On-Sea man appeared before Sedgemoor magistrates on Tuesday (November 18th) following a dramatic accident in which this Bentley convertible careered through a wall into the front garden of the town's vicarage earlier in the month. Police rushed to the property in Rectory Road on November 5th to find the car had ploughed through a wall. More...

Hillview wins second at Weston
BURNHAM-On-Sea's carnival float came second in its class at the annual Weston-super-Mare Carnival on Monday night (November 17th) - the final event of this year's carnival season. Hillview Carnival Club's 'Jester's Parade', impressed the crowds and judges during Monday's parade. More...

Ambulance crews win praise
THREE members of staff at Burnham-On-Sea ambulance station have been presented with long service awards this week after several decades of hard work. South Western Ambulance Service's chairman Heather Strawbridge handed over the awards to Martin Robinson, Noel Young and Julie Williams during a ceremony in Illminster. More...

Regeneration AGM open to all
THE AGM of Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Regeneration Partnership will be held this evening (Tuesday, November 18th) at 7pm in Burnham's Princess Hall. The event includes a presentation by Fred Foax of The Highbridge History Group and an update on progress with the Civic Pride project. More...

Anniversary donation for BARB
A BURNHAM-On-Sea couple celebrating their silver wedding anniversary have turned down gifts from friends and instead made a donation of hundreds of pounds to the charity that runs the town's rescue hovercrafts. Valerie and Trevor Hills celebrated their milestone with a party. More...

MP welcomes post office decision
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP David Heathcoat-Amory has this week welcomed the Government's decision to reissue a vital contract to the Post Office. The Post Office Card Account, which allows people without a bank account to withdraw money, was put out to tender to see if other private companies would bid for the contract. More...

Beach walkers boost academy
HUNDREDS of pounds were raised for a Burnham-On-Sea tennis academy on Sunday morning (November 16th) when local residents took part in a fundraising beach walk. A crowd of over 30 local residents strode out along the beach, from the jetty to the lighthouse. More...

Clean-up begins at fire-hit hotel
WORK to clean up the site of the fire-hit Highbridge Hotel has begun during the last week. At the request of the town and district councils, litter and debris outside the front of the former hotel has been removed, as pictured here, and new signs warning trespassers to keep out have been introduced. More...

Tickets on sale for Knoll event
THE history of Brent Knoll will be recounted by members of Brent Amateur Dramatics group when they hold their Christmas show later this month. Tickets have gone on sale for 'Brent Amateur Dramatics' (BAD) History of Brent Knoll' on Friday November 28th and Saturday November 29th. More...

Town's festive lights installed
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Christmas lights are being installed across the town centre this week ahead of the official switch-on later this month. Over 60 lights are being added to lamp posts and buildings to add a splash of festive colour to the town centre's leading shopping areas. More...

Liam to open new sports centre
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Olympic BMX rider Liam Phillips is to perform the official opening of Berrow's new flood-lit multi-use games area later this month. The facility will be officially opened to the public on Saturday 29th November at 12 noon in the Games Area, which is located to the north-east of the Phoenix Pavilion in Berrow. More...

Sea water quality falls in area
BEACHES in the Burnham-On-Sea area will not receive Blue Flag awards this coming year because the water quality is not up to standard, the Environment Agency said this week. Tests were carried out on sea water at various locations along our coastline between May and September, including Burnham-On-Sea jetty. More...

Rotarians toasts wine festival
DOZENS of wine lovers flocked to Burnham-On-Sea Rotary Club's 47th annual Wine Festival on Friday evening (November 14th). Over 160 people flocked to the event at Lakeside Holiday Park to try seventy top wines from eleven countries. The event has been successfully running for many years. More...

In photos: BBC Children In Need fun
FUNDRAISERS across the Burnham-On-Sea area helped to pour thousands of pounds into the BBC's annual Children In Need coffers on Friday (November 14th). Staff at Boots the chemists on Burnham High Street wore colourful clothing for the day and collected over £100. More...

Swimmers make charity splash
YOUNGSTERS at Burnham-On-Sea Swimming Club raised money for the BBC's annual Children In Need fundraising event by dressing in colourful swimming clothes! "The swimmers paid £1 each to Children In Need to wear whatever they liked to train in," said Head Coach Sarah Pusill. More...

RNLI rescues fishing boat
BURNHAM-ON-SEA RNLI launched on Friday morning (November 14th) to help a fishing boat in difficulty in the River Parrett. The 17ft boat had experienced a critical steering gear failure upstream of Combwich and the boat’s owner was unable to control the boat. The boat was towed to safety. More..

Sparks fly over 'illegal' food sellers
Exclusive: ANGRY food sellers in Burnham-On-Sea were left out of pocket when unlicensed fast food vans pitched up along roadsides in the town just minutes before the start of last Sunday's fireworks display. Huge crowds flocked to the town to watch the spectacular fireworks display, but several food traders who stayed open late to serve hot food were disappointed by poor trade. More...

MP hits out at £68m BBC plan
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP has hit out at the BBC over its plans to spend £68 million on setting up a local online video news service across the UK. David Heathcoat-Amory has written to Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Department for Culture, Media and Sport, on his views. More...

Wine festival comes to Burnham
BURNHAM-On-Sea Rotary Club will be holding its 47th annual Wine Festival on Friday evening (November 14th). A few last remaining tickets are available for the event, which will be held at the town's Lakeside Holiday Park from 7pm. The event has been held each year for many years in aid of charity. More...

Shop praised for disabled access
A BURNHAM-On-Sea food shop has been nominated for a top award recognising its friendliness to disabled customers. Kyffins in Victoria Street has been put forward for a 2008 Accessible Somerset Award, run by Somerset County Council and the district council, by a member of the public. More...

£2,270 collected at fireworks
BURNHAM-On-Sea Rotary Club has announced that it collected a bumper £2,270 for charity during the town's seafront fireworks display last Sunday. Twenty five members of the club wandered up and down the Esplanade collecting coins from the huge crowds that lined the street. More...

Vandals attack former church hall
Exclusive: A FORMER church hall in Burnham-On-Sea has been attacked by vandals this week, putting pressure on district councillors to approve plans to demolish the building and replace it with a new block of flats. Rocks have been thrown through the windows of St Peter's Hall in Highbridge Road. More...

TV crews film beach camels!
A BEACH near Burnham-On-Sea looked more like a Middle Eastern desert on Wednesday (November 12th) when a BBC camera team filmed a programme about camels. The BBC's Natural History Unit visited Berrow where a programme featuring camels was filmed to test a trial presenter. More...

Hillview win second at Shepton
BURNHAM-On-Sea's carnival float came second in its class at the annual Shepton Mallet on Wednesday night (November 12th). Hillview Carnival Club's 'Jester's Parade' impressed the crowds and judges at the fourth carnival of the season following Burnham on Monday. More...

Phone firm mast plan approved
Exclusive: MOBILE phone signals in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea are set to be boosted after district council planners approved proposals to introduce several new antennas in the town. Vodafone will install three new antennas to a mast in Dunstan Road to enable 3G access to be provded across the town. More...

Winter hours for tourist centre
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Tourist Information Centre has this week to switched to shorter winter opening hours. The centre on Burnham's Esplanade will be open for the winter season on Monday to Saturday from 9.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm–4.30pm. The centre's hours are reduced following the town's carnival. More...

Asda seeks to resolve legal row
Exclusive: Anxious residents in Highbridge have met bosses from supermarket giant Asda in a bid to resolve a legal row over shoppers' use of a private drive to access the store. Residents are unhappy that shoppers visiting Asda from Highbridge town centre are being encouraged to take a short-cut from Church Street into the store's car park using a private drive which they own. More...

Fireman retires after 20 years
A BURNHAM-On-Sea firefighter has retired after 20 years of tackling blazes across the area. Phil Hemmings was presented with a mounted axe by Burnham station commander Ian Hazelton, as pictured, during a special retirement party at the Avenue Lawn Tennis Club in Burnham. More...

Alcohol seized during carnival
POLICE seized more than 100 cans and bottles of alcohol during Monday's Burnham-On-Sea Carnival when they took action to prevent anti-social behaviour in the town centre. Officers patrolled the streets during and after the procession and had a high-profile presence in the town. More...

Car recovered after jetty plunge
A STOLEN car was recovered from Burnham's beach early on Tuesday morning (November 11th) after being driven off the side of the town's jetty. The car, a blue Vauxhall Vectra, plunged off the southern side of the jetty at around 2am. It was restrieved by a commercial recovery service on Tuesday morning. More...

BBC crew to film beach camels
A FILM crew will descend on Berrow beach, near Burnham-On-Sea, on Wednesday (November 12th) when a new BBC series is shot there. Two camels will go head-to-head in a beach race being filmed by the BBC Natural History Unit to test the skills of a new presenter who is being trialled. More...

Carnival donations fall £1,400
THE amount of money collected during this week's Burnham-On-Sea Carnival was down on last year due to smaller-than-expected crowds. Members of the Lions Club shook collection buckets all along the parade route and the amount raised was down by approximately £1,400. More...

Video highlights of town carnival
WATCH some of the best bits of the 2008 Burnham-On-Sea Carnival in this eight minute video highlights package. This video features coverage of Burnham's local entries and some of the very best carnival floats from Somerset's top carnival clubs who took part in the annual parade. More...

Two minutes silence in Burnham
BURNHAM-On-Sea war veterans and local residents joined millions of people across Britain in remembering those who have died at war during a two-minute silence to mark Armistice Day on Tuesday (November 11th). The silence was held at the 11th hour of the 11th day. More...

In photos: Burnham Carnival fever
CARNIVAL fever struck Burnham-On-Sea on Monday evening (November 10th) when large crowds of spectators lined the town's streets to watch a colourful procession of 97 entries. More than 90 entries took part in the big parade, which was held in cold, but dry conditions. More...

Results in full for 2008 carnival
DELIGHTED members of Gremlins Carnival Club were celebrating on Monday (November 10th) after scooping the top prize at the 2008 Burnham-On-Sea Carnival. Their impressive float - called 'Nemesis' - impressed a majority of the event's 60 judges to win the overall 'best entry' award . More...

Beijing 2008 stars 'honoured'
BURNHAM'S Olympic BMX rider Liam Phillips and Paralympic swimmer Anthony Stephens said they were "greatly honoured" to be near the front of Monday's carnival procession. Burnham Rotary Club created a special float for the pair to be paraded through the town during the event. More...

It's Burnham Carnival Day!
A CROWD of up to 35,000 people is expected to line the streets of Burnham-On-Sea this evening (Monday November 10th) for the town's annual carnival. With weather forecasters predicting light showers and temperatures of six degrees Centigrade, spectators are being advised to wear warm, waterproof clothing. More...

Latest carnival news in brief
News Shorts: LONG queues of carnival traffic built up along Burnham-On-Sea's Marine Drive on Monday afternoon (November 10th) after this burger van became stuck on a muddy verge. Heavy rain had left the grass verges very sticky and the van had to be towed free. More...

Huge crowds watch fireworks
A HUGE crowd of over 10,000 people were treated to a spectacular fireworks display on Burnham-On-Sea's seafront on Sunday evening (November 9th). The 24-minute display went ahead despite forecasts of high winds, and the organisers told Burnham-On-Sea.com they were "delighted" with how it had gone and "relieved" that they had not had to cancel the event. More...

In photos: Remembrance Day
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP David Heathcoat-Amory was among 200 dignitaries, former service personnel and representatives from local groups who gathered at Burnham-On-Sea's war memorial on Sunday morning (November 9th) to mark Remembrance Day. Wreaths were laid by the town's MP, Burnham and Highbridge Mayor Peter Burridge-Clayton, and other town leaders. More...

Highbridge remembers war dead
DOZENS of Highbridge residents turned out to remember the town's war dead during annual Remembrance Day commemorations on Sunday (November 9th). A procession from the Bank Street car park to the town's war memorial was held and a wreath-laying ceremony followed near St John's church. More...

Beach anglers reel in catches
DOZENS of anglers lined Burnham-On-Sea's beach on Sunday (November 9th) for an annual shore fishing competition. A poor season of catches continued for the anglers who found fewer codling than normal for this time of year. James Redman was the winner. More...

Highbridge theft photos issued
POLICE have released these CCTV images of a woman and man who they believe could help with their inquiries into a theft at a Highbridge caravan sales shop. Police said this week that the incident took place on Tuesday afternoon September 9th at 4.38pm. The pictures show a man and woman at the shop. More...

Academy concert raises £630
HUNDREDS of pounds was raised for Burnham-On-Sea's Nathan Edwards Tennis Academy when popular local rock group The Ginger Hitlas performed a concert at the town's Ritz Social Club on Friday (November 7th). The academy was set up in memory of Nathan, 17, who was killed in a car crash. More...

Fireworks 'will go ahead'
ORGANISERS of Burnham-On-Sea's seafront fireworks display are keeping their fingers crossed that forecasts of poor weather for Sunday (November 9th) will not affect the event. Sunday evening's 20-minute spectacular is due to burst into life from Burnham jetty at 7pm. More...

Yachtsmen complete sea checks
TWO Burnham-On-Sea yachtsmen have been presented with RNLI sea safety stickers after completing safety checks conducted by David Humphrey, Sea Safety Advisor at the town's RNLI Station. A Sea Safety Check is not a pass or fail, a survey or an inspection, but a free discussion about safety. More...

MP attends event in Brean
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP was the VIP guest at a Conservative party event in Brean on Friday evening (November 7th). David Heathcoat-Amory was present at a meal in the Seagull Inn, attended by almost 200 local members of the Conservative party in the resort including Burnham's Mayor. More...

Town carnival float wins third place
BURNHAM-On-Sea's carnival float came third in its class at the annual Bridgwater Carnival on Friday night (November 7th). Hillview Carnival Club's 'Jester's Parade', pictured here during Friday's parade, suffered a few mechanical problems, but the club's members were in "high spirits." More...

Court date set after crash drama
A BURNHAM-On-Sea man is due to appear before Sedgemoor magistrates later this month after a dramatic accident in which this Bentley convertible careered through a wall into the front garden of a vicarage in the town on Wednesday (November 5th). As first reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com earlier this week, police rushed to the property in Rectory Road at 8.30pm. More...

Fire rules threat to guest houses
Exclusive: OVER half of Burnham-On-Sea's guest houses are under threat because new fire safety regulations require them to spend up to £10,000 on upgrading their premises. That's the opinion of a new local campaign group that has been launched by Sedgemoor Tourism Association and Burnham's Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Tessa Munt to raise awareness of the problem. More...

Secret World care for third seal
WILDLIFE carers at animal charity Secret World, near Burnham-On-Sea, are caring for a third seal that has been washed up on a Bristol Channel beach. The charity was called to Weston earlier this week after a young, underweight grey seal was washed up on the beach. More...

Man arrested after car accident
A luxury Bentley convertible careered through a wall into the front garden of a property in Burnham-On-Sea on Wednesday evening (November 5th). Police rushed to the scene, in Rectory Road at 8.30pm, but fortunately no-one was injured in the accident. One person has since been arrested. More...

New clock stands test of time
Exclusive: HIGHBRIDGE'S historic three-sided clock has been repaired after being damaged by vandals earlier this year and is more resilient than ever. Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report in June how one of the faces on the iconic clock had been smashed by mean-spirited vandals. More...

MP in town for remembrance
DOZENS of people are expected to turn out at Remembrance services in the Burnham-On-Sea area on Sunday (November 9th) during the 90th year since the Armistice agreement was signed.
The town's main Remembrance Service will start with a parade at 10.30am. More...

Hinkley plans go on show in town
DOZENS of Burnham-On-Sea residents took up the opportunity to quiz power bosses about their plans to extend Hinkley Point power station at a day-long exhibition in the town on Thursday (November 6th). Residents had the opportunity to see the plans in detail in the Princess Hall. More...

End of season party for traders
OVER 100 tourism bosses and holiday camp staff from the Burnham-On-Sea and Brean area let their hair down at a traditional end-of-season party on Thursday (November 6th). Sedgemoor Tourism Association organised the event at Brean Leisure Park where a fancy dress competition was held. More...

Five arrests after town assault
FIVE people were arrested and then bailed following an assault near this Burnham-On-Sea car park - and police have now appealed for the public's help in solving the crime. The incident occurred on Saturday October 25th at 11.15pm near the Lynton Road car park just off Marine Drive. More...

£10k boost for rugby club
Exclusive: BOSSES at Burnham-On-Sea Rugby Club are celebrating this week after being handed an early Christmas present of £10,000. The club has received the substantial grant funding from Burnham County Councillor Mike Facey, who handed over the money from Somerset County Council's Local Initiatives Budget. More...

Town musicians off to Albert Hall
YOUNG people from Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge have been chosen to perform at the finale of the BBC School Proms concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London later this month. The concert, to be held on Wednesday November 12th, will feature more than 500 children. More...

Phone mast 'mystery' solved
A PHONE mast which appeared in Highbridge over the last few days is run by Network Rail, Sedgemoor's planning team has confirmed this week. The huge mast pictured here bemused residents living near the town's Asda supermarket when it was constructed behind the store without notice. More...

Mayor supports computing event
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Mayor was among the guests who attended a special event in the town to mark UK Online Day. The Burnham Area Youth Centre welcomed Mayor Cllr Peter Burridge-Clayton to the event, who tried his hand at online gaming, and helped other users with their PC questions. More...

Sports centre charity proposals
HIGHBRIDGE'S King Alfred Sports Centre could soon be run by a new non profit-making leisure trust under proposals unveiled by Somerset County Council on Wednesday (November 5th). The creation of the new trust was confirmed by the county council on Wednesday (November 5th). More...

100 residents sign town petition
Exclusive: ALMOST 100 Burnham-On-Sea residents have signed a new petition calling for action to tackle anti-social behaviour along a busy road in the town. Marine Drive residents, led by Dennis Jones, have this week handed the petition to district councillor Joe Leach, pictured, calling for action. More...

Community award for Belinda
BELINDA Swansbury, from Highbridge, is one of several residents aross the county to have been presented with awards by the Chairman of Somerset County Council for their work in the community. The Chairman’s Awards for Service to the Community recognise individuals, partners and groups. More...

Bond boosts town's Ritz cinema!
BURNHAM-On-Sea's new-look cinema has been given a boost this week... thanks to James Bond! Large audiences have been flocking to the renovated Ritz Cinema in Victoria Street, where the new blockbuster Bond movie 'Quantum of Solace' has been playing to large crowds. More...

Speeding motorists in firing line
MOTORISTS who exceed speed limits while driving through a Burnham-On-Sea estate are being warned they risk having their details passed to the police. The Rosewood Action Team, armed with speed cameras, have already carried out 'speedwatch' sessions. More...

Carnival clean-up costs £2,500
THE cost of cleaning up Burnham-On-Sea's town centre streets after next Monday's carnival will be £2,500, Sedgemoor District Council revealed this week. A huge overnight clean-up operation of the town centre is being planned, as normal, so that the town centre is restored to pristine condition by 7am the following morning. More...

Tourist centre praised in survey
THE high quality of customer service at Burnham-On-Sea's Tourist Information Centre has been praised in a new report out this week. The centre on Burnham's Esplanade has once again received excellent results in the annual 'Mystery Shopper' test run by regional tourism boards. More...

Hotel renovation edges closer
LONG-awaited work to renovate the fire-hit former Highbridge Hotel looks set to begin shortly following a meeting between its owner and regeneration bosses. Property developer Derek Mead met with Sedgemoor District Council's Corporate Director Doug Bamsey and members of the regeneration partnership where he said his successful insurance claim now makes the renovation work possible. More...

'Don't consider selling Princess'
TOWN councillors in Burnham-On-Sea have this week been urged to secure the future of the town's Princess Hall. Burnham resident Tony Lynham told a meeting on Monday (November 4th): "It is vitally important that Sedgemoor District Council should not be allowed to sell it off." More...

Top award for town police team
A TEAM of police officers from Highbridge is to be presented with an award for their "outstanding commitment" to working with the local community later this week. The Highbridge police beat team will be given the Ray Robinson Award for helping reduce crime in the Highbridge area. More...

Two arrests on Halloween night
TWO people were arrested by police in the Burnham-On-Sea area on what police described as an "unusually quiet" Halloween in the town. In the Burnham and Highbridge area, police also made three alcohol seizures and one fireworks seizure. They also received five calls relating to anti-social behaviour. More...

Flats scheme gets thumbs down
Exclusive: PLANS to replace this former church hall in Burnham-On-Sea with a new block of 14 flats have been given a 'thumbs down' by town councillors despite changes to the proposals. Raglan Homes applied for planning permission earlier this year to knock down St Peter's Hall, opposite Burnham's Catholic Church in Highbridge Road, to create the new development. More...

Carnival countdown underway
FINAL preparations are underway for next Monday's 61st annual Burnham-On-Sea Carnival, which will feature 94 colourful entries. This year's Carnival Queen Tara Moxey, 17, from Highbridge, and her princesses, Burnham girls Katie Lawson, 10, and Cali Rae Brown, 7, (pictured right) will lead the procession through the town on November 10th. More...

Land Rover trapped on mudflats
A STRANDED Land Rover had to be pulled to safety after getting stuck on notorious mudflats besides Brean Down on Saturday afternoon (November 1st). The vehicle got into difficulty when owner Roger Proctor drove out too far while collecting fire wood along the base of the Down. More...

Video: Halloween music show
A BURNHAM-On-Sea family transformed the front garden of their home into a colourful Halloween light show on Friday evening (October 31st) to raise money for charity. Keith and Jane Mitchell of Winchester Road created the music and light extravaganza in aid of the Make A Wish Foundation. More...

Bike ride is a roaring success
FUN-loving members of Mid-Somerset and South Bristol Motorbike Club raised money for the Burnham-On-Sea charity that operates the town's rescue hovercrafts during a Halloween-themed bike ride at the weekend. Members roared off on Saturday (November 1st) in colourful seasonal costumes. More...

Park bosses boost for charities
THOUSANDS of pounds was handed over to two local good causes at the weekend by bosses at Brean Leisure Park. Burnham Sea Cadets and the Burnham and Highbridge branch of St John Ambulance each received bumper cheques worth £3,000 from the park's owners. More...

Brean fireworks woo crowds
CROWDS of spectators braved heavy rain and gusty winds in Brean on Saturday evening (November 1st) when the resort's leisure park held its final fireworks display of the year. Several hundred people watched a bonfire and 15-minute fireworks display at Brean Leisure Park. More...

Replacement plaque unveiled
A NEW seafront plaque to replace one stolen from Burnham's sea wall to celebrate 60 years of the town's Royal Air Forces Association was formally unveiled on Friday (October 31st). Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported in September how the Royal Air Forces Association plaque near the top of the jetty had been stolen by thieves. More...

Brean fireworks show preview
THE skies above Brean will be lit up with fireworks tonight Saturday ( November 1st) when the resort's leisure park holds its final display of the year. While there will be no admittance charge, there will be collections on the night for several local charities and good causes. More...

In photos: Halloween party fun
A FANCY dress Halloween party for children in the Highbridge area attracted dozens of children on Friday evening (October 31st). Morland Hall was the venue for the colourful event, which was hosted by Highbridge Community Youth Club and supported by several groups. More...

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