September 2012 Burnham-On-Sea News Archive

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Town shop wins Somerset award
STAFF at a Burnham-On-Sea fishmonger are celebrating this week after being named Somerset's best food shop of the year. Seafoods in Burnham High Street have scooped the sought-after top award at the annual Somerset Food and Drink Awards. More...

John pulls in £1,400 for charity
A BUMPER cheque for over £1,400 has this week been handed over to a charity seeking a cure for Parkinson's disease following a fundraising truck pull and music night in Burnham-On-Sea last month. Dozens took part in a truck pull and music night held in Burnham and Highbridge. More...

Sackfuls of A38 waste collected
THE A38 through West Huntspill will be looking cleaner this week after residents carried out a major litter pick over the weekend. Sackuls of rubbish were collected along the busy route by a community-spirited group of local councillors and residents throughout Sunday. More...

Country festival is underway
LARGE numbers of country and western music fans are in Brean this week for the resort's annual Country Music Festival. The festival runs until Sunday 7th October and, as in previous years, top names in country music are performing n pubs and bars across the village. More...

Anti-nuclear campaigner dies
A LONG-time campaigner against the expansion of Hinkley Point power station near Burnham-On-Sea has died after a sudden heart attack. Crispin Aubrey, who was a journalist, author and campaigner, died of a heart attack on Friday at the age of 66. More...

Hundreds attend Dylan event
A FUNDRAISING music and fun day was held in Burnham on Saturday (September 29th) in memory of Dylan Cecil, the four year-old boy who died in August after falling from the town's jetty. The 11-hour fundraiser was held outside The Dunstan House in Love Lane. More...

Stranded 4x4 rescued on beach
Exclusive: A motorist was rescued after getting stuck on Brean beach on Saturday (September 29th) while attempting to drive across the mudflats to reach the sea. Brean's beachwarden raised the alarm just after mid-day when the silver Mitsubishi Shogun was spotted stranded half a mile out. More...

Crowds flock to food festival
LARGE crowds of people flocked to Burnham-On-Sea's first Food and Drink Festival today (Saturday, September 29th) - making it such a success that it will return again next year. Over 40 stalls and 14 festival events were held in the town's Baptist Hall and Princess Theatre plus shops across the town. More...

Seafront speeding crackdown
Exclusive: POLICE have this week begun a new crackdown against speeding and anti-social driving along Burnham-On-Sea seafront. Officers are carrying out extra patrols along The Esplanade following renewed complaints from residents about problems with speeding vehicles and late night noise. More...

£25m Hinkley shutdown starts
ONE of the two reactors at Hinkley Point B nuclear power station near Burnham-On-Sea went offline on Friday (28th September) at the start of a £25m planned maintenance project. An extensive programme of work is now underway at the plant and will continue for several weeks. More...

Town Food Festival today
FOOD and drink producers from across the south west will be heading to Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday (September 29th) for the town's first ever Food and Drink Festival. Over 40 stallholders and 14 festival events will be in the Baptist Hall and the town's Princess Theatre. More...

Fundraising Fun Day for Dylan
A FUNDRAISING music and fun day is to be held on Saturday (September 29th) in memory of Dylan Cecil, the four year-old boy who died in August after falling from Burnham-On-Sea's jetty. The event will be held from 12 noon - 11pm at The Dunstan House. More...

'No barrage soon', says Cable
Exclusive: BUSINESS Secretary Vince Cable says proposals for a Severn Barrage across the Bristol Channel will not "happen anytime soon." He made the comments during a visit to the Burnham-On-Sea and Brean area on Thursday afternoon with the town's MP Tessa Munt. More...

£320k revamp edges closer
Exclusive: £320,000 of improvements to Burnham-On-Sea's town centre moved a step closer last night (Thursday) after a meeting was held to discuss the proposed changes. A list of 34 possible improvements was cut down to 12 during the first meeting of the Town Council's expanded Town Improvements Committee which includes representatives from local groups. More...

Highbridge gets a clean-up
HOMES in Sedgemoor staff have joined forces with property tenants to improve the look and feel of several community areas in Highbridge. The group have carried out crocus planting to make for a bright Spring next year, collected discarded litter and cleared gardens. More...

Porpoise washed up on beach
A LARGE porpoise was washed up on Brean beach yesterday evening (Thursday, September 27th). The sad discovery of the dead porpoise, pictured here, was made at high tide by several people walking along the beach towards the direction of Brean Cove. More...

One person hurt in town crash
ONE person was hurt in a two car collision in Burnham-On-Sea today (Thursday, September 27th). A blue Peugeot and a green Vauxhall collided at the junction of Burnham's Oxford Street and Dunstan Road shortly before 10.30am, police confirmed. One person suffered minor injuries. More...

Vince Cable visits Burnham area
THE Secretary of State for Business, Vince Cable, visited the Burnham-On-Sea area on Thursday (September 27th), meeting local business people with MP Tessa Munt. After dropping in at Glastonbury and Street in the morning, he visited Brean Leisure Park for a special lunch. More...

Fears over 'neglected' play area
Exclusive: CONCERNED residents in Highbridge have this demanded urgent action to improve the safety of a "neglected" play area run by the district council. Residents say the Talbot Close play area on the town's Morland Estate urgently needs attention from Sedgemoor District Council. More...

Cash offered to town groups
BURNHAM-On-Sea and Highbridge Town Council is inviting local community groups to submit applications for grant funding up to £1,000. Each year at this time, the council issues grant funding to local groups who provide community benefit in the two towns. More...

Polish grocery shop opened
A UNIQUE new food shop aimed at Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge's Polish community has opened this week. Polanka Food has launched in Highbridge's Market Street and is providing a wide range of fresh groceries to local people direct from the country of Poland. More...

Ben's thanks for air ambulance
A YOUNGSTER who had to be air-lifted to hospital after being kicked by a horse has this week raised hundreds of pounds for the air ambulance that helped him. Luke Ollis and his brother Ben completed a cycle ride between Burnham-On-Sea and Wells in aid of the charity. More...

Vince Cable to visit area today
THE Secretary of State for Business, Vince Cable, will be visiting the Burnham-On-Sea area on Thursday (September 27th). The Liberal Democrat will be visiting several events with Burnham's MP Tessa Munt during the day. He will be attending several events. More...

Coffee morning record bid!
HUNDREDS of local people will be raising their coffee mugs for charity over the next couple of days as they join in the 'World's Biggest Coffee Morning'. Fundraisers in Burnham-On-Sea and Brent Knoll are planning events in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. More...

Library shuts for month's work
BURNHAM-On-Sea Library is set to temporarily close for a month from today (Wednesday) while a refurbishment goes ahead. During the closure self-service kiosks will be installed and some refurbishment will be undertaken. The library is will re-open on October 29th. More...

Gremlins hit iPhone map service
Exclusive: A new online mapping service just launched by Apple to millions of iPhone customers has left users in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge scratching their heads due to dozens of errors Apple's new maps service, which has been unveiled in an attempt to compete against Google Maps, is strewn with gremlins. More...

Mayor praises Bloom winners
HIGHBRIDGE'S Mayor has this week congratulated the organisers of the town's entry into the annual Britain In Bloom competition after they won a sought-after Silver Gilt award. The Highbridge In Bloom team joined hundreds of representatives at the ceremony in Weston. More...

Floods keep fire crews busy
BURNHAM-On-Sea fire crews were called out six times in just over two hours at the height of Monday morning's flash flooding. A deluge of water left roads like Brean's Warren Road and Burnham's Maple Drive under several inches of water plus homes across the area. More...

Lifeguards make a splash!
SIX students from Burnham-On-Sea Swim & Sports Lifeguard Academy attended their first ever competitive lifesaving championships last weekend - and all of them came away with medals. The group competed in the RLSS UK Lifesaving Championship Heats. More...

Town art show hailed success
VISITORS flocked to a two-day 'affordable art exhibition' in Burnham-On-Sea at the weekend. A wide range of work by local artists from Somerset Art Group was on sale at The Bay Centre in Cassis Close. They had a steady flow of visitors during the two days. More...

Dishwasher causes kitchen fire
FIRE crews were called to Burnham-On-Sea's Coleridge Gardens on Tuesday (September 25th) after a dishwasher was reported to be alight. Two fire appliances from Burnham were sent to the scene at 12.55pm following a call from the concerned occupant. More...

New arrests in drugs crackdown
Exclusive: POLICE have made three new arrests in a crackdown on drug crime in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge over the past week as residents have urged officers to keep drug crime as their top priority. In the latest police operation, a man was arrested for cultivation of cannabis at his home in Somerset Way. More...

Mayor opens new IT facilities
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Mayor was the special guest at the official opening of a school's new IT department on Monday (September 24th). Cllr Ken Smout launched St Andrew's School's new computer suite and said he was "very impressed" with the facilities. More...

Food Festival this Saturday!
THE final countdown is underway to Burnham-On-Sea's first ever Food and Drink Festival, which will be held in the town this Saturday (September 29th). Over 40 stallholders and 14 fringe festival events will be in the Baptist Hall and Burnham's Princess Theatre. More...

Tickets on sale for theatre show
TICKETS have gone on sale for the first production by a new youth theatre group in Burnham-On-Sea. Members of Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Youth Theatre are rehearsing for their performance of 'Pinafore Pirates', a pastiche on Gilbert and Sullivan. More...

Cadets bring home the silverware
AIR cadets from Burnham-On-Sea are celebrating after doing well in a competition against dozens of other squadrons from across the south west. The youngsters from 290 Weston & Burnham & Highbridge Squadron travelled to Okehampton army camp in Devon to take part in the annual contest. More...

Flooding hits amid new warning
FLASH flooding caused by heavy overnight rain caused chaos on roads in the Burnham-On-Sea area this morning (Monday, September 24th). These were the scenes in Brean's Warren Road where motorists struggled through up to nine inches of water to access Brean Down. More...

Anger over Tesco expansion
Exclusive: RESIDENTS living next to Burnham-On-Sea's expanded Tesco supermarket say it is making their lives 'hell' due to extra noise and light from vehicles entering the store via a new entry road. Homeowners in Olivier Close, who live besides the route into the store, are angry that their concerns are not being listened to by the store or Sedgemoor District Council. More...

Doormen saved life of woman
Exclusive: TWO doormen from a Brean pub have recounted how they saved the life of a woman who was left unconscious after being attacked in the village last weekend. Doormen Dan Kilduff and Mark Powers, pictured, revived the lady before paramedics arrived. More...

Humourous art goes on show!
AN exhibition of humorous and surreal paintings by Berrow artist Malcolm Dormer is underway in Burnham-On-Sea this week. Malcolm's unique artwork features animals, such as sheep and giraffes, in unusual locations including next to Burnham-On-Sea's famous beach lighthouse. More...

Rain fails to halt fundraising walk
HEAVY rain failed to halt a fundraising walk on Burnham's seafront in memory of four year-old Dylan Cecil on Sunday (September 23rd). The sponsored 'Teeny Tots Seafront Walk' went ahead despite poor weather, as pictured here. Supporters, relatives and friends of Dylan walked along The Esplanade. More...

Crews called to kitchen blaze
FIRE crews from Burnham-On-Sea and Bridgwater were called to a kitchen fire at a home in Highbridge this afternoon (Sunday). Two fire engines were sent to North Avenue in Highbridge at 3pm after a resident reported that a cooker was alight. Crews investigated. More...

MP represents cider makers
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP has represented local cider makers at a function in Parliament. Tessa Munt attended the annual meeting of an all-party Parliamentary group run by the cider industry to raise issues around apple growing and cider manufacture across the region. More...

Entrepreneur bids for award
A 20 year-old entrepreneur from Burnham-On-sea could win an award for an invention that helps companies ensure their staff are safe away from work. Mike Turner has devised Staff Guardian, a Web-based system which uses satellite tracking to monitor staff. More...

Diggers in sea defence work
RESIDENTS of a seafront block of flats in Burnham-On-Sea have this week employed diggers to move tonnes of sand in an effort to protect their sea defences. Atlanta Key residents were concerned about the build-up of sand at the front of their building. More...

Severe weather forecast
A SEVERE weather warning has been issued for the South West, including the Burnham-On-Sea area, for later on Sunday. The Met Office says torrential downpours could cause localised flooding, and gusts of up to 50mph are expected. A 'yellow alert' will be in force. More...

Vets in training for challenge!
STAFF at a Burnham-On-Sea vet surgery are in training for a gruelling challenge in aid of two good causes. The team at Blake Veterinary Group have entered into the 'Go Commando' 10km challenge on 6th October in aid of two locally-based charities. More...

BMX biker returns to old school
BURNHAM-On-Sea BMX racer Liam Phillips, who competed in the London 2012 Olympics, was given a hero's welcome when he returned to his old school this week. Liam visited King Alfred School on Thursday (September 20th) where he signed autographs. More...

Man air-lifted from playing fields
AN air ambulance landed on a sports field in Burnham-On-Sea on Friday afternoon (September 21st) to air-lift a man to hospital. The helicopter landed on the fields next to the town's BAY Centre in Cassis Close, as pictured here, and soon took off with a man who had suffered a suspscted cardiac arrest. More...

In photos: Funnel cloud spotted
Exclusive: THESE were the scenes over Brean on Friday when a funnel cloud was seen stretching out of the sky. Dave Furber took these photos on his mobile phone of the cloud forming at 12.45pm. "It was an amazing sight that was visible," he said. More...

80-car convoy heads to town
CLASSIC American hot rods, trucks and classic vehicles will thunder through Burnham-On-Sea today (Saturday, September 22nd) in a mass convoy for charity. The Blue Ridge Runners will coming through Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge at around 12.30pm. More...

Berrow girls squad launches
A NEW Berrow Juniors Girls' Football Development Squad launches today (Saturday, 22nd September). This will provide an opportunity for local youngsters to get involved in the most popular and fastest growing girls' sport in the UK, as organised by the Berrow group. More...

Arson attack probed by police
POLICE are treating a large fire in Highbridge during the early hours of this morning (Friday, September 21st ) as arson. Fire crews were called to Parsons Road at 2.17am after reports that several sheds and fencing were alight, requiring fire crews. More...

CCTV appeal after cash stolen
BURNHAM-On-Sea police have this week asked for the public's help in identifying these three people after money was stolen from an amusement arcade in the town. A photo taken from CCTV footage shows the trio appearing to sheild a machine from staff. More...

Join Burnham history walk
A BURNHAM-On-Sea historian is to hold a history walk around the town next week. Author Bob Thomas published a book of historical photos and information about the town last year called The Book Of Burnham-On-Sea. He will be holding the walk from Marine Cove. More...

Town celebrates bloom award
CELEBRATIONS were underway in Highbridge on Thursday (September 20th) after the town won a sought-after Silver Gilt award at the annual Britain In Bloom prize ceremony. The team from Highbridge In Bloom joined hundreds of representatives from towns across the south west in Weston. More...

Land's End challenge for Andy
A BURNHAM-On-Sea man is gearing up to cycle from Land's End to Hinkley Point to raise charity cash. Andy Brewer, pictured, works at the power station and hopes to complete the 180 mile ride later this month to raise cash for a charity that helps children with learning difficulties. More...

Ladies gather for club lunch
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Inner Wheel Club has held its annual Past Presidents' Lunch this week. The group of thirteen ladies met at a pub near Cheddar for the traditional get-together. An excellent lunch was enjoyed with lots of chat, said a spokeswoman for the group. More...

Caravans plan for golf course
Exclusive: PROPOSALS to replace part of Brean's golf course with over 50 new static caravans have been unveiled. Brean Leisure Park has applied for planning permission to transform part of its golf course into accommodation comprising 58 lodges and caravans. More...

Police address speed concerns
BURNHAM-On-Sea police inspector Roger Tolley has this week issued a statement to address concerns about speed signs and enforcement in the town. It comes after one irate motorist erected his own speed signs along Burnham's Love Lane after getting caught speeding. More...

Man's body found in sand dunes
Exclusive: POLICE have said the discovery of a man's body in the dunes near Berrow Church is not being treated as suspicious. Police, Coastguards and an air ambulance were called to the dunes near Berrow Church on Tuesday (September 18th) after the body of a man was discovered by walkers. More...

Fundraising events to be held
A SERIES of fundraising events are to be held in memory of Dylan Cecil, the four year-old boy who died in August after falling from Burnham-On-Sea's jetty. A fundraising 'Teeny Tots Seafront Walk' will be start at 11.30am this Sunday September 23rd to raise charity cash. More...

Dolls house club display opens
A UNIQUE annual exhibition showcasing the work of a group of Burnham-On-Sea dolls house makers has opened in the town this week. A miniature seaside scene has been created by members of Burnham Dolls House Group and is now on show at Material Needs in Burnham High Street. More...

Have your say on policing...
HIGHBRIDGE residents will be able to have their say about policing in the town today (Thursday, September 20th) when a quarterly public meeting is held. The 'Have Your Say' meetings give local residents a chance to influence what happens in their neighbourhood. More...

Fears over street light dimming
Exclusive: SAFETY fears have been raised this week after Somerset County Council announced that street lights along the A38 through West Huntspill could soon be dimmed overnight to save costs. The council hopes to save £123,000 in energy costs and £8,300 in carbon tax payments over three years. More...

New fake bank notes warning
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea businesses and shoppers have this week been urged to be on their guard against counterfeit bank notes. Several forged £10 notes have been received by businesses in the town centre in recent days, including two High Street shops. More...

Affordable art on show in town
A TWO-day 'affordable art exhibition' will be held in Burnham-On-Sea this weekend, showcasing a wide range of work by local artists that will be on sale at low prices. Somerset Art Group is organising the event at The Bay Centre in Cassis Close on Saturday and Sunday. More...

Pictured: M5 van fire drama
Exclusive: THESE were the dramatic scenes on the M5 motorway near Burnham-On-Sea this morning (Tuesday, September 18th) after a van blaze brought traffic to a halt. The southbound carriageway came to a standstill at around 9.45am after the vehicle developed an electrical fault. More...

Mayor drops in at art class
BURNHAM-On-Sea and Highbridge Mayor Ken Smout made a surprise visit at the start of Sedgemoor Community Partnership's 'First Step' Personal Mandala Artwork course this week. During the short course, eleven students are being shown examples of Mandala art. More...

Man arrested after search
Updated: A man who allegedly threatened a policeman in Burnham-On-Sea was arrested after a major air and ground search by police last night (Monday). Officers were called out at 8pm after the man threatened a police officer with a weapon and ran off. More...

Group chosen to spend £320k!
BURNHAM-On-Sea Town Council has this week appointed the group of community representatives who will decide how £320,000 of Tesco cash is spent on improving the town centre. Six representatives of the community will be co-opted onto a special committee. More...

Fire crews rescue stuck horse
TWO fire crews from Burnham-On-Sea and Bridgwater were called out to rescue a horse stuck in a water-filled ditch on Monday evening (September 17th). Firefighters rushed to Northwick Road in the village of Mark at 7.39pm to retrieve the animal from the deep ditch. More...

Furniture store for low incomes
A NEW charitable business is to open in Highbridge next month, selling second-hand furniture to residents on low incomes while raising money for the community at the same time. A group of volunteers is leasing the former newsagent's shop in Morland Road. More...

Young boxers receive awards
MEMBERS of Highbridge's King Alfred Amateur Boxing Club held their annual presentation night on Saturday (September 15th). The successful event was attended by more than 50 club members and supporters at The Orchard Inn in West Huntspill, and a local councillor. More...

Three arrests, two hurt in Brean
Exclusive: THREE people have been arrested after a violent incident in which two people were assaulted in the centre of Brean during the early hours of Sunday (September 16th). Police sealed off an area outside the McColl's shop, as pictured here, during Sunday as their investigations into the incident. More...

Sooty joins charity beach walk!
ALMOST 50 supporters of The Alzheimer's Society pulled on their walking boots to take part in a sponsored walk at Brean on Sunday (16th September). The annual Memory Walk started at Brean Leisure Park, as pictured here, and was supported by kids TV character Sooty. More...

BIARS and Town Team link up
THE community group that runs Burnham-On-Sea's tourist information centre is to work more closely with Burnham's Town Team to promote events that attract visitors to the town. BIARS (Burnham Information and Rescue Support) and the Town Team are to co-ordinate events with the Tourism Manager. More...

Sea swim starts town triathlon
A BRACING sea swim was among the three activities that more than 70 athletes completed during an Olympic distance triathlon in Burnham-On-Sea on Sunday morning (September 16th). Triathletes from across the UK competed in the event which featured a swim, bike ride and run. More...

300 VWs head to Brean beach!
THESE were the scenes on Brean beach on Sunday (September 16th) when hundreds of Volkswagen camper vans and cars joined in a mass convoy during the village's three-day Van West festival. Over 300 VWs joined in a parade through Brean and along the beach. More...

Cash stolen in cafe robbery
Exclusive: THIEVES smashed their way into this seafront cafe in Burnham-On-Sea early on Sunday (September 16th), taking a substantial amount of money. Two windows were broken to gain entry to the building in the overnight robbery at The Bay View Cafe on the South Esplanade. More...

Traders join town Food Festival
TRADERS across the town will be getting involved in the first Burnham-On-Sea Food and Drink Festival on Saturday 29th September. The organisers have called the fringe of the festival 'side orders' to keep the food theme running in shops and cafes across Burnham. More...

Care centre opens in Burnham
Exclusive: A brand new care centre was officially opened in Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday (September 15th) to provide support for residents suffering from cancer, dementia and mental health issues. The Care Centre has launched at 1 College Street to provide facilities for self-help groups. More...

Art Weeks displays underway
DOZENS of yellow signs like this one have popped up on street corners across the Burnham-On-Sea area to point drivers towards local artists showcasing their work during the 2012 Somerset Art Weeks festival. Hundreds of paintings and sculptures are on show. More...

Heave ho! Truck pull raises cash
FUNDRAISERS in Burnham-On-Sea pulled together to raise hundreds of pounds for a charity seeking a cure for Parkinson's disease on Saturday (September 15th). Dozens took part in a sponsored truck pull outside Burnham's Lighthouse Inn, organised to raise funds. More...

Volkswagen fans flock to Brean
HUNDREDS 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 three-day festival. More than 1,000 visitors are expected over the weekend. More...

Pilrow groups in war-of-words
A GROUP of campaigners who are fighting controversial plans for a new wind farm on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea have this week hit out at comments made by the developer behind the scheme. Energy firm Broadview wants to build four 130m tall wind turbines. More...

MP defends £164k expenses
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP has this week defended her expense claims after media reports that she spent more than the Prime Minister over the past year. Tessa Munt filed claims worth £164,862.07 in the 2011-12 financial year, which were £45,000 more than David Cameron. More...

Brean charity walk on Sunday
SUPPORTERS of The Alzheimer's Society will be pulling on their walking boots to take part in the charity's annual Sponsored Memory Walk in Brean this Sunday (16th September). Participants will stroll along the beach from Brean Leisure Park at 2pm to Brean Down. More...

Pupils return from Morocco trip
A GROUP of Highbridge students has recently returned from a special visit to Morocco. Six sixth form pupils from King Alfred School visited the country on an expedition. The highlights of the trip included a four-day trek through the Atlas Mountains and treks through the desert. More...

Falcon spotted on Stert Island
A TELESCOPE enthusiast in Burnham-On-Sea has photographed a Peregrine Falcon on Stert Island this week. Greg Dye-Hodge Beardsley snapped the bird on Thursday after spotting it on a pile of drift wood behind a wrecked buoy on the island opposite Burnham seafront. More...

Firms thanked after bomb drama
POLICE have thanked companies and their staff for their patience after several busy roads on Highbridge's Isleport Industrial Park were shut for over three hours on Thursday (September 13th) following the discovery of a grenade at the town's recycling centre. Bennett Way and Walrow were closed. More...

Town's £4.6m school opens
A NEW £4.6m school in Highbridge was opened to pupils for the first time this week as they started the new school year. The new 420-pupil Churchfield Primary School in Highbridge has opened this week following a major year-long construction project. More...

Have your say on tax changes
BURNHAM-On-Sea residents will today (Friday, September 14th) be invited to have their say about Council Tax benefit changes. Sedgemoor District Council is holding a drop-in session at The Princess Theatre between 2-5pm for visitors to raise questions. More...

Fundraiser seeks disease cure
TWO fundraising events are being planned in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge this Saturday (September 15th) to support a Parkinson's charity. John Thatcher, who suffers from the disease, is organising a sponsored truck pull and a night of music and comedy. More...

Grenade drama in Highbridge
Latest updates: POLICE sealed off roads around the Isleport Industrial Park on Thursday evening after a suspicious object was found at the recycling centre. Roads around the Bennett Road centre were closed as the old grenade was investigated by a bomb disposal team. More...

Town joins Art Weeks festival
ARTISTS across Burnham-On-Sea will be showcasing their work during the 2012 Somerset Arts Weeks festival over the next fortnight. Hundreds of paintings, ceramics, drawings, textiles and sculptures will be among the items on show in home studios across the town. More...

Petition calls for jetty changes
OVER 250 people have joined an online campaign to make Burnham-On-Sea's jetty and beach safer following last month's tragedy in which four year-old Dylan Cecil died. A Facebook page called 'Make Burnham-On-Sea safe for our children' includes a petition calling for safety improvements. More...

Player shortage hits rugby club
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea Rugby Club has this week issued an urgent plea for more youngsters to come forward due to a shortfall of players. Russell Dyson, Vice Chairman of Burnham-On-Sea Young Bucks, said several of the club's teams are without players this season. More...

Town MP backs social enterprise
BURNHAM MP Tessa Munt has this week given her backing to the work of a social enterprise in Brent Knoll. The MP has pledged to refer disabled constituents to Pluss, which has a showroom at Sanders Garden World, for equipment and employment opportunities. More...

Beauty salon open evening
A BURNHAM-On-Sea hair and beauty salon is to hold a special open evening this week demonstrating the latest treatments. Dr Carolyn Green will be giving a live demonstration at Unique Hair and Beauty in College Street this Friday evening (September 14th) from 5.30pm. More...

Woman injured in ditch fall
A LADY was taken to hospital with leg injuries after she fell into a ditch in Burnham-On-Sea this afternoon (Wednesday). Fire and ambulance crews were called to Marine Drive at 4.25pm after the the woman got into difficulty after a fall. The lady was lifted from the undergrowth and taken to Weston General Hospital. More...

Countryside Fun Day to be held
A COUNTRYSIDE fun day will be held in Brent Knoll this Saturday (September 15th). Organisers say the event promises to deliver fun for all the family from 2pm in the field behind the village's post office, where stalls, games and displays will be set up for the afternoon. More...

Police seek men after robbery
BURNHAM-On-Sea police have issued an appeal for information after a man was robbed on the town's beach on Monday (September 10th). The man was walking between Burnham and Berrow when, just after 1pm, two other men approached him near the old lighthouse and stole his wallet containing £180. More...

Club gets set for half marathon
MEMBERS of Burnham-On-Sea Harriers Running Club are in training for the town's half-marathon, which is just a few weeks away. Burnham's annual half-marathon, sponsored by Proper Job and M5 Glass, will this year be held on Sunday 7th October at 11am with entries now being accepted. More...

Burnham poem scoops award
A TONGUE-in-cheek poem about Burnham-On-Sea has been named as one of the winners of a Somerset poetry contest. Helen Somers, right, entered her poem into the competition, organised by Somerset Skills and Learning, and was "surprised and delighted" to win. More...

MP hops on her bike for charity
BURNHAM-On-Sea MP Tessa Munt got on her bike to pedal several miles across Somerset to raise funds for a church at the weekend. She joined a large group of cyclists in pedaling between two churches in Blackford and Wedmore for the 'Ride and Stride' fundraiser. More...

In photos: Centre holds fun day
CROWDS of supporters turned out at a family fun day in Brent Knoll on Saturday (September 8th), held to mark the 50th anniversary of the National Austistic Society. The fete and garden party was held at Somerset Court, which provides care services for autism. More...

Man robbed on town beach
BURNHAM-On-Sea police have issued an appeal for information after a man was robbed on the town's beach on Monday (September 10th). The man was walking between Burnham and Berrow when, just after 1pm, two other men approached him near the old lighthouse and stole his wallet containing £180. More...

EDF's £100m community boost
BURNHAM-On-Sea could be set to receive community funding from EDF Energy after the firm this week signed an agreement with local councils to deliver nearly £100 million for local communities to mitigate the impact of its proposed new nuclear power station. More...

A38 sealed off after lorry leak
BURNHAM-On-Sea police and fire crews sealed off part of a busy roundabout next to the M5 motorway on Monday night (September 10th) after a leakage from a lorry. Two fire appliances from Burnham were sent to the A38 Brent Knoll roundabout after a vehicle leakage. More...

Food Festival countdown starts
FOOD and drink producers from across the region gathered in Burnham-On-Sea on Monday night (September 10th) for a launch party to start the countdown to the town's first ever food festival. More than 40 exhibitors will take part in the Burnham Food & Drink Festival. More...

Kelly named 'Woman Of Year'
A BURNHAM-On-Sea woman has been crowned the winner of a Slimming World competition after losing more than four stone in a year. Kelly-Marie French-Bell has shed 4st 9lb in just over a year ago. She attended the district 'Woman of the Year' finals in Yeovil. More...

Thousands to lose right to vote
THOUSANDS of residents in the Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge area face losing the right to vote in local elections over the coming year, the district council has warned this week. Nearly 8,500 households across Sedgemoor have not returned their canvass forms. More...

Liam's golden moment!
BURNHAM-On-Sea BMX biker Liam Phillips rubbed shoulders with some of Team GB's cycling gold medalists at a Victory Parade in London on Monday (September 10th). Liam was among 800 Olympic and Paralympic competitors at the victory parade. More...

£13m boost for council homes
COUNCIL tenants in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge are set to benefit from a multi-million pound cash injection announced on Monday (September 10th). Homes in Sedgemoor and Sedgemoor District Council have received confirmation that they have been awarded the final £13 million of 'Decent Homes Funding'. More...

Barrage 'threat to beaches'
Exclusive: CLAIMS from a leading environmental charity that the proposed Severn Barrage would lead to beaches in the Burnham-On-Sea area being 'strewn with dead fish' have been rejected by one of the potential developers this week. The Marine Conservation Society says the barrage poses a threat. More...

Jackie at celebrity book launch
A BURNHAM-On-Sea resident has attended the launch of a new book in which she describes her experience of suffering from an eating disorder. Jackie Tanner was invited to the London launch of the new 'Body Gossip' book, an anthology of more than 300 short body stories. More...

£3,000 raised for baby monitors
FOUR specialised baby monitors have been bought for a Taunton hospital by a group of generous fundraisers from the Burnham-On-Sea area. A total of £3,000 has been raised from a garden party, a jazz ball and a donation from a local person to buy the four monitors for Taunton's Musgrove Hospital. More...

Twinning group heads to France
A GROUP of members from Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge's Town Twinning Association have travelled to France to watch a traditional flower festival. The fourteen residents travelled to Louvigné du Désert, our twin town in Brittany, to enjoy the annual Festival of Flowers. More...

Music group's anniversary fun
THE founder of Burnham-On-Sea's Music With Mummy group has celebrated 20 years of classes being run across the UK by holding a charity fundraising event in the town. Sarah Cole runs the music classes for babies, toddlers and pre-school children in Burnham and Bridgwater. More...

In photos: Heatwave sweeps in
THESE were the scenes in Burnham-On-Sea and Brean over the weekend as an early autumn heatwave swept in. Temperatures peaked at 23°c (73°F) in Burnham-On-Sea on Sunday, attracting visitors outside to enjoy strolls along Burnham beach and Brean Down. More...

Costa Coffee given go-ahead
CONTROVERSIAL plans to turn a prominent shop in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea into a new Costa Coffee cafe have been granted final approval by Sedgemoor District Council. The council's planning department has this week given consent to South West Coffee Ltd's to open a Costa franchise. More...

Walkers stride out for Dylan
A GROUP of more than 20 fundraisers walked between Bridgwater and Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday in memory of Dylan Cecil, the youngster who died after falling into the sea from the town's jetty. The walkers set off from the centre of Bridgwater, raising £1,000. More...

Police launch safety campaign
DRIVERS in Burnham-On-Sea are being ordered to belt up as police in Somerset take part in a Europe-wide road safety campaign running from September 10th-16th. Mobile patrols will be on the lookout for anyone breaking the law in the Burnham and Highbridge area. More...

Anthony finishes fifth in 100m
HIGHBRIDGE swimmer Anthony Stephens finished in fifth place in the final of the 100metres freestyle at the Paralympics in London this evening (Saturday). The 26 year-old qualified for the final of the 100m S5 freestyle earlier in the day with a personal best time in the event. More...

Join BARB bike run on Sunday
MOTORCYCLISTS are being invited to join a fundraising bike run in aid of Burnham-On-Sea hovercraft charity BARB, to be held tomorrow (Sunday, September 9th). Somerset Motorcycle Group is holding the charity ride out, starting at 10.30am from Highbridge. More...

Police in Burnham drugs raid
Exclusive: POLICE swooped on a Burnham-On-Sea home as they carried out a drugs raid on Friday morning (September 7th). A team of officers executed a search warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act at a home in Rosewood Close shortly after 8am, as pictured here. More...

New play area is unveiled
BERROW Pre-School has this week unveiled new play equipment ready for the start of the new term. The outside play area now features a large climbing frame with cargo netting and poles plus a textured track. This is in addition to a covered sandpit, den and football pitch. More...

Truck pull to be held in town
TWO fundraising events are being planned in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge next Saturday (September 15th) to support a Parkinson's charity. John Thatcher, who suffers from the disease, is organising a sponsored truck pull and a night of music and comedy. More...

Pier boss quits over legal fight
Exclusive: THE owner of Burnham-On-Sea's pier has quit one of her town council roles as she tries to resolve a legal dispute with Sedgemoor District Council over the future of a controversial sweet shop on the forecourt of the pier. Louise Parkin, pictured, has this week submitted a formal planning application. More...

Truancy fines for parents
PARENTS in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge have this week been warned that they face hefty fines and prison terms if they allow their children not to attend school. With the start of the new school year, the County Council has urged parents to ensure children turn up. More...

Highbridge art course to begin
A UNIQUE art and design course that aims to help people create Buddhist and Hindu art will be held in Highbridge later this month. The fun taster 'first steps' sessions on creating Mandala artwork will start on 17th September and last for five sessions lasting two hours. More...

Wrestling action heads to town
PROFESSIONAL wrestling is to be held in Burnham-On-Sea's Princess Theatre for the first time later this year. Seating in the main hall will be switched around to accommodate a wrestling ring for a night of British championship wrestling on Friday November 2nd at 7pm. More...

Family fun day this Saturday
A FAMILY fun day will be held in Brent Knoll this Saturday (September 8th) to mark the 50th anniversary of the National Austistic Society. The fete and garden party will be held at Somerset Court and will be open to the public from 12pm-6pm. More...

Former Royal Mail boss in court
A COUPLE who stole money from post while working at Burnham-On-Sea's Royal Mail Delivery Office have this week been ordered to pay back almost £20,000. Jayne Hopkins, 44, who worked as the Delivery Office Manager was last year convicted of theft. More...

Car park plans for town centre
Exclusive: THE site of Burnham-On-Sea's former Tucker's Garage could be transformed into a brand new shoppers car park under proposals unveiled this week. Burnham's Town Team, which is compiling regeneration plans for the town centre, is to approach the site's agents, Property Link, about the empty site. More...

Asda to hold Apex litter-pick
STAFF at Highbridge's Asda store are looking to join forces with members of the community to save the town's Apex Park from litter louts as part of its big litter pick initiative. From 8th–16th September Asda is holding a Big Litter Pick across the whole of the UK. More...

Town Clerk to retire next year
BURNHAM-On-Sea and Highbridge Town Clerk is set to retire next year, it has been confirmed this week. Eileen, 61, is stepping down from the Town Council position after 13 years in the job. Mrs Shaw said she would be sad to leave the 'challenging' role. More...

Spiritual musician to visit town
SPIRITUAL songwriter and musician Godfrey Birtill will be performing in Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday (September 8th). Burnham Community Church has organsied the concert, called Awakening, which will take place at 7pm in Burnham's Princess and Arts Theatre. More...

Classic car destroyed in A38 fire
A PRIZED classic car worth tens of thousands of pounds was destroyed in a blaze near Burnham-On-Sea on Wednesday afternoon. Fire crews from Burnham were called to the blazing Maserati on the A38 outside Brent Knoll's Sanders Garden World just before 3.30pm. More...

Town artists to hold art market
ARTISTS from across the Burnham-On-Sea area will be holding an art market in the town this Saturday (September 8th). Fourteen local artists from HABA (Highbridge and Burnham Artists) will be selling paintings, driftwood sculpture, jewellery, ceramics and etchings. More...

Enterprise hub to open in 2013
Exclusive: A MAJOR new 'enterprise hub' for small businesses in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge is on track to open by the end of next year, it was announced this week. County Councillor John Woodman told a meeting of the Town Council on Monday that work to build the new facilities on land next to Highbridge's Isleport Business Park recycling centre is set to begin. More...

New sponsors for youth team
BURNHAM United Under Nines have been proudly showing off their new kits this week, which have been donated by two local businesses. The team's new kit has been donated by Holley and Steer solicitors while Harrisons Financial Advisors have supplied their training tops. More...

Ian is new tourism manager
BURNHAM-On-Sea's tourist information centre has this week appointed Ian Jefferies as its new Business and Tourism Manager. Ian, 45, is among the 40 volunteers who have run the seafront centre during the past 18 months since it was taken over by BIARS. More...

Funeral held for Dylan Cecil
FAMILY and friends wore red and blue for today's funeral of the four-year-old boy who drowned after falling off Burnham-On-Sea's jetty. The funeral of Dylan Cecil was held at St Mary’s Church in Kettering, at which the youngster's coffin arrived in a white carriage pulled by two horses. More...

Warning over missing tablets
POLICE have this week urged parents to be extra vigilant after morphine tablets were reported to be missing in the Burnham-On-Sea area. The tablets, which are pink in colour and 20mg in size, have been taken or fell from the handbag of a woman at a club in Berrow. More...

Council's £320k delays attacked
Exclusive: TOWN councillors came under attack last night (Monday) for further delays to £320,000 of improvements for Burnham-On-Sea town centre. Four members of Burnham's Town Team criticised the council for its delays in drawing up plans to spend £320,000 of Tesco community cash. More...

300 log wind farm complaints
HUNDREDS of people have lodged formal objections against controversial plans to build a new wind farm near Burnham-On-Sea. Energy firm Broadview wants to construct four 130-metre tall wind turbines - each as tall as Brent Knoll - on land at Pilrow Farm. More...

Police appeal after flag stolen
POLICE have appealed for witnesses after the theft of a flag that was being flown at half-mast near Burnham-On-Sea's jetty in memory of toddler Dylan Cecil. Police have confirmed this week that a Union Jack was stolen from the top of Pier Street on August 22nd. More...

Stricken yacht towed to safety
A BURNHAM-On-Sea lifeboat was launched this evening (Monday) to help a yacht that had lost power in the River Parrett. Burnham RNLI's Staines Whitfield lifeboat was called out just after 7.30pm when the yacht was spotted in difficulty in the middle of the river estuary. More...

Library to close for refurb
BURNHAM-On-Sea Library is set to close for a month during a major refurbishment in which brand new self-service technology will be introduced. Burnham is the second Somerset library to move to self-service, following its successful introduction at Taunton in July. More...

Bikers raise £1k for charities
OVER 140 motorcyclists joined a fundraising bike run on Sunday (September 1st) in memory of Dylan Cecil, the four year-old boy who died after slipping into the sea from Burnham's jetty. Scores of mopeds, motorbikes and three wheelers gathered in Pier Street. More...

West End star heads to town
A WEST End theatre performer who used to live in Burnham-On-Sea will be returning to the town this Sunday (September 9th) to star in a one-off concert. Currently performing in Les Miserables, Chris Holland will bring the magic of the musicals to The Princess Theatre. More...

Seafront lights to be removed
Exclusive: TOWN councillors are drawing up plans to remove decorative lighting from part of Burnham-On-Sea's seafront in order to address health and safety concerns, it has been confirmed. The illuminations along the North Esplanade are set to be taken away altogether. More...

Folkfest hailed 'great success'
BURNHAM-On-Sea's annual FolkFest attracted large crowds of music fans over the weekend with over 80 acts performing for free at venues across the town. The seventh annual Folkfest came to a close on Sunday with the traditional Folk In The Park music event. More...

Town shop shuts after 30 years
A LONG-running dry cleaning store in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea has closed down over the past week with the loss of three jobs. Johnson Service Group shut its Burnham store at 53 The High Street for the final time on August 29th as part of a cost-cutting project. More...

Berrow fete draws crowds
BRIGHT sunshine attracted large numbers of supporters to a popular summer fete at Berrow's St Mary's Church. A line-up of family entertainment was held alongside traditional stalls and games. A gymnastics display was also performed and a kung fu demonstration. More...

Biker rescued from ditch
FIRE crews from Burnham-On-Sea rescued a motorcylist from a water-filled ditch following an accident on Saturday afternoon (Septemebr 1st). Crews were called to Lympsham just after 4.30pm after a moped crashed in Brean Road, leaving a man trapped in a roadside ditch. More...

Anthony just misses medal
HIGHBRIDGE swimmer Anthony Stephens just missed out on a medal at the Paralympics in London on Saturday evening (September 1st). The 26 year-old, who lives in Burnham Road, qualified for the final of the 200m freestyle (S5) on Saturday morning in fourth place with a season's best time. More...

Free fireworks display at Brean
THE skies above Brean will be lit up with a free fireworks display tonight (Saturday) when Brean Leisure Park holds its second display of the year. While there will be no admittance charge, there will be collections on the night for several local charities. More...

Folkfest fun continues today!
BURNHAM-On-Sea's annual FolkFest continues today (Saturday) with scores of great music and dance acts performing across the town. The popular event will see dozens of free musical acts and dance groups performing in venues across the town centre throughout the day. More...

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