Click here for the full Civic Service photo gallery
Hundreds of dignitaries from across Burnham-On-Sea and Somerset gathered in the town on Sunday (September 9th) for the annual Civic Service.
Civic Awards were presented to Paul Taylor, Doreen Atyeo, Mary Miles and Tony Winterburn (pictured) by the High Sheriff of Somerset, Mr David Medlock, and Burnham’s Mayor Pauline Pollard during a special ceremony in St Andrew’s Church.
Before the service, a short procession of civic dignitaries took place from the Princess Hall to St Andrew’s Church, where the civic party was greeted by a Guard of Honour of Cadets from the Sea Cadet, Army Cadet and Air Training Corp units based in Burnham and Highbridge.
The service began with a welcome from St Andrew’s vicar, Rev Graham Witts, and this was followed by the hymn ‘All People That On Earth Do Dwell’. After prayers, Burnham’s MP, David Heathcoat-Amory, gave a bible reading.
The Mayor’s granddaughters, Lucy and Rosa Hawkins, sang ‘Amazing Grace’ and Stephen Pollard then read the second lesson. An address followed by Rev Witts before the presentation of the Civic Awards.
A special dedication took place of a new board which lists all the Civic Award winners since their inception in 1987. Deputy Mayor Cllr Neville Jones and Rev Witts formally unveiled the board, which is to be hung in the Council Chambers in Jaycroft Road.
Prayers then followed for the Mayor, town council, the people of Burnham and Highbridge, and representatives of other local authorities. A collection was taken in aid of the Mayor’s chosen charity, Macmillan Cancer Support, during the singing of the hymn ‘Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind’. The service ended with a blessing and the National Anthem. The congregation then made its way to the Manor Gardens for the annual Civic Tea, hosted by the Mayor.
Click here for the full Civic Service photo gallery
2007 Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Civic Award winners:
.Paul Taylor
Paul Taylor receives an award in recognition of his long commitment of service to the Burnham Area Youth Centre (BAY Centre) over the past twenty years, initially as a Committee member, and five years as its treasurer. He was also chairman for three years. During this time, he has served resolutely as trustee, fund-raiser, facilities manager, dealt with emergency repairs, attended numerous burglar alarm problems, liaised with builders, and coped with the intricate negotiations when dealing with the Lottery Commission during the recent extensive rebuilding of the Centre and its facilities. Paul’s support to the committee and the various groups using the centre, from behind the scenes, has been a vital cog in the organisation necessary to keep the centre operating. He was a governor of St Andrews School for ten years, and also served as member of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge Town Council from 1987-1991.
.Tony Winterburn
Former Commodore of Burnham Sailing Club, Mr Tony Winterburn, has been nominated for the work in relaunching the RNLI group in October 2003. Elected chairman (a post normally held for two years), his influential leadership, support and fundraising for Burnham’s RNLI station was recognised by his fellow RNLI members on his retirement as Chairman in March 2007. He is also a trustee of the Burnham Area Rescue Boat (BARB). Tony has an excellent maritime background, having been a Radio Officer with the Merchant Navy and latterly at Portishead (Highbridge) Radio Station. In 2006 he was awarded the Arctic Star Medal for his service as a radio operator in convoys to Russia during World War II, and has been an active speaker giving talks to various groups on his experiences. He was also the elected Member for Highbridge on Somerset County Council from 1977-1985.
.Mary Miles
Mrs Mary Miles is nominated for her community work in Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge, and in particular for her work as secretary to the Sounds and Voices organisation which provides talking newspapers for the Blind, and Secretary for the Community Centre on the Berrow Road. In the past she has also acted as Secretary to the University of the Third Age – a post she relinquished some four years ago – although she is now Secretary and Treasurer to the U3A concert party, a group which provides entertainment to the many Burnham clubs and beyond. Mary is also an ardent worker for the Babe Appeal raising funds for the Children’s Hospice for the South West.
.Doreen Atyeo
Mrs Doreen Atyeo is recognised for her long involvement with the Highbridge and Burnham Carnival Association. Following upon the death of her husband David in early 1999, she took over the role of secretary, although in reality she had been responsible for many of the secretarial duties for some time. Over the years, the secretarial role has expanded greatly and Doreen now sends out entry forms and instructions to all carnival entrants, as well as registering street traders and allocating pitches, issuing disabled parking permits to view the carnival, organising the cup presentation dinner and cheque presentation night, not to mention cleaning the cups and organising engraving. In short, Doreen’s commitment to the continuation of our local carnival is one of determined dedication. A long standing member of the Burnham on Sea branch of Moose International Ladies Circle, having been at various times secretary and Lady Chairman (on three separate occasions), she is currently its Treasurer.
