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Published:
May 16, 2009
Burnham-On-Sea MP visits hovercraft
charity's AGM
Burnham-On-Sea's
MP David Heathcoat-Amory was in town on Friday evening (May 15th)
to present several awards at the AGM of hovercraft rescue charity
BARB.
The
MP joined almost 50 people at the Town Council Chambers in Jaycroft
Road, where he heard about a busy year of rescues, fundraising
activities and special visits for the Burnham charity.
 He
presented the Heathcoat-Amory Telescope Award to BARB Operations
Manager Steve Perks, after he was deemed to have contributed most
significantly to the welfare of the organisation over the past
year.
The
MP told the audience: "I am a great admirer and supporter
of BARB. We have a stretch of coastline that can be quite dangerous
with its huge tidal range and large stretches of mud and sand.
Having a hovercraft here is essential, and the work of BARB is
therefore much appreciated."
Kerry
Rickards, the Chief Executive of Sedgemoor District Council, also
attended the meeting as a special guest and presented several
certificates to the charity's fundraisers with BARB President
Neville Jones and BARB Chairman Mark Newman.
Those
receiving certificates included Brean's Diamond Farm, the Chevron
Country Music Club, the Caravan Club, Oliver's Angling in Clevedon
and Katie Florey (pictured), a local youngster who has helped
with fundraising.
Before
the meeting, Mr Rickards was given a tour of the BARB, RNLI and
Coastguard stations, where he met crewmembers and discussed their
work.
Kerry
said: "I was very honoured to be invited along as a special
guest - it's impressive to see the rescues that BARB have dealt
with."
Kerry
Rickards, the Chief Executive of Sedgemoor District Council, and
his partner Suzanne were given a tour of the BARB hovercraft station
Burnham's
Deputy Mayor Danny Titcombe was also at Friday's meeting, and
is pictured here congratulating BARB's new Deputy Operations Manager
Graham Hallsworth
Kerry
Rickards and his partner with Burnham Coastguard Robin Hewlett
Burnham
RNLI helmsman Glenn Cutter with Kerry Rickards and his partner
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