2005 Burnham-On-Sea News Archive

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2004 news archive

MBE for town St John volunteer
A BURNHAM-On-Sea St John Ambulance Brigade volunteer has been appointed MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list. Pat Comer, of Rosewood Avenue, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "I was quite surprised - I had no clues whatsoever!". She will be handed the honour by the Queen during 2006. More...

Town panto tickets go on sale
FINAL rehearsals are underway at a Burnham-On-Sea drama group as it prepares to perform its 2006 pantomime. More than 30 local people of all ages are set to take part in Burnham District Pantomime Society's presentation of 'Sinbad The Sailor' during January and February 2006. More...

Young girl hurt in car accident
A SIX-year-old was rushed to Weston General hospital on Friday night (December 30th) after being hurt in a car accident on the A38 near Burnham-On-Sea. The girl, who was being driven home after a trip to the circus at Sanders Garden World, was treated by paramedics. More...

Pub quizes raise £700 for RNLI
MORE than £700 has been handed over to Burnham-On-Sea RNLI after a year of fundraising quiz evenings at The Berrow Inn. The money has been used to buy a new computer projector for the station so that it give slicker lifeboat talks and presentations to local groups and visitors. More...

Man dies after fall at night club
A 37-year-old Burnham-On-Sea man has died after apparently falling down the steps in a night-time accident at a High Street night club. Jonathan Cotton of Dyrham Close, Burnham, died after the tragic incident at Shakers Night Club during early December. He is beieved to have died the following day. More...

Snow sweeps into Burnham
BURNHAM-On-Sea got its heaviest fall of snow for several years on Thursday afternoon, December 29th, when the town was blanketed with a thick covering of the white stuff. Several hours of wintry weather left the town under 2cm of snow - and even the beach was white. More...

Brrrr-nham shivers in icy chill
SUB-ZERO temperatures left Burnham-On-Sea shivering on Thursday (December 29th) as the town got its first proper taste of winter. Temperatures overnight sank to their lowest of the year at -7°c. And even by lunchtime the thermometer had not got above a teeth-chattering -2°c. More...

Cash windfalls for town groups
BURNHAM-On-Sea and Highbridge comunity groups are among those who have received cash windfalls from Sedgemoor District Council's grants programme, it was announced this week. The council has given £62,270.79 to local groups during 2005, much to the delight of leaders at the organisations. More...

Garden centre's recycling plea
GO GREEN and recycle your Christmas tree and cards when you've finished with them this year - that's the message from a Burnham-On-Sea garden centre, which is launching its own festive recycling service. The free service runs from January 3rd-15th at Sanders Garden World. More...

Top photo moments of 2005
FROM a jellyfish invasion on our beach to a dramatic police accident in the town, we've picked the 20 stories of 2005 which produced the most powerful images. Burnham-On-Sea.com was there to capture the scene as the news happened. See our round-up of the best photos of the year. More...

Night search drama at Brean
A SEARCH of Brean Down was carried out by Coastguards during the early hours of Boxing Day, Monday December 26th, after reports of red emergency flares being seen in the area. Burnham-On-Sea's Coastguard search team were called to the scene at 1.15am and conducted a thorough search of the area. More...

£1,800 Christmas gift for Keith
A BURNHAM-On-Sea St John Ambulance worker who saved his father's life has been given the perfect Christmas gift - £1,800 for vital new kit. As exclusively reported earlier in December by Burnham-On-Sea.com, Keith Gough was called on to save his father Peter when he had a heart attack. More...

Market replacement unveiled
A £50million regional agricultural centre, which is set to replace Highbridge market, has come a step closer this week. After nearly four years of negotiations, the District Council has passed the planning permissions necessary for the developers to make a start at the site at North Petherton. More...

150 years of married life!
CORKS were popping when three married couples from Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge jointly celebrated their golden wedding anniversaries at a special party. The trio handed over money raised at the party, which marked 150 years of married life, to a grateful local group. More...

Car careers off road into ditch
A BURNHAM-On-Sea motorist had a lucky escape when the car he was driving careered off a country lane into a ditch on Wednesday, December 21st. The fire service, paramedics and police rushed to the scene at Stoddens Lane at 5.50pm after receiving an emergency call. More...

Best Xmas lights announced
THE best-decorated shops and homes across Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge were announced when judges unveiled the results of the annual Christmas Lights Competition. Two judges from Burnham and Highbridge Town Council scored the decorations to find the area's best lights. More...

Two arrested after disturbance
TWO people were arrested and a police officer was alleged to have been assaulted during a night-time 'disturbance' on Burnham-On-Sea seafront on Tuesday night, December 20th. Four police vehicles were called to the scene and two people were arrested during the incident. More...

New £155k river path opens
CYCLISTS and walkers in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge can enjoy a new traffic-free path between the towns after the first stage of building a brand new path was completed this week. Running beside the River Brue, the path provides a safe route for local people to wander along the river. More...

BAY Centre receives funds
MEMBERS of Burnham-On-Sea Round Table and the town's 41 Club raised money in aid of a very special event at Burnham's BAY Centre. The Burnham Area Youth (BAY) Centre hosted a dinner on Christmas Day for local people who might otherwise be on their own this Christmas. More...

Christmas warning from RNLI
BURNHAM-On-Sea RNLI has warned anyone planning to walk along the coastline or use the sea over the Christmas period to be on their guard and stay safe. The warning comes as RNLI crews across the south west can expect to be called out to save the lives of seafarers. More...

Football club's fire fundraiser
BERROW Football Club has published a 2006 calendar featuring its players to raise much-needed cash after the devastating fire which destroyed its changing rooms in November. The club hopes to raise thousands of pounds towards its appeal by selling the special desk calendars. More...

Ambulance boss saves father
THE BOSS of St John Ambulance in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge has saved the life of his father in his own ambulance, we can exclusively report. Keith Gough, the Divisional Superintendent for St John Ambulance, treated the 66 year-old after he suffered a heart attack. More...

Wind farm to 'hit house prices'
THE GROUP fighting a proposed wind farm on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea has released the findings of a survey which appears to back up claims that property prices in the area will be hit if the development goes ahead. The group says the farm would hit house prices. More...

Rumblestrips plan for seafront
PLANS to install rumblestrips along Burnham-On-Sea seafront have been discussed this week in a fresh bid to tackle the problem of 'boy racers'. The proposal is one of several options being considered by the County Council after a special open meeting on December 16th. More...

Cheeky Christmas card raises £1,800!
A BURNHAM-On-Sea hairdressing salon has been raising smiles and money for charity with a cheeky Christmas card featuring some of its male customers. More than £1,800 has been raised from the sale of the daring cards, which feature a photo of 11 customers in a state of undress! More...

Pub trouble makers warned
PUB bosses in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge have warned trouble makers to stay away this Christmas or face being banned from premises in the towns. The town's Pubwatch has seen 31 licensed premises come together with police to make a night out safer in the two towns. More...

Horror crash closes Love Lane
THREE people were injured on Thursday night (December 15th) after a horrific crash involving two cars on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea. Love Lane, the main road into town from the M5 motorway, was closed for four hours while police, paramedics and fire crews attended the scene. More...

Kids join the circus for a day
A GROUP of lucky youngsters had the chance to improve their big top skills at Sanders Garden World, near Burnham-On-Sea, this week. The budding young clowns, acrobats and trapeze artistes attended the first session of circus workshops hosted by Circus Americano at the garden centre. More...

New Asda store for Highbridge
MORE than 100 jobs are to be created when a huge new Asda supermarket - twice the size of Burnham-On-Sea's existing Tesco store - opens in Highbridge. Planning bosses have this week given outline planning permission to Asda to build a 40,000 square foot store. More...

Wheelie bins for 900 residents
MORE than 900 homes across Burnham-On-Sea may get free wheelie bins during 2006 as part of an effort to stamp out litter problems in the town. The district council hopes to distribute the bins to tackle the problem of seabirds pecking at bin bags during the summer months - leaving rubbish strewn across streets. More...

Seafront revamp gets started
A MAJOR project to smarten up part of Burnham-On-Sea's seafront has begun. Scaffolding has gone up along part of the terrace of homes near the pier so that work to paint them can get underway. The work is partially funded by a regional development grant and will be completed over several weeks. More...

Police appeal after accident
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an accident on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday night, December 10th. Paramedics treated one casualty on the roadside at the scene, following the accident taking place at around 11.10pm near the Edithmead Roundabout. More...

More gloom as gift shop shuts
ANOTHER shop has become the victim of a downturn in trade along Burnham-On-Sea High Street - the fifth in the last two months. The Blazing Saddles gift shop on the corner of Cross Street is to close at Christmas after eight years in business. Its owner blames charity shops for the store's demise. More...

Country fans' £2,300 donation
GENEROUS Country and Western music fans who held a series of fundraising events in aid of the Burnham-On-Sea Hovercraft have handed over a huge cheque for £2,300 to the group. The cash was handed over to grateful crew members during a special presentation at Home Farm. More...

Lib Dems win Burnham by-election
BURNHAM-On-Sea Liberal Democrats were celebrating on Thursday night, December 8th, after their candidate, Chris Williams, won a seat on the town council. The Conservative's Alan Miller was beaten by just 69 votes in the by-election to represent the Burnham East ward. More...

Police plea after robbery bid
BURNHAM-On-Sea Police have appealed for information after an attempted robbery at Apex Leisure Park. At around 5pm on Monday December 5th a 17-year-old boy was riding his bicycle on the Apex Park footpath when he was approached by an unknown man who asked him for his bike. More...

Rag Week raises fun and cash
FUN-loving pupils at King Alfred School in Burnham-On-Sea have been raising money for worthy causes during their annual Rag Week. The students were free to wear what they wanted during the popular event, which raises hundreds of pounds for charity each year. More...

Parking boost for Burnham
MORE than £45,000 has been spent on expanding two of Burnham-On-Sea's car parks to help meet peak summer demand for parking spaces. The car park off Lynton Road has had its number of spaces increased by 11%. It is to be called the 'Shoppers' Car Park' under the new scheme. More...

Burnham RNLI opens shop
BURNHAM-On-Sea RNLI has acquired a shop on the town's busy seafront in order to continue fundraising efforts all year round. The building, situated next to Sunspot Amusements, overlooks The Esplanade and jetty and sells RNLI souvenirs and merchandise. More...

Mayor's Christmas message
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Mayor, Eric Gill, has issued his annual Christmas message to residents in the town. He reviews the highlights of the year and looks forward to the year ahead in the town. He also has a special mention for volunteers in the area, especially those linked to youngsters in the town. More...

Woman cut from crash
A WOMAN was rushed to hospital after being cut free from her vehicle after a two-car accident on the A38, near Burnham-On-Sea. The road was closed for one and a half hours on Tuesday night, December 6th, following the incident involving a VW Golf and a Ford Escort. More...

Open meeting on 'boy racers'
AN OPEN meeting is to be held to debate how to tackle the problem of speeding motorists along Burnham-On-Sea seafront. Police officers, residents, local businesses and councillors will attend the forum on Friday December 16th to discuss ways forward and look at the options to tackle the problem. More...

Security scare at town's pier
TWO teams of police officers rushed to Burnham-On-Sea Pier late on Monday night amid fears that the building had been broken into. The Pavilion's burglar alarms were activated at around 11pm and a full security operation swung into operation - but fortunately it was all just a false alarm. More...

New art gallery for Burnham
A NEW gallery has opened in Burnham-On-Sea, offering a wide range of artwork and gifts from local artists. Called Sea Breeze, the Victoria Street premises is situated opposite the town's cinema and is run by Rhonda Mills and her husband. It sells a wide range of giftware and artwork. More...

Christmas Circus opens!
A TROOP of circus performers who are hosting Christmas shows at Sanders Garden World, near Burnham-On-Sea, have been busy putting up a big top tent as their performances began on Monday December 5th. Clowns, trapeze artists and fire eaters are featured in the 28-day circus. More...

Vehicle rescued from beach
A VAN was pulled to safety after it became stuck on Burnham-On-Sea beach - the second time in a fortnight that a vehicle has got into difficulties in the area. District Council dog warden Tina Kick was patrolling the beach when her van sank into 'sinking sand' near the pier. More...

Have your say on council tax
BURNHAM-On-Sea residents are being invited to air their opinions on how council tax is spent in our area. The District Council is asking residents for input in deciding where money should be spent - and has set up touch-screens in the town for people to give feedback. More...

Rotary Club's £500 donation
A CHEQUE for £500 has been handed to Burnham-On-Sea's hovercraft group after a series of successful Rotary Club fundraising events. Crew members from BARB attended a presentation evening where they received the money which will be put towards the £20,000 running costs of the craft. More...

Wind farm group goes green
OPPONENTS of the proposed wind farm outside Burnham-On-Sea are planning to promote 'green action' in the area in order to take the wind out of those who say they are hurting the environment. The kNOll to Wind Farm group is determined not to be labelled 'anti-green'. More...

Electrical fault blamed for fire
BURNHAM-On-Sea fire fighters have been tackling a large blaze at the rear of a property in Church Road, Brean. Three sheds and a workshop at the back of a property in the village were destroyed. Two pumps from Burnham were initially sent to the scene, and others joined them. More...

Vandals attack two town shops
VANDALS caused more than £1,000 worth of damage by smashing the windows of two High Street shops in Burnham-On-Sea at the weekend. A front window at the Burnham Pet Shop was smashed and in a second attack a large pane of glass at Tickle Your Taste Buds was broken. More...

Lack of fish hits angling event
MORE than 60 anglers lined the water's edge at Burnham-On-Sea on Sunday to compete in a beach competition - but the fish stayed away and made it one of the group's worst afternoons on record. Just six flounders were caught during the five hour event. Ogranisers blamed the cold weather. More...

Tree weekend attracts crowds
HUNDREDS of people attended a Tree Weekend at Sanders Garden World, near Burnham-On-Sea, on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th November. During the free event, which tied in with National Tree Week, experts were on hand to answer tree-related questions. More...

Art attack on drink drivers
POLICE in Burnham-On-Sea are using the artistic talents of local youngsters to bring home the 'Don’t Drink and Drive' message this Christmas. Pupils at Berrow School have designed a poster to publicise the dangers of drink driving in a new bid by the police to stamp out road accidents caused by drink. More...

Knoll race is runaway success!
A LAST-minute hitch failed to mar the popular Brent Knoll Run on Sunday November 27th, when 92 runners took part in the gruelling race from Burnham to the top of the Knoll and back. Organiser Brian Beale of Burnham Harriers said extra marshalls were drafted in in order to ensure the event went ahead safely. More...

Warehouse blaze 'was arson'
FIRE crews were called to a warehouse blaze in Tyler Way, Highbridge, at 4pm on Sunday November 27th, which they believe was set alight deliberately. Four appliances from Bridgwater and Burnham, plus one support appliance from Street, were mobilised during the incident. More...

Mayor turns on Christmas lights
SANTA Claus dropped in to help Burnham-On-Sea Mayor Eric Gill switch on the town's Christmas lights on Saturday November 26th. Mr Gill signalled the start of the switch-on by ringing a handbell in a simple ceremony at the top of Burnham-On-Sea's High Street in front of onlookers. More...

Police: 'Robbers were not local'
POLICE investigating an armed robbery at Tesco’s in Burnham-on-Sea believe the robbers are not local. At 2.15pm on Monday, November 21, 2005, a Securicor guard was transferring cash from the store to his nearby van when he was confronted by three masked men. More...

Regeneration edges forward
PLANS to regenerate Burnham-On-Sea edged a step closer this week after two high-profile meetings in the town between councillors, regeneration bosses and local businesses. The consultants looking into the benefits of regeneration presented their findings during the special events. More...

Town election race heats up
THE race to win the vacant seat on Burnham and Highbridge town council heated up this week with both candidates taking to the streets of Burnham. The Conservative's Alan Miller and the Liberal Democrat's Chris Williams have both been canvassing support as the election day edges closer. More...

New armed raid at Tesco store
ARMED thieves have again struck at Burnham-On-Sea's branch of Tescos, stealing a large sum of money from the supermarket's cash office. A staff member said the store had been the victim of an incident on Monday November 21st in which a Securicor guard was targeted. More...

Huge fire at Berrow sports club
FIRE crews from across Somerset tackled a big blaze at Berrow Football Club overnight on November 22nd. Two appliances from Burnham-On-Sea and two from Weston-Super-Mare attended the scene, along with a further two appliances from Bridgwater and Street. More...

Two more shops close in town
BURNHAM-On-Sea has suffered a double dose of bad news after two shops in the town announced they were closing, just weeks after others also pulled the shutters down. Crandon Computers in Cross Street and the Little Brum gift shop in the High Street closed. More...

Hovercraft Charity Night rocks!
HUNDREDS of supporters of Burnham-On-Sea's hovercraft flocked to a special charity event in the town on Saturday November 19th for a lively mixture of fun and fundraising. More than 300 people crowded into the Burnham Holiday Village for the BARB hovercraft group's first Charity Night. More...

Stranded car pulled from sea
RESCUERS came to the aid of two fishermen after their car became stuck on Burnham-On-Sea beach early on Saturday morning, November 19th. The anglers were setting off for a day's fishing at 6.30am when their vehicle became trapped on a sand bank near the jetty. More...

Highbridge man died on M5
AN INQUEST has heard how a Highbridge man was killed on the M5 motorway while trying to drive to Weston-super-Mare despite being nearly twice over the legal alcohol limit. Billy Cribbon, 20, died at the scene when he was hit by another driver while standing next to his car. More...

Festive fundraising in town
HUNDREDS of pounds was raised for local groups and charities at a popular Christmas bazaar held in Burnham-On-Sea this week. The event, run by Burnham and District Lions Club, attracted crowds of visitors to the town's Methodist Church in College Street for the group's first Xmas bazaar. More...

Burnham art exhibition opens
A UNIQUE exhibition of Burnham-On-Sea paintings, video and sounds has opened in Bristol at the city's annual Totterdown Art Trail. Formed in 2001 by a group of local artists, the event has grown steadily year on year and attracts more than 3,000 visitors to the front rooms of houses in the area. More...

Seagull feeders face £50 fines
HOLIDAYMAKERS and reisdents in Burnham-On-Sea who feed seagulls or pigeons could face fines of up to £50 from next spring. The district council is considering whether it can use new powers under the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act to introduce fines for those who feed sea birds. More...

Tourism bosses meet in Brean
TOURISM bosses from Burnham-On-Sea, Berrow and Brean gathered together to look back at a busy summer holiday season and discuss plans to further promote the area during 2006. There was a packed audience for the AGM of Sedgemoor Tourism Association at the Farmer's Tavern in Brean. More...

18 year-old dies after accident
A BURNHAM-On-Sea woman has died after being involved in a road traffic accident on Highbridge Road. The 18-year-old was formally identified by police as Stephanie Shaw of Highbridge Road, Burnham-On-Sea. Police have once again appealed for witnesses to the Carnival Night accident. More...

Hundreds at wind farm open day
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a wind farm between Burnham-On-Sea and Brent Knoll were on display at an open day attended by several hundred people on Tuesday. Scores of residents visited the ten-hour event at Burnham's Scout HQ when the plans were on view for the first time. More...

Big-hearted Debbie's donation
A SCHOOL girl who was so moved by the tragic death of five-year-old Lelaina Hall in the mud at Berrow three years ago has raised more than £1,500 for Burnham's Spirit Of Lelaina hovercraft by performing at Country and Western events in Brean over the last two years. More...

Town carnival club celebrates
MEMBERS of a Burnham-On-Sea Carnival club are celebrating after being crowned county champions, having won in their class at SIX events on the carnival curcuit. Hillview Juvenile Carnival Club picked up the sought-after county award on Saturday November 12th at Glastonbury Carnival. More...

MP lays wreath for war dead
MORE than 200 dignatries, war veterans and residents gathered at Burnham-On-Sea's war memorial on Sunday November 13th to mark Remembrance Day. In a ceremony led by Rev Graham Witts, wreaths were laid by Burnham MP David Heathcoat-Amory and leaders of various groups in the town. More...

Store unveils £500k revamp
MORE than £500,000 has been spent on revamping Somerfield's store in Burnham-On-Sea and creating 10 new jobs, the supermarket chain announced this week. The Pier Street store has just completed work to refit the premises with new facilities. It comes at a time of fierce competition for shoppers in the town. More...

Police seal off street after raid
POLICE closed off Adam Street in Burnham-On-Sea late on Friday, November 11th, after an armed robbery at a High Street amusement arcade. Police were investigating reports that a staff member at the arcade beneath Shakers had been threatened with a knife shortly after 10.15pm. More...

Wind farm plans are delayed
PLANS to build a new wind farm between Burnham-On-Sea and Brent Knoll, as pictured, have been delayed. Ecotricity, the company behind the scheme, had intended to submit its plans for five 65m tall turbines to district planners by the end of November but this won't happen until later in the year. More...

Town falls silent for war dead
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 Friday November 11th. A brief ceremony was held in the High Street and at St Andrew's Church. More...

Recycling centre wins acclaim
HIGHRBIDGE'S waste recycling centre has won a national award to become the "UK's Best Recycling Centre", it was announced this week. The Highbridge site, operated by Wyvern Waste on behalf of Somerset County Council, beat off the challenge of several other centres. More...

New 'health campus' for town?
AN AMBITIOUS proposal for a regional 'health campus' - which could be based in Burnham-On-Sea and include a brand new swimming pool - was unveiled this week. A decision on the future of Burnham's existing swimming pool has been put on hold until January while more information is gathered. More...

Final rehearsals for BEES group
FINAL rehearsals are underway at a Burnham-On-Sea drama group in preparation for one of their biggest ever performances. More than 30 members of BEES, the Burnham Excellent Entertainment Society, will be performing 'Hood: The Musical' on Saturday, November 19th. More...

Hover boss to run for council
BURNHAM-On-Sea Conservatives have selected Alan Miller as their candidate for the Town Council by-election in Burnham East on 8th December. Alan is the chairman of BARB, the group that runs Burnham's rescue hovercraft, and was the winner of the 2004/5 Heathcoat-Amory Endeavour Trophy. More...

'Lives at risk' from snow policy
LIVES will be put at risk in Burnham-On-Sea this winter because many roads in the town will not be treated with salt, councillors have warned this week. The stark message came after the County Council revealed plans to grit far fewer roads in the town in order to make cash savings. More...

Seal rescued on Brean beach
ANIMAL rescuers have been recounting how they treated their first ever seal casualty after storms drove the pup ashore at Brean. The stricken animal was found on the sand by walkers, who called local animal rescue volunteers from Secret World, near Burnham-On-Sea to help. More...

18-year-old injured in town car crash
POLICE have appealed for witnesses after a car accident in Burnham-On-Sea left an 18 year-old woman from the town in hospital with head injuries. Highbridge Road was closed for three hours on Monday November 7th after a Rover 214 collided with her at approximately 5.20pm. More...

Burnham Carnival results 2005
ILMINSTER's Gemini Carnival Club took the top spot at Burnham-On-Sea's 58th annual carnival with its enchanting float, Lion King The Show. Although there was a mix-up over where the participants were able to get off their carts at the end of the parade, the results stand. More...

35,000 fill town for Carnival
UP TO 35,000 people descended on Burnham-On-Sea on Monday night, November 7th, to watch more than 90 carnival floats wend their way through the town's streets to the sound of cheers and loud music. Burnham-On-Sea.com has a full photo and news round-up. More...

Fireworks wow the crowds!
MORE than 4,000 people flocked to Burnham-On-Sea on Sunday night, November 6th, to watch a stunning firework display that marked the start of the town's annual Carnival festivities. The display cost more than £5,000 and was one of the best seen in the town. More...

Couple to appear on ITV1 show
A BURNHAM-On-Sea couple who were forced to have their baby in Basingstoke, rather than a local hospital because no facilities were available, will campaign for change by appearing on the ITV1 current affairs programme West Eye View this week. The show features others mums as well. More...

Royal Clarence Hotel on sale
A well-known seafront hotel in Burnham-On-Sea that went on sale this week has already attracted interest from several potential buyers. The Royal Clarence Hotel at 31, The Esplanade, is up for sale at £595,000 with Garry Berryman estate agents and is attractin interest from local businesses. More...

Wind farm action group formed
AN action group has been formed to oppose the proposed development of a wind farm between Burnham-On-Sea and Brent Knoll. The action group, which is called 'kNOll to Windfarm', has been created by concerned residents of Brent Knoll, to campaign against the wind farm plans. More...

Youth council's litter clean-up
A GROUP of community-minded youngsters from Burnham-On-Sea had an unusual start to their half-term holiday by picking up rubbish around the town. The Youth Town Council members tidied up the streets around King Alfred School and the BAY Club after noticing lots of rubbish. More...

Pub to serve alcohol from 9am
A BURNHAM-On-Sea pub is to serve alcohol from 9am when new drinking legislation comes into force later this month. JD Wetherspoon said virtually all its 650 pubs across the country, including The Reed's Arms on Burnham seafront, will allow alcohol to be sold from 9am. More...

Xmas lights boost for Burnham
BURNHAM-On-Sea's streets will have an extra dose of festive sparkle this Christmas season, thanks to the town's Chamber of Trade. For the first time in more than five years, extra lights will be switched on along Victoria Street in addition to the High Street in central Burnham-On-Sea. More...

Tory David Cameron in town
DAVID Cameron, the front-runner in the race to become Conservative party leader, visited Burnham-On-Sea on Monday afternoon to meet supporters. In front of a capacity audience in the Princess Hall, he addressed a crowd of several hundred Tory members. More...

Huge fireworks display planned
THE organisers behind next Sunday's Burnham-On-Sea seafront fireworks display say the event will be one of the most spectacular shows ever. The popular display attracted more than 4,000 spectators last year and is sure to be another success when it starts at 6.30pm. More...

BARB fundraiser tickets on sale
THERE are still a few tickets remaining for Burnham-On-Sea hovercraft group's charity evening, to be held during November. The event will include music, a finger buffet, raffle and a charity auction. The event is open to all and will be held on November 19th at 7.30pm. More...

£50,000 of fake goods seized
COUNTERFEIT goods worth £50,000 have been seized by Somerset Trading Standards Officers at a market in Brean. Trading Standards Officers announced on Friday October 28th that they had shut down two stalls at Brean outdoor market that had been selling fake DVDs and CDs. More...

RNLI Xmas sale pulls in crowds
LIFEBOAT supporters flocked to the first of a series of Christmas sales of RNLI-themed merchandise on Saturday, October 29th, at Burnham-On-Sea lifeboat station. Organised by members of the RNLI Supporters' Group, a wide selection of items was on sale during the morning. More...

Two arrested after Pontins fire
TWO youths were arrested after what police described as a "suspcious fire" at Pontins holiday centre in Brean on Wednesday, October 26th. Firefighters from across Somerset tackled the blaze in the early hours of Wednesday, when several buildings were damaged. More...

Sale raises restoration funds
SEVERAL hundred Burnham-On-Sea residents visited St Andrew's Church Hall on Saturday morning, October 29th, to support a town church's restoration fund. St Andrew's Church is holding various events to raise funds for the restoration of the well-known seafront building. More...

Council slams wind farm plans
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a huge new wind farm on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea have been slammed by the leader of Burnham and Highbridge town council. The proposal involves the construction of five 65 metre turbines on land at Edithmead near to Brent Knoll. More...

Seafront beauty salon opens
BURNHAM-On-Sea has become one of Britain's only coastal resorts to have its own seafront beauty salon! Lyndsey Redstone has opened Beautylicious, a nail and beauty studio, on The Esplanade to tempt holidaymakers and seafront walkers in for a range of hair, face and body treatments. More...

Weston to use lifeboat tractors
SIMILAR tractors to those used to launch Burnham-On-Sea RNLI's lifeboats from the beach are to be used in Weston-super-Mare too. At the end of September inspectors from the RNLI visited the existing Weston lifeboat station, based on Birnbeck Island, and noted a number of repairs were needed. More...

Mountain rescue for teenagers
NINE teenagers from Burnham-On-Sea, some reportedly suffering from hypothermia, were rescued by an RAF helicopter from the Black Mountains in Wales this week. The group from King Alfred School were taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme when they got lost. More...

Town council seat up for grabs
NOMINATIONS are now being accepted for the vacant seat on Burnham and Highbridge town council, following the resignation of Cllr Joyce Smith. Nomination papers can be obtained from the offices of the Returning Officer at Bridgwater House or from the town council clerk. More...

New wind farm plans unveiled
CONTROVERSIAL proposals for a huge new wind farm near Burnham-on-Sea were formally unveiled on Monday October 24th. The proposal involves five 65 metre turbines being built at Edithmead which will produce enough electricity for more than 8,000 homes. We have full details. More...

Leisure Park owners' donation
BREAN Leisure Park has presented the Highbridge and Burnham Division of St John Ambulance with a bumper cheque for £2,500 this week. The money was raised at the Park's Donkey Derby and Pig Racing events throughout the summer months when large crowds flocked to watch and take part. More...

Burnham councillor resigns
A BURNHAM-On-Sea town councillor has resigned from her post in order to spend more time with her family. Liberal Democrat Joyce Smith has been the ward councillor for Burnham East for almost two years but has decided she needs to spend more time with her family and has therefore stepped down. More...

Bloom winners pick up awards
GREEN-fingered Burnham-On-Sea residents of all ages gathered together over the weekend to receive the awards they won in this year's Britain In Bloom competition. More than 30 children, residents and business owners were handed their awards at a ceremony in the council chambers. More...

Town celebrates Trafalgar Day
BURNHAM-On-Sea marked the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar on Friday, October 21st, with the unveiling of a new plaque and a special lunch for VIPs from across the town. The plaque was unveiled at Marine Cove between the two seats by the town's MP and councillors. More...

High Street phone shop closes
BURNHAM-On-Sea's High Street was dealt a blow this week when one of its leading stores closed for the final time. Bridgwater Communications, on the corner of the High Street and Cross Street, shut down just 13 months after coming into Burnham, blaming poor local support. More...

Carnival club unveils huge float
THE finishing touches are being made to one of the largest-ever carnival floats to be built in Burnham-On-Sea or Highbridge. Members of the Hillview Juvenile Carnival Club are adding the final light bulbs and applying a final coat of paint to their giant 100ft long float whihc will be on show in November. More...

Fire crews tackle house blaze
A WOMAN was treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation as firefighters from Burnham tackled a house fire in Briar Close on Monday. A 45-year-old female was found collapsed at the scene and an ambulance was called to help her after fire broke out on the first floor of the house. More...

Drifting powerboat helped
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Atlantic 75 lifeboat was called out this week after a power boat got into difficulties in Bridgwater Bay. Burnham Coastguards called on the Staines Whitfield lifeboat to assist the boat after it suffered power failure and began to drift quickly out of the bay. More...

Driving ban for police officer
A BURNHAM-On-Sea police officer involved in a dramatic accident on Marine Drive in the town has been suspended from driving police vehicles. Marine Drive was closed for almost an hour on October 15th after the patrol car crashed and flipped over near the Catholic Church. Further details are not yet known. More...

New plaque to be unveiled
BURNHAM-On-Sea will mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar this Friday, October 21st, with the unveiling of a new plaque. The Town Council will be unveiling the specialplaque at Marine Cove on the wall between the two new seats outside the 'Nelson' gates. More...

Core blimey! Apple event fun
HUNDREDS of people visited Sanders Garden World near Burnham-On-Sea at the weekend to see one of the largest collection of apple varieties in the South West. Staff, in association with local apple growers and cider makers, put on a display of 500 apple varieties at the garden centre. More...

Night rescue for man at Berrow
BURNHAM-On-Sea's hovercraft was at the centre of a major mud rescue at Berrow during the early hours of Monday October 17th. A 33-year-old man from Brean had become stuck in waist-deep mud half a mile from the shoreline at Berrow – prompting a night-time rescue. More...

Police crash shuts Marine Drive
A BURNHAM-On-Sea police officer was rushed to hospital on Saturday, October 15th, after a dramatic accident. Marine Drive was closed for almost an hour after the patrol car flipped over near to the town's Roman Catholic Church. The officer involved suffered minor injuries. More...

Ammonia alert was false alarm
MORE than 30 firefighters from across Somerset rushed to the Isleport Business Park in Highbridge on Saturday, October 15th, amid fears that an ammonia leak was underway. Several alarms at the Brake Bros factory had been activated and staff requested the help of the Fire Service. More...

Police issue Tesco robbery e-fit
POLICE in Burnham-on-Sea have released an e-fit description and further details about an armed robbery at the town's Tesco store. The robbery took place at the Love Lane store at 5.54pm on Tuesday October 11th, when a Securicor guard was delivering cash to ATM machines. More...

Traders back Sanders proposal
TRADERS in Burnham-On-Sea have this week offered a cautious hand of friendship to Sanders Garden World by voting to work with the store rather than against it in the coming years. At a packed meeting of the Chamber Of Trade, the vote was made to back a promotion proposal. More...

Group's wheelchair donation
KIND-hearted members of the Burnham-On-Sea branch of Moose International have donated two new wheelchairs to Weston Hospital's Quantock Rehabilitation unit. It comes after lodge member Chris Harris’s wife Rita was undergoing long-term treatment at Weston Hospital. More...

Armed robbery at Tesco store
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a dramatic hit and run robbery at Burnham-On-Sea's Tesco store on Tuesday evening, October 11th. A large area at the northern side of the store, next to two cash machines, was cordoned off by police for several hours. More...

MP reveals Tory vote plans
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Member of Parliament has revealed in a national newspaper interview who he WON'T be voting for in the upcoming Tory Leadership election. David Heathcoat-Amory is one of several MPs who have not yet publicly declared their intentions, but he has said who he won't be backing. More...

Austism home's cash boost
RESIDENTS at a home for adults with autism in Burnham-On-Sea have recently benefited from an unusual swap between an artist from the town and a local garden centre. Ann Lovell has exchanged some of her paintings for a £500 cash donation to the NAS to help the group. More...

New owners for popular pub
THE new managers of a popular restaurant and pub in the centre of Brean, near Burnham, say they have big plans to grow the business. Carol Doble and her partner Bill Fawdrey of Flaming Jaes Grill House have pledged to overhaul the pub in the next months and add new facilities.