October 19, 2005
New plaque to be unveiled in Burnham to mark Trafalgar Day anniversary

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 plaque at Marine Cove on the wall between the two new seats outside the 'Nelson' gates.

Burnham and Highbridge's town band will play at the gardens from 11.45am, and a single maroon will be fired from St Andrew's Church tower at mid-day.

One of Burnham's Sea Cadets will play a pipe and the Mayor's Chaplain will follow with prayers. Just after mid-day, the church bells will ring and a lunch for invited representatives of various organisations in the town will be given at the Old Courthouse.

None of the celebrations will be paid for from the public purse as the HMS Burnham Association has agreed to fund the plaque and present a white ensign for the Council Chamber. Cllr Davey and Cllr Gill will be providing the catering.

During the evening, a beacon will also be lit on Brent Knoll (see seperate story here).

The beacon lightings will begin in Plymouth and kick off three days of festivities across the UK from October 21st-23rd to celebrate The Trafalgar Weekend.

The festival commemorates the UK's most celebrated naval victory, which on 21st October 1805 scuppered Napoleon’s plans to invade Britain.

RELATED LINKS:

Brent Knoll beacon to be lit on Trafalgar Day

Trafalgar Weekend Official Web site