BARB Search & Rescue

News and information from BARB Search & Rescue in Burnham-On-Sea

BARB (formed as the Burnham Area Rescue Boat in 1992) is a registered charity that operates two life-saving rescue hovercrafts and an inshore rescue boat in the Bridgwater Bay area.

This page provides all the latest BARB charity news, launch reports and fundraising info. Please also follow BARB on Facebook and Twitter

BARB Latest News

Organisers of Somerset music festival visit Burnham to give local charities a boost

The organisers of a summer music festival in Somerset have visited Burnham-On-Sea to present donations to three charities.

Stuck teen rescued from Brean beach mud by hovercraft and Coastguards

A stranded teenager was rescued from mud on Brean beach last night (Wednesday) by Coastguards and Burnham-On-Sea's rescue hovercraft.

Two Burnham-On-Sea fundraisers complete kayaking challenge for town charity

Two Burnham-On-Sea fundraisers completed a sponsored kayaking challenge along the River Brue on Saturday (September 2nd) to raise funds for a local charity.

Two Burnham-On-Sea fundraisers take on kayaking challenge for local charity

Two Burnham-On-Sea fundraisers will be taking part in a sponsored kayaking event along the River Brue on Saturday (September 2nd) for a local charity.
Burnham-On-Sea seafront and Quantock Court on the South Esplanade

Burnham seafront family fun trail today will raise funds for BARB

A sandcastle-themed family fundraising event is to be held on Burnham seafront today (Sunday, August 6th) for a town charity.
Burnham-On-Sea seafront and Quantock Court on the South Esplanade

Burnham seafront family fun trail this Sunday will raise funds for BARB

A sandcastle-themed family fundraising event is to be held on Burnham seafront this Sunday (August 6th).

Burnham-On-Sea Bowling Club presents boost to town’s BARB

Burnham-On-Sea Bowling Club has presented a cheque to the town’s rescue hovercraft charity BARB Search & Rescue following a recent open day.

Four fundraisers take on 15,000ft sky dive challenge to help Burnham charity

Sponsors are being sought for a fundraising sky dive that is set to be held for Burnham's BARB Search & Rescue in August.

PHOTOS: ‘Cars, Bikes and Coffee’ fundraiser raises funds for Burnham’s BARB

Dozens of classic and special vehicles went on show at a farm near the village of Mark on Sunday (July 2nd) when it held an annual fundraising event for Burnham-On-Sea's rescue hovercraft charity BARB Search & Rescue.
Cars, Bikes and Coffee

‘Cars, Bikes and Coffee’ fundraising event for BARB set to return today

A farm near the village of Mark is holding its annual fundraising event for Burnham-On-Sea's rescue hovercraft charity BARB Search & Rescue today (Sunday, July 2nd).

Burnham-On-Sea Cubs raise over £600 for town’s rescue hovercaft charity BARB

A group of Burnham-On-Sea Cubs have raised more than £600 for the town's rescue hovercraft charity BARB Search & Rescue by taking part in a sponsored cycle ride.
Cars, Bikes and Coffee

‘Cars, Bikes and Coffee’ fundraising event for BARB set to return in July

A farm near the village of Mark is holding its annual fundraising event for Burnham-On-Sea's rescue hovercraft charity BARB Search & Rescue on Sunday, July 2nd.

Early morning search launched in Burnham-On-Sea for missing person

A large search was launched in Burnham-On-Sea in the early hours of Friday morning (June 9th) for a missing teenager.

Burnham-On-Sea runner raises over £2,200 for town’s BARB Search & Rescue

A Burnham-On-Sea runner has raised over £2,200 by completing the Weston Super Half Marathon for the town's rescue hovercraft charity BARB Search & Rescue.
Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards on Brean Beach

Burnham Coastguards and BARB called to mud incidents on Brean beach

Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards and BARB Search & Rescue crews were called to incidents on Brean beach over the last few days.

Beach walker flown to safety by Burnham’s rescue hovercraft

A man was helped to safety onboard Burnham-On-Sea's rescue hovercraft on Friday evening (May 12th) after suffering a medical issue while walking along the town's beach.

Couple’s rock and roll night raises over £1,000 for Burnham-On-Sea RNLI and BARB

A couple in Banwell near Weston have helped to raise over £1,000 for Burnham-On-Sea RNLI and BARB Search & Rescue by holding a rock and roll night.

PHOTOS: Families flock to Burnham seafront Easter trail for town charity

Scores of families supported a fun-filled Easter trail on Burnham-On-Sea seafront on Sunday (April 2nd) to raise funds for hovercraft rescue charity BARB Search & Rescue.

Family Easter trail to be held on Burnham-On-Sea seafront today for BARB

A fun-filled Easter trail and fun activities for families are being held on Burnham-On-Sea seafront on Sunday (April 2nd) to raise funds for hovercraft rescue charity BARB Search & Rescue.

Sponsored silence raises £550 for Burnham’s BARB Search & Rescue

Hundreds of pounds have been raised for a Burnham-On-Sea charity during a unique fundraising event — a sponsored silence!

Walker rescued on Burnham-On-Sea beach by Coastguards and BARB hovercraft

A walker was rescued on Burnham-On-Sea beach on Tuesday (January 10th) after getting stuck in mud.

Burnham’s Trinity Close Christmas lights raise over £2,000 for charity

Families have been flocking to see the Christmas lights in Burnham-On-Sea's Trinity Close this month, raising charity funds, even though the residents are not holding an official display.

PHOTOS: Seafront elf trail in Burnham-On-Sea raises over £1,000 for BARB

A festive elf trail held on Burnham-On-Sea seafront has raised over £1,000 for Burnham charity BARB Search & Rescue.

Blue Ridge Runners motoring group gives £2,633 boost to Burnham-On-Sea charity

A group of fundraising motoring enthusiasts has presented over £2,600 to a Burnham-On-Sea charity.

History of the Burnham hovercraft

The story behind Burnham’s ‘Spirit Of Lelaina’ hovercraft

BARB, the group that runs the hovercrafts, was formed in 1992 when it began fundraising for its first rescue craft and own boathouse. In June 1994 Anneka Rice and the BBC TV show Challenge Anneka came to the rescue, building us a boat house on Burnham seafront in just 72 hours!

With the help of a generous grant from The Foundation for Sport And The Arts, plus donations from local businesses, BARB was able to purchase the rest of the equipment it needed in order to become fully operational as a rescue boat service.

Following the tragic death of five year-old Lelaina Hall in the mud at Berrow in 2002, the Western Daily Press launched a hugely successful fundraising campaign which brought in a whopping £115,000.

This funded the purchase of a fully-equipped hovercraft – called The Spirit Of Lelaina – which is now stationed in the boathouse at Burnham. During its first summer of operation it helped and rescued up to 50 people. The Western Daily Press and its readers remain one of the biggest supporters of the service, raising many thousands of pounds towards its operation.

Challenge Anneka team built seafront HQ in just 72 hours!

How BBC’s Anneka Rice built BARB’s hovercraft station…

Anneka Rice in Burnham-On-SeaThe hovercraft station which today houses the Burnham-On-Sea hovercraft was built in a matter of hours in 1994 during a flying visit by Anneka Rice and the crew from the popular BBC TV show Challenge Anneka.

The group behind the Burnham Area Rescue Boat had been formed in 1992 when it began fundraising for its own boat house. In June 1994 Anneka Rice came to the rescue, building a boat house on Burnham-On-Sea seafront in just 72 hours!

The BBC’s TV crew were on hand to record every part of the rapid construction and the final TV show was broadcast on BBC1 a few months later in the prime-time Challenge Anneka show. Click here for the full story and photos.

Burnham's powerful tides in the spotlight on BBC show

BARB helps BBC’s Jeremy Clarkson and ‘Top Gear’

A Toyota Futura was left looking rather worse-for-wear after Jeremy Clarkson and the BBC Top Gear team submerged it in the sea at Burnham in October 2003!

Crew members from the Burnham Area Rescue Boat (BARB) helped the BBC crew put the off-road vehicle through a rigorous challenge by seeing whether the vehicle could survive one of Bridgwater Bay’s notorious storm tides.

The vehicle was parked on the town’s jetty and left to nature’s forces – but, not suprisingly, the sea won and the vehicle failed miserably! The episode was shown on primetime BBC television and helped to demonstrate the danger of the tides along Somerset’s coastline. Click here for the full story and photos.

Hovercraft Background

Facts, figures and photos regarding Burnham-On-Sea’s Spirit Of Lelaina hovercraft:

Technical facts about the hovercraft
Find out how hovercrafts work
Challenge Anneka to the rescue!
Hovercraft Web sites and links

How to contact us

EMERGENCIES: If you need urgent help, CALL 999 and ask for the Coastguard who will summon the hovercraft if needed.

OTHER CONTACTS: Call BARB’s Chairman on 07834 635 797. You can also write to us at: BARB, Marine Rescue Centre, The Esplanade, Burnham, TA8 1BB.

Donate to BARB

BARB is a registered charity that relies solely on donations to run its service. Its annual running costs are over £30,000. Unlike other rescue groups, no-one at BARB is paid – we are all volunteers – so every penny raised is put towards rescues, training and maintaining our equipment. Support us by sending cheques, payable to ‘BARB’, to BARB at Marine Rescue Centre, The Esplanade, Burnham, TA8 1BB. Make regular contributions: You can now download a form here to make regular contributions to BARB. Become a sponsor: Find out who supports and sponsors Burnham’s hovercraft and how you can get involved – here.

How to contact us

EMERGENCIES: If you need urgent help, CALL 999 and ask for the Coastguard who will summon the hovercraft if needed.

OTHER CONTACTS: Call BARB’s Chairman on 07834 635 797. You can also write to us at: BARB, Marine Rescue Centre, The Esplanade, Burnham, TA8 1BB.

Meet Our Crew

Hovercraft lifesavers

Click here to see the Burnham hovercraft team

BARB Sponsors

Hovercraft sponsors

See a full list of the companies and groups that help BARB – click here

BARB Merchandise

Help support BARB by buying our official merchandise, such as pens, mugs, postcards and more, from Burnham Tourist Information Centre on the town’s seafront. It’s open throughout the year.

Facts & Figures

Learn more about the capabilities of the Burnham-On-Sea hovercraft:

Facts and figures about the Spirit of Lelaina

Beach Safety

The beaches at Burnham-On-Sea, Brean and Berrow are among Britain’s most scenic coastal areas, but there are dangers here too. Take note of these tips:

Beach guide and safety advice for visitors

Photos

Hovercraft photo gallery

Click here for photos of the Burnham hovercraft