An iconic Burnham-On-Sea landmark and life-saving town charity were featured on national TV on Tuesday evening (September 2nd) as part of a Channel 5 series celebrating the UK’s coastline.
Burnham-On-Sea’s Low lighthouse and the BARB Search & Rescue team were both featured in episode eight of ‘Coastal Adventures’.
The show was filmed in May as we reported here with the help of Screen Somerset, the Council’s film office, the episode saw presenter JB Gill, a member of pop band JLS, visit the famous low lighthouse with Somerset Council’s Harbour Master, Captain Jessica Tyson.
Capt Tyson taled JB through the routine checks and maintenance visits to the council-owned structure, which is a navigational aid for the Port of Bridgwater. She also hosted the star on the Council’s pilot boat ‘Sea Sprite’, a purpose built pilot boat to allow safe transfer of the pilots on and off vessels in the pilotage area, escorting and assistance of commercial shipping within the port.
JB also visited BARB Search & Rescue, the independent Burnham-based charity which operates three rescue hovercraft and inshore rescue boats. He became a temporary crew member for a day to take a flight on one of the hovercraft during a training session.
Councillor Mike Rigby, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets, said: “Exposure like this is great for Somerset, it helps raise our profile and lets visitors know that we’re here. In this case it’s also showcasing the work that Somerset Council does in maintaining the coast and its assets, and a fantastic local charity.”
“Film and TV productions spent an estimated £4m in the county’s economy last year, and our Screen Somerset project is helping put Somerset firmly on the map as a place that is open to filming and has a stunning array of locations.”
Standing nine metres tall, the Low Lighthouse dates from 1832 and is a wooden structure with Grade II Heritage listed status. It remains an active navigation aid, owned and maintained by Somerset Council, providing a white flash every seven seconds, plus a directional light through a window at the front.
BARB Search & Rescue was founded in 1992 and is run by a dedicated team of local volunteers, several of whom were featured in the TV feature.
Screen Somerset, Somerset Council’s film office, supports and promotes filming in the county in recognition of the economic and wider benefits it can bring.
