Burnham-On-Sea’s new £22,000 seafront lights were officially switched on during a special ceremony on Friday evening (August 3rd).
Burnham’s Deputy Mayor, Cllr Neville Jones, was joined by the former Chairman of Burnham’s Chamber of Trade, John Edwards, to push the plunger to switch on the new lights (pictured).
Although a hiccup with an electronic timer meant many of the lights had actually come on earlier in the evening, this did not hamper the event.
A crowd of local VIPs and businesses which have supported the project was invited along to watch the ceremony and enjoy a drinks reception, organised by Cllr Jones, at the town’s seafront hovercraft station.
Mr Edwards said he believes the appearance of the new lights is “tremendous” and a real boost for the seafront since they will help to attract tourists to the town.
He also praised those local businesses that have come forward to help with funding by sponsoring the new lights.
“Their support has been invaluable,” he said.
Cllr Jones told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “January’s storms severely damaged many of the original seafront lights, but that was a one-in-15 year event which we hope will not be repeated for a very long time to come.”
“The new lights have a far stronger frame and should be able to withstand bad weather.”
He added that 30 out of the 42 lighting columns have been sponsored by local businesses, including Burnham-On-Sea.com, and that he is confident those remaining ones will be sponsored too.
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