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Buy local food, urges town's MP
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP has this week urged shoppers to buy West Country products in an effort to help local farmers and food producers during the recession. David Heathcoat-Amory has long been an advocate of British produce and is asking the public for support.
Temporary end to road misery
Exclusive: LONG-suffering businesses in Highbridge have finally been given some good news after a temporary end to major roadworks in the town centre. Work in Church Street has come to a halt for two weeks over the busy Easter holiday period to avoid additional traffic congestion.
School head teacher retires
STAFF and pupils at Burnham-On-Sea Infants School have this week bid a fond farewell to head teacher Sue Horne. Mrs Horne has retired from her position after a long and successful career. Staff members presented her with a cake and held a party on Friday to mark her departure.
Easter crosses blessed on Knoll
Photo Special: Dozens of people clambered up the steep slopes of Brent Knoll on Sunday afternoon (April 5th) to watch the traditional blessing of three Easter crosses. Churches from across the Burnham-On-Sea area were represented at the 20-minute service, which was led by Reverend Christine Judson.
Chimney fire at Burnham home
A FIRE crew from Burnham-On-Sea was called to a chimney blaze in the town on Sunday evening (April 5th). One fire engine was sent to Grove Road at 6.45pm, as pictured here, when the occupants of a house raised the alarm after spotting a large amount of smoke emerging.
Students meet TV stars at forum
SIXTH form students from Highbridge's King Alfred School took part in a Somerset Student Forum last week - and met two TV stars! The group met other sixth form and college students from across Somerset during the forum at Somerset College of Arts and Technology in Taunton.
Parachute jump for Malcolm, 72
A PLUCKY pensioner from Burnham-On-Sea is set to fulfil a lifelong dream by completing a parachute jump for charity at the age of 72. Malcolm Hill, of Herbert Road, served in the Royal Marines during his National Service but he missed out on parachute jumps and this is behind his unfilled ambition.
Scoop! Ice cream parlour opens
A NEW ice cream parlour opened on Burnham-On-Sea's seafront on Saturday (April 4th) in time for the start of the Easter holidays. Owner Robin Luxom is keeping his fingers crossed for a warm spring and summer, having launched the shop, called The Whole Scoop on The Esplanade.
Records tumble at seafront run
MILD temperatures and calm weather provided ideal conditions for the 68 runners who took part in a race on Burnham-On-Sea seafront on Thursday night (April 2nd). Records tumbled during the 5km event, which was the final race of a series of six runs held over the winter months.
Shop window contest begins
DOZENS of Burnham-On-Sea town centre businesses are taking part in a 'spot the odd item in the window' competition throughout this month. The annual contest sees the public being invited to find items that shops do not usually display in their windows during the rest of the trading year.
Doorstep callers zone launched
THE village of East Brent, near Burnham-On-Sea, has this week become the latest area to be designated a 'no cold calling zone'. Local residents had raised concerns at the level of aggressive cold callers in the village and this led to the issue being designated a priority for local police and it was decided to set-up the new zone.
Traders' anger over compensation
Exclusive: ANGRY businesses in Highbridge have this week hit out at Sedgemoor District Council's offer of financial help during the town's disruptive roadworks after several firms received cheques of just £20 and less. Several months' work to replace gas mains along Church Street began in January, causing endless traffic queues and severely denting the trade of nearby businesses.
Tree-rific! Saplings for school
PUPILS at Burnham-On-Sea Community Infant School have been presented with 81 saplings to help them with their environmental projects. The school on Winchester Road was awarded the saplings by Monkton Elm Garden and Pet Centre at Monkton Heathfield, near Taunton.
Fire crew called to garden blaze
BURNHAM-On-Sea firefighters were called to a small blaze outside a house besides the town's lighthouse on Thursday evening (April 2nd). One fire engine was sent to the Lighthouse Cottage in Berrow Road at 6.30pm, as pictured here. A garden fire got out of control and began burning down several hedges.
Prince presents MBE to Andrea
Exclusive: PRINCE Charles has this week presented a community-minded resident from Berrow, near Burnham-On-Sea, with an MBE during a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Andrea Johnstone travelled to London with her daughters to receive the award, which recognised her voluntary service to the community.
In photos: Easter bonnet parade
EASTER was on the minds of a group of Highbridge youngsters this week when they created these colourful bonnets for an annual parade. Pupils at Beechfield Infants School held the procession on Wednesday when bonnets of all shapes and sizes were shown off i front of friends and parents.
£1.5m revamp for golf club
AN extended golf course is one of the many improvements being made to a holiday park in Brean this year, which has invested £1.5m into upgrades. Holiday Resort Unity and Brean Leisure Park have been undertaking a major upgrade programme during recent months, which includes an extended golf course.
Business rates relief for traders
SEDGEMOOR District Council is to help traders in the centre of Highbridge whose trade has been adversely affected by long-running road works. Work to replace gas mains in Church Street began in January and has caused endless queues and hit the trade of shops and businesses.
Town's beach gets Spring clean
A TEAM of nine council staff has this week completed a three-day clean-up operation on Burnham-On-Sea's beach. Five truckfuls of rubbish and over 150 sacks have been taken away in readiness for start of the busy Easter holiday season by Sedgemoor's Clean Surroundings Team.
Viewing tower an April fool!
EXCITING proposals for a £3million viewing tower and visitor centre to be built on the top of Brent Knoll have been unveiled this week. The 60 metre tall 'County Tower' will be a concrete and steel structure that rises from the top of the Knoll and offers 360 degree panoramic views.
Noise fears over race track
Exclusive: CONCERNED residents living on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea fear plans to start banger racing in a local field will cause a sharp increase in noise and traffic problems. The field, which is located next to the A38 at Edithmead close to the M5 junction 22, is being prepared for its first banger racing event later in April.
Could day of carnival change?
Exclusive: CARNIVAL bosses have this week been considering proposals to change the day on which Burnham-On-Sea's annual winter carnival is held. Each November's Burnham and Highbridge carnival is always held on a Monday, but it could move to a Friday or Sunday.
Have your say on barrage plans
TWO public meetings are set to be held in Burnham-On-Sea and Brean during April to discuss controversial plans to build a Severn Barrage across the Bristol Channel. Burnham's MP, David Heathcoat-Amory, has organised the two meetings for local people to discuss and ask questions about the Severn Tidal Power scheme.
Police in Highbridge drugs raid
Exclusive: A MAN was arrested after a quantity of drugs was seized in a dramatic police raid on a property in the centre of Highbridge on Monday morning (March 30th). These were the scenes in Church Street as officers swooped on a home at 10am, forcing their way in through the front door, before carrying out a search.
Town's yachts hoisted into river
TWO huge cranes towered over Burnham-On-Sea's Sailing Club on Monday morning (March 30th) when the annual spring 'crane-in' saw 19 boats hoisted into the River Brue. The event is arranged by Burnham Sailing Club every year at this time to mark the start of the new sailing season.
Wedding fayre is just the ticket
GROOMS and brides-to-be were able to pick up information about tying the knot when Burnham-On-Sea's Princess Hall held its first ever wedding fayre on Sunday (March 29th). A steady flow of visitors throughout the day meant the inaugural free event was declared a success.
Concern grows for missing man
POLICE issued an appeal on Monday (March 30th) for the public to help in tracking down this Burnham-On-Sea man, who has gone missing. Robert Hands, 52, attended a family funeral in Worcestershire more than a week ago, but has not been seen since - prompting the police appeal.
Man arrested over car attack
Exclusive: A MAN was arrested in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea early on Sunday (March 29th) following an attack on a car. Police were called to Jaycroft Road at 7.30am after residents were woken by the sound of breaking glass. A Vauxhall car's windscreen and several side windows had been smashed.
In photos: Aquathon in action
OVER 40 athletes from across the South West took part in the second of three Burnham-On-Sea Aquathons on Sunday (March 29th). The event, organised by the town's Swim and Sports Academy, comprised a 750m swim and a 7km run and was won by 17-year-old Tom Derrick.
100 complete Easter egg race
DOZENS of youngsters took part in the annual Easter run to the top of Brent Knoll on Saturday (March 28th). The annual race is held from outside the village's primary school and this year's event saw almost 100 children and parents making their way to the summit and back.
Colourful scenes of Burnham on show
BURNHAM-On-Sea's colourful coastline is featured in a new art exhibition that is currently underway in the town. Local artist Graham McPherson is holding an exhibition at Sea Breeze gallery in Victoria Street. He told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "I'm glad to be portraying something of the drama and atmosphere we have."
New Knoll footpath is opened
WALKING to the top of Brent Knoll is now a lot easier thanks to the completion of an £11,000 project to introduce new steps and a footpath. Delighted villagers and councillors held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday morning (March 28th) to officially open the new route, as pictured here.
Couple celebrate 80 years together
Exclusive: A BURNHAM-On-Sea couple who are both aged 100 celebrated another major milestone on Friday (March 27th) when they reached their 80th wedding anniversary. Great-great-grandfather Walter Postings, known as Wally, and wife Beatrice, known as Pete, are understood to have Britain's second-longest marriage.
Seafront lights to be turned on
DECORATIVE illuminations along Burnham-On-Sea seafront will be lit up for the summer season in the middle of April. Town councillors have decided to switch on the lights from Good Friday (April 10th) for the remainder of the summer tourist season. They will be lit each night from 9pm-11.30pm.
Farmers warned after sheep stolen
FARMERS in the Burnham-On-Sea area have been warned to be on their guard following the theft of livestock from a field in West Huntspill earlier this month. Police said on Friday (March 27th) that the incident had occurred between approximately 5pm on Thursday 12th March and 5pm on Friday 13th March 2009.
PC stolen in break-in at kids centre
Exclusive: MEAN thieves broke into Highbridge Childrens Centre during the early hours of Thursday morning (March 26th) and stole a laptop computer worth hundreds of pounds. A cleaner found the centre in Coronation Road had been struck for a third time in as many months when she discovered a window had been smashed.
Wedding fayre to be held in town
A WEDDING fayre is set to be held in Burnham-On-Sea's Princess Hall this Sunday (March 29th). The day-long free event is being arranged by the theatrical group BEES in association with Sedgemoor District Council and the 'Friends of The Princess'. We have a full preview of the event.
Accident closes one lane of M5
ONE lane of the M5 motorway at Burnham-On-Sea was briefly closed on Thursday afternoon (March 26th) after a car collided with the central reservation. This was the scene on the southbound carriageway between junction 22 at Burnham and 23 for Bridgwater after police and fire crews were called out at 3.20pm.
Slow down! Sign warns drivers
Exclusive: A FRESH drive to slow down speeding motorists travelling through Berrow, near Burnham-On-Sea, is underway with the installation of this flashing speed sign. Funded by the county council, the sign flashes up the speed of passing traffic if a vehicle exceeds the limit of 30mph.
Rugby club extension approved
Exclusive: Proposals for a major new extension at Burnham-On-Sea rugby club were approved by district council planners today (Wednesday, March 25th). The Burnham Association of Sports Clubs had submitted an application to build a single storey extension with a flat roof to form a new viewing terrace at the BASC ground.
Church gets new hi-tech security
Exclusive: A church near Burnham-On-Sea has become one of the first in the south west to invest in a high-tech forensic security system to prevent the theft of lead and copper from its roof. Warning signs have been installed outside St Mary's Church in Berrow to alert would-be thieves that SmartWater is in use.
Discovery of body 'not suspicious'
POLICE say the discovery of a body at a property in Burnham-On-Sea on Tuesday (March 24th) was not suspicious. Officers were called to a house in Winchester Road at about 11.20am where the body of a man, believed to be in his 50s, had been found. Police have referred the incident to the coroner.
Busy year for Burnham RNLI
OVER 70 people crowded into Burnham-On-Sea Sailing Club to hear about a busy year for the town's lifeboat station last Friday (March 20th). Burnham RNLI Chairman Graham Wills welcomed the audience to the group's AGM, before giving his thoughts on an active year for the station.
UK's top land yachts in action
THIRTY of the UK's leading sand yachting enthusiasts were in action on Brean beach at the weekend. Strong onshore winds on Saturday and Sunday provided ideal weather conditions, helping them to flash across the sand at speeds of up to 60mph. We have a full photo and results round-up.
Mayor confirms election run
Exclusive: Burnham-On-Sea Conservatives have this week officially announced that the town's Mayor will be on ballot papers at June's County Council elections. Peter Burridge-Clayton, pictured, has been selected as the Tory candidate for Burnham North/South for the County Council elections.
Anglers bemoan lack of fish!
OVER sixty anglers lined Burnham-On-Sea's beach for a charity match on Sunday (March 22nd)... but the fish stayed away! The long-established competition, organised by Weston Outcasts Sea Angling Club, was well supported by 64 anglers, however they were disappointed by the catches.
Church celebrates 150th year
ST John's Church in Highbridge is to celebrate the 150th year since its consecration with a week of events in June to mark the milestone. The celebrations will begin on Saturday June 13th with a Victorian Children's Tea Party. An exhibition of Highbridge life from many local organisations and businesses will be open during the week.
German twinning group visits
A GROUP of residents from Sedgemoor's twin district in Germany of Schwalm-Eder-Kreis visited Burnham-On-Sea at the weekend to celebrate 30 years of twinning activities. The visit has been arranged by the Schwalm-Eder-Kreis Twinning Society on behalf of Sedgemoor under the Presidency of Sedgemoor District Council, Chairman Dennis Davey.
New Princess Hall group formed
A NEW group of Burnham-On-Sea residents who want to take on the running of the town's ailing Princess Hall has been unevield this week. Called 'Team Princess', they have been working behind the scenes for several months on plans to revitalise the theatre and community building, pictured here.
Rookery expansion put on hold
Exclusive: A multi-million pound expansion project at an events venue near Burnham-On-Sea has been put on hold due to a planning wrangle. Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported earlier this month how Rookery Manor had unveiled plans for a new £6m health centre, plus other facilities at its centre near Rooksbridge.

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