April 2008 Burnham-On-Sea News Archive

March 2008 news archive
February 2008 news archive
January 2008 news archive

Town railway exhibition opens
AN EXHIBITION about Burnham-On-Sea's historic railway past has opened in the town's Tourist Information Office this week. This month marks the 150th anniversary of the extension of the Somerset Central Railway to Burnham-On-Sea jetty, which is explored at the exhibition. More...

£500k kids centre completed
Exclusive: CONSTRUCTION of a new £500,000 Children’s Centre in Burnham-On-Sea has this week been completed and the exciting facility is set to be officially handed over to the County Council this Friday, May 2nd. The centre will provide local support and advice for parents and carers of children under five. More...

New seafront shop opens
A BRAND new clothing and jewellery shop has opened on Burnham's seafront. Rose & Amber offers a range of products that are mostly ethically-sourced from fairtrade suppliers. The firm has a successful shop in Weston and felt Burnham would be right for its expansion. More...

Council backs homes objectors
BURNHAM-On-Sea Town Council's Planning Applications Committee gave its support to residents fighting a proposed new development of 69 homes on Tuesday evening (April 29th). Councillors unanimously voted in favour of objecting against the scheme. More...

Two injured in rush-hour crash
TWO people were cut free from their damaged cars after a serious accident on the A370 at Brent Knoll, near Burnham-On-Sea, on Tuesday morning (April 29th). Fire, police and ambulance crews from Burnham-On-Sea and Weston were alerted at 8.10am after a two-vehicle road traffic collision on the junction with Edingworth Road. More...

£4,000 bicycle stolen in town
POLICE have this week appealed for witnesses and information after a valuable bicycle was stolen in Highbridge. At 3am on Thursday (April 24th) the pictured NORCO bicycle - which is believed to be worth £4,000 - was stolen from Elder Close in Highbridge. More...

Full cycle race route unveiled
THE full route of the South West Stage of the Tour of Britain cycle race was formally unveiled on Monday (April 28th), with Burnham-On-Sea set to be inundated by huge crowds as the finishing location. Burnham is the final destination of the September 9th race. More...

RNLI crew return from course
THREE volunteer crewmembers from Burnham lifeboat station have just returned from an inshore lifeboat training course in Dorset. The trio - Simon Hart, Helen Verrall, and Kate Davies - are visited the RNLI's training facilities in Poole to complete the course. More...

Warning over counterfeit notes
SHOPPERS and businesses in Burnham-On-Sea have been warned to look out for counterfeit £20 notes circulating in the town. The Chamber of Trade issued the warning on Monday (April 28th) after several town centre firms received the fake bank notes. A number of counterfeit £20 notes are in circulation. More...

New homes fight stepped up
OVER 70 angry Burnham-On-Sea residents crowded into Watchfield Village Hall on Monday evening (April 28th) as they stepped up their campaign to halt controversial plans for dozens of new homes in the town. Persimmon Homes has applied to build 69 homes. More...

Residents shocked over thefts
RESIDENTS of a quiet Burnham-On-Sea street have been left shocked by the theft of two vehicles from outside their homes in one night. Police are appealing for information from the public after thieves struck at Cookson Close, off Ben Travers Way, last Wednesday night, taking two cars. More...

100 people at Hinkley meeting
MORE than 100 people attended a community meeting to discuss a potential new nuclear plant at Hinkley Point, near Burnham-On-Sea. The meeting discussed British Energy's work on preparation for a new nuclear build, the process for site selection, and more about the proposals. More...

Panic buying hits petrol station
'PANIC buying' of petrol in Burnham-On-Sea on Sunday (April 27th) left a town centre petrol station without any unleaded fuel supplies - and other local stations struggling to keep up with demand. Motorists were being turned away from Burnham's Esso station in Love Lane. More...

Great day for St John cadets
YOUNG Charlotte Aldred and Lucy Westlake of the Highbridge and Burnham St John Ambulance Cadets had plenty to smile about on Saturday (April 26th) after winning the regional finals of a first competition. The pair won the St John South West Regional First Aid Competition. More...

A38 re-opens for unhappy traders
BUSINESSES in Highbridge are demanding compensation after four days of disruption caused by this week's fire at the former Highbridge Hotel cost them thousands of pounds in lost trade. The A38 in Highbridge finally re-opened on Saturday (April 26th) at 5pm, four days after it was closed due to a fire. More...

Tennis academy picks players
A TENNIS academy set up in memory of a young Burnham-On-Sea tennis player who died in a road accident last autumn is moving from strength to strength, having conducted a 'sift' for young players at the town's Avenue Tennis Club on Saturday (April 26th). More...

Sea safety day is a success
OVER 40 children from schools in the Burnham-On-Sea area got the opportunity to visit the town's marine rescue services during a special Young Persons' Coastal Day on Saturday (April 26th). Burnham's lifeboat, hovercraft and Coastguard stations opened for the day. More...

New shop to open in Burnham
A NEW charity shop is making final preparations to open in Burnham-On-Sea's town centre. Weston Hospicecare Limited has bought a shop at 29 College Street from estate agents Abbott and Frost. The property was previously occupied by The Wheatley Clinic. More...

Third blaze at Highbridge hotel
THESE were the scenes in Highbridge on Friday evening (April 25th) when Burnham-On-Sea fire crews tackled a third blaze at the badly-damaged former Highbridge Hotel. Two fire engines from Burnham were called back to the hotel at 6.41pm after the fire service received a report of smoke emerging. More...

Council boss visits BARB AGM
THE Chairman of Somerset County Council visited Burnham's hovercraft station on Friday (April 25th) to meet crewmembers and act as the special guest at the charity's Annual General Meeting. Alan Gloak and sister Gill received a tour of the BARB hovercraft station. More...

Fire: Town disruption ongoing
RESIDENTS and firms in Highbridge are set to suffer more disruption after the County Council announced on Friday (April 25th) that the A38 besides the fire-struck Highbridge Hotel will remain closed into next week. The closure has caused major disruption. More...

Man killed in fatal accident
A MAN was killed in an horrific road accident on the A38 near Burnham-On-Sea on Thursday evening (April 24th). Emergency services were called to a single vehicle accident at Brent Knoll just before 5pm. Police spokesman Dan Mountain confirmed: "A motorist has been involved in a fatal accident." More...

Men rescued from trapped car
TWO men were led to safety by Coastguards on Thursday afternoon (April 24th) after their vehicle became the latest to become trapped on Brean's treacherous mudflats. Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards were called to Brean at 3.45pm after a Range Rover sank into the mud. More...

A38 closed as probe continues
THE A38 through Highbridge will remain closed today (Thursday April 24th) as police and fire investigators continue their probe into the huge blaze that badly damaged the former Highbridge Hotel. A huge fire swept through the property on Tuesday evening. More...

Foley Parkway to be completed
SOMERSET County Council has given the go-ahead for the final part of Burnham's controversial Frank Foley Parkway to be built. The long-awaited announcement, made on Wednesday (April 23rd), is the result of discussions between local councils and developers to put in the necessary steps and funding to complete the road. More...

Schools miss strike disruption
NO schools in the Burnham-On-Sea area are expected to be disrupted by a national teachers strike being held on Thursday (April 24th). The first teachers' strike for two decades is set to disrupt a third of schools across England, including 27 schools in Somerset. More...

Dozens join planting sessions
GREEN-fingered youngsters from across Burnham-On-Sea took part in a special wildflower planting session at Highbridge's Apex Park on Wednesday (April 23rd). The Friends of Apex Park Improvements Group has organised a series of planting sessions this week. More...

Lifeboat returns after re-fit
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Atlantic 75 lifeboat, the 'Staines Whitfield', has returned to the town after a five-month re-fit at the lifeboat repair centre on the Isle of Wight. During the upgrade work, the boat was stripped down to its component parts and the hull was resprayed. More...

Poet donates books to charity
A TALENTED member of Burnham-On-Sea Moose International Lodge 123 has presented two hundred specially-published books of his poetry to Devon and Somerset Air Ambulance. Priced at £3 each, Bill Jackman's books will help raise funds for the charity. More...

Police appeal after huge blaze
POLICE issued an appeal for witnesses on Wednesday (April 23rd) following the dramatic blaze which destroyed an historic former hotel in the centre of Highbridge on Tuesday. Although the fire was extinguished at midnight, the damage has been substantial. More...

Fire crews tackle silo blaze
BURNHAM-On-Sea firefighters were back in action again on Wednesday afternoon (April 23rd) when they tackled a fire at this 60ft tall silo in Highbridge. Fire crews were called to Woodberry Bros and Haines after smoke was seen emerging from the structure. More...

Photos: Hotel fire probe starts
THESE were the scenes in the centre of Highbridge on Wednesday morning (April 23rd) after a devastating fire at the site of the former Highbridge Hotel on Tuesday night caused major disruption in the Burnham area. Roads were closed in Highbridge following the incident. More...

Huge fire at Highbridge hotel
A HUGE fire has broken out this evening (Tuesday April 22nd) at the site of the former Highbridge Hotel. Fire crews from across Somerset are attending the scene. Two fire engines from Burnham-On-Sea, one fire engine from Bridgwater and a Control Support Unit from Street were sent to the scene at 9.29pm. More...

New shopping guide launched
A NEW guide to the best of Burnham-On-Sea's new shops was officially unveiled at the annual general meeting of the town's Chamber Of Trade on Tuesday (April 22nd). The group launched the new-look, pocket-sized booklet that provides an A-Z guide to Burnham's shops. More...

Video: Hotel fire being tackled
THIS exclusive video provides footage of Somerset's fire crews tackling the huge blaze at the former Highbridge Hotel on Tuesday evening (April 22nd). The video includes moving images of the fire crews at work at the rear of the historic property in the centre of Highbridge. More...

Shock as councillor defects
HIGHBRIDGE district councillor Danny Titcombe has dramatically resigned from his party and quit as leader of Sedgemoor's Liberal Democrats in order to join the Conservative Party. Cllr Titcombe, who represents the Highbridge Ward, has crossed the floor to join the controlling Conservative Group. More...

Shop window winners unveiled
THE winners of Burnham-On-Sea's annual competition to find unusual items hidden in town centre shop windows were handed their prizes on Tuesday (April 22nd). Over 30 town centre businesses took part in the contest, attracting 150 people entries. More...

Winter parking charges U-turn
CONTROVERSIAL plans to introduce winter parking charges along Burnham-On-Sea seafront were dramatically thrown out on Monday (April 21st). Sedgemoor District Council's proposals for all-year-round parking charges along The Esplanade were overturned at a special meeting in the town on Monday afternoon. More...

Kids' sunflower contest begins
A COMPETITION which challenges children in the Burnham-On-Sea area to grow the 'fattest sunflower face' has been launched at a garden centre near the town this week. Sanders GardenWorld is one of several Wyevale Garden Centres taking part across the UK. More...

£8,000 of market goods seized
Exclusive: THE suspected counterfeit clothing seized during last week's swoop by Trading Standards bosses at Highbridge market had a street value of £8,000, it was confirmed on Monday (April 21st). We exclusively reported how police had seized the clothing. More...

Town council's meeting invite
BURNHAM and Highbridge Town Council is to hold its 35th annual town meeting later this month when the public will be able to quiz councillors about problems in the two towns. The meeting will be held on Wednesday 30th April at 7pm in the Old Courthouse. More...

Police probe suspicious boat fire
POLICE and fire crews from Burnham-On-Sea were called to Highbridge on Sunday afternoon (April 20th) after a fire broke onboard a moored boat. Two fire crews from Burnham and a Fire Incident Support Unit were sent to the scene at around 4.45pm, besides the River Brue, as pictured here. More...

Town art exhibition opens
THIS stunning digital image of Burnham-On-Sea Pier is one of the many local artworks on display at an exhibition that opens on Monday (April 21st). Burnham-On-Sea.com was given a preview of the show, which runs for three weeks in Sea Breeze Art Gallery. More...

Crowds enjoy autograss races
LARGE crowds flocked to Edithmead, near Burnham-On-Sea, on Sunday (April 20th) to watch a series of action-packed National Autograss races. The mud was flying as dozens of cars hurtled around the grass track besides the Somerset Rebels' speedway arena. More... | Video

GMTV presenter hands award to Jean
A GRANDMOTHER from Brent Knoll, near Burnham, has been named one of the UK's 'Grandparents of The Year' at a London awards ceremony. Daughter Gaye nominated Jean Daffin to thank her for all her help in caring for Jordan, who suffers from celebral palsy. More...

Fire crews tackle town blaze
THESE were the scenes in Highbridge on Saturday afternoon (April 19th) when Burnham-On-Sea firefighters tackled a blaze in a derelict hotel. Two fire crews from Burnham rushed to the site of the former Highbridge Hotel after smoke was seen coming out of the building at just before 2pm. More...

Public toilets sale is delayed
THE controversial sale of a block of public toilets in Burnham-On-Sea has been delayed after a lack of interest from potential bidders. Burnham-On-Sea.com revealed in March that Sedgemoor District Council had begun inviting bids from firms interested in buying the Sea View Road building. More...

£3,000 raised by 'supergran'
A 65-year-old Burnham grandmother who pulled on her running shoes to compete in this year's London Marathon raised a whopping £3,000 for charity. 'Supergran' Ann Rogers was backed by running partner Julie, friends and colleagues at Burnham shoe shop Shickles. More...

Burnham shop jumps online
ONE of Burnham-On-Sea's popular high street shops has become the latest to embrace the internet by starting its own virtual store. Clothes store DP Menswear, which opened two years ago, has this week launched a new website to meet growing demand. More...

Stranded fire engine pulled to safety
THREE tractors were called to help rescue a stranded fire engine on Berrow Beach, near Burnham-On-Sea, on Thursday evening (April 17th) after it became trapped in soft sand. Burnham rescue charity BARB was called to help free the vehicle after its wheels sank into sand near the top of the beach. More...

Reed beds fire extinguished
THESE were the scenes at Berrow on Thursday evening (April 17th) after Burnham-On-Sea fire-fighters tackled a big blaze in the reeds besides the beach. A large area of land was left damaged, as pictured here, after the fire broke out at around 4.30pm near Berrow Church. More...

Two new PCSOs for Burnham
TWO extra Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) will be going on the beat in Burnham-On-Sea after it was announced that Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset County Council would be investing £535,595 to fund nineteen new PCSOs across the county. More...

Success for high-kicking kids
HIGH-kicking students from Burnham-On-Sea's Kenpo Karate Club proudly show off their yellow belts after successfully completing a series of grading test. They achieved the first step on the martial arts ladder by attaining their yellow belt gradings in front of their instructor. More...

Trophies galore for anglers
OVER 40 trophies were handed out to members of Burnham Boat Owners Sea Angling Association on Thursday (April 17th) when the group held its annual meeting. The group's 100 members gathered at the town's Avenue Tennis Club for the annual get-together. More...