Large crowds flocked into Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday (November 25th) for a day of festive entertainment to mark the town’s Christmas lights switch-on.
Former EastEnders star and TV actress Anita Dobson – who was in town for the first cinema screening of the new locally-filmed movie, ‘Christmas At The Holly Day Inn’ – pushed a plunger to turn on the lights with Mayor Cllr Lesley Millard, best-selling Burnham author Damien Boyd and Town Crier Alastair Murray.
The actress, who played landlady Angie Watts in the BBC soap opera plus many other film and TV roles, was warmly welcomed by large numbers of residents who turned out to watch and have photos taken with her.
Anita told Burnham-On-Sea.com she had been “bowled over” by the warm support and she thanked locals for welcoming her to such a “lovely welcoming town.”
An afternoon of entertainment in Victoria Street saw local choirs, performers, fairground rides, stalls held plus a visit by Santa.
They included Burnham Infants School, Unroyal Community Choir, Brent Knoll School Choir, Santa with Burnham Lions Club, Coastline Singers, Lisa Jane School of Dance, Rock Choir, St Andrew’s School, Mudlarks Choir, Chantelle Lake and Burnham Brass Band.
Burnham’s Hillview Carnival Club also displayed part of its seven-time winning carnival cart called ‘Sweet Dreams’ in Princess Street for one last time this year. It was lit up during the switch-on and the club was invited to fundraise during the day by organisers Burnham Chamber of Trade, collecting a superb £753.92.
This year’s community event was led by Burnham Chamber of Trade with the support of Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, Burnham Lions Club, Burnham Carnival, Silver Spur Events, local retailers and businesses, and many local groups and schools.
Mayor Cllr Lesley Millard said: “I would like to thank Burnham Chamber of Trade for organising such a superb, well-attended switch-on event and to all those taking part. I also congratulate Hillview Carnival Club on their success this carnival season and thank them for their support. I also encourage local people to shop locally this Christmas.”
Santa arrived during the afternoon and gave out a free child’s gift to over 250 children, helped by the team at Burnham Lions Club and their new-look land train.
There was a sell-out audience at the Ritz Cinema after the switch-on to watch ‘Christmas At The Holly Day Inn’, the romantic comedy film featuring Rich’s Cider Farm in Watchfield near Highbridge and also the Christmas shop in Cheddar.
Anita introduced the film alongside director Monika Gergelova. Cinema owner Pat Scott said the profits from the night would be donated to Burnham Foodbank and added it had been such a success that extra screenings are planned at the cinema from December 1st-7th.
A lantern parade for families was also held in the town centre shortly before the switch-on, gathering outside Lloyds Bank for a short walk via Chapel Street and ending next to the stage in Victoria Street.
Pictured: Saturday’s switch-on (Photos Burnham-On-Sea.com and Neil Gibson)
