Burnham-On-Sea’s annual seafront fireworks display may be held on a barge in the middle of Bridgwater Bay this year after organisers discovered there is an exceptionally high tide due on the night of the event.
Organisers from Burnham-On-Sea Town Council admitted on Monday (July 5th) that they face a bill of up to £2,500 extra this year to hold the fireworks display on a special barge.
The display, pictured here, will be held on Sunday November 7th this year, but a 10m high tide on the night of the event is prompting a re-think.
Town clerk Eileen Shaw told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “There is an exceptionally high tide at the same time as we would normally let off the fireworks.”
“Clearly, the fireworks suppliers won’t be able to hold the display on the beach so we’re having to look at other options.”
“One possibility is using a barge in the middle of Bridgwater Bay, where the fireworks could be safely let off. Another possibility is building scaffolding on the jetty, but we don’t want to block access to the emergency services.”
“We’ve also looked at holding the display at Apex Park or at the BASC Ground, but neither has enough parking facilities. The barge is considered to be the best option so far because it’s safest.”
She said Stert Island is another potential site for the display, pending permission from Nature England.
Cllr Martin Lloyd told Monday’s town council meeting that he is in favour of the barge. “It would be a great novelty if the fireworks were launched in that way – it would attract even more people.”
A final decision the event will be made later this year by the town council’s fireworks working party.
