Hovercrafts, lifeboats and a helicopter performed displays in front of thousands of people on Burnham-On-Sea’s seafront on Sunday (August 31st) during the town’s annual rescue services day.
The popular event, held under blue skies and sunshine, was opened by Burnham’s Mayor Cllr Martin Cox and saw over 30 emergency services from across the West Country taking part.
Vehicles, crews and displays from each service were on hand to provide safety advice, while life-saving demonstrations took place in the sea and on the beach.
These featured BARB’s hovercrafts, RNLI lifeboats, Coastguards, lifeguards and a parade of 4×4 trucks. A 30-minute display by an RAF helicopter was among the highlights of the day, with ‘casualties’ being winched from the sea into the air.
Among the other groups taking part were Avon and Somerset Police, the ambulance service, St John Ambulance, Marine Life Rescue, Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue, The Environment Agency, Burnham Lions and Burnham and Highbridge Amateur Radio Club.
Organiser Roger Flower from BARB, which oversees the event, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We are delighted with the crowd numbers, which were helped by great weather and the timing of the Stert Island Swim on the same day. We thank those organisations and supporters who came along and for all those who dug deep and supported the charities with donations.”
He also thanked all those who had given to the BARB street collection on the day, which raised a sum of £338.83.
Large crowds visiting the BARB hovercrafts on the seafront
Lifeguards performing a sea rescue demonstration
BARB’s hovercrafts in action on the mudflats during the day
A procession of 4x4s along the beach during the day
Burnham Coastguards performed a mud rescue exercise demonstrations
The Coastguards pulling mud sleds across the beach to the ‘casualty’
The Burnham RNLI fundraising team during Sunday’s event
A successful raffle raised funds for BARB during the day
The lifeguards in action during their mock rescue at the end of the jetty
Police cadets showing some of the younger visitors how to enforce the law!
Members of the public got a chance to see inside the police vehicles
BARB’s Spirit Of Lelaina hovercraft in action on Burnham beach
The 4×4 response team during Sunday’s rescue services day
Somerset Motorcycle Group members enjoying the sunshine during the day
One of the Burnham lifeboats in action during Sunday’s rescue services day
Young Harry on a bike from South Western Ambulance Service
The Burnham RNLI crew having a break following their demonstrations
The St John Ambulance team with their display of life-saving skills
The Maritime Volunteer Service was one one the groups set up on the seafront
The Samaritans used the event to fundraise and give out information
The Environment Agency was on hand to explain new bathing water rules
Burnham Lions gave visitors a chance to win a lion
Burnham and Highbridge Amateur Radio Group had their own stand at the event
Avon and Somerset Cliff Rescue were collecting funds and giving out advice
David Humphrey was presented with a bronze medal for his 10 years of committed service to the RNLI
Burnham runner Jason Vickers with his Olympic torch during Sunday’s event
The Marine Life team attend the event to fundraise and give our information
Burnham’s Moose International with their traditional fundraising whisky game
