One of the mini lighthouses that forms Burnham-On-Sea’s popular lighthouse trail has been repaired after being vandalised over the weekend.
The wooden structure outside the Lighthouse Pub in Highbridge Road was damaged when it was pushed over late on Saturday night.
“The sides and base of the lighthouse were broken and have required some repairs to make it stable again,” said Paul Plume of HABA (Highbridge and Burnham Artists), which is organising the trail.
“This is the first – and hopefully the only – act of vandalism against our lighthouses. It’s very disappointing when we’ve had so much positive support so far.”
“We are grateful for the pub’s quick action in barring the person who is believed to have been responsible for the damage.”
The damaged structure, pictured here being repaired by Paul and fellow HABA volunteer Les Roper, is called ‘Night Light Day Sight’ by artist Damian Nicholson.
34 of the 6ft-tall replicas of Burnham’s iconic beach lighthouse make up The Lighthouse Trail, which is raising funds for Burnham-based cancer support charity Petal, run in memory of resident Christine Woodberry who died of cancer.
In addition to raising funds, it is hoped the lighthouses will attract extra visitors into the area. The decorated lighthouses are on show in Burnham, Brean, Lympsham, Watchfield and Highbridge – in various public places. They will be auctioned off in the autumn.
They have been built at Woodberry Brothers and Haines in Highbridge by Paul Plume who has spent many hours constructing them for the artists to decorate. Lighthouse trail guides are available from the tourist information centre on Burnham’s seafront and other businesses where the lighthouses are on show.
