Plans for a new Burnham-On-Sea history trail showcasing the town’s past have been given a boost following a grant windfall of over £25,000 from the Heritage Lottry Fund.
North Sedgemoor Local History Group (NSLHG) has received an award of £25,200 from the Heritage Lottery alongside a further £1,500 given by Burnham and Highbridge Town Council plus £1,000 from Somerset County Council to develop a heritage trail and supporting online archive called Capture Burnham.
Proposals for the long-awaited trail were first unveiled by Burnham-On-Sea.com here in 2012.
The history group will be inviting members of the public to nominate items for inclusion in the archive and working with different groups to develop the history trail which will feature a minimum of 30 locations.
The history trail will use QR codes so that visitors with smart phones can connect with information online whilst a leaflet will enable those not yet using mobile technology to explore the heritage and history of Burnham.
North Sedgemoor Local History Group chairman John Strickland told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We are thrilled to have received the award and to have the opportunity to involve people of all ages with this project. We look forward to receiving nominations from the public, which could include personal memories, objects or places.”
The application was made with the support of NSLHG members, the U3A of Burnham, the Town Council and local media charity Somerset Film.
The Head of the HLF in the South West, added: “The long history of Burnham stretches back to before the Roman era, and is dominated by the influence of the sea, whether through land reclamation and flooding, shipping or as a holiday destination. We are delighted to be able to support the Capture Burnham project, which provides the opportunity for the rich heritage of the area to be recorded and made accessible for local people and visitors alike through the use of both modern technology and more traditional methods.”
The project will be officially launched at a free event at the Princess Theatre in Burnham on Saturday 8th February from 7pm, during which there will be a chance to find out how members of the public can get involved, to learn more about the history of Burnham and to see archive film footage of the town.
Tickets for the event are free from the Princess Theatre on 01278 784464. Further public events, talks for local schools and workshops will also follow and nomination cards and boxes will be available from key locations such as the Tourist Information Centre and Burnham Library following the launch. The group hopes to complete the trail and online site by August 2014.
Pictured: Burnham-On-Sea’s Marchent’s Bakery shop where Specsavers is currently located; centre – Burnham Bowling Club members taken in 1906; and, above, the Pavilion soon after opening
