Burnham-On-Sea is to join a nationwide Heritage Open Days scheme this September when historic buildings in the town will be opened to the public.
Burnham’s Town Centre Manager Beverley Milner Simonds proposed the idea during a meeting of the council’s Town Projects Committee this week.
She said: “Heritage Open Days are part of a national scheme that actively encourage locals to explore their own town and bring more visitors into the town.”
“I hope that property owners around the town centre will consider joining in between 8th and 11th September.”
“Anyone can enter and if you have a property or an idea for an event that you feel is of particular architectural, cultural or historical interest, I would love to hear from you.”
She added: “I hope that some of our iconic buildings like St Andrews Church, Tregunter House, the old Lifeboat Building, The Pavilion and Ritz Cinema will all take part.”
“The event is also for domestic properties too and with so many local history groups in Burnham-on-Sea I hope more people will discover our hidden histories.”
There are some criteria to be met but the the Town Centre Manager is on hand to help interested parties through the process.
Your site or event doesn’t need to be big or fancy or boast of famous connections (although those things are welcome too!) it just needs to meet the four conditions – 1. Entrance must be free; 2. You need to offer something special: Open a site or part of a site that isn’t usually open to the public OR Offer free entry to a usually charging site/activity; 3. You need to provide some form of information; 4. Your opening or event needs to take place within the Heritage Open Days dates.
Insurance is included in the free registration, the Town Centre Manager will help to complete a risk assessment and will will also be publicising the properties that are open.
If you are interested in finding out more, check the Heritage Open Days website: www.heritageopendays.org.uk and email Beverley at bostowncentremanager@gmail.com at the Town Council offices.
