Volunteers at Burnham-On-Sea’s tourist information centre have today (Saturday, September 24th) celebrated their 50,000th visitor of the summer season.
Surprised holidaymaker Jim Rutherford, from Stafford in the West Midlands, was greeted by loud cheers as he entered the building to unwittingly pick up a leaflet!
A short ceremony was held to mark the milestone with the presentation of a Burnham paperweight and a bottle of bubbly.
Volunteers from BIARS (Burnham Information and Rescue Support), who run the centre, were joined by Burnham’s Mayor and Mayoress, Michael and Maria Clarke, at the presentation.
Jim, who is staying with his family at Burnham Holiday Village, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We love Burnham and have visited the area four times in recent years. The information centre is always very helpful and I’m delighted to have been named their 50,000th visitor of the season!”
BIARS President Neville Jones added: “Jim is our 50,000th visitor since BIARS took over the centre in April. It’s a big milestone that demonstrates how busy our volunteers have been during the summer and how vital the centre is to the area’s tourism economy.”
Staff from Home Farm’s Fusion Health Club – which is a sponsor of BIARS – also presented Jim with a free club pass as part of the celebration.
BIARS took over the facilities from Sedgemoor District Council in April. Its team of more than 20 volunteers hand out tourist and community information while providing sea safety advice and merchandise from BARB (Burnham Area Rescue Boat) and Burnham’s Coastguard Association.
New volunteers are welcome to join the centre’s friendly team by visiting the centre or contacting the group here.
Pictured: Top, Jim and his wife Anna-Marie with their children Jamie and Kian at Saturday morning’s ceremony for the 50,000th visitor
RELATED LINKS:
Official BIARS web page
