Four residents from the Burnham-On-Sea area were presented with awards for their service to the community during the town’s annual Civic Service on Sunday (August 8th).
The Mayor of Burnham and Highbridge, Cllr Michael Clarke, was joined by The High Sheriff of Somerset, Mrs Pat Hunt, to hand out the awards during the service held in St Andrew’s Church. Over 200 invited dignitaries, community leaders and representatives from local groups were in the congregation.
Nita Buckler, Lyn Burland, Mike Murphy and Ron Parker received the awards, having been nominated for their years of community work – read more details here.
The service was preceded by a procession of civic dignitaries through Burnham town centre, pictured right, which included Sedgemoor District Council Chairman Jane Morton plus Mayors and Mayoresses from across Somerset.
The hour-long service was led by the Mayor’s Chaplain, Rev Graham Witts, vicar of St Andrew’s.
Cllr Michael Clarke thanked the four for their “huge commitment and dedication to the community”.
And Pat Hunt told Burnham-On-Sea.com afterwards: “They are all very worthy people who thoroughly deserve these awards. I was delighted to hand them their certificates and medals.”
During the service, Curtain Call Performing Arts School student Sophie Woods gave a faultless, powerful performance of Ave Maria which prompted applause from the congregation.
A reading was given by Cllr Neville Jones, followed by prayers from Mayor’s Cadet Lance Corporal Ben Rogers, Deputy Mayor Pauline Pollard, BARB Chairman Mark Newman and Tony Deahl, Chairman of The Friends of Burnham Hospital. The service ended with a collection for the Mayor’s charities of the year. This was followed by a formal civic reception in The Princess.
The award winners with the Mayor and Mayoress, High Sherrif and Mayor’s Cadet
The dignitaries were greeted by Reverend Witts as they left the service
Town councillors Arthur Thorogood and Cllr Ken Smout, followed by former Mayor Derick Cooper and Mayoress Christine Cooper, leaving the Civic Service
Burnham district councillor Neville Jones and wife Margo at Sunday’s event
Mayors and other dignitaries from across Somerset paraded through Burnham
Burnham Police Inspector Roger Tolley with Deputy Mayor Pauline Pollard
Cadets saluted the Mayor and High Sherrif as they left the church
Proud Nita Buckler displays her certificate after the service
Burnham Round Table’s Nick Tolley and Tim Walters were among the groups represented at the Civic Service
