Torrential rain failed to dampen the spirits of the sixteen emergency services taking part in Burnham-On-Sea’s annual safety awareness day on Saturday afternoon (August 9th).
While the number of spectators was down on previous years due to the unseasonally wet weather, the organisers of ESCAPE, the Emergency Services Community Awareness and Promotion Event, still hailed it a success.
Onlookers lined the seafront (as pictured above) to watch a series of rescue demonstrations involving sixteen groups including BARB, HM Coastguard, the RNLI, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and St John Ambulance.
Other groups participating included Skywatch micro lights, Exmoor Search and Rescue, Freewheelers Blood Bikes, Somerset 4×4 response, Mendip Cave Rescue, the Highways Agency and Burnham lifeguards.
The day began with the official opening of the event by BARB President Neville Jones and the town’s Mayoress, Jo Burridge and ended with a tug-of-war contest in which Burnham fire brigade out-pulled BARB’s crew.
BARB, the charity that operates Burnham’s rescue hovercrafts, has organised the annual event since it began in 2004. Organiser Roger Flower said: “We’re delighted that the event was such a success despite the weather. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves.”
.ESCAPE DAY 2008 PHOTO GALLERY (Click images to enlarge)
