A special history event will be held in Burnham-On-Sea to mark the opening of a new archive of historical photos, postcards, slides and maps plus the 40th anniversary of the North Sedgemoor Local History Group.
Thousands of historic photos from Burnham and Highbridge will go on show in an exhibition that includes the new Bob & Winston Thomas local history archive, featured here.
The ‘Burnham and Highbridge, Past and Present Event’ will be held on Sunday 11th May from 10am to 4 at Burnham-On-Sea Community Centre, coinciding with Somerset Day.
The event will be free to attend but organisers are inviting donations towards Burnham Community Centre’s overhead costs in holding the event. The day will also remember the life of Ken Hindle.
Organiser John Strickland says: “The exhibition is all about people, places, industries and events. Were any of your family members of sports teams, or in the scouts or employed by any bygone local firms? Did they attend St John’s, St Andrew’s or King Alfred’s schools? We have many photos of people, many named, but you could help us by identifying any of your relatives.”
“Topics included in the displays are Holts Brewery – photos, bottles, casks, and notices, plus photos, bricks and tiles from the Apex company and the Colthurst & Symons company that occupied the area now known as Apex Park.”
“There are also a collection of historic artefacts and photos from the Portishead Radio Station that was situated where Mulholland Drive is now. The life of John Gunter of Tregunter will also be remembered in the archive.”
There are also photos of staff and pupils from Burnham and Highbridge schools from Victorian times, plus photos and artefacts from the World Wars.
Other photos show the La Retraite Convent pupils and staff, the history of the King Alfred Sports Centre, Burnham and Highbridge Railway showing the line from the Highbridge S&D Station into Burnham.
In Room 4 of the Community Centre, visitors will also be able to see the Bob and Winston Thomas archive.
Bob and his father Winston collected items associated with local history and recorded changes to both towns.
These included historical photos of many of the main streets of Burnham and Highbridge. Also included are microfiche films of local newspapers from 1884 which can be viewed via a reader. Refreshments will be available.
