The future of Burnham’s annual Stert Island Swim has been plunged into doubt because of Sedgemoor District Council’s £1.8m budget shortfall.
Nigel Roderick, Leisure Manager at the council, pictured below, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We’re very unlikely to be running the event ourselves in 2008.”
“I can’t say whether the future of the event is safe until various decisions have been made by the council, but we do have an outside group which has expressed an interest in running it and talks are ongoing with them. The future of the Stert swim therefore seems to be in their hands.”
“That group may take on the organisation and costs of the event, but I can’t say more at this early stage.”
The annual August event often attracts a huge crowd of up to 3,000 spectators to Burnham seafront and provides businesses in the town with a financial boost.
Up to eighty swimmers take part in the unique 2,400m race from Burnham beach to Stert Island and back – although last year’s event was cancelled due to stormy seas.
The event has in the past been organised by Sedgemoor District Council and supported by the Town Council, English Nature, BARB and the RNLI.
Sedgemoor District Council is looking at cutting various services across the Burnham area due to its huge £1.8m budget shortfall. The future of Burnham’s swimming pool has been plunged into doubt and Burnham is also set to lose its Town Centre Manager from April.
RELATED LINKS:
High winds cancel 2007 Stert Island Swim
Online video of the 2006 Stert Island Swim
2006 Stert Island Swim Results
Burnham-On-Sea what’s on guide
