2022 was the year that Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge started to return to normal after two years of disruption caused by the Covid pandemic.
Burnham-On-Sea.com looks back at some of the year’s highs and lows during a busy 12 months of local community events, news and activities…
December 2022
Burnham-On-Sea shops experienced a positive festive season of business, with many reporting a busy Christmas. Read more
Families flock to see the Christmas lights in Burnham-On-Sea’s Trinity Close, raising over £2,000 for local charity. Read moreÂ
Sub-zero temperatures created icy scenes in Burnham-On-Sea beach during a bitter winter freeze. Read more
November 2022
Huge crowds turned out to watch Burnham-On-Sea Carnival on November 7th when dozens of illuminated carnival carts rolled through the town for the first time since 2019 due to the pandemic. Read more and see video highlights and see fireworks highlights
Hundreds of people attended Burnham-On-Sea’s Remembrance Day ceremony on November 13th to honour those who have died in conflicts. Read moreÂ
Sedgemoor District Council formally approved plans for a new permanent community shop to be built in the centre of Brent Knoll, enabling the volunteers to move from their temporary Portakabin. Read moreÂ
Crowds of people headed to Burnham-On-Sea’s Christmas lights switch-on during a day of festive entertainment in the town centre. Read more – and more in Highbridge here
A ceremony was held on Burnham-On-Sea seafront to formally unveil a colourful new mosaic on the seawall. Read more
The 100th anniversary of Burnham-On-Sea Hospital was marked on November 11th with a special event for staff, patients and supporters. Read moreÂ
Contentious plans for a huge £240,000 budget to fund Burnham-On-Sea’s Princess Theatre for the coming year were considered by town councillors. Read more and also hereÂ
October 2022
Dozens of Royal-themed colourful scarecrows went on display around Brent Knoll during the village’s annual scarecrow festival. Read more
The organisers of Burnham-On-Sea’s entry into the national Britain In Bloom competition celebrated the news that the town won a coveted silver award. Read moreÂ
EDF confirmed details about its plans to take over Pontins in Brean to redevelop it for Hinkley Point C workers, first reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com. Read moreÂ
Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards celebrated the team’s 50th year of service and the 200th anniversary of HM Coastguard. Read more
Burnham-On-Sea’s MP James Heappey retained his Armed Forces Minister role during Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s reshuffle. It came after a chaotic few months in Westminster after the departure of Truss and Johnson. Read moreÂ
Large crowds headed into Burnham-On-Sea town centre on October 22nd for the autumn food festival, which was hailed a success. Read moreÂ
Dozens of people attended the AGM of Burnham-On-Sea’s rescue hovercraft charity BARB Search & Rescue in the charity’s 30th anniversary year. Read moreÂ
Plans for a new Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Pride event moved a step closer following a meeting of local residents. Read moreÂ
September 2022
A special event has been held in Burnham-On-Sea to mark the historic anniversary of a set of almshouses. Read moreÂ
As the nation mourned the death of Queen Elizabeth II, we looked back at Her Majesty’s visit to Highbridge on December 5th, 1958. Read moreÂ
Flags were flown at half-mast across the Burnham-On-Sea area as the national period of mourning for The Queen was underway. Read more and sombre bells were run during the funeral
Burnham and Berrow Medical Centre was told to make urgent improvements to patient safety by healthcare inspectors. Read more and it was later put in special measures.
August 2022
Sedgemoor and Mendip District Councils’ £19.3m bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund was submitted, including major regeneration plans for Highbridge. Read moreÂ
Hundreds of runners took part in the 300th Parkrun at Apex Park in Highbridge on August 13th. Read moreÂ
The tenth anniversary of the tragic drowning of a four year-old boy who was swept from Burnham-On-Sea jetty in 2012 was marked in August 19th. Read moreÂ
Hundreds of people headed to East Brent on August 26th when one of the UK’s longest-running Harvest Homes made a successful return after a two-year break due to the pandemic. Read moreÂ
Huge crowds headed to Burnham seafront on August 28th when the town’s rescue services day made a welcome return after a two-year break due to the pandemic. Read more
A popular, long-serving Burnham-On-Sea vicar – Rev Graham Witts – announced he would retire after almost two decades in the town. Read moreÂ
A bumper turnout of thousands of people headed to Apex Park in Highbridge for its annual Play Day on August 3rd. Read moreÂ
July 2022
Burnham-On-Sea mental health support charity In Charley’s Memory held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil new expanded facilities following a major funding boost of £390,000 from the National Lottery. Read moreÂ
Burnham-On-Sea’s last remaining building society celebrated its 40th year of business with a special visit from the town’s Mayor. Read moreÂ
Temperatures in the Burnham-On-Sea area reached a sweltering 34°C (93.2°F) on July 18th durinh a summer heatwave. Read moreÂ
Burnham-On-Sea’s Marine Cove Gardens and Highbridge’s Apex Park received new Green Flag Awards from Keep Britain Tidy. Read moreÂ
Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Year 11 students from King Alfred School Academy were able to celebrate their leaver’s prom in style. Read moreÂ
June 2022
Flaming beacons were lit across the Burnham-On-Sea area to mark The Queen’s Jubilee on Thursday June 2nd, including on the town’s jetty. Read moreÂ
Big crowds of people flocked into Burnham-On-Sea High Street on 2nd June when a Queen’s Jubilee celebration was held. Read more
Large crowds also filled Burnham town centre on June 4th to see dozens of vintage and classic vehicles in an event organised by the Chamber of Trade for the Jubilee. Read moreÂ
Over 100 people attended a Highbridge consultation event on June 15th to hear about a major project to regenerate the town centre. Read moreÂ
An extended 13.4-mile section of the England Coast Path from Sand Bay to Brean Down Fort was opened on 16th June, creating a continuous coastal trail to Minehead, where the South West Coast Path begins. Read moreÂ
Heavy rain led to a wet finish for hundreds of cyclists as they completed the 200-mile cross-country Chase The Sun cycling ride in Burnham on June 18th. Read moreÂ
May 2022
Burnham and Highbridge Choral Society members marked the group’s 50th anniversary by performing their Spring Concert. Read moreÂ
Dozens of Harley Davidson motorbikes swept into Burnham-On-Sea on May 1st during an annual fundraising rally for BARB. Read moreÂ
Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge’s local election results were announced with gains for the Lib Dems. Read moreÂ
The first old-style electricity pylons are pulled down in the Burnham-On-Sea area to make way for new T-pylons in the latest phase of the Hinkley Point project. Read moreÂ
A fireball was seen streaking across the night sky in Somerset, including the Burnham-On-Sea area. Read more
Film star Dame Julie Walters was among the stars visiting Burnham-On-Sea on May 23rd for the filming of a new Channel 4 TV drama series. Read moreÂ
Burnham-On-Sea’s Princess Theatre hosted a live broadcast of BBC Radio Four’s political debate show Any Questions? – read moreÂ
Organisers of Burnham-On-Sea’s food festival said the return of the popular event on May 28th drew a record turnout of thousands of visitors. Read moreÂ
April 2022
A major fundraising appeal was launched to fund £80,000 of repairs that are needed at Burnham-On-Sea Community Centre. Read moreÂ
Over 140 rowers from across the region took part in Burnham-On-Sea’s first full gig rowing regatta. Read more
Organisers have hailed the first two-day Burnham-On-Sea Book Festival a great success, which is set to return in 2023. Read moreÂ
Burnham-On-Sea Rugby Club were crowned champions of Somerset after winning a crunch match on April 26th. Read moreÂ
The unusual sight of two porpoises spotted swimming in the River Brue in Highbridge was made on April 27th. Read more here
March 2022
Developers behind major plans to build 167 new homes said a new primary school will be part of the plans on the edge of Highbridge. Read moreÂ
Thirty native apple trees have been planted in the Diamond Jubilee Field at Apex Park in Highbridge this week. Read more hereÂ
Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge’s Mayor at the time, Cllr Mike Facey, announced six community-spirited residents would receive Civic Awards. Read more
Local people across the Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge area are showing their support for the people of Ukraine by donating items at local collection points. Read more
Hit TV costume drama Sanditon returned for a new second series featuring coastal scenes filmed in Brean. Read more here
February 2022
Local fire crews were called to a series of incidents in the Burnham-On-Sea area as high winds and a winter storm caused disruption, including flipping over a lorry. Read moreÂ
An exhibition about Berrow’s shipwreck was held to mark the 125th anniversary of the stranding of the boat. Read more and hear BBC feature
January 2022
Brent Knoll’s Westcroft Cider Farm attracted hundreds of spectators for its traditional wassailing event on January 15th. Read more hereÂ
A new primetime BBC1 drama series, ‘Chloe’, which was partly filmed in Burnham-On-Sea and Brean was watched by millions of TV viewers. Read more hereÂ
Dozens of film fans headed to te first ever drive-in cinema event at Highbridge’s Apex Park on January 21st – funded by the Government’s Welcome Back Fund. Read more here
