The death of four year-old Dylan Cecil in a fall from the town’s jetty captured the hearts of residents and holidaymakers during August. The accident showed how Burnham’s community comes together during difficult times, with hundreds of floral tributes being laid on the seafront in memory of the youngster and thousands of pounds being raised for the town’s marine rescue charities. RIP Dylan.
Large numbers of residents took part in Jubilee celebrations in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge in June – with a parade through the towns being the highlight of four days of festivities. See the coverage here.
Hundreds of people took part in a bid to beat the world record for the most sandcastles built in one hour on Burnham beach, however it was later confirmed that the bid had been unsuccessful by organisers due to a technical issue. An estimated crowd of 500 people took part in the record attempt in June.
Dozens of residents were evacuated around Beatty Way in January when police executed a search warrant under the Explosives Act. Officers set up a 100-metre cordon. Four months later, Phillip Leonard was jailed for two years in connection with the incident. Full story.
Hot weather was rarely seen, but the Burnham-On-Sea area experienced its hottest day for three years on July 26th when temperatures reached 29.9C (85.8F). Full story.
Torrential rain caused flooding across the Burnham-On-Sea area in November and December, creating dangerous conditions on local roads and flooding several homes and businesses. This was the scene in Brent Knoll. Arerial photos.
2012 will be remembered nationally as the year that the Olympics came to the UK – and Burnham had its own small role to play with seven torch bearers carrying the Olympic flame through Somerset. Full story. Burnham’s BMX rider Liam Phillips and Paralympic swimmer Anthony Stephens were cheered on locally.
Several high-profile court cases involving sexual charges put Burnham in the national spotlight, with former Burnham Scout leader David Burland jailed for 15 years. In November in a separate case, a PCSO was jailed for 8 years.
Big crowds flocked to Burnham’s carnival in 2012 but controversy erupted in December when Burnham-On-Sea.com revealed that next year’s carnival in Burnham will be held on the Friday evening before Bridgwater for the first time. Expect plenty more talks during 2013 on the date.
Plans to boost Burnham town centre using £420,000 of cash from Tesco and the regional development agency moved forward despite disappointment when the town lost its bid for Mary Portas funding. A programme of wide-reaching improvements are due to be confirmed by councillors early in 2013.
Four residents from Burnham and Highbridge were presented with Civic Awards to recognise their work for the community in July. Derick Cooper, Ian Jefferies, Mary Lawrence and Pam Lyes all received the awards. Full story.
Highbridge’s new £20,000 town clock was officially unveiled by the town’s Mayor. The brand new four-faced structure in the town’s Jubilee Gardens was funded by donations and pledges. Full story here.
Talks continued over the future of the fire-hit Highbridge Hotel with only slow progress made. But a brand new group was formed, Hope For Highbridge, to push forward on improvements in the town.
The year ended with Burnham-On-Sea resident Bob Nicholson being awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours. Bob received the award for his services to tourism as Chairman of Somerset Tourism Association. Earlier in the year, Burnham police station’s Pam Whitehead collected her MBE from the Queen.
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