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Top award for cider maker
A CIDER which is produced in Brent Knoll, near Burnham-On-Sea, has this week won a top award in a national competition. West Croft Cider's Janet's Jungle Juice was named the silver winner at the National Cider and Perry Championships, at the Reading Beer and Cider Festival. The best ciders and perrys in Britain were sampled over two days by judges from The Campaign for Real Ale.
Second Lib Dem stands down
LIBERAL Democrats in Burnham-On-Sea have been rocked by a second resignation in a month, Burnham-On-Sea.com can reveal. Highbridge town councillor Chris Williams told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Wednesday (May 7th) he is quitting the Liberal Democrats to become an independent councillor. The surprise announcement comes just a fortnight after fellow Lib Dem Danny Titcombe stood down.
Brean barrage gets boost
PLANS for a ten-mile barrage across the River Severn, from Brean Down near Burnham-On-Sea to Wales, moved closer this week with the appointment of an American engineering company to study the proposals. Parsons Brinckerhoff will head a two-year assessment of the project.
Crime in Burnham falls
CRIME in Burnham-On-Sea has decreased year-on-year for a ninth consecutive month, according to the latest official figures. Levels of monthly crime fell in Burnham between June 2007 and the end of February 2008, when compared to the same months last year. Criminal damage, assaults, harassment and thefts of vehicles have fallen the most during the last year.
£6,000 donated by lodge
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Moose International Lodge has handed out over £6,000 of donations to worthy local groups at its annual charity payout. The group presented a grand total of £6,306.86 to a long list of local groups and worthy causes during a ceremony at Berrow Village Hall.
'Famous' village mascot dies
A GOOSE which became such a familiar sight in the village of Mark, near Burnham-On-Sea, that it was named the village's mascot has died. The seven-year-old bird, called Errol, was often seen in the centre of the village and its 'fame' rose recently when it was featured on ITV.
New Mayor to be chosen
TOWN councillors will choose Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge's new Mayor next week. The council's annual meeting on Monday evening (May 12th) will include the election of the Chairman of Council and Town Mayor for the coming year. Councillor Pauline Pollard is the current mayor.
Driver rescued from car in ditch
A WOMAN was rescued from her car after it careered into a ditch at an accident blackspot in Burnham-On-Sea early on Tuesday morning (May 6th). Ambulance, police and fire crews were called to Stoddens Lane at 4.45am after the Ford Puma left the road. Fortunately, the occupant was not injured.
Six tickets for car owner!
THE owner of this illegally parked vehicle in Burnham-On-Sea will get a nasty surprise when they return to drive it away. For the Peugeot has been given no fewer than FOUR parking tickets and TWO road tax expiry warning notices by traffic wardens over the last few days - much to the interest of local residents.
'Poor weekend' for traders
TRADERS in Burnham-On-Sea were disappointed by a poor Bank Holiday weekend of business. While the town's High Street and Esplanade were busy with crowds of visitors, many shops and tourism businesses in Burnham reported a quiet period of trade, according to the Burnham Chamber of Trade.
Body of man found on beach
THE body of a naked man was found washed up on Burnham-On-Sea beach on Monday morning (May 5th). Emergency services were called to the scene, next to Burnham jetty, shortly after 7am after a seafront walker made the unpleasant find. Police have not yet formally identified the man.
Boxer Frank Bruno visits town
BOXING legend Frank Bruno dropped into Burnham-On-Sea on Sunday (May 4th) to cheer on his son at a rugby tournament in the town. The former World Heavyweight Champion mingled with the large crowds at the BASC Ground during the second day of Burnham Rugby Club's junior rugby festival.
Horse rider treated after fall
AN ambulance crew gave emergency treatment to a horse rider in Brean on Sunday afternoon (May 4th) after she fell from her horse when it bolted. Paramedics were called to Weston Road at 3pm when the lady's horse was startled by a vehicle passing by, sending her onto the road.
Fresh warning on sea levels
LARGE areas of the West Country's coastline - including Stert Island and low-lying land around Burnham - could disappear into the sea within 50 years, a leading scientist has warned this week. Land could be lost as sea levels rise by 60cm says Chris Turney, a geologist.
O2 wants to keep town mast
Exclusive: MOBILE phone giant O2 has applied for planning permission to keep a 'temporary' phone mast in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea for another year. The company wants full planning permission to retain the 15-metre mast south of Pier Street for an extra 12 months.
Alcohol seized by police
BURNHAM-On-Sea police have stepped up their campaign against underage drinking this weekend with alcohol being seized from youngsters on the town's seafront. The Esplanade has been a no-alcohol zone since 2006 and police can seize bottles and cans from under-age drinkers.
Flower show boosts organ fund
A COLOURFUL three-day flower festival opened in East Huntspill, near Burnham-On-Sea, on Saturday (May 3rd). The show is being held in All Saint's Church throughout the Bank Holiday to raise funds towards the £5,000 cost of refurbishing the church's organ.
Youth Club re-opens after revamp
HIGHBRIDGE Community Youth Club officially re-opened its doors on Friday evening (May 2nd) following a £14,000 revamp. These were the celebratory scenes when the club in Morland Road marked the completion of several weeks of renovation work with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Fire crews rush to town firm
BURNHAM-On-Sea fire crews were sent to a Highbridge furniture company on Friday morning (May 2nd) after reports of smoke being spotted at the property. Two fire engines from Burnham-On-Sea rushed to Caxton Furniture in Commerce Way at 11.15am.
Call for better street cleaning
Exclusive: BUSINESSES in Burnham-On-Sea are calling for more frequent rubbish collections over the summer months. Traders at the latest Chamber Of Trade meeting called on Sedgemoor District Council to increase street cleaning along the High Street and Esplanade.
Seafront cafe earns five stars
STAFF at a Burnham-On-Sea cafe are celebrating this week after officially being told they offer a 'five star' service. The Bay View Cafe on Burnham's Esplanade is one of only a handful of cafes and restaurants in the town to earn 5-star ratings in Somerset's Food Scores scheme.
Hotel boss attends public meeting
OVER 60 Highbridge residents flocked to the town's community hall on Thursday evening (May 1st) to hear Derek Mead, owner of the fire-ravaged Highbridge Hotel, speak about his future plans for the property. The meeting came just hours after two teenagers were arrested in connection with last Tuesday's blaze.
Two arrested after hotel blaze
TWO teenagers have been arrested by police in connection with last week's fire at the former Highbridge Hotel. Burnham police confirmed on Thursday (May 1st) that a 16 and 17 year old had been arrested. Police spokesman Dan Mountain told Burnham-On-Sea.com about the arrests.
Council tackles grave problem
PRESSURE on space at Highbridge cemetery will result in the last few remaining graves being used within the next year. The Chairman of Bunham Joint Burial Committee, Arthur Thorogood, said on Wednesday (April 30th) that Brent Road cemetery will be used.
Call for better CCTV monitoring
A HIGHBRIDGE County Councillor has called for better monitoring of CCTV cameras following a night of vandalism at a town car park. Cllr Rosemarie Parsons told Wednesday's town council meeting that said she had seen "a large group of youngsters" causing trouble.
Town railway exhibition opens
AN EXHIBITION about Burnham-On-Sea's historic railway past has opened in the town's Tourist Information Office this week. This month marks the 150th anniversary of the extension of the Somerset Central Railway to Burnham-On-Sea jetty, which is explored at the exhibition.
£500k kids centre completed
Exclusive: CONSTRUCTION of a new £500,000 Children’s Centre in Burnham-On-Sea has this week been completed and the exciting facility is set to be officially handed over to the County Council this Friday, May 2nd. The centre will provide local support and advice for parents and carers of children under five.
New seafront shop opens
A BRAND new clothing and jewellery shop has opened on Burnham's seafront. Rose & Amber offers a range of products that are mostly ethically-sourced from fairtrade suppliers. The firm has a successful shop in Weston and felt Burnham would be right for its expansion.
Two injured in rush-hour crash
TWO people were cut free from their damaged cars after a serious accident on the A370 at Brent Knoll, near Burnham-On-Sea, on Tuesday morning (April 29th). Fire, police and ambulance crews from Burnham-On-Sea and Weston were alerted at 8.10am after a two-vehicle road traffic collision on the junction with Edingworth Road.
£4,000 bicycle stolen in town
POLICE have this week appealed for witnesses and information after a valuable bicycle was stolen in Highbridge. At 3am on Thursday (April 24th) the pictured NORCO bicycle - which is believed to be worth £4,000 - was stolen from Elder Close in Highbridge.
Council backs homes objectors
BURNHAM-On-Sea Town Council's Planning Applications Committee gave its support to residents fighting a proposed new development of 69 homes on Tuesday evening (April 29th). Councillors unanimously voted in favour of objecting against the scheme.
Full cycle race route unveiled
THE full route of the South West Stage of the Tour of Britain cycle race was formally unveiled on Monday (April 28th), with Burnham-On-Sea set to be inundated by huge crowds as the finishing location. Burnham is the final destination of the September 9th race.
Warning over counterfeit notes
SHOPPERS and businesses in Burnham-On-Sea have been warned to look out for counterfeit £20 notes circulating in the town. The Chamber of Trade issued the warning on Monday (April 28th) after several town centre firms received the fake bank notes. A number of counterfeit £20 notes are in circulation.
New homes fight stepped up
OVER 70 angry Burnham-On-Sea residents crowded into Watchfield Village Hall on Monday evening (April 28th) as they stepped up their campaign to halt controversial plans for dozens of new homes in the town. Persimmon Homes has applied to build 69 homes.
Residents shocked over thefts
RESIDENTS of a quiet Burnham-On-Sea street have been left shocked by the theft of two vehicles from outside their homes in one night. Police are appealing for information from the public after thieves struck at Cookson Close, off Ben Travers Way, last Wednesday night, taking two cars.
100 people at Hinkley meeting
MORE than 100 people attended a community meeting to discuss a potential new nuclear plant at Hinkley Point, near Burnham-On-Sea. The meeting discussed British Energy's work on preparation for a new nuclear build, the process for site selection, and more about the proposals.
Panic buying hits petrol station
'PANIC buying' of petrol in Burnham-On-Sea on Sunday (April 27th) left a town centre petrol station without any unleaded fuel supplies - and other local stations struggling to keep up with demand. Motorists were being turned away from Burnham's Esso station in Love Lane.
Great day for St John cadets
YOUNG Charlotte Aldred and Lucy Westlake of the Highbridge and Burnham St John Ambulance Cadets had plenty to smile about on Saturday (April 26th) after winning the regional finals of a first competition. The pair won the St John South West Regional First Aid Competition.
Tennis academy picks players
A TENNIS academy set up in memory of a young Burnham-On-Sea tennis player who died in a road accident last autumn is moving from strength to strength, having conducted a 'sift' for young players at the town's Avenue Tennis Club on Saturday (April 26th).
Sea safety day is a success
OVER 40 children from schools in the Burnham-On-Sea area got the opportunity to visit the town's marine rescue services during a special Young Persons' Coastal Day on Saturday (April 26th). Burnham's lifeboat, hovercraft and Coastguard stations opened for the day.
A38 re-opens for unhappy traders
BUSINESSES in Highbridge are demanding compensation after four days of disruption caused by this week's fire at the former Highbridge Hotel cost them thousands of pounds in lost trade. The A38 in Highbridge finally re-opened on Saturday (April 26th) at 5pm, four days after it was closed due to a fire.
New shop to open in Burnham
A NEW charity shop is making final preparations to open in Burnham-On-Sea's town centre. Weston Hospicecare Limited has bought a shop at 29 College Street from estate agents Abbott and Frost. The property was previously occupied by The Wheatley Clinic.
Third blaze at Highbridge hotel
THESE were the scenes in Highbridge on Friday evening (April 25th) when Burnham-On-Sea fire crews tackled a third blaze at the badly-damaged former Highbridge Hotel. Two fire engines from Burnham were called back to the hotel at 6.41pm after the fire service received a report of smoke emerging.
Fire: Town disruption ongoing
RESIDENTS and firms in Highbridge are set to suffer more disruption after the County Council announced on Friday (April 25th) that the A38 besides the fire-struck Highbridge Hotel will remain closed into next week. The closure has caused major disruption.
Man killed in fatal accident
A MAN was killed in an horrific road accident on the A38 near Burnham-On-Sea on Thursday evening (April 24th). Emergency services were called to a single vehicle accident at Brent Knoll just before 5pm. Police spokesman Dan Mountain confirmed: "A motorist has been involved in a fatal accident."
A38 closed as probe continues
THE A38 through Highbridge will remain closed today (Thursday April 24th) as police and fire investigators continue their probe into the huge blaze that badly damaged the former Highbridge Hotel. A huge fire swept through the property on Tuesday evening.
Schools miss strike disruption
NO schools in the Burnham-On-Sea area are expected to be disrupted by a national teachers strike being held on Thursday (April 24th). The first teachers' strike for two decades is set to disrupt a third of schools across England, including 27 schools in Somerset.
Dozens join planting sessions
GREEN-fingered youngsters from across Burnham-On-Sea took part in a special wildflower planting session at Highbridge's Apex Park on Wednesday (April 23rd). The Friends of Apex Park Improvements Group has organised a series of planting sessions this week.
Poet donates books to charity
A TALENTED member of Burnham-On-Sea Moose International Lodge 123 has presented two hundred specially-published books of his poetry to Devon and Somerset Air Ambulance. Priced at £3 each, Bill Jackman's books will help raise funds for the charity.
Fire crews tackle silo blaze
BURNHAM-On-Sea firefighters were back in action again on Wednesday afternoon (April 23rd) when they tackled a fire at this 60ft tall silo in Highbridge. Fire crews were called to Woodberry Bros and Haines after smoke was seen emerging from the structure.

WEATHER

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