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Green flag award for Apex Park
HIGHBRIDGE'S Apex Leisure and Wildlife Park has been awarded a sought-after 2007 Green Flag Award for the first time. The results of this year's Green Flag Awards were announced on Wednesday (July 18th) by Parks Minister Baroness Andrews - and it was good news for our area.
Asda gives brings jobs boost to town
Highbridge's forthcoming Asda supermarket has this week begun a huge recruitment drive to fill more than 100 vacancies at the store. The jobs boost will come when the huge brand new 40,000 square foot store in Springfield Road in the centre of Highbridge opens this November.
Xmas arrives 7 months late!
Exclusive: A box of chocolates which was sent to a Burnham-On-Sea business last December as a Christmas present has just been delivered... almost seven months late! Staff at Shickle Shoes could hardly believe their eyes when the chocs were delivered on Friday (July 6th).
Porpoise washed up on beach
THE body of a young porpoise has been washed up on Burnham-On-Sea's beach. The town's lifeboat crew made the gruesome discovery on the sands to the south of the town's jetty at 9.30am on Sunday morning (July 8th) as they launched on training.
Boost for jetty repair hopes
Exclusive: A CAMPAIGN to gain funding to repair Burnham-On-Sea's 150-year-old jetty has this week been given a major boost. Burnham-On-Sea.com reported in January how winter storms had damaged the structure and in June, the jetty was excluded from new conservation plans.
Roundabout works are delayed
WORK to construct a new roundabout in Highbridge is behind schedule, leading to confirmation this week that a disruptive road closure will be in place until the end of August. Somerset County Council had expected the work, on behalf of Asda, to finish at the of July.
14 beachfront flats planned
Exclusive: PART of Burnham-On-Sea's beachfront could be set to change after a house developer this week unveiled multi-million pound plans to build a three-storey block of 14 apartments next to the beach, replacing the house pictured here. The plans go before planners shortly.
Show is a blooming success!
GREEN-fingered gardeners flocked to Sanders Garden World, near Burnham-On-Sea, this week for the UK's 2007 National Sweet Pea Show. The National Sweet Pea Society organised the annual two-day event, which ewas started on Tuesday (June 26th) and ended on Wednesday (June 27th).
Civic service date announced
BURNHAM-On-Sea's annual Civic Service is to be held in the town's St Andrew's Church this autumn. The yearly event, which sees local people recognised for their commitment to the town, is due to be held on 9th September, it was confirmed this week.
| Video Alert over forged bank notes
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea businesses and shoppers are being asked to be on their guard after counterfeit bank notes were used in the town during the last few days. A £20 note was accepted by staff at the Victoria Hotel in the centre of town, pictured, last week.
World sailing challenge for Mark
Exclusive: A Burnham-On-Sea man is to take part in the prestigious 2007 Round The World Yacht Race as the skipper of a huge 68 foot yacht. Mark Preedy, 35, is to skipper 'Uniquely Singapore' in the 35,000-mile ocean race, which will set off from Liverpool on 16th September and return in July 2008.
Football club in expansion plan
PLANS to convert an open field on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea into several new football pitches have been unveiled this week. Burnbridge Wanderers Junior Football Club has applied for full planning permission to convert agricultural land opposite in Stoddens Lane.
Vandals force closure of loos
VANDALISM and anti-social behaviour have led to the closure of a block of public toilets in Burnham-On-Sea. The building in Seaview Road was shut by owners Sedgemoor District Council in April following a spate of problems, leaving a question mark over its future.
Two arrests after 80mph chase
A DRAMATIC 80mph police chase ended at Burnham-On-Sea Holiday Village on Thursday afternoon (June 14th) with the arrest of two people. The incident, involving a stolen 4x4 vehicle, started at lunchtime in Love Lane and then moved to the seafront.
Concert line-up announced
THE organisers of Burnham-On-Sea's popular annual outdoor concert, Under A Summer Moon, have announced the line-up of acts playing at this year's event. The event will be held from 6.30pm to midnight on Saturday July 21st at the BASC ground in Stoddens Lane.
Full town triathlon coverage
THE 21st annual Burnham-On-Sea triathlon, comprising a 500m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run, took place on Sunday (June 10th) with 260 competitors completing the event in hot summer sunshine. We have full coverage:
Gas cut during demolition work
RED-faced workmen accidentally cut through a gas main in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea, cutting off supplies to the area, during continuing work to demolish a former pub on Thursday (June 7th). The pipe was cut in the grounds of The Crown Inn in Oxford Street.
300 athletes ready for triathlon
THE 21st annual Burnham-On-Sea triathlon, which comprises a 500m swim followed by a 20km cycle and then a 5km run, will take place this Sunday (June 10th) with 320 competitors setting out to complete the multi-terrain event. We have a full preview of this special event.
Pavements get spring clean
BURNHAM-On-Sea's pavements should be looking a lot cleaner this week after the town's bi-annual street wash was completed during the last few days. Contractors working for Sedgemoor District Council completed the first cleaning session of the year, as pictured.
Prom Night photo special
DOZENS of youngsters from Highbridge's King Alfred School pulled on their best dresses and smartest suits for their Prom Night on Friday evening (May 25th). Stretch limousines were out in force as the Year 11 students travelled in style to Rookery Manor.
Busy road shuts for fortnight
A POPULAR commuter route on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea is to close for two weeks during June whilst work to strengthen the route gets underway. Stoddens Lane will close for two weeks from June 4th, the County Council's Highways department has confirmed.
Survey praises bathing water
BATHING water quality in Burnham-On-Sea, Berrow and Brean has been praised in a new survey published this week. The findings of the annual study by the Marine Conservation Society, announced on Friday, are being published in the 2007 Good Beach Guide.
Big Issue seller Colin on film
A SHORT film recounting the story of Burnham-On-Sea Big Issue seller Colin Johnstone has been published on the Web this week. The three-minute film, called 'Working Not Begging', is available online and has been directed by film maker Michael Howard.
Brave sea swimmers wanted!
BRAVE swimmers wanting to take part in Burnham-On-Sea's annual Stert Island Swim can now sign up to take part in this year's event. The entry period for the popular summer event began this week - and entry forms are available here on Burnham-On-Sea's website.
O2 mast goes, new one arrives
MOBILE phone operator O2 dismantled its controversial phone mast in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea on Monday morning (May 14th)... as a new 'temporary' mast was erected just a few hundred metres away near the town's lifeboat station in a nearby street.
New childrens centre plans unveiled
Exclusive: AMBITIOUS plans for a new £300,000 childrens centre in Burnham-On-Sea took a step forward this week when formal plans for the site were submitted. The application for the centre at The Community Infants School in Winchester Road includes a single-storey building plus parking.
Zapcat pilots ready for action!
TWO daring Burnham-On-Sea water enthusiasts are making final preparations to compete in this summer's national zapcat championships. Ashley Chappell and Ryan Jones were training in Bridgwater Bay on Tuesday (April 24th) as they trained for their first race.
Hopscotch story goes national!
A BURNHAM-On-Sea mother has been plunged into the national spotlight after police halted her child's hopscotch game, saying his chalk markings on the pavement were 'graffiti'. Lisa Badland's story first appeared in Burnham-On-Sea's discussion forums in March.
Appeal after town assault
BURNHAM-On-Sea police have appealed for witnesses after an alleged assault took place in a town car park on Easter Sunday evening (April 8th). One man aged 18 was arrested following the incident at around 7pm at the Lynton Road car park just off Marine Drive.
Busy Easter for town traders
LARGE crowds of visitors flocked into Burnham-On-Sea as warm spring weather meant the Easter holiday weekend was a prosperous one for local traders. The town's main beach was busy with families enjoying the warm weather while crowds of walkers thronged The Esplanade.
Dolphin spotted in Burnham?
A 'DOLPHIN' which was seen in the waters of Bridgwater Bay at Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday evening (April 7th) was probably one of several porpoises spotted in the River Parrett earlier in the day. A group of residents on the Esplanade saw the animal splashing around in the water.
Ritz Club event draws visitors
A STEADY flow of visitors made a 'table top sale' in Burnham-On-Sea's Ritz Social Club a resounding success on Saturday (April 7th). Although the warm weather meant the crowds were not as large as organisers had originally hoped, they were still happy.
Town anglers land trophy haul
ANGLERS from a Burnham-On-Sea fishing club this week recalled some of the year's biggest catches - and the 'ones that got away' - when they met for their annual presentation night. Members of the 3Bs Sea Angling Association met at the Ritz Club in Victoria Street.
Dunes shock for tourists
BURNHAM-On-Sea police were called to Berrow on Friday afternoon (April 6th) after a family of holidaymakers reported seeing naked sunbathers in the dunes. Two officers were called to an area near Berrow Church at around 3pm amid reports of several naked men being spotted.
Narrow escape for beach car!
THESE were the scenes on Burnham-On-Sea beach on Friday morning (April 6th) when a car became trapped in soft sand. Several local came to the aid of the stricken car driver after the vehicle, which had towed a jet ski and trailer onto the beach, sank into the soft sand.
Fundraisers help Kenyan kids
GENEROUS fundraisers in Burnham-On-Sea are hoping to raise £2,000 towards a group of needy Kenyan schoolchildren. A temporary charity shop has been set up in the former CJ Holes premises in Victoria Street for eight days until Tuesday April 10th.
Eight mile tailback on M5
POLICE have re-opened part of the M5 motorway near Burnham-On-Sea following an eight vehicle accident on Friday morning (April 6th). Both carriageways were shut between junction 21 at Weston and junction 22 at Burnham to allow an air ambulance to land.
Water skiers unveil schedule
MORE details have emerged this week about the UK's national water skiing championships, which are set to return to Burnham-On-Sea this summer for the first time in over ten years. The UK's top water skiers will flock to the town during the regatta on August 5th.
Burnham beach wins top award
A NEW award highlighting England's best beaches has recommended Burnham-On-Sea as an ideal place for paddling and building sandcastles. The resort is one of 73 winners in the Quality Coast Awards run by the leading environmental charity, Encams.
Convoy 'damaged pavements'
Exclusive: PAVEMENTS in Highbridge were damaged when a huge convoy of lorries carrying grain silos travelled through the town on Wednesday evening (April 4th) and the night before. The huge lorries brought traffic to a standstill as travelled on Church Street.
Police officer off to Taunton
BURNHAM-On-Sea's top police officer, Roger Tolley, has been promoted and is taking up a new role based at Taunton Police Station. Inspector Tolley, pictured, has become Sector Inspector for Taunton and will be responsible for the 27 beats in the area.
BBC shows weather forecasts from town
BURNHAM-On-Sea was in the national spotlight on Thursday morning (April 5th) when BBC One's Breakfast programme broadcast live from the town's seafront. A series of weather forecasts for the whole of the UK were presented from the South Esplanade by BBC weather girl Carol Kirkwood.
Police take bike off the road
BURNHAM-On-Sea police continued their crackdown on dangerous vehicles on Wednesday evening (April 4th) when they took a dangerous motorbike off the road on the A38 near the town after finding it had scores of defects. A 19-year-old was reported for several offences.
Election candidates unveiled
THE names of those who have put themselves forward to be considered as councillors at May's district and town council elections in Burnham-On-Sea were announced on Wednesday afternoon (April 4th). We have full details of all the local names.
Exclusive: 800 residents sign petition
More than 800 angry residents in Highbridge have signed a petition calling on Network Rail to bring forward work to open Walrow railway bridge, Burnham-On-Sea.com can reveal today. In one of the town's biggest-ever petitions, campaigners have this week piled on the pressure onto Network Rail.
Burnham shop in charity boost
A BURNHAM-On-Sea opticians shop has handed over £500 to a charity that helps children and young people with visual impairments. Specsavers has been fundraising for the Highbridge-based National Blind Children's Society (NBCS) as its chosen charity.
Town group holds ladies night
MEMBERS of Burnham-On-Sea's Moose International group pulled on their glad rags on Saturday (March 31st) for their annual ladies' night. Scores of members flocked to the Farmers Tavern at Brean Leisure Park for the formal three-course dinner and entertainment.
Two arrested at night club
TWO men have been arrested after an incident outside Shaker's Night Club in Burnham-On-Sea. A 19 year-old, from Highbridge, was arrested outside the High Street premises on suspicion of criminal damage outside the club on Thursday night (March 30th) at 11pm.
No new lights until summer
BURNHAM-On-Sea's storm-damaged decorative lights will not be replaced until the middle of the summer at the earliest, it emerged on Monday night (April 2nd). Town councillors decided this week to delay their decision until mid-May on whether to replace 45 of the illuminations.
Two arrested in police chase
TWO men were arrested for allegedly carrying threatening weapons in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea early on Saturday morning (March 31st) after a police chase involving several officers. Two men were detailed for further questioning in Pier Street.

WEATHER

Burnham-on-Sea
broken clouds
11.4 ° C
11.8 °
10.3 °
90 %
2.2kmh
78 %
Mon
11 °
Tue
8 °
Wed
8 °
Thu
7 °
Fri
9 °