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Awards for green fingered kids
FOUR budding young gardeners from Burnham and the surrounding area have won prizes after entering a plant growing competition organised by staff at Sanders Garden World. The kids took part in a competition to grow the largest marrow or sunflower plant and recived their prizes this week.
£700 raised by town's Ritz Club
HUNDREDS of pounds has been donated to charity following two successful fundraising events organised by Burnham-On-Sea Ritz Club. A cheque for £706 was this week handed over to cancer charity Tenovus after the club's craft fair and beach fun day both pulled in funds.
New warning signs for seafront
NUISANCE drivers in Burnham who cause alarm, distress or annoyance to the general public will risk having their vehicles seized by police officers. That's the stark warning featured on a set of new signs unveiled this week for The Esplanade and the town's Somerfield supermarket.
£200,000 flood scheme begins
WORK is to start next week on increasing the height of part of the flood defence embankment on the Brue Estuary near Apex Park at Burnham-On-Sea. The scheme will also involve the creation of a surfaced path linking Burnham and Highbridge, helping to regenerate one section of the town.
20th birthday invite at library
BURNHAM-On-Sea library is to celebrate its 20th birthday on Friday September 30th with a special 'Wine and Words Celebration'. Residents are invited to join staff at the library in Princess Street from 7.45pm as the facility marks and celebrates 20 years in the building.
Knoll joins beacons light-up
A BEACON will be lit on top of Brent Knoll during a nationwide chain of lightings to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar in October. The beacon will be lit at 7:15pm on Friday October 21st as part of a synchronised celebration across the whole of the United Kingdom.
Hot meals for school's menu
A BURNHAM-On-Sea school is putting hot meals on its lunchtime menu provided by the County Council's catering service. Burnham Infants School is to join 87 schools across the county which receive hot meals from Somerset County Services (SCS), bucking the national trend for hot meal uptake.
Halifax to open in High Street
THE Halifax Building Society is to open a new branch in Burnham-On-Sea High Street later this year when an existing building society closes. The Birmingham Midshires branch at 56 The High Street is to close and the Halifax is to open a branch in its place - and is being seen as a further boost to the town.
Pedal power raises £10,000
THREE Burnham-On-Sea cyclists who hope to have raised more than £10,000 for charity by cycling to France have returned to the town this week. Bobby Hanscombe, Judy Salisbury and Pam Whitehead rode more than 280 miles over four days during their tiring trip to the French capital.
Big crowds attend VE/VJ event
LARGE crowds descended on Burnham-On-Sea on Sunday September 18th for a special event marking the 60th anniversaries of VE/VJ-Day and the 65th anniversary of the Battle Of Britain. We have a full round-up of news and photos from this special occasion, attended by large numbers of locals.
Burnham Cllr recounts war role
AS Burnham marks the 60th anniversary of VE and VJ-Day this week, we spoke to one well-known resident about his time in Japan in 1945 when he saw the first 500 prisoners of war released from captivity. Cllr Neville Jones OBE was a Sub Lieutenant on HMS Speaker and saw prisoners of war being released.
Beavers group visits RNLI
BURNHAM-On-Sea RNLI's lifeboats, the Staines Whitfield and Global Marine, were visited by Claverham, Cleve and Yatton Beavers group this week. The enthusiastic group were given a tour of the station and got a chance to see the lifeboats up close plus talk to crew members about their work.
Blooming well deserved!
DAVE Perrett, the organiser of Burnham and Highbridge's entry into the annual Britain In Bloom competition, was celebrating this week after receiving a prestigious award for his years of effort. The green-fingered organiser was presented with a trophy to mark his sterling efforts over the years.
Jet skier rescued at Berrow
A jet skier has been rescued by Burnham-On-Sea's hovercraft crew after getting into difficulties in thick mud at Berrow. The crew were trialling a second smaller hovercraft on Berrow Beach on Saturday September 10th when the incident unfolded close to where Lelaina Hall died in 2002.
Western-style anniversary!
WEST Huntspill Church, near Burnham-On-Sea, was the setting for one of the area's most unusual wedding blessings this week. The Parish Church stepped back in time 140 years when a group of historical reinactors gathered to celebrate a 30th wedding anniversary.
Call for speeding crackdown
TOWN councillors are calling on the County Council to clamp down on speeding along a popular Burnham-On-Sea commuter route. Ever increasing traffic speeds between the Tesco roundabout and hospital are making Love Lane so dangerous that an accident is certain to happen, they claim.
Over 100 at diabetes screening
MORE than 100 Burnham-On-Sea residents took up the offer of a free diabates check this week when a mobile screening clinic visited the town. Some 112 people were tested during the three-hour period, and a total of nine were referred to their doctors, showing that the event was very worthwhile.
Historic ship passes Burnham
WALKERS along Burnham's seafront were treated to a glimpse of the historic 50 year-old ship Balmoral as it glided past the town on Friday morning. The ship was on its way to Bridgwater to collect dozens of people as part of an excursion around the Bristol Channel. We caught the ship on film as it passed Burnham.
Dredging 'threat' to beaches
CONCERN is growing that a huge new dredging scheme in the Bristol Channel could damage beaches at Burnham, Brean and Berrow. An excavation group wants to take one million tonnes of sediment each year from Culver Sands for 15 years which could strip away sand from around our coast.
Marine Cove revamp unveiled
PROPOSALS to overhaul Marine Cove Gardens on Burnham seafront have been unveiled by town councillors this week. The long-overdue revamp includes plans to introduce sea-view seating, repair the bus shelters, alter access to the facility and consider introducing CCTV on one side of the gardens.
Dog micro-chipping in October
DISTRICT Council Dog Wardens are offering pet owners in Burnham and Highbridge another chance to have their dogs micro chipped. Usual fees are between £20 and £30, but Sedgemoor District Council is offering the service at a cost of £12 in October at the two sessions in the town.
'High Street is at risk' - council
WORRIED councillors have issued a blunt message to shoppers in Burnham regarding the town's High Street - 'Use it or lose it'. The warning came during a debate about the controversial decision by the government to give Sanders Garden World the go-ahead to expand.
Woman rescued from rocks
BOTH Burnham-On-Sea's lifeboats were called out at 19:15 hours on Monday September 5th after a woman reported to be in a 'distressed' condition was spotted on rocks at Brean Down. The lifeboats were called to the scene along with a Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team.
Jazz In The Park draws crowds
HUNDREDS of jazz fans gathered in Burnham-On-Sea's Manor Gardens on Sunday, September 4 for the town's annual Jazz In The Park event. The popular event is organised by CADS, which holds three to four events a year for the benefit of people in both towns.
Rowing challenge for residents
BURNHAM-On-Sea sailing enthusiasts are being offered the chance to take part in a round-Britain rowing event to raise funds for the RNLI. The Victory Challenge 2005 began last month when a Cornish gig set off on Saturday 21st August bound for London, travelling cross country.
Over 200 entries at craft show
A PATCHWORK quilt which has taken ten months to make scooped one of the top awards at the annual Burnham-On-Sea Ritz Club Produce and Craft Show on Saturday September 3. Margaret Budden, pictured, said she was "delighted" to have won one of the trophies.
Second call-out for hovercraft
BURNHAM'S Spirit Of Lelaina hovercraft was called out for the second day running after a yacht ran aground at Stert Island in Bridgwater Bay, just yards from where a speedboat went aground the day before. The hovercraft was called out at 11.40am on Saturday morning.
Hover rescues three from Stert
THREE people who were stuck in mud at Stert Island, near Burnham-On-Sea, were helped to safety by the town's rescue hovercraft on Friday September 2. The Spirit of Lelaina was called out by Coastguards at 10:54am and launched shortly afterwards from the town's beach.
Toxic algae outbreak at Apex
FISHING has been temporarily banned at Apex Wildlife Park in Burnham-On-Sea after a new outbreak of toxic blue-green algae at the site. Bosses at Sedgemoor District Council put up warning signs around the lakes on Thursday, September 1st after receiving feedback from residents.
Reed beds recover after fire
IT IS exactly one year since a devastating fire tore through a half mile stretch of reed beds at Berrow but the area has recovered remarkably well and is now once again bursting with wildlife. We spoke to English Nature's Conservation Officer for Bridgwater Bay to see how it's sprung back to life.
Berrow dog owner fined £110
DOG wardens are stamping down on pet owners who let their animals foul streets and community areas in the Burnham-On-Sea area. A local resident has just been prosecuted for failing to pick up after his pet at the Recreation Ground in Berrow and given a fine of £110 by Sedgemoor District Council.
Unique 'Bible garden' on show
REVEREND Brian Milloy from Hope Baptist Church in Highbridge (pictured) was among the visitors at a unique display of plants devoted to the Bible at Sanders Garden World, near Burnham, this week. Biblically linked shrubs, trees and flowers were on show at the garden centre.
Big turnout at annual town fete
WARM weather and lots of stalls and attractions helped to attract large crowds to Burnham's annual hospital fete on Bank Holiday Monday, August 29th. Hundreds of holidaymakers and residents gathered in the Manor Gardens to support local charities, organisations and groups.
New sign warns of tide danger
A NEW warning sign has been put up on Burnham-On-Sea jetty alerting walkers about strong tidal currents in the area, just weeks after two people were almost swept away by the fast-flowing water. A lifeguard and boy were rescued in July after getting into difficulty in the fast flowing water.
RNLI Open Day was a success
BURNHAM-On-Sea's lifeboat station held its annual open day on Sunday, August 28th, when visitors were able to meet the town's crew, see the lifeboats and watch the launch of a lifeboat on an exercise. A range of collectables and souvenirs were also sold in aid of the group.
Street party pulls in the crowds
HOLIDAYMAKERS and residents were quite literally dancing in the streets on Sunday night, August 28th, when a popular outdoor concert was held in the town. The Somerset and Dorset pub's annual Local Emergency Services family street party drew crowds to Burnham's High Street.
Model train enthusiasts gather
MODEL train enthusiasts from across the UK gathered at a two-day exhibition in Burnham-On-Sea this weekend. The popular event, now in its 27th year, was held on August 27th and 28th at King Alfred's School and attracted more than 1,000 people to see a wide selection of trains.
Crowds flock to Apex Open Day
APEX Wildlife & Leisure Park in Burnham-On-Sea held its first open day on Sunday August 28th when a host of local groups put on special displays. Crowds of families attended the event, organised by The Friends of Apex Improvements Group, and found out more about the Park.
Injured walker helped at Brean
COASTGUARDS were called to Brean Down on Saturday afternoon, August 27th, after a walker tripped and suffered a suspected broken ankle. The 32-year-old lady from Birmingham was walking near the highest point on the Down when she lost her footing and had to be rescued by Burnham Coastguards.
Lucky's lucky cliff escape!
A DOG called Lucky lived up to its name when it was rescued by Coastguards this week after being trapped for two hours on cliffs at Brean Down. Burnham-On-Sea Coastguard's cliff rescue team leapt into action after people were seen climbing to the dog on the southern side of the Down.
Opticians moves into Burnham
ONE of the UK's largest High Street brands is to move into Burnham-On-Sea next month when it opens a new shop in the town. Specsavers, the opticians, has bought a vacant shop next to the Somerset & Dorset pub at the southern end of Burnham High Street.
Town artists show off talents
HUNDREDS of people have been flocking to Burnham-On-Sea Community Hall this week to see an exhibition of a range of art work from local artists. The week-long show is the first event organised by the Lighthouse Arts Group, a new organisation for local artists.
Hit-and-run raid at Somerfield
THIEVES have stolen hundreds of pounds of alcohol from Somerfield supermarket in Burnham-On-Sea during a daytime hit-and-run attack. The dramatic incident was seen by several RNLI crew members as they returned to the lifeboat station in Pier Street, Burnham following a call-out.
Dog rescuers praised by family
A FAMILY whose two dogs were saved by Burnham's Spirit Of Lelaina hovercraft returned to the town this week - one year on from the rescue - to thank the crew and hand over a cheque towards the upkeep of the craft. They told how they had almost given up hope but were so grateful that the hovercraft helped.
Rare 1930s film clips found
A COLLECTION of rare film footage of Burnham-On-Sea during the 1930s has been unearthed, prompting an appeal for local people who remember the scenes to come forward. The footage includes images from the 1934 Burnham & Highbridge Carnival and other local events of the time.
Sky News visits hovercraft
BURNHAM'S rescue hovercraft received national TV publicity on Monday (August 22nd) when Sky News broadcast a report about the work of the life-saving service. The three-minute feature about The Spirit of Lelaina was shown throughout the day after Sky reporter Andrew Moore visited.
Vintage poster up for auction
A VINTAGE poster showing a traditional Burnham-On-Sea beach scene from a bygone age is to be auctioned in London this autumn. The item, which has a guide price of between £500 and £700, is due to go on sale at a Christies auction of posters in the capital during September.
Council statement on Sanders
BURNHAM and Highbridge Town Council has issued a statement on the Secretary of State's decision to give Sanders Garden World the go-ahead to expand its site by 30,000 square feet. The council was one of the three objectors at the inquiry into the application and issued a statement through the clerk (pictured).
Sinking yacht helped to safety
A SINKING yacht with a seriously damaged keel was rescued by Burnham-On-Sea RNLI's lifeboat crew on Saturday August 20th after its skipper issued a May Day message to Coastguards one mile west of the low lighthouse in Bridgwater Bay. The yacht was brought to shore in the River Brue.
Helicopter river rescue drama
A YACHTSMAN was winched to safety by an RAF helicopter in the River Axe, near Brean, on Saturday afternoon (August 20th) after he ran aground in TWO boats within just ten minutes. Burnham's Spirit Of Lelaina hovercraft was briefly put on standby as the incident unfolded.

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