Latest Burnham-On-Sea News

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Riverside safety cordon is lifted
Exclusive: A safety cordon which was introduced around this chemical drum after it was unearthed by two metal detector users in Highbridge was lifted on Thursday (July 2nd) after scientists announced that the contents inside are not toxic. A stretch of the banks of the River Brue, near The Clyce, had been sealed off by fire crews and Environment Agency officials. More...

Guides hold sandcastle contest
MORE than 160 Burnham-On-Sea Brownies, Guides and Rainbows took part in a mass sandcastle building competition on the town's beach on Thursday evening (July 2nd). The annual event saw dozens of fun designs being moulded into the sands near the jetty over several hours. More...

New roundabout opened in town
ONE of the final pieces of work before next week's long-awaited opening of Burnham-On-Sea's Frank Foley Parkway was completed early on Thursday morning (July 2nd). A new mini-roundabout has been completed at the junction of Pepperall Road and Burnham Road, near the southern end of the Frank Foley Parkway. More...

Coastguards called to River Axe
Exclusive: JUST hours after they issued a warning about the dangers of crossing the treacherous River Axe estuary between Weston and Brean Down, Coastguards were called out to help a group of teenagers spotted crossing the muddy river on Wednesday evening (July 1st). More...

Duo to open new Burnham store
A SHORT ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Monday morning (July 6th) to mark the opening of Burnham-On-Sea's new Morrisons supermarket. Store General Manager Steve Pearson and Oven Fresh Assistant Debbie Derrick will officially open the store at 9am in front of the public. More...

Fire crews called to chip shop
TWO fire crews were sent to tackle a small blaze at a seafront fish and chip shop in Burnham-On-Sea on Wednesday evening (July 1st). Two engines from Burnham were sent to the Esplanade Fish Bar at 8.12pm. Crews found that there was a fire withing the deep fat fryer. More...

Business boosted in heatwave
SCORCHING summer temperatures in Burnham-On-Sea have led to soaring trade for tourism businesses in the town this week. Visitors have been buying ice creams and cool drinks in their droves as temperatures hit 30°C on Wednesday afternoon (July 1st). "The weather has been wonderful for trade," said Louise Parkin. More...

Apex contest winners unveiled
THE winners of a competition to create a new promotional logo for Highbridge's Apex Wildlife Park were named on Wednesday (July 1st). The competition, run by Sedgemoor District Council and the Friends of Apex Park's Improvements Group, called on art students from King Alfred School. More...

London visit for young scientists
STUDENTS from King Alfred School in Highbridge have been on a journey of scientific discovery to the Science Museum in London. Thirty pupils from the 'After School Science and Engineering Club' visited the museum to see a range of exhibitions and take part in interactive displays. More...

Lifeboat called to mudwalkers
A BURNHAM-On-Sea lifeboat was called to investigate several people walking on the mudflats at low tide near the town's famous lighthouse on Wednesday evening (July 1st). The Staines Whitfield was undergoing regular training at the time when they were tasked by Swansea Coastguards. More...

In photos: River bank chemical alert
Exclusive: EMERGENCY services cordoned off an area of river bank in Highbridge today (Tuesday, June 30th) after two metal detector users unearthed a corroded drum containing chemicals. The discovery of the industrial drum next to the River Brue led to the call-out of fire crews and Environment Agency bosses. More...

Video: Coastguards' warning
BURNHAM-On-Sea Coastguards have issued a safety warning after a group youngsters posted this video of themselves on YouTube claiming to have walked from Weston to Brean across the River Axe estuary. Coastguard Steve Bird said "They are taking their lives into their own hands." More...

Man on indecency charges
A 25-year-old Burnham-On-Sea man faces a prison term after pleading guilty to possessing child porn images. John Riches of Aldwych Close in Burnham appeared at North Somerset Courthouse on Monday (June 29th). He had previously pleaded guilty to 11 charges. More...

Bodies found in Bristol Channel
TWO bodies were found by lifeboat crews in the Bristol Channel on Tuesday (June 30th), a week after two swimmers went missing at Weston. Swansea Coastguards took a call reporting the sighting of a body off Clevedon at just after 1.30pm and a body was later recovered by a lifeboat crew. More...

In photos: St John's Sports Day
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Mayor and Mayoress were among the spectators at the annual St John's School Sports Day in Highbridge. Derek and Christine Cooper cheered on the youngsters at the popular summer event, where the budding stars competed in a range of events, including running and hockey. More...

MP's drive to cut M5 queues
BURNHAM-On-Sea MP David Heathcoat-Amory has this week called for action to tackle congestion problems on the M5 motorway in Somerset. It comes just days after Burnham-On-Sea.com reported that motorists on the M5 had faced long delays on Sunday when a car overturned. More...

Lotto windfall for Marine Cove
THE project to redevelop Burnham-On-Sea's Marine Cove gardens has this week been awarded £29,500 of lottery funding. The Heritage Lottery Fund has announced 'first-round passes' for the restoration of seven parks across the UK through its Parks for People programme, including Burnham's vandalism-hit seafront gardens. More...

Artists' work goes on show
ART students in Burnham-On-Sea held a three-day exhibition showcasing their work over the past weekend. More than 130 items, including paintings, wood carvings and stone sculptures, went on show at the home of Burnham-based artists Sue and Clive Hammond-Lovatt. More...

MP backs newsagents campaign
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP has this week given his support to a new campaign to 'Save Britain's Newsagents'. David Heathcoat-Amory was at the launch of a campaign in Westminster, pictured, calling on the Office of Fair Trading to investigate contracts in the news and distribution industry. More...

Germans welcomed by Mayor
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Mayor and Mayoress welcomed a group of German exchange students to Highbridge's King Alfred School on Monday (June 29th). The popular exchange with Homberg in Germany has been successfully running for over twelve years. This year, 14 students are in the group. More...

Summer concert tickets go on sale
TICKETS have gone on sale this week for Burnham-On-Sea's first 'Mid-Summer Madness' concert, which will be held over two nights at the town's Princess Theatre. The event, which replaces 'Under A Summer Moon', will bring together a top line-up of entertainers on Friday 24th July and Saturday 25th July. More...

New President for Rotary Club
BURNHAM-On-Sea Rotary Club has a new President after outgoing President Roy Twining handed over his chain of office to Jim Tancock and wished him well for the coming year. During a ceremony at the Battleborough Grange Hotel last Thursday, Jim thanked Roy for all his hard work over the past year. More...

Date set for Parkway opening
Exclusive: THE opening date for Burnham-On-Sea's long-awaited Frank Foley Parkway has been set for Tuesday July 7th, we can confirm. Work to build the missing link between Love Lane in Burnham and Pepperall Road in Highbridge got underway in March and final plans are now being made for the grand opening. More...

Rotary dictionaries for schools
ROY Twining, President of Burnham-On-Sea Rotary Club, has presented free dictionaries to ten local schools as part of an international project to boost literacy. Rotary International's 'Dictionary 4 Life' Project aims to promote improved literacy standards across the world. More...

M5 delays after car overturns
MOTORISTS on the M5 motorway at Burnham-On-Sea faced long delays on Sunday afternoon (June 28th) after a car overturned. Fire crews from Burnham and Bridgwater were called to the motorway between junctions 22 and 23 at 3.12pm. A dog was recsued from inside. More...

£3m ice rink plan for Brean
Exclusive: BREAN Leisure Park has this week unveiled a £3million plan to turn its outdoor pool complex into a new all-weather attraction boasting a new ice rink. The current site, which was built in the late 1970s, boasts an indoor pool and a children's swimming pool with several flumes. More...

Beach kiters give BARB a boost
BEACH kiting enthusiasts at Brean have raised hundreds of pounds for the charity which operates Burnham-On-Sea's rescue hovercrafts. The South West Association of Traction Kiting (SWATK) held its annual get-together in the resort and raised £227 for BARB, the Burnham charity that runs two hovercrafts. More...

Sea search next to Brean Down
FEARS that another sea swimmer had gone missing led to a search of the Bristol Channel besides Brean Down on Saturday afternoon (June 27th). An RAF helicopter from Chivenor in Devon, plus two lifeboats, carried out a search from 1.45pm but the rescue crews were stood down an hour later. More...

In photos: Forces Day ceremonies
SPECIAL ceremonies were held in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge this morning (Saturday, June 27th) to mark the first Armed Forces Day. Over 30 local residents, including Burnham and Highbridge's Mayor Derick Cooper and Mayoress Christine Cooper, attended. More...

MP to repay extra £5,000
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP is to repay a further £5,000 of expense claims after further details of his claims were published on the Parliamentary website. David Heathcoat-Amory will repay the money to government coffers after making a series of claims for gardening costs, even though he says they are within the rules. More...

Town post office set to re-open
BURNHAM-On-Sea post office was closed to the general public for a whole day on Friday (June 26th) after torrential overnight rain led to flooding at the property, raising concerns about the electrical supply. Alistair Graham, post office manager, spoke to Burnham-On-Sea.com about the closure. More...

Holiday park holds green festival
BURNHAM-On-Sea Holiday Village has this week been highlighting its environmentally-friendly credentials by holding its own 'green' festival. Among the events held at the park were tree planting, a craft fayre and a fancy dress contest using recycled materials. "The park prides itself on being at the forefront of good environmental practice," explained a spokesman. More...

Land train returns to seafront
A LAND train is set to be re-introduced along Burnham seafront next week for the summer tourist season. It comes after town councillors this week gave their approval to an application to run the 16ft train, with two people carriages, along The North Esplanade, as pictured here. More...

Thunder storm sweeps Burnham
LIGHTNING bolts sizzled over Burnham-On-Sea on Thursday evening (June 25th) as an electric summer storm gave the town a drenching. Burnham-On-Sea.com took this stunning image of one fork lightning strike above the town's pier as crashes of thunder boomed overhead. More...

Cannabis seized in Highbridge
Exclusive: CANNABIS plants were seized by police during a visit to a home in Highbridge on Thursday evening (June 25th). Police were called to a house in Walrow in connection with another matter, but found the plants, which were taken away as by officers as their investigations continued. More...

Anger over 'mindless vandalism'
Exclusive: A CLEAN-up operation was underway in Brean this week after vandals left a trail of damage in the centre of village, leading to repairs running into hundreds of pounds. Several walls in the centre of the village were damaged and flowers were also pulled out of beds along Coast Road and left strewn across pavements. More...

Crime-tackling work recognised
A Neighbourhood Watch volunteer has this week been presented with an award to recognise her work in tackling crime in Burnham-On-Sea. June Hill, pictured with Chief Superintendent Nikki Watson, received the long service award for her efforts with Burnham's Neighbourhood Watch. More...

Do you recognise this bird?
A Burnham-On-Sea resident is seeking help in tracing the owner of a rare bird that has been visiting his garden in the town. The thrush-sized bird, a natuve of South Africa, has appeared several times in the garden of David Neville, near Marine Drive, and he's keen to trace the owners. More...

Search for swimmers called off
A HUGE search to find two swimmers who went missing in the sea at Weston was called off on Wednesday afternoon (June 24th). No sign of the swimmers has been found, despite extensive searches of the coastline by Burnham's Coastguards, and lifeboat and hovercraft crews. More...

Hovercraft joins search for swimmers
TWO rescue hovercrafts from Burnham-On-Sea have this afternoon joined the search for two missing swimmers in the Bristol Channel. The hovercrafts were launched at 1.20pm and are now being used to scour the mudflats and shoreline between Burnham-On-Sea and Brean Down, a distance of 7.5 miles. More...

Hopes fade for missing swimmers
A TEAM of Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards and several local lifeboats have been searching for two missing swimmers in the sea north of Brean Down overnight. An RAF helicopter and lifeboats from Weston also joined in the operation after the men went missing late on Tuesday evening. More...

Seaside property survey shock
Exclusive: BURNHAM-On-Sea has experienced the third-largest property price falls of any seaside town in the UK during the past year, according to a new survey out this week. Property price website Zoopla has unveiled the findings in its 'Seaside Property Hotspot League', which is published this week. More...

Markets set to return to town
PLANS for new markets to be re-introduced into the centre of Highbridge have been unveiled this week. The town's Bank Street Car Park looks set to become the venue for the new food and produce markets, which would be run by a third party, MarketForces. The proposals were this week welcomed by local councillors. More...

Google car's tree-mendous day!
Exclusive: GOOGLE'S controversial camera car took away a 'tree-mendous' souvenir of its visit to Highbridge on Tuesday (June 23rd) when it became tangled up a low-hanging tree! The search engine's street view maps service is currently 'branching' out and the car has been seen capturing images of dozens of roads across the Burnham-On-Sea area in recent days. More...

Record breaker visits Burnham
A RECORD-breaking pensioner who has flown in virtually every type of aircraft made a visit to Burnham-On-Sea this week. Edwin Shackleton, 82, has already appeared in ten editions of the Guinness Book of Records for his incredible tally of 860 flights, a number that's still increasing. More...

Man in custody after police chase
Exclusive: A man was in custody after being involved in a police foot chase in Highbridge on Tuesday afternoon (June 23rd). Witnesses told Burnham-On-Sea.com that a man had been seen running down Church Street, followed by several police officers. A man was arrested at around 1.30pm and a short struggle followed, police said. More...

Crash delays rush hour traffic
POLICE and ambulance crews were called to a two-car collision on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea on Tuesday morning (June 23rd). The accident, involving a Renault and a Citroen, occurred on the B3140 at Edithmead at 8.45am. The incident led to brief delays for traffic until the vehicles were moved into a laybay. More...

Truancy drive starts in Burnham
TRUANCY sweeps and targeted home calling to school pupils who are not in schools in the Burnham and Highbridge area were conducted on Monday (June 22nd) as part of an initiative to increase school attendance. Police teamed up with local education officers for the day of action. More...

Shock over rising animal cruelty
STAFF at a wildlife charity near Burnham-On-Sea have this week expressed their shock at a spate of local animal cruelty cases. Secret World Wildlife Rescue has been called to deal with several animals who appear to have been mis-treated. The charity's founder said that two weeks ago, a roe fawn was accidentally caught in a mower and the farmer merely threw the animal to one side. More...

Man in court after stabbing
Updated: A man has appeared in court today (Monday June 22nd) following an early morning stabbing at this road junction in Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday. Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report how four people had been arrested in connection with the stabbing at the junction of Cassis Close and Burnham Road. More...

In photos: Burnham YouthFest
A HUGE seven metre tall climbing wall was one of the attractions at Burnham-On-Sea's first youth festival, held on Sunday (June 21st). The YouthFest was run by Burnham Youth Town Council and the Lions and saw a crowd of youngsters flocking to the town's Manor Gardens for the six-hour event. More... | Gallery

Lifeboat called to kite surfer
BURNHAM-On-Sea's lifeboat crew was called out on Sunday evening (June 21st) to rescue a kite surfer believed to be in difficulty in Bridgwater Bay. Burnham's Puffin lifeboat set off to the beach at 4.21pm, and was about to launch when it was recalled by Swansea Coastguard control. More...

Four arrests after stabbing
Exclusive: Police have arrested four men following an early morning stabbing at this road junction in Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday (June 20th). Police were called to the junction of Cassis Close and Burnham Road at around 4am after receiving reports that a teenager had been stabbed. More...

Classic cars on show at centre
VINTAGE and classic vehicle owners displayed their motors at a special two-day event at a garden centre near Burnham-On-Sea at the weekend (June 20th and 21st). Buses, motorbikes, vans and cars of all makes and models were on show at Sanders Garden World at Brent Knoll. More...

Car wash fun raises over £230
MORE than £230 was raised for Highbridge's Dreamscheme when members of the group held a fundraising car wash at Burnham-On-Sea Fire Station on Saturday (June 20th). A total of 63 motorists got their cars washed during the four-hour event, raising a total of £236.60. More...

Tai Chi event held in town park
DOZENS of Burnham-On-Sea residents took part in a Tai Chi day being held across the country on Sunday (June 20th). A crowd of more than 40 people of all ages flexed and stretched their muscles in the Manor Gardens during the event, which was overseen by the Tai Chi Union. More...

Scarecrow festival in photos
IT'S no surprise that there were few birds in Watchfield, near Burnham-On-Sea, on Saturday (June 20th) because the village was holding its annual scarecrow festival! Colourful scarecrows created by local residents were hung outside homes and on signs and hedegrows. More...

In photos: St John's summer fair
CELEBRATIONS to mark the 150th year of St John's Church in Highbridge continued on Saturday (June 20th) when it held its annual summer fair. Sunny weather attracted large crowds to the event, which was held in the grounds of neighbouring St John's School. More... | Photo gallery

July 6th opening for new store
BURNHAM-On-Sea's new Morrisons supermarket will open next month, it has been confirmed this week. Signs have appeared outside the store in Pier Street, as pictured, stating the opening will be held at 9am on Monday July 6th. It follows the completion of a multi-million pound revamp of the seafront store. More...

Kids Centre course completed
A GROUP of parents at Highbridge Children's Centre have this week completed a new course that provided them with ways to help children learn and get involved in their learning and development. The 15-week programme has been run as a partnership with other groups. More...

Fundraising car wash today
A FUNDRAISING car wash is set to be held in Burnham-On-Sea today (Saturday, June 20th), led by young members of Highbridge's Dreamscheme. The group's event will be held at Burnham-On-Sea Fire Station in Marine Drive from 10am-2pm. Highbridge's Dreamscheme was set up by the town's Local Action Team. More...

Tea-rrific! Event raises £270
A GROUP of generous Burnham-On-Sea ladies have this week raised £270 for St Margaret's Somerset Hospice by taking part in the charity’s fundraising tea party. Barbara Fletcher with her team of friends organised the 'Tea @ 3' event, which was held in her garden on Tuesday (June 16th). More...

Man injured in beach fall
A BURNHAM-On-Sea man was taken to hospital after suffering a suspected broken ankle in an accident on local sand dunes on Thursday (June 18th). An ambulance and Coastguards were called to Berrow beach on Thursday after the man stumbled and fell awkwardly. More...

Do you recognise these men?
BURNHAM-On-Sea police have this week asked for the public's help in identifying three men who could be able to help with enquiries into a money theft at Berrow. Several CCTV photos have been released of the suspects after the theft of a cash box from an electronic gaming machine. More...

Police investigate sex assault
Exclusive: POLICE in Highbridge are this week investigating allegations of a sexual assault at this block of flats in the town, Burnham-On-Sea.com learns. Officers were called to Charlotte Court in the centre of Highbridge last Saturday afternoon. A man aged 47 was arrested on suspicion of assault. More...

Google camera car in Burnham
Exclusive: Google's camera car was spotted in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge for the first time on Thursday afternoon (June 18th), gathering thousands of images of the town's streets for its controversial mapping service. Burnham-On-Sea.com captured this image of the vehicle as it travelled along Burnham Road. More...

Civic Awards winners announced
THE names of the four winners of this year's Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Civic Awards were announced on Thursday (June 18th). The four include Annette Haggitt of Burnham Tourist Information Centre (pictured) and Hazel Braund of the Burnham Choral Society. More...

Classic car show this weekend
VINTAGE and classic vehicle owners will be displaying their motors at a special Father’s Day event taking place at a Somerset garden centre this weekend (June 20th and 21st). Buses, motorbikes, vans and cars are due at the show at Sanders Garden World at Brent Knoll, near Burnham. More...

Man to be deported after raid
A TURKISH man found working illegally at this kebab shop in Burnham-On-Sea is due to be removed from the UK over the coming days after his arrest by the UK Border Agency on Wednesday night (June 17th). Acting on intelligence, immigration officers from the Agency went to Kebab Kitchen, 48 High Street, at about 5.15pm. More...

Major revamp for town hospital
EXCITEMENT is growing among staff and supporters of Burnham-On-Sea War Memorial Hospital as builders prepare to start work on a major upgrade to the hospital's facilities. The work is set to start on June 22nd and should be completed within the next nine months, early in 2010. More...

Man held in immigration probe
ONE man was arrested following a police immigration raid on a kebab shop in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea on Wednesday evening (June 17th). A team of Border Police were seen outside the Kebab Kitchen in the High Street just before 5pm. A 20-year-old man was arrested in connection with border agency matters. More...

150th birthday celebrated!
HIGHBRIDGE residents have this week been flocking to St John's Church in the town, where celebratations are underway to mark its 150th year since its consecration. The celebrations began on Monday (June 15th) when the church's wedding and baptism records went on show. More...

Police warning after break-ins
RESIDENTS in Burnham and Highbridge have this week been urged to pay attention to household security following three burglaries on Tuesday night (June 16th). The spate of thefts happened across Highbridge and police say it appears that the thieves are targeting homes with unlocked doors and open windows. More...

Lottery funding bid to be decided
Exclusive: A £360,000 bid for National Lottery funding to transform Burnham-On-Sea's Marine Cove gardens will be decided later this month - with hopes high that some of the financial gloom surrounding regeneration can be lifted. The ambitious £485,600 project to redevelop the seafront garden has been several years in the planning. More...

Royal link to man found in river
THE body of a middle-aged man found washed up in a river estuary near Burnham-On-Sea last month had links with the Royal family, it has been reported in a national newspaper. The Daily Mail has reported that David Lowe was the husband of Prince Charles's flower arranger. More...

Lord Mandelson to the rescue?
MORE pressure has this week been put on government minister Peter Mandelson to reconsider the controversial withdrawal of £750,000 of funding by the South West Regional Development Agency for Burnham-On-Sea's regeneration. Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported last weekend how MP David Heathcoat-Amory had asked Lord Mandelson - now a council leader has written to him too. More...

Boat crew in wildlife rescue
WILDLIFE rescuers called on the help of a Burnham-based rescue boat crew to retrieve an injured swan this week. Secret World staff requested the assistance of the BARB rescue boat on the Huntspill River at Burtle, where the animal had been spotted in a distressed state. More...

In photos: Kindergarten fete
LARGE crowds of families attended the annual summer fete of Burnham-On-Sea Southleigh Kindergarten on Saturday (June 13th). A wide range of entertainment was laid on for the youngsters at the popular event in Rectory Road. In addition to face painting, drumming and a treasure hunts, there were games and raffles. More...

Toby is British Champion!
Exclusive: PROUD Burnham-On-Sea water skier Toby Duggan is celebrating this week after winning the title of British Champion... for the third year running! Toby, 13, was handed this huge trophy after winning the latest round of the British Championships in Weston-super-Mare on Saturday. More...

Roundabout work set to begin