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Support grows for tidal reef
SUPPORT for a multi-billion pound proposed tidal reef across the Bristol Channel between Minehead and Aberthaw, which could protect Burnham-On-Sea from tidal surges and flooding, is growing with a new study out this week backing the scheme. Burnham-On-Sea.com exclusively featured the proposals for the Severn Tidal Reef in July this year. More...

'Grot spots' visited by task force
Exclusive: A TASK force of councillors, police and council bosses performed a walkabout of Highbridge on Thursday (November 20th) to see for themselves the 'grot spots' in the town that need improving. They were there to see the areas of the town that need attention and draw up a hit-list of what needs to be done. More...

Rotarians launch festive appeal
SHOPPERS at a Highbridge supermarket are being invited to spread a little Christmas cheer by donating gifts to needy people in the local area. Burnham-On-Sea Rotary Club has this week launched a collection box in the entrance foyer of Highbridge's Asda supermaket to collect the gifts. More...

Fire crews tackle kitchen blaze
BURNHAM-On-Sea firefighters tackled a kitchen blaze in the town on Wednesday evening (November 19th). Two fire engines rushed to a house in Stoddens Road at 8pm after the occupants dialled 999 to report a dishwasher in their property's kitchen had caught fire. The blaze was quickly extinguished. More...

Victory for residents fighting flats
Exclusive: A GROUP of residents in Burnham-On-Sea who have been fighting plans by a developer to turn a seafront property into a block of apartments were celebrating on Wednesday (November 19th) after learning they had won their bid to get the controversial scheme thrown out by the Planning Inspectorate. More...

BNP members details publicised
THE contact details of three members of the British National Party (BNP) living in Burnham-On-Sea have been posted online. The entire BNP membership list, including the names, addresses and telephone numbers of more than 10,000 people, has been published on the Internet by a former member. More...

Man charged after supermarket theft
A THIEF has been given a 12-month community order after Burnham's radio link scheme and Sedgemoor CCTV operators helped the police in his arrest following the theft of toiletries from a supermarket in the town. The man was arrested at the Somerfield store in Pier Street after he stole more than £200 worth of toiletries. More...

Photography work goes on show
STUNNING landscapes and breathtaking scenes of wildlife are on show at a new photography exhibition that has just opened in Burnham-On-Sea this week. The exhibition at Seabreeze Gallery in Victoria Street features landscape, flora and fauna photos plus wilflife images. More...

Lorry fire causes M5 delays
MOTORISTS faced long delays on the M5 motorway near Burnham-On-Sea on Tuesday afternoon (November 18th) after a lorry fire. Two fire engines from Burnham rushed to the southbound carriageway between junctions 22 at Burnham and 23 at Bridgwater at 1.55pm after a lorry carrying straw bales burst into flames on the hard shoulder. More...

Police officer's work praised
A BURNHAM-On-Sea police officer has this week been presented with a District Commander's Commendation after being recognised for his outstanding work. PC Pete Wills was commended for his work with the Burnham Radiolink scheme. He has been instrumental in managing the initiative and has worked hard to build strong relationships. More...

Police helicopter conducts search
POLICE in Highbridge used a helicopter to track a group of five youths after the theft of a scooter in the town on Tuesday afternoon (November 18th). Police were alerted after the scooter was stolen in the town on Tuesday lunchtime and then driven around the streets of the town. More...

Princess overhaul hit by delays
A DECISION on the future of Burnham-On-Sea's Princess Hall is to be put on ice for at least a year because of problems in finding enough funding for the regeneration of the building. Nicola Slawski, Group Manager of Regeneration at Sedgemoor District Council, revealed on Tuesday (November 18th) that problems in finding enough cash for the ambitious plans to overhaul the hall, pictured, mean she wants to delay the project by 12 months. More...

New history panels unveiled
A SERIES of new history panels highlighting Highbridge's colourful past are set to be introduced across the town during the next few months. Highbridge History Group has been working with the Burnham and Highbridge Regeneration Partnership to create the information panels. More...

Tesco gives £300k boost to town
TOWN councillors in Burnham-On-Sea have this week given a 'thumbs-up' to proposals by Tesco to expand its Love Lane store and inject £300,000 into the town. At a meeting of the town's planning applications committee on Monday evening (November 17th), councillors gave their backing to the multi-million pound expansion of the store. More...

Vicarage garden case adjourned
A BURNHAM-On-Sea man appeared before Sedgemoor magistrates on Tuesday (November 18th) following a dramatic accident in which this Bentley convertible careered through a wall into the front garden of the town's vicarage earlier in the month. Police rushed to the property in Rectory Road on November 5th to find the car had ploughed through a wall. More...

Hillview wins second at Weston
BURNHAM-On-Sea's carnival float came second in its class at the annual Weston-super-Mare Carnival on Monday night (November 17th) - the final event of this year's carnival season. Hillview Carnival Club's 'Jester's Parade', impressed the crowds and judges during Monday's parade. More...

Ambulance crews win praise
THREE members of staff at Burnham-On-Sea ambulance station have been presented with long service awards this week after several decades of hard work. South Western Ambulance Service's chairman Heather Strawbridge handed over the awards to Martin Robinson, Noel Young and Julie Williams during a ceremony in Illminster. More...

Regeneration AGM open to all
THE AGM of Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Regeneration Partnership will be held this evening (Tuesday, November 18th) at 7pm in Burnham's Princess Hall. The event includes a presentation by Fred Foax of The Highbridge History Group and an update on progress with the Civic Pride project. More...

Anniversary donation for BARB
A BURNHAM-On-Sea couple celebrating their silver wedding anniversary have turned down gifts from friends and instead made a donation of hundreds of pounds to the charity that runs the town's rescue hovercrafts. Valerie and Trevor Hills celebrated their milestone with a party. More...

MP welcomes post office decision
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP David Heathcoat-Amory has this week welcomed the Government's decision to reissue a vital contract to the Post Office. The Post Office Card Account, which allows people without a bank account to withdraw money, was put out to tender to see if other private companies would bid for the contract. More...

Beach walkers boost academy
HUNDREDS of pounds were raised for a Burnham-On-Sea tennis academy on Sunday morning (November 16th) when local residents took part in a fundraising beach walk. A crowd of over 30 local residents strode out along the beach, from the jetty to the lighthouse. More...

Clean-up begins at fire-hit hotel
WORK to clean up the site of the fire-hit Highbridge Hotel has begun during the last week. At the request of the town and district councils, litter and debris outside the front of the former hotel has been removed, as pictured here, and new signs warning trespassers to keep out have been introduced. More...

Tickets on sale for Knoll event
THE history of Brent Knoll will be recounted by members of Brent Amateur Dramatics group when they hold their Christmas show later this month. Tickets have gone on sale for 'Brent Amateur Dramatics' (BAD) History of Brent Knoll' on Friday November 28th and Saturday November 29th. More...

Town's festive lights installed
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Christmas lights are being installed across the town centre this week ahead of the official switch-on later this month. Over 60 lights are being added to lamp posts and buildings to add a splash of festive colour to the town centre's leading shopping areas. More...

Liam to open new sports centre
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Olympic BMX rider Liam Phillips is to perform the official opening of Berrow's new flood-lit multi-use games area later this month. The facility will be officially opened to the public on Saturday 29th November at 12 noon in the Games Area, which is located to the north-east of the Phoenix Pavilion in Berrow. More...

Sea water quality falls in area
BEACHES in the Burnham-On-Sea area will not receive Blue Flag awards this coming year because the water quality is not up to standard, the Environment Agency said this week. Tests were carried out on sea water at various locations along our coastline between May and September, including Burnham-On-Sea jetty. More...

Rotarians toasts wine festival
DOZENS of wine lovers flocked to Burnham-On-Sea Rotary Club's 47th annual Wine Festival on Friday evening (November 14th). Over 160 people flocked to the event at Lakeside Holiday Park to try seventy top wines from eleven countries. The event has been successfully running for many years. More...

In photos: BBC Children In Need fun
FUNDRAISERS across the Burnham-On-Sea area helped to pour thousands of pounds into the BBC's annual Children In Need coffers on Friday (November 14th). Staff at Boots the chemists on Burnham High Street wore colourful clothing for the day and collected over £100. More...

Swimmers make charity splash
YOUNGSTERS at Burnham-On-Sea Swimming Club raised money for the BBC's annual Children In Need fundraising event by dressing in colourful swimming clothes! "The swimmers paid £1 each to Children In Need to wear whatever they liked to train in," said Head Coach Sarah Pusill. More...

RNLI rescues fishing boat
BURNHAM-ON-SEA RNLI launched on Friday morning (November 14th) to help a fishing boat in difficulty in the River Parrett. The 17ft boat had experienced a critical steering gear failure upstream of Combwich and the boat’s owner was unable to control the boat. The boat was towed to safety. More..

Sparks fly over 'illegal' food sellers
Exclusive: ANGRY food sellers in Burnham-On-Sea were left out of pocket when unlicensed fast food vans pitched up along roadsides in the town just minutes before the start of last Sunday's fireworks display. Huge crowds flocked to the town to watch the spectacular fireworks display, but several food traders who stayed open late to serve hot food were disappointed by poor trade. More...

MP hits out at £68m BBC plan
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP has hit out at the BBC over its plans to spend £68 million on setting up a local online video news service across the UK. David Heathcoat-Amory has written to Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Department for Culture, Media and Sport, on his views. More...

Wine festival comes to Burnham
BURNHAM-On-Sea Rotary Club will be holding its 47th annual Wine Festival on Friday evening (November 14th). A few last remaining tickets are available for the event, which will be held at the town's Lakeside Holiday Park from 7pm. The event has been held each year for many years in aid of charity. More...

Shop praised for disabled access
A BURNHAM-On-Sea food shop has been nominated for a top award recognising its friendliness to disabled customers. Kyffins in Victoria Street has been put forward for a 2008 Accessible Somerset Award, run by Somerset County Council and the district council, by a member of the public. More...

£2,270 collected at fireworks
BURNHAM-On-Sea Rotary Club has announced that it collected a bumper £2,270 for charity during the town's seafront fireworks display last Sunday. Twenty five members of the club wandered up and down the Esplanade collecting coins from the huge crowds that lined the street. More...

Vandals attack former church hall
Exclusive: A FORMER church hall in Burnham-On-Sea has been attacked by vandals this week, putting pressure on district councillors to approve plans to demolish the building and replace it with a new block of flats. Rocks have been thrown through the windows of St Peter's Hall in Highbridge Road. More...

TV crews film beach camels!
A BEACH near Burnham-On-Sea looked more like a Middle Eastern desert on Wednesday (November 12th) when a BBC camera team filmed a programme about camels. The BBC's Natural History Unit visited Berrow where a programme featuring camels was filmed to test a trial presenter. More...

Hillview win second at Shepton
BURNHAM-On-Sea's carnival float came second in its class at the annual Shepton Mallet on Wednesday night (November 12th). Hillview Carnival Club's 'Jester's Parade' impressed the crowds and judges at the fourth carnival of the season following Burnham on Monday. More...

Phone firm mast plan approved
Exclusive: MOBILE phone signals in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea are set to be boosted after district council planners approved proposals to introduce several new antennas in the town. Vodafone will install three new antennas to a mast in Dunstan Road to enable 3G access to be provded across the town. More...

Winter hours for tourist centre
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Tourist Information Centre has this week to switched to shorter winter opening hours. The centre on Burnham's Esplanade will be open for the winter season on Monday to Saturday from 9.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm–4.30pm. The centre's hours are reduced following the town's carnival. More...

Asda seeks to resolve legal row
Exclusive: Anxious residents in Highbridge have met bosses from supermarket giant Asda in a bid to resolve a legal row over shoppers' use of a private drive to access the store. Residents are unhappy that shoppers visiting Asda from Highbridge town centre are being encouraged to take a short-cut from Church Street into the store's car park using a private drive which they own. More...

Fireman retires after 20 years
A BURNHAM-On-Sea firefighter has retired after 20 years of tackling blazes across the area. Phil Hemmings was presented with a mounted axe by Burnham station commander Ian Hazelton, as pictured, during a special retirement party at the Avenue Lawn Tennis Club in Burnham. More...

Alcohol seized during carnival
POLICE seized more than 100 cans and bottles of alcohol during Monday's Burnham-On-Sea Carnival when they took action to prevent anti-social behaviour in the town centre. Officers patrolled the streets during and after the procession and had a high-profile presence in the town. More...

Car recovered after jetty plunge
A STOLEN car was recovered from Burnham's beach early on Tuesday morning (November 11th) after being driven off the side of the town's jetty. The car, a blue Vauxhall Vectra, plunged off the southern side of the jetty at around 2am. It was restrieved by a commercial recovery service on Tuesday morning. More...

BBC crew to film beach camels
A FILM crew will descend on Berrow beach, near Burnham-On-Sea, on Wednesday (November 12th) when a new BBC series is shot there. Two camels will go head-to-head in a beach race being filmed by the BBC Natural History Unit to test the skills of a new presenter who is being trialled. More...

Carnival donations fall £1,400
THE amount of money collected during this week's Burnham-On-Sea Carnival was down on last year due to smaller-than-expected crowds. Members of the Lions Club shook collection buckets all along the parade route and the amount raised was down by approximately £1,400. More...

Video highlights of town carnival
WATCH some of the best bits of the 2008 Burnham-On-Sea Carnival in this eight minute video highlights package. This video features coverage of Burnham's local entries and some of the very best carnival floats from Somerset's top carnival clubs who took part in the annual parade. More...

Two minutes silence in Burnham
BURNHAM-On-Sea war veterans and local residents joined millions of people across Britain in remembering those who have died at war during a two-minute silence to mark Armistice Day on Tuesday (November 11th). The silence was held at the 11th hour of the 11th day. More...

In photos: Burnham Carnival fever
CARNIVAL fever struck Burnham-On-Sea on Monday evening (November 10th) when large crowds of spectators lined the town's streets to watch a colourful procession of 97 entries. More than 90 entries took part in the big parade, which was held in cold, but dry conditions. More...

Results in full for 2008 carnival
DELIGHTED members of Gremlins Carnival Club were celebrating on Monday (November 10th) after scooping the top prize at the 2008 Burnham-On-Sea Carnival. Their impressive float - called 'Nemesis' - impressed a majority of the event's 60 judges to win the overall 'best entry' award . More...

Beijing 2008 stars 'honoured'
BURNHAM'S Olympic BMX rider Liam Phillips and Paralympic swimmer Anthony Stephens said they were "greatly honoured" to be near the front of Monday's carnival procession. Burnham Rotary Club created a special float for the pair to be paraded through the town during the event. More...

It's Burnham Carnival Day!
A CROWD of up to 35,000 people is expected to line the streets of Burnham-On-Sea this evening (Monday November 10th) for the town's annual carnival. With weather forecasters predicting light showers and temperatures of six degrees Centigrade, spectators are being advised to wear warm, waterproof clothing. More...

Latest carnival news in brief
News Shorts: LONG queues of carnival traffic built up along Burnham-On-Sea's Marine Drive on Monday afternoon (November 10th) after this burger van became stuck on a muddy verge. Heavy rain had left the grass verges very sticky and the van had to be towed free. More...

Huge crowds watch fireworks
A HUGE crowd of over 10,000 people were treated to a spectacular fireworks display on Burnham-On-Sea's seafront on Sunday evening (November 9th). The 24-minute display went ahead despite forecasts of high winds, and the organisers told Burnham-On-Sea.com they were "delighted" with how it had gone and "relieved" that they had not had to cancel the event. More...

In photos: Remembrance Day
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP David Heathcoat-Amory was among 200 dignitaries, former service personnel and representatives from local groups who gathered at Burnham-On-Sea's war memorial on Sunday morning (November 9th) to mark Remembrance Day. Wreaths were laid by the town's MP, Burnham and Highbridge Mayor Peter Burridge-Clayton, and other town leaders. More...

Highbridge remembers war dead
DOZENS of Highbridge residents turned out to remember the town's war dead during annual Remembrance Day commemorations on Sunday (November 9th). A procession from the Bank Street car park to the town's war memorial was held and a wreath-laying ceremony followed near St John's church. More...

Beach anglers reel in catches
DOZENS of anglers lined Burnham-On-Sea's beach on Sunday (November 9th) for an annual shore fishing competition. A poor season of catches continued for the anglers who found fewer codling than normal for this time of year. James Redman was the winner. More...

Highbridge theft photos issued
POLICE have released these CCTV images of a woman and man who they believe could help with their inquiries into a theft at a Highbridge caravan sales shop. Police said this week that the incident took place on Tuesday afternoon September 9th at 4.38pm. The pictures show a man and woman at the shop. More...

Academy concert raises £630
HUNDREDS of pounds was raised for Burnham-On-Sea's Nathan Edwards Tennis Academy when popular local rock group The Ginger Hitlas performed a concert at the town's Ritz Social Club on Friday (November 7th). The academy was set up in memory of Nathan, 17, who was killed in a car crash. More...

Fireworks 'will go ahead'
ORGANISERS of Burnham-On-Sea's seafront fireworks display are keeping their fingers crossed that forecasts of poor weather for Sunday (November 9th) will not affect the event. Sunday evening's 20-minute spectacular is due to burst into life from Burnham jetty at 7pm. More...

Yachtsmen complete sea checks
TWO Burnham-On-Sea yachtsmen have been presented with RNLI sea safety stickers after completing safety checks conducted by David Humphrey, Sea Safety Advisor at the town's RNLI Station. A Sea Safety Check is not a pass or fail, a survey or an inspection, but a free discussion about safety. More...

MP attends event in Brean
BURNHAM-On-Sea's MP was the VIP guest at a Conservative party event in Brean on Friday evening (November 7th). David Heathcoat-Amory was present at a meal in the Seagull Inn, attended by almost 200 local members of the Conservative party in the resort including Burnham's Mayor. More...

Town carnival float wins third place
BURNHAM-On-Sea's carnival float came third in its class at the annual Bridgwater Carnival on Friday night (November 7th). Hillview Carnival Club's 'Jester's Parade', pictured here during Friday's parade, suffered a few mechanical problems, but the club's members were in "high spirits." More...

Court date set after crash drama
A BURNHAM-On-Sea man is due to appear before Sedgemoor magistrates later this month after a dramatic accident in which this Bentley convertible careered through a wall into the front garden of a vicarage in the town on Wednesday (November 5th). As first reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com earlier this week, police rushed to the property in Rectory Road at 8.30pm. More...

Fire rules threat to guest houses
Exclusive: OVER half of Burnham-On-Sea's guest houses are under threat because new fire safety regulations require them to spend up to £10,000 on upgrading their premises. That's the opinion of a new local campaign group that has been launched by Sedgemoor Tourism Association and Burnham's Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Tessa Munt to raise awareness of the problem. More...

Secret World care for third seal
WILDLIFE carers at animal charity Secret World, near Burnham-On-Sea, are caring for a third seal that has been washed up on a Bristol Channel beach. The charity was called to Weston earlier this week after a young, underweight grey seal was washed up on the beach. More...

Man arrested after car accident
A luxury Bentley convertible careered through a wall into the front garden of a property in Burnham-On-Sea on Wednesday evening (November 5th). Police rushed to the scene, in Rectory Road at 8.30pm, but fortunately no-one was injured in the accident. One person has since been arrested. More...

New clock stands test of time
Exclusive: HIGHBRIDGE'S historic three-sided clock has been repaired after being damaged by vandals earlier this year and is more resilient than ever. Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report in June how one of the faces on the iconic clock had been smashed by mean-spirited vandals. More...

MP in town for remembrance
DOZENS of people are expected to turn out at Remembrance services in the Burnham-On-Sea area on Sunday (November 9th) during the 90th year since the Armistice agreement was signed.
The town's main Remembrance Service will start with a parade at 10.30am. More...

Hinkley plans go on show in town
DOZENS of Burnham-On-Sea residents took up the opportunity to quiz power bosses about their plans to extend Hinkley Point power station at a day-long exhibition in the town on Thursday (November 6th). Residents had the opportunity to see the plans in detail in the Princess Hall. More...

End of season party for traders
OVER 100 tourism bosses and holiday camp staff from the Burnham-On-Sea and Brean area let their hair down at a traditional end-of-season party on Thursday (November 6th). Sedgemoor Tourism Association organised the event at Brean Leisure Park where a fancy dress competition was held. More...

Five arrests after town assault
FIVE people were arrested and then bailed following an assault near this Burnham-On-Sea car park - and police have now appealed for the public's help in solving the crime. The incident occurred on Saturday October 25th at 11.15pm near the Lynton Road car park just off Marine Drive. More...

£10k boost for rugby club
Exclusive: BOSSES at Burnham-On-Sea Rugby Club are celebrating this week after being handed an early Christmas present of £10,000. The club has received the substantial grant funding from Burnham County Councillor Mike Facey, who handed over the money from Somerset County Council's Local Initiatives Budget. More...

Town musicians off to Albert Hall
YOUNG people from Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge have been chosen to perform at the finale of the BBC School Proms concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London later this month. The concert, to be held on Wednesday November 12th, will feature more than 500 children. More...

Phone mast 'mystery' solved
A PHONE mast which appeared in Highbridge over the last few days is run by Network Rail, Sedgemoor's planning team has confirmed this week. The huge mast pictured here bemused residents living near the town's Asda supermarket when it was constructed behind the store without notice. More...

Mayor supports computing event
BURNHAM-On-Sea's Mayor was among the guests who attended a special event in the town to mark UK Online Day. The Burnham Area Youth Centre welcomed Mayor Cllr Peter Burridge-Clayton to the event, who tried his hand at online gaming, and helped other users with their PC questions. More...

Sports centre charity proposals
HIGHBRIDGE'S King Alfred Sports Centre could soon be run by a new non profit-making leisure trust under proposals unveiled by Somerset County Council on Wednesday (November 5th). The creation of the new trust was confirmed by the county council on Wednesday (November 5th). More...

100 residents sign town petition
Exclusive: ALMOST 100 Burnham-On-Sea residents have signed a new petition calling for action to tackle anti-social behaviour along a busy road in the town. Marine Drive residents, led by Dennis Jones, have this week handed the petition to district councillor Joe Leach, pictured, calling for action. More...

Community award for Belinda
BELINDA Swansbury, from Highbridge, is one of several residents aross the county to have been presented with awards by the Chairman of Somerset County Council for their work in the community. The Chairman’s Awards for Service to the Community recognise individuals, partners and groups. More...

Bond boosts town's Ritz cinema!
BURNHAM-On-Sea's new-look cinema has been given a boost this week... thanks to James Bond! Large audiences have been flocking to the renovated Ritz Cinema in Victoria Street, where the new blockbuster Bond movie 'Quantum of Solace' has been playing to large crowds. More...

Speeding motorists in firing line
MOTORISTS who exceed speed limits while driving through a Burnham-On-Sea estate are being warned they risk having their details passed to the police. The Rosewood Action Team, armed with speed cameras, have already carried out 'speedwatch' sessions. More...

Carnival clean-up costs £2,500
THE cost of cleaning up Burnham-On-Sea's town centre streets after next Monday's carnival will be £2,500, Sedgemoor District Council revealed this week. A huge overnight clean-up operation of the town centre is being planned, as normal, so that the town centre is restored to pristine condition by 7am the following morning. More...

Tourist centre praised in survey
THE high quality of customer service at Burnham-On-Sea's Tourist Information Centre has been praised in a new report out this week. The centre on Burnham's Esplanade has once again received excellent results in the annual 'Mystery Shopper' test run by regional tourism boards. More...

Hotel renovation edges closer
LONG-awaited