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Hypnosis Consulting Rooms Burnham-on-Sea, Bristol, UK... theconsultingrooms.co.uk | | Collection Day at Tesco's in... somerset-hospice.org.uk | BURNHAM TERRACE LTD (BURNHAM, IL) Detailed Nursing Home Profile hospital-data.com |
Coordinates: 51°14′15″N 2°59′37″W / 51.2376°N 2.9935°W
Burnham-on-Sea is a town in Somerset, England, at the mouth of the River Parrett and Bridgwater Bay. Burnham remained a small village until the late 18th century, but is now a popular seaside resort. It forms part of the parish of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge. According to the 2001 census the population of the parish was 18,401.[1]
[edit] HistoryThe history of Burnham-on-Sea is the history of the reclamation of the Somerset Levels from the River Severn and the Bristol Channel. [edit] Early historyThe Romans were the first peoples to try to reclaim the Somerset levels, and it was their people who were probably the first settlers in the high sand dunes behind the River Parrett. This could have been in part to maintain navigational systems, to aid ships entering the River Parrett and what is now Highbridge. When the Romans left, the system of drainage they hand installed was not maintained, and the areas reverted to become a tidal salt flat under the Anglo Saxons. Land at Burnham is mentioned in the late 9th century in King Alfred's will, suggesting a Saxon farmstead existed. Good evidence exists at the time of the Norman Doomsday Book that settlements existed at both Burnham and Huntspill, with their common boundary running along what is now the Westhill Rhyne. [edit] Church ownershipThe church at Burnham and its lands were given to Gloucester Abbey in the 12th century, later transferred to the Wells Cathedral with up to 50 houses surrounding the church. [edit] 1607 floodsOne of the earliest recorded historical incidents to affect the town was the Bristol Channel floods of 1607. Today the town is defended from flooding by a large curved concrete wall that runs along the Esplanade, boasting a wide variety of graffiti and street art. In 2007, the Duke of Edinburgh held an official visit to the Sea Wall to celebrate its anniversary. There have been many shipwrecks on the Gore sand and the first lifeboat was sent to Burnham by the Bridgwater Corporation in 1836, with a second boat in 1847. The first Royal National Lifeboat was funded by the town of Cheltenham and arrived in 1866. The lifeboat was removed in 1930 because of the difficulty in getting a full crew, and because the launching arrangements were not suitable for a powered boat.[2] [edit] GeographyBurnham-on-Sea is notable for its beach and mudflats, the danger they pose to individuals and shipping, and the efforts locals have gone to defend their town and to prevent loss of life. The Bristol Channel has the second highest tidal range in the world of 15 metres (49 ft),[3] second only to Bay of Fundy in Eastern Canada.[4][5] The extensive mud flats at Burnham are characteristic of Bridgwater Bay and the rest of the Bristol Channel where the tide can recede for over 1.5 miles (2.4 km). Over the years a string of people have died when they became trapped in mud and were overcome by the fast moving and rapidly rising waters. In the south west corner of Burnham-on-Sea, north of the River Brue, is Apex Leisure and Wildlife Park. Covering over 42 acres (17 ha)[6], the park has been created from excavated clay pits; these were flooded, and the lakes are now home to many types of wildlife and leisure activities. [edit] GovernanceBurnham is within the Sedgemoor Non-metropolitan district which has traditionally been Conservative run since its creation in 1974 when it was merged with the old Bridgwater & Burnham-On-Sea Urban District Councils. Liberal Democrats fared well in Burnham and Highbridge areas until 1999, when the Conservatives re-took Sedgemoor, with the Liberal Democrats losing the seat of Highbridge to Labour. It falls within the Wells county constituency which elects one Member of Parliament (MP) to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, by the first past the post voting system. Since 1983 the MP has been David Heathcoat-Amory of the Conservative Party.[7] It is also within the South West England European Parliament constituency. [edit] Landmarks[edit] LighthousesThe town's signature collection of lighthouses, including the Round Tower lighthouse of 1829, the Pillar Lighthouse[8] and the Lighthouse on legs.[9] The original lighthouse was built after the local vicar, either John Goulden in 1764 or Walter Harris in 1799, raised a subscription amongst the local population. This was taken over and improved by Trinity House in 1815.[2] [edit] PierA 900 feet (274 m) stone pier, was constructed in 1858 by the Somerset Central Railway. Soon afterwards, in 1860, a steamer service to Wales was created, however, this was never a commercial success and ended in 1888. The pier retains its railway lines under a surface coating of concrete.[10] The concrete pier, built in 1911–1914,[11] claims to be the shortest pier in Britain.[12] In 2008, it was rated amongst the top five piers in Britain by the Daily Express.[13] [edit] Burnham-on-Sea Area Rescue Boat Burnham-on-Sea Area Rescue Boat (BARB) was set up in 1992 to fund and operate rescue craft in the Bridgwater Bay area. BARB's boat house on the sea front was built in 1994 by the Challenge Anneka TV show. In 2002, Lelaina Hall, a five-year-old girl from Worcester, died on the mud flats before help could reach her. The outcry over her death prompted a Western Daily Press campaign to fund an inshore hovercraft.[14] BARB currently operates the Spirit of Lelaina alongside her sister hovercraft the Light of Elizabeth, which is named after Lelaina's sister.[15] [edit] TransportBurnham-on-Sea railway station was the terminus of the Burnham branch of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway. The former Great Western Railway station is now known as Highbridge and Burnham and is one of the top tourist attractions in the local area. [edit] EducationPrimary schools in the town providing education for children up to the age of 11 include; Berrow Church of England Primary School, Burnham-on-Sea Community Infants School, St Andrew's Church of England Junior School, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School and Nursery. The nearest secondary school is The King Alfred School a sports college school in Highbridge. [edit] Religious sites The parish church, St. Andrew's, is a grade I listed building dating from the 14th century.[16] There are also places of worship for Baptists, Methodists and Jehovah's Witnesses in the town.[17] [edit] CultureThe town is part of the West Country Carnival circuit. [edit] Notable residentsSee also: Category:People from Burnham-on-Sea
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