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Burnham-on-Sea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Burnham-on-Sea | |
  Burnham-on-Sea shown within Somerset |
|
| Population | 18,401 (2001 census) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Parish | Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge |
| District | Sedgemoor |
| Shire county | Somerset |
| Region | South West |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BURNHAM-ON-SEA |
| Postcode district | TA8 |
| Dialling code | 01278 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| UK Parliament | Wells |
| European Parliament | South West England |
| List of places: UK • England • Somerset | |
Burnham-on-Sea is a town in Somerset, England, at the mouth of the River Parrett and Bridgwater Bay. The town is now a popular seaside resort, and is home to the shortest pier in Britain. Burnham remained a small village until the late 18th century. 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]
Burnham-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. 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 over come by the rapidly rising waters. One 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 massive curved concrete wall that runs along the Esplanade.
Burnham-on-Sea railway station was the terminus of the Burnham branch of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway. The former GWR station is now known as Highbridge and Burnham.
The town's signature collection of lighthouses, including the Round Tower lighthouse of 1829, the Pillar Lighthouse[2] and the Lighthouse on legs.[3]
The official animal of Burnham-on-Sea is the Tree Frog. This is linked to nearby tree-covered Brent Knoll which was once known as the Isle of Frogs. [4]
A local charity, 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 a five-year-old girl from Worcester called Lelaina Hall 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. [5] BARB currently operates the Spirit of Lelaina alongside her sister hovercraft the Light of Elizabeth (named after Lelaina's sister). [6]
The parish church, St. Andrew's, is a grade I listed building dating from the 14th century.
In the south west corner of Burnham-on-Sea, north of the River Brue, is Apex Leisure and Wildlife Park. Covering over 42 acres, 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.
The town is part of the West Country Carnival circuit.
Contents |
- John Pople, theoretical chemist, born in the town
- Thomas Alan Stephenson, marine biologist, born in the town
- Frank Foley, Major (Army), Wartime hero who saved thousands of Jews in WW2. Born In Highbridge.
- ^ Neighbourhood statistics for Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge CP (Parish). National Statistics. Retrieved on 2007-05-24.
- ^ Burnham High Lighthouse. Images of England. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
- ^ Burnham Low Lighthouse. Images of England. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
- ^ Brent Knoll (Sacred sites around Glastonbury). Isle of Avalon. Retrieved on 2007-01-04.
- ^ Burnham Rescue Hovercraft. Retrieved on 2007-01-04.
- ^ Resort gets new rescue hovercraft. BBC News. Retrieved on 2007-01-04.