Bob Nicholson has been chosen for a Civic Award by the Mayor of Burnham-on-Sea & Highbridge Town Council, Peter Clayton. The award is a recognition of Bob’s efforts as the driving force behind the promotion of tourism within the district.

The Civic Award will be presented at the Annual Civic Service on Sunday 24th August 2008 at St. Andrews Church at 3pm.

Bob says he was very surprised to hear of this award but was extremely pleased and honoured to have been nominated for this special award.

Bob recollected that since 1957 most of his life had involved entertaining visitors to the district hoping that they would enjoy themselves and return. He always believed that residents would benefit from improved facilities as well as through jobs and income, created by a successful tourism industry.

The success of the Sedgemoor Tourism Association since its formation in 1986 has been due to members working together to create the District as a leading tourist destination and uniting in a concerted effort to promote Somerset nationally with promotion initiatives around the UK.

Although Bob has been Chairman of the Association since its formation in 1986 he is quick to recognise his achievements have been due to the tremendous support that he has received from the Associations Committee and members and therefore is truly proud of the Association’s efforts to improve and maintain the industry locally.

Support is required by Berrow Parish Council on Bank Holiday Monday 25th August when a walk from St. Mary’s Church along the Coast Road to Hurn Lane and return is being organised in order to emphasise the continuing and necessary importance of the necessity to provide a pavement along this very busy and dangerous road.

The walk which is intended to raise the awareness of the need for action on this stretch of the Coast Road will commence at 11am and all supporters of this issue are invited to take part in this walk.

Congratulations to The Oak Tree Arena, home of the Somerset Rebels Speedway for being chosen as one of the 3 venues for staging a test match.

The Oak Tree Arena is rated as one of the best in the country, now confirmed by being chosen for a world class contest, the other venues being from the elite league, Wolverhampton and Swindon. This is a great honour recognising the quality of the track and facilities at the centre. Well done everyone!

Congratulations are also due to Mark and Sara Cox-Conklin on the re-opening of Burnham Pool now entitled the Swim and Sports Academy. The saving of this local facility was vital not only to the local residents but also to visitors and now with improved

facilities and a wide range of fitness activities available, it is hoped Mark & Sara and their team receive the support that their efforts deserve.

The Association’s Committee feel like many others that the November Carnivals not only are a magnificent spectacle but also create additional visitors to the district and consequently a requirement for accommodation.

The Sunday night firework display on Burnham’s sea front has proved not only popular but also a great fund raiser for local charities.

Due to budgetary constraints, Sedgemoor District Council are no longer able to sponsor the event. Burnham Town Council with the help of the sponsors will be staging the 2008 display.

Members are being asked to support this event by pledging £50 which will go into the fund and also give each sponsor a chance to be named as a main sponsor when five sponsors names will be drawn in early September.

Please make £50 pledges (or more) to either Colin Morris at GW Hurleys, 20 High Street, Burnham-on-Sea or Tom Ashton at The Warren Guest House, 29 Berrow Road, Burnham-on-Sea. Cheques can be made payable to ‘The Sedgemoor Tourism Association’. Please help keep this great event alive.

A Park and Ride Scheme will be available to visitors for this event, the third stage of this national event. To assist with the anticipated increase of traffic within Burnham, a coach service will be operated from holiday parks at Brean and Berrow. Pick up points will be available from Diamond Farm, Warren Farm, Northam Farm, Pontins, Holiday Resort Unity and Sandyglade.

Final details will be supplied to the pick up points with posters promoting the service.

In order to support Cheddar regarding the all day fees charged at present, members are surveying charges around the district and in adjoining towns in order to analyse them at the September Committee meeting.

If present trends are seen to continue until the end of the season it will become imperative to have car parking charges for all day stays – less costly in order to attract visitors to stay longer.

The rising cost of fuel together with many other everyday increases are having a detrimental effect on the retail spending during this 2008 season.

Committee Meetings normally take place on the 1st Wednesday of the month, however September’s has been changed and will take place at 2pm on the 10th September 2008 at The Beachcomber Inn, Brean. Items on the agenda will include: A.G.M. arrangements, 2009 promotions, Accreditation of Holiday Parks Tourism Skills Network, local colleges and training, waste management, sustainable tourism and renewable energy, Somerset Tourism Partnership (Somerset 2009 brochure), car parking charges, Leaflet and Service Information Exchange 2009, Economic Development Strategy, The Big Ideas? and of course, any other business.

Email: bob@southover.freeserve.co.uk

Email: clive@beachsideholidaypark.co.uk

Email: paul@warren-farm.co.uk

Email: material.needs@btopenworld.com

Email: paul@beachsideholidaypark.co.uk

Email: info@warrenguesthouse.co.uk