MAYOR’S REPORT – JUNE 25^th 2024

I was pleased to be invited to the opening of the Cabaret Café Bar at the Princess Theatre on 4^th June.  It’s great that there continues to be a café at the theatre and I wish Lisa and her team great success in their new venture.

The 6^th June, D-Day, was a busy day for both myself and the Deputy Mayor, as we remembered the courage and sacrifice of all those involved in the D-Day landings, 80 years ago.  The Town Crier made an official proclamation at 8.00 am, the time at which the invasion began.  We were joined by representatives of the Royal British Legion and approximately 60 French visiting school children to mark this poignant moment. 

At 9.00 am, the raising of a D Day flag was attended by myself in Burnham-on Sea, and by the Deputy Mayor in Highbridge.  I then attended a short service at 11.00 at the Memorial Hospital, organised by the Royal British Legion.

The celebrations continued in the afternoon, at the Princess Theatre, with a fabulous concert by the Princess Community Choir, singing all the familiar wartime songs.  Many thanks to the choir and the team at the theatre, including the café, for a wonderful afternoon.  This event was the first in a series of events made possible by a grant from Hinkley Point.  Details of future events are available on the theatre website and I am sure that they will prove popular. 

The D Day commemorations concluded with the lighting of a commemorative beacon on the jetty at 9.15pm as I read the International Tribute.   Given the weather conditions that evening, with a prevailing brisk and chilly wind, it was touch and go whether the beacon could be lit.  Thanks to the perseverance and ingenuity of the Town Rangers, it was lit on time.  Thanks also to the Burnham and Highbridge Town Band who played throughout the evening, despite the conditions, entertaining the crowd with their medley of music.  Many thanks also to the councillors who attended as marshalls.

On the same day, the Deputy Mayor was also busy, firstly opening the new facilities at Brent Knolls RSPCA centre.  Cllr Keen also attended a special service of celebration for a new ministry, welcoming Rev Cheryl Hawkins to St Andrew’s Church.  I look forward to meeting her myself next week.

Earlier this month, the Deputy Mayor also attend a presentation at St Joseph’s school on road safety was discussed at the Town Council meeting on the 25^th June.

I was pleased to attend a fund-raising coffee morning at Abbeyfield Nursing Home on 7^th June.  This was to raise money for a local boy, Jack, who is currently receiving treatment for cancer.  £450 was raised, an important contribution to his parents’ appeal to raise funds for vital overseas treatment.  Congratulations to the staff and residents for their efforts to support this cause.

On behalf of the Town Council, I would like to thank Somerset and Avon Police and Somerset Council for their swift response to the illegal encampment at Cassis Close on June 10^th, ensuring that the site was quickly vacated and secured.  Following the public meetings organised by the Town Council in the past year, it was pleasing to see improved communications between the Police, Councils and residents and the effective management of the situation.

Yesterday, the Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge Fritzlar Twinning Association left for their first visit to Fritzlar for five years.  I was pleased to be asked to see them off.  I hope their visit will be a great success, rekindling friendships between our towns.

Finally, I have decided that my charity of the year will be the Burnham branch of the RNLI.  I look forward to supporting them in their fund-raising efforts in the coming year.

Cllr Sharon Perry