Last night saw the Burnham-on-Sea & Highbridge Town Council Civic Awards 2025 being held at the Princess Theatre and Arts Centre.
Councillor Sharon Perry, Mayor of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge, and the High Sheriff of Somerset, Mr Rob Beckley QPC, presented the awards to the winners.
The worthy winners selected from nominations sent in were:
Scott Rundle – Individual award for help and support within the community
Scott has been helping to save lives at sea since 1994 when he started with BARB, moving over to the RNLI when the station first opened in 2003. In 2023 he received his 30 year service medal from the RNLI, a celebration of outstanding service.
Over the past 20 years of RNLI service Scott has achieved the following:
Hours at sea on exercise – 1,130
Launched on exercise – 415 times
Hours at sea on service – 176 including 73 launches
People aided – 62
Lives saved – 7
During his time at the RNLI he has also acted as a mentor to both trainee crew and existing crew, always offering support. As Scott trains crew under his command, they gain valuable experience from his hours spent at sea, and his knowledge of the local area, the unpredictable tides and the weather.
Mary Nicholson- individual award for being an individual who has gone above and beyond in helping other people
Mary moved to Burnham in the early 1970’s with her husband John and 6 children. A trained nurse, she became a practice nurse at Highbridge Medical Centre, before becoming a district nurse and then a highly respected community midwife. Her love of her career pathway inspired not only 3 of her daughters to follow in her footsteps, but also other younger members of the community to take up nursing.
Mary founded the St John Boscos Youth Club, running it for many years. With twice weekly sessions for 11-18 year olds, she inspired youngsters and encouraged social integration. She also offered sessions for residents of Somerset Court where they could come and play table tennis, listen to music and enjoy social activities, interacting with local youth.
Mary was also a founding member of the Hillview Junior Carnival Club during this time (51 years ago), and the club is the only local club still on the road and still fundraising for charities.
A committed member of the local Catholic community, Mary finds time to visit sick and housebound parishioners, taking communion to them as they are unable to attend Church.
In 2015 Mary, aged 80, abseiled down Clifton Gorge fundraising for the club. This year to celebrate turning 90, Mary is planning on walking “Hadrians Wall” to raise money for the Beacon Centre at Musgrove.
Friends of Burnham Beach – Community group award for services to residents of Burnham-on-Sea & Highbridge
Formed in September 2016, the Friends of Burnham Beach meet monthly to collect tons of litter from our local beach, the banks of the estuary, and other places in our locality. Regrettably, litter is an ever-present problem, but this friendly group of volunteers persist in their efforts to keep the beach and surrounding areas clear of rubbish so that everyone can enjoy our natural environment.
They welcome all to join them, including families with children over the age of 5, encouraging a sense of responsibility for the environment in the next generation. They would welcome any new members willing to help and can be contacted on their Facebook page.