BURNHAM is hoping for a bumper Bank Holiday Weekend, with the town packed with visitors.

Town centre manager Beverley Milner Simonds told the Weekly News that traders had enjoyed a good Easter holiday and were now hoping to build on that success.

“Easter is the start of the summer season and that was a success, but the early May Bank Holiday is often the time when people come down and open up their holiday homes and caravans, so hopefully it should be a busy weekend,” she said.

Although the temperature is not expected to get as high as it did in recent weeks, it should remain bright and dry which should encourage visitors to the town.

The Burnham lifeboat station will be open during the weekend for visitors to go and find out more about its vital work, take part in some fun activities and donate some cash to the RNLI’s yellow wellie-themed fundraising.

The Atlantic 75 Lifeboat will be on display, along with a teddy tombola, knitted wellies on sale, games and puzzles, a drawing competition for children, a raffle and lots more.

You can also have a go at soaking the lifeboat crew with wet sponges in the stocks. The lifeboat shop will be open, while refreshments will also be available.

Burnham RNLI press officer, Mike Lang, said: “The station will be open on Saturday and Sunday for lots of fun activities. Come, meet us and bring the children along.”

Meanwhile, the Ritz Social Club in Victoria Street, will be holding a beer festival from Friday to Monday for people to enjoy.

THE traditional seaside attraction of donkey rides has returned to Burnham beach following a short break. When the previous operator had their licence terminated at the end of last season the prospect of donkey’s returning looked bleak.

But Sedgemoor District Council has announced that two Burnham residents, Kathy Jones and Lindsey Ripley, alerted the Vincent family to the availability of the concession and the authority moved quickly to follow-up their interest.

Now everyone’s favourite seaside attraction will be making a welcome return. A Sedgemoor spokesman said: “It’s great news that the public will once again be able to enjoy the prospect of the likes of Dusty, Princess, Charlie and Millie strutting their stuff on the golden sands of Burnham beach.

Donkey rides will be available from this weekend through to the end of the summer season.”

  • Send us your pictures of May Day fun in Burnham to newsdesk@burnhamnews.co.uk