Tourist businesses in Burnham-On-Sea area see surge of summer bookings
Tourist accommodation providers in the Burnham-On-Sea area have seen a surge of bookings following Boris Johnson’s announcement about the lockdown easing.
They have welcomed the news from the Prime Minister that self-catering holiday accommodation and camp sites are expected to re-open from April 12th while the rest of the accommodation sector, including hotels, will re-open from May 17th.
Many local accommodation providers in the Burnham area say they are expecting a busy summer holiday season with more people planning to take ‘staycations’ in the UK rather than travelling abroad.
Burnham heritage group unveils new leaflets to promote townâs ârich historyâ
A series of new heritage trail leaflets have been launched in Burnham-On-Sea this week to bring the town’s history to life.
Burnham-On-Sea Heritage Group has published the free leaflets, supported by Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, featuring images of prominent landmarks and buildings, comparing how they looked in the past compared to today, accompanied by their history.
The first leaflet focuses on the history of The Esplanade and beach, featuring the old Marine Lake, beach paddling pool, seafront shelters, Queens Hotel, Customs House, St Andrew’s Church, Round Tower, Marine Cove, Pavilion and Royal Clarence Hotel.
The discovery of thousands of pieces of 18th century fabric has given historians a rare glimpse into fashion hundreds of years ago.
Experts are analysing the most extensive surviving collection of Devon-made cloth, discovered in one of the largest London-based archives of its kind.
The sample book contains 2,475 pieces of fabric made in the county in the 1760s. It has been unused for hundreds of years, so the colours and patterns remain vibrant.
The 18th century fabric was discovered accidentally in an archive in London (University of Exeter/PA)
Cloth production was the single greatest industry in Devon from 1300 to 1800, with Exeter internationally renowned for its manufacture and trade.
Reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic
From working as Pudsey Bear, reporting on fat dogs, and filming a documentary on orangutans, to telling the story of a global pandemic, Harriet Bradshaw’s journalism career has been eventful.
Harriet (Archaeology and Anthropology 2005) has worked in local radio and regional television in Jersey and Devon, and, since March, has worked alongside BBC Health Editor Hugh Pym on the COVID-19 pandemic.
She says: “When I was asked if I wanted to be paired with Hugh Pym on the coronavirus story – they said ‘we think it might be a big deal’ – I told them, you know how tall I am?