Description

Immediate dispatch from Somerset. Nice book in great condition. Pages in excellent condition. Softcover. English. See images for condition.

About the book >.>.> From Bridgwater the tidal River Parrett was navigable by boat past Burnham and into the Bristol Channel. Well known locally for its extensive mud flats and muddy water it also has a very high tidal range of around 15 metres second only to the Bay of Fundy in Canada. As a consequence it also has a fast-moving tidal flow which can sometimes outpace the outboard motors and sailing capability of some smaller craft. The Short Lighthouse a private construction near the church was built in 1820 but taken out of use in 1829. It is still there today part of a private house. The wooden lighthouse on the sands to the north of the town and the High Lighthouse on the Berrow road were constructed in 1832 and run by Trinity House the lighthouse authority. Sea level rises and breaches of the sea wall have brought about a number of changes at Burnham over the years. The front cover picture from a postcard sent in 1904 shows that at that time there was just a sloping stone bank topped by a low wall. Wooden step-like ladders allowed visitors access to the beach below. In 1911 the sea wall was rebuilt with a high overhanging wall which also provided shelter underneath from summer showers and these were known as the shelters. Then in 1988 the current curved sea wall was built to withstand rising sea levels attributed to global warming. In 1853 the railway was extended to Burnham and after the town jetty was constructed in stone in 1858 larger boats could moor at the town jetty and it was then possible to sail on to South Wales as part of the journey. Various constructions appeared along the north promenade over the years. Only one now remains the Pier or Pavilion which replaced a Victorian bandstand in around 1913. In 1921 a paddling pool was constructed on the sands near the north end of the Esplanade. This was only removed a few years ago. (LL)