Burnham
Click thumbnail for bygone Burnham pics
Described in Domesday (1086) as Brune and again in 1115 as Brunum. The origin of the name seems to be Anglo Saxon, bourn, a brook and ham, a home, then altered to Scandinavian, brunnr - place at a spring, meaning settlement by a spring or stream. The village is now two separate settlements, High and Low Burnham.
There was a well at Burnham called Holy Well and healing properties were attributed to the waters, pilgrimages were made there on Ascension Day. The Epworth Bells of 27th November 1875 states that, t"he Holy Well re-opened to the public for obtaining healing water".
For the past few years High Burnham has been the site of the annual Festival of the Plough, a celebration of past farming and rural ways of life, with extensive displays and competition’s in horse ploughing, vintage tractors and engines along with many craft displays of a bygone era.
There was a well at Burnham called Holy Well and healing properties were attributed to the waters, pilgrimages were made there on Ascension Day. The Epworth Bells of 27th November 1875 states that, t"he Holy Well re-opened to the public for obtaining healing water".
For the past few years High Burnham has been the site of the annual Festival of the Plough, a celebration of past farming and rural ways of life, with extensive displays and competition’s in horse ploughing, vintage tractors and engines along with many craft displays of a bygone era.
Scenes from the Festival of the Plough
Festival of the Plough Website
Click image for link to Festival of the Plough site