Save Our Surgery is a local action group dedicated to dissuading the powers-that-be that Burnham needs its medical centre to stay in the town centre, where they believe it can be enhanced and expanded.
On Saturday 4th November, 2023, around 200 Burnham residents took to the streets in a march protesting against proposals to move Burnham’s centrally-located surgery to the Burnham Waters development on western outskirts of town.
The march was organised by Save Our Surgery, a local group set up by volunteers.
This may be the biggest protest march that Burnham has ever seen – though we are told similar protests took place in the 1970s, calling for Nuclear Disarmament at the height of the Cold War.
All the pictures below were taken by Nick Skeens.
Gallery
Residents gathered at the Burnham Surgery, congregating in the car park around midday on Saturday 4th November, 2023.Residents gathering for the march. 1Residents gathering for the march. 2Residents gathering for the march. 3Residents gathering for the march. 4Residents gathering for the march. 5Dr Phillips, (in the black cap, third from right) now retired, is co-owner of the Surgery and feels that the proposed moving of the surgery out of town would create enormous access problems for the sick, elderly and infirm who don’t have or who can no longer use, their own transport.Dr Phillips. 2Rachel Eborall, cheer leader and one of the march organisers.Rachel Eborall. 2Residents gathering for the march. 6Helen Watson (left), drummer and singer extraordinaire, with Rachel EborallResidents gathering ahead of the march. 7Rachel Eborall. 3Residents gathering for the march. 8Residents gathering for the march. 9Residents gathering for the march. 10The march leaves Foundry Lane, by the Co-opTurning the corner into Station Road – a mile and a half to goMarching on the Maldon Road.1Marching on the Maldon Road.2Marching on the Maldon Road.3Marching on the Maldon Road. 4Marching on the Maldon Road. 5Police turned up to regulate the traffic. Every so often the marchers would stop to allow traffic past.Westward HoAt some points marchers split onto both sides of the roadWhen people at the back passed the news forward that they were falling behind, the march paused for them to catch upThis car was impatient to get through, and upset some of the marchers. One complained the driver nearly knocked them out of the way.Marching on Maldon Road. 6Helen Watson beating out a Marching tattooHelen Watson beating out a Marching tattoo. 2Karen Hamilton explaining to the police why the pavement wasn’t wide enough and the Marchers had to use the roadHeart and soulMarching past Springfield RoadMarching on Maldon Road. 9Marching on Maldon Road. 10Mobility scooter in the vanguardMarching on Maldon Road. 11Clea Rawinsky, fiercely militant, or squinting into the unexpectedly strong sunlight, given the miserable weather forecast…Cllr Una Norman of Burnham Town Council and Maldon District Council, walked her dogs the length of the marchCllr Norman. 2The March pausing to let traffic byA long lineStanding by for a lorryHelen Watson on the bodhránLots of the passing cars boobed their horns in support, despite being delayed by the marchersShouldering the burdenMarchers. 1Marchers. 2Marchers. 3Marchers. 4Marchers. 5Marchers. 6Marchers. 7Marchers. 8Marchers. 9Young cheerleading marcher; Robert Eborall, following in his mother’s footsteps.Robert Eborall. 2.Marchers. 10Marchers. 11Marchers. 12Marchers. 13Marchers. 14Marchers. 15Marchers. 16Marchers. 17Marchers. 18Marchers. 19Marchers. 20Marchers. 21The tailendersAlso marching…Tailenders. 2View from the rearHailing the passing trafficPauseInforming the driversMarchers on Maldon Road. 12Marchers on Maldon Road. 13Another pause for trafficPolice reinforcementsMarchers on Maldon Road. 14Marchers on Maldon Road. 15A humvee-type security-style vehicle. What does ‘tsoot to’ mean? Sounds like a policy…Marchers on Maldon Road. 16Clea facing the meedjaClea facing the medja. 2The lady on her mobility scooter who had to be lifted round a telegraph pole on Maldon RoadThe lady on her mobility scooter who had to be lifted round a telegraph pole on Maldon Road a few yards on could not cross the Green Lane junction as there was no drop kerb and her scooter could have tumbled into the road. At that point there is no pavement on the opposite side.Protestors in the roadWithin sight of the destination – passing the Green Lane junctionWithin sight of the destination – passing the Green Lane junction. 2Within sight of the destination – passing the Green Lane junction. 3Within sight of the destination – passing the Green Lane junction. 4Within sight of the destination – passing the Green Lane junction. 5Dhan ShiriLast 200 yardsLast 100 yardsHelen beating the path to Burnham WatersEntering Burnham WatersArrivingArriving. 2Hang out the flags and sound the hornsGathering at Burnham Waters. 1Gathering at Burnham Waters. 2Gathering at Burnham Waters. 3Gathering at Burnham Waters. 4BBC Look East was filming the whole thingGathering at Burnham Waters. 5Gathering at Burnham Waters. 6Gathering at Burnham Waters. 7Gathering at Burnham Waters. 8Burnham Waters AssemblyBurnham Waters Assembly. 2Burnham Waters Assembly. 3Burnham Waters Assembly. 4Burnham Waters Assembly. 5Burnham Waters Assembly. 6Burnham Waters Assembly. 7Burnham Waters Assembly. 8‘This is what community feels like’Burnham Waters Assembly. 9Burnham Waters Assembly. 10Burnham Waters Assembly. 11Burnham Waters Assembly. 12Burnham Waters Assembly. 13Burnham Waters Assembly. 14Burnham Waters Assembly. 15Burnham Waters Assembly. 16Sign of the timesBurnham Waters Assembly. 17‘Stop the Burglary. Save the Surgery’Burnham Waters Assembly.18Burnham Waters Assembly. 19Burnham Waters Assembly. 20Burnham Waters Assembly. 21Burnham Waters Assembly. 22Burnham Waters Assembly. 23Homeward bound. 1Homeward bound. 2Homeward bound. 3Homeward bound. 4
