This splendid building in Burnham on Sea is, as you may see, now an estate agent’s. On this site was a public house called the Masons Arms. A Quaker gentleman, Mr J. B. Braithwaite, was a teetotaler and extremely concerned about the evils of drink. It is understandable really; for the working man in those days, earning a pittance, pay-day on a Friday meant he had some money in his pocket, and however many long hours he worked (maybe 10-12 hours a day, if not more) then he no doubt he felt he deserved refreshment, and a little socialising with his fellow workers. This may have been understandable, but not for the poor families waiting at home for some money to buy food. If the husband drank away his wages, the wife and children would be in desperate straits. So you can see why Mr Braithwaite was so concerned.
The Lifeboat Restaurant was built by Mr Braithwaite on the site of The Masons Arms Public House and it opened in 1895, to serve decent food and soft drinks and tea to those hard-working men. That building is now the estate agents’.
Lois Elsden 