Built in Burnham, for Burnham

I’m Tom Fairhall, and I’ve lived in Burnham all my life. These days I split my time between here and a little place just outside Hereford, on the Woolhope Dome, which is a nature paradise. Burnham is home.

Burnham Hub does three things: we log nature, we’re there if you’re being scammed, and we help get people out of the house.

Why I built it

I was watching a scam programme on the BBC and couldn’t believe how many people get caught, even people who watch the show. My nan was caught by a magazine subscription that kept taking payments while she got nothing. It isn’t only older people, but they’re hit hardest.

I’d been learning AI skills and wanted to use them for good, so I built Scam Shield. Then I thought: how do I get people to use it? I’d already built a nature log for myself, so I rebuilt it for everyone. The hardest part was the pictures: every bird and animal cut out and matched to the right name.

I also realised I’d go out more if I knew what the pubs had on without checking each of their pages. If that’s a problem for me, it’ll be a problem for others.

What you can do here

• Log the birds and wildlife in your garden, daily or weekly, and watch Burnham’s picture build up.
• Check a worrying call or message with Scam Shield, and ring me if you’re not sure.
• See what’s on at the pubs and around town in one place, with numbers to book.
• Get a short email each week with what’s on and what’s been spotted.

A Burnham life

I went to school on Devonshire Road and was there for the move to Dunkirk Road, then had two years there before St Peter’s, where I was in Mayflower and Victory houses. I captained the school rugby team every year, including two tours to Jersey, and was 1500m and cross-country champion most years. I also played in the school football team that lost 3–2 to a Brentwood private school with Frank Lampard in their side.

I played for Burnham Ramblers from 11 to 19, from youth football up to the reserves. Then I helped set up and manage a local youth team, Royal Burnham, at under-16 and under-17. We took them into men’s football as the Ramblers’ 4th and then 3rd team, from the Mid Essex league to the Olympian league, and finished by beating Southminster under the lights at the stadium to win the local Charity Cup.

I spent four years on the carnival committee, helping get the procession and carnival running under the chairmanship of the great Mr Randall.

My favourite bits of Burnham’s nature

When I lived down Maldon Road we had goldfinches visiting all the time, a good 5 to 10 at once. In Hereford we’re lucky if one comes to the feeders. So goldfinches it is.

My favourite spots are along the river past Rice & Cole, and the other way, towards Creeksea and beyond.

What I hope it becomes

I hope the Hub brings positive change to the town:

• More trees and more pollinator planting.
• A detailed picture of the town’s nature and wildlife, built up over the years.
• Every tree on every road logged, including where the veteran and ancient trees are.
• More bird boxes, and more wild spots left wild.
• Fewer people getting scammed, and more people going out.

Who runs it and who pays

It’s just me. I pay for it, and it will stay free. It’s supported by my pressure-washing work around town: Pressure Washing Near You (pressurewashingnearyou.co.uk), on the same number.

Your data

Only you can see your own garden log on the site. I use the logs, without names, to build the town figures, so that in years to come we can look back and see how Burnham’s wildlife is doing. The privacy notice has the full details.

Get in touch

Phone 07920 754 997 or email aibusinesshub.uk@gmail.com.