MANOR FROM HEAVEN

Manor Court is now taking shape behind what was Smith-Parkinson Motors.
Grimley Smith Associates took over the former garage and showroom, fronting onto the Market Place, and is turning the latter into offices, with homes at the back.
There's a mix of luxury three-storey, three-bedroomed homes (with garages) and two and one-bedroom flats (with private parking).
Manor Court Developments can be contacted on 07776 041373.

BEST OF LUCK

People from Brigg and district will be among the thousands cheering on Grimsby Town FC in the cup final at the world-famous Wembley ground this afternoon. And many more will be glued to the TV coverage.
In his recently published book about growing up in Central Square, Brigg, between the early 1930s and late 1940s, John Rhodes makes reference to trips made to watch The Mariners in action at Blundell Park.
In those days you could catch a train at Brigg and get off at New Clee (a small station near Grimsby's ground). Getting back to Brigg after the match, on a Saturday night, was also no problem.
Today, of course, there's no direct train service - you need to get over to Barnetby - and there are many, many more family cars about than there were when John Rhodes was a youngster.
The Brigg Branch of the Grimsby Town Supporters' Club ran a bus to all home matches until the early 1980s when vandals' attacks on the coach caused the service, operated by the Daisy company from Broughton, to be withdrawn.
The bus picked up in Cary Lane and opposite the cemetery, on Wrawby Road, before collecting further supporters in Wrawby, Barnetby, Bigby, Searby, Grasby and Keelby.
A slow and roundabout route but a necessary one to make the bus economic to run.
In good seasons, like the 1971/2 Division Four championship-winning season under Lawrie McMenemy, there was no problem balancing the books. But when Grimsby were not doing so well it was a struggle and the branch organised fundraising events, like discos, to bring in a bit more money.
Back in the 1930s and immediately after the Second World War, Grimsby were in the old First Division (what we now call the Premiership). That was why people were happy to travel more than 20 miles from Brigg to watch them. Scunthorpe United were not then a Football League team, only gaining that status in the early 1950s.
Going back many years I remember watching a Brigg Amateurs football match at Brigg Rec on a Saturday afternoon when someone had a radio with them, listening to coverage of Grimsby's away game at Wimbledon. I think Town won 6-2, and Wimbledon, of course, became MK Dons, whom the Mariners meet this afternoon.
Don't hold your breath for a repeat of that score!

JUST WONDER-FUEL!

The road at the junction of Yarborough Road and O'Hanlon Avenue has been dug up for the second time in a few weeks.
This time it's a gas problem; on the previous occasion it was a burst sewer.
However, this time the entire road is not blocked.
What's the odds on two different utilities having to sort out different problems at the same area of town?

TROPHY TIME

Earlier this week we reported on Brigg Town Cricket Club second teamers getting among the silverware at the Grimsby League dinner and presentation evening.
Well, club secretary Lee Fielden is not a second teamer, but being one of the club's best players did not stop him supporting the 2nds on their night of glory.
There's a phrase 'in his cups' which might well apply to this snap of Lee, taken towards the end of the evening, when one or two at the 'do' in Cleethorpes were getting, shall we say, a little 'tired and emotional'.

THINK BEFORE YOU PARK

Cary Lane was very congested about 5pm yesterday, due to a number of people deciding to park their cars, seemingly to collect, or drop off, friends and relatives making coach journeys.
When we say 'parked' we should really use the phrase 'double-parked'. For that was what many of them were doing, near the railings at the back of Tesco. And that's a place no-one really ought to be parking at all.
The motorists concerned were making it difficult for vehicles trying to use the turning circle at the end of Cary Lane, and adding to the time it took for cars and buses to get through the traffic lights onto the A18.
Maybe someone should have rung the police's non-emergency number and suggested the call-handler alerted Insp Rutty and his team at Brigg 'Nick' - just a few yards away from the problem. For a quick visit from a Pc, PCSO or traffic warden would have done the trick.
Perhaps this incident relates to the re-imposing of car parking charges in Old Courts Road - motorists being unwilling to pay and display for what amounted to a quite short period, late on a Friday afternoon. Or maybe they were just too lazy to walk the very short distance from municipal car park to bus stop.
Hopefully this incident was very much a one-off. For Cary Lane can get busy and, in road safety terms, it's not the best street in Brigg.
There are many pedestrians about trying to cross over, parked-up buses and delivery lorries to negotiate, the mini roundabout, and vehicles emerging from the pedestrian area, where most of them have no legal right to be.
Couple all that with double-parking of cars mentioned earlier and it's not a safe mix at all. Certainly not if you are on foot.

OFF THEIR TROLLEY

We've reported, from time to time, on supermarket shopping trolleys dumped in the River Ancholme and viewable from the County Bridge at certain times of the year.
Well, the one pictured here might hold some sort of record. For it got as far as the former railway station yard, off Station Road.
Has anyone in Brigg seen a trolley further away from the Lidl and Tesco stores than this one?

Did you know you can access scores of previous postings on Brigg Blog? When you first visit the Blog you will see the words 'Nigel Fisher's Brigg Blog' in Blue, underneath the title to the Blog, and above the latest article posted. Click on the words 'Nigel Fisher's Brigg Blog' and it will take you into the archive section, which has a search facility. You will also see the posts listed in date order on the right-hand side of the screen.

CHEERS TO A GREAT EVENT

For many people in our town - and far beyond - Brigg Lions' annual beer festival is a 'must'.
It's now a long-established event, held by kind permission of John Reid at Unit Five, on Atherton Way (not far from what many of us call Tesco roundabout).
This year's dates are Thursday-Sunday, May 15-18. So make an entry in your diary, scrawl it on the calendar, or put it in your personal organiser now.
You will be sorry if you miss it.
Full details of what 'brews' are on offer (and alcohol percentages) will appear on this Blog and in the Tuesday Brigg Extra page in the Scunthorpe Telegaph nearer the time.
Money made by the Lions at the event will go to help worthy causes they support.
To give you a flavour of what it's like, here's a picture from last May's festival when Miss Scunthorpe Telegraph Penny Bissett went along to the opening night at John Reid Transport.

DREAM COME TRUE

A very proud moment for Brigg Town Cricket Club's second team captain, Phil Dewfall (centre) as he receives the John Pettit Grimsby and District League's Saturday Division Knockout Trophy from former England captain Brian Close (right) during the annual dinner, held at Grimsby Town FC's McMenemy's suite. Looking on (left) is league president Barry Brown.
A good contingent of Brigg lads turned out for the dinner, which was a combined affair with the Lincolnshire County Cricket League.
Brigg Town originally had a second team back in 1975, when Brian Parker - recent winner of the Brigg Town Civic Award - was club secretary. That team operated in the Grimsby League for just one season.
In 1979 the club re-established a second team, playing in the North Lindsey League, games being almost equally divided between Saturdays and Sundays.
Brigg 2nds next played in the Humberside Alliance, and spells followed in the Lincolnshire League and the Lincoln League before the team went back to the Grimsby competition last season.
It's all change again for this summer, with Brigg 2nds - and the club's first team - both operating in the East Yorkshire Alliance for the very first time.

WHO'S MOVING IN?

Bell Watson have now let the former Brigg Photolabs shop, in the centre of Wrawby Street, which closed in December.

APATHY REIGNS

No volunteers came forward to express interest in helping set up a Brigg Parish Plan.
Parish plans outline developments and improvements the community would like, such as an all-weather floodlit sports pitch. One completed, it is usual to deliver a printed copy to every household.
However, no interest was shown when the matter came up for consideration at the Annual Town Public Meeting, held in the Angel Suite, despite 20-or-so residents being present.
Much of the information which might be used in a future Brigg Parish Plan is already contained in the Brigg Market Town Initiative’s Action Plan, written several years ago.
Town Mayor Coun Michael Doherty stressed the parish plan would need to be community-led and not carried out by the town council.
Coun Tom Glossop added: "A lot of the groundwork has already been done."
With no interest shown by the public, the Town Mayor said: "It sits on the table until someone says they want to do a plan."
If you are reading this and want to volunteer, contact town clerk Jeanette Woollard (pictured). Her office in the basement of the Angel Suite, off Market Place, is open Monday and Thursday morning from 9.30am to noon. Telephone (01652) 655117. Or email:
enquiries@briggmarkettown.co.uk

MUSIC TO YOUR EARS

Three more rock and roll nights are to be held at Brigg’s Ancholme Inn, on Grammar School Road.
Red House Rockets will appear this Friday, Bar Room Stompers on Friday, April 25, and Hicksville Bombers on Friday, May 23.

EASTER MAGIC

Our thanks go to town councillor Alec Depledge for these super images of snowy scenes in Brigg on Easter Sunday.
If you have any other Brigg Blog readers might enjoy, please email to nigel.fisher@gsmg.co.uk

BE WARNED

Work on laying power cables along the middle of Glebe Road starts tomorrow (Tuesday) and could take more than a week.
As this is not only a main route across town but also one of our most congested streets, it's not good news.
Yes, the work is essential to maintain efficient supplies to households.
But as Glebe Road has many terraced homes - without garages - there's nowhere for residents to park their cars, other than on the street.
Also, North Lincolnshire Council installed traffic humps and traffic islands along Glebe Road when there was severe congestion due to parents dropping children off at the school and picking them up. And despite the new primary school being built on Atherton Way and the Glebe Road facility closing down, the council has continued to keep the 'traffic calming measures' in place.
Extensive roadworks on Glebe Road are certainly not good news for businesses like the general store (opposite the old school site) and the chip shop.
The contractors have carried out work on a number of other Brigg streets as part of this project, but Glebe Road has particular problems, notably the lack of a viable alternative route for many drivers...without lengthy detours.
You have been warned!

S-NOW KIDDING!

Well into the second half of March, and the season of Spring, and we get a couple of inches of overnight snow!
Brigg youngsters are making the most of it and were out and about very early this morning with their sledges.
In no time there were three good-sized snowmen on the Davy Memorial Park, and a couple (including this one) on the grassy area on York Road, where the new primary school was going to be built before the council had a change of heart.

LETTERS KNOW

The metal 'East Parade' street sign on the front of the house near the junction with Hawthorn Avenue is just a white background - no letters have been painted in.
For non-locals this area of town can be confusing, with addresses in West Square, East Parade, Central Square and Woodbine Avenue not all that easy to find if you are a delivery driver, or (even more seriously) a member of the emergency services.
Sat-nav can only do so much, so how about someone getting the sign attended to?

MANY A GOOD TUNE PLAYED...

You don't need to be an old fiddler to enter and play a good tune at the annual fiddle busking competition, to be run as part of Brigg Fiddle Fest on Saturday, May 17, in the town centre.
It's only £3 to enter, and there's a £70 first prize and £30 for the runner-up.
Brigg and Goole MP, Ian Cawsey, and the Town Mayor, Coun Michael Doherty, will do the judging.
Post your entry, with £3 cheque made payable to Brigg Fiddle Festival, to Ivy Farmhouse, Churchside, Goxhill, DN19 7HY.
For further information telephone 01469 530561 or email caroldawson897@btinternet.com

WHO LOVES YA, BABY?

This week has seen a political row, stirred up by the Conservatives, who claim Labour is working to run down smaller maternity hospital units. The Tories say big is not necessarily best.
This Blog is strictly non-political, but it set me thinking about the old Glanford Hospital, where so many current 40-plus Brigg residents will have been born.
Now it's the hospital trust's Health Place office block - but in decades past it was a functioning hospitals, with delivering babies high on the agenda.
In the 1980s the government of the day (I think it was Tory) decided to streamline the health service and brought in some top managers from outside the 'industry'.
One of those assigned to the Scunthorpe area was a high-ranking army officer who accepted a National Union of Journalists' branch offer to come along and outline his thoughts.
I remember asking him how it was an improvement that Brigg women had to go over to Scunthorpe to give birth, when, for decades, they had been able to do so in their own town.
Enough said!

PARTY TIME

Brigg Town cricketers will be rubbing shoulders with a famous international player tonight.
A group of players from the local club will be attending the annual dinner of the Lincolnshire League and the Grimsby and District League, held at Grimsby Town Football Club's Blundell Park HQ.
Brigg second teamers won the Grimsby Saturday League Knockout Cup last summer, and their award will be presented to them by the dinner's chief guest Brian Close, former captain of England, Yorkshire and Somerset.
It promises to be a great night, with the Broughton and Hibaldstow clubs also invited to be represented, as members of the Lincolnshire League.
Broughton's Nick Dobbs - son of former Lincolnshire Minor Counties wicketkeeper Nigel - is among the extensive list of trophy-winners.

SAD LOSS

Tomorrow (Thursday) sees the funeral of well-known Brigg man Vic Berko, who has died, aged 51.
The service will be held at Woodlands Crematorium, Scunthorpe, at 11.30am.
Vic was educated in the town, initially at Glebe Road School, and was a familiar face to many of us.

POLICING TRENDS

Today's Brigg Extra page in the Scunthorpe Telegraph includes a prominent story about the latest crime trends in the area.
Here's the full text of the quarterly report delivered to the Brigg Police Authority Neighbourhood Panel's March meeting at the Angel Suite by Insp Brett Rutty, head of rural policing.

Crime overall for the Brigg Neighbourhood Policing area during the last six months (September 2007 to February 2008) has decreased by 1.9 per cent, compared to the previous six months.
This includes burglary to people’s homes where there has been a reduction of 36 per cent. That’s the good news!
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for vehicle crime. Thefts of motor vehicles has increased by 25 per cent but it important to get this figure in context: there were five more offences reported in the last 6 months than in tne previous period.
Thefts from vehicle have increased by 55 per cent over the last six months, compared to the previous six months.
Again, in numerical terms this is 24 more crimes, most of which occurred during February (29 crimes reported) when we had a run of crimes across the rural part of North Lincolnshire.
We have had some successes in tackling this crime. Three Brigg teenagers were arrested after a report of youths acting suspiciously near to cars in Scawby Brook; officers were able to seize a vehicle from a man at Winterton whom we believe was involved in thefts from vehicles in the rural villages and our Divisional Intelligence Bureau is liaising with colleagues in Lincoln who seized a vehicle from one of their local villains who we suspect of coming to our area to commit crime.
All this activity appears to have caused vehicle crime to return to what we might expect to be ‘normal’ levels but clearly people need to remain vigilant, report any suspicious activity and be careful not to leave valuables, including satnavs in cars.
It is disappointing to report an increase in reported criminal damage crimes of 12 per cent over the last six months (16 more crimes).
Much of that increase is due to higher-than-usual levels in November, and February proved a difficult month with minor damage being caused to properties and vehicles. However, the trend is still downwards and we are on track to meet the target set for neighbourhood officers to reduce criminal damage by 15 per cent on last year’s levels.

Anti-Social Behaviour
Better news: Calls for service for anti-social behaviour have reduced by 15.4 per cent over the last six months compared to the previous period.
This is obviously good news but I am aware that changing seasons have an impact on anti-social behaviour and tackling anti-social behaviour remains core business for neighbourhood officers and PCSOs.
Respect patrols are continuing on a Friday and Saturday evening, specifically to focus on hot spot locations and respond to calls for service.



Turning to the three neighbourhoods making up that Brigg team area, I would like to provide an update on policing activity.
The villages of the Ridge neighbourhood have received attention from PC Tracey Teal and PCSOs Kev Horsfall and Lynsey Stamp.
At Messingham the parking problem at the Brigg Road/Ash Grove junction is being tackled. Warning notices and advice is currently being given and this will be followed up by enforcement activity.
The issue has been raised through the Neighbourhood Action Team meeting which helps to ensure other agencies are involved in finding a solution.
Tracey and his team are also working with Messingham School and the local authority to develop a School Travel Plan.
Still on the theme of school and Road Safety, PCSO Kev Horsfall is making significant progress in working with local schools to develop a drawing competition to help raise children’s awareness of road safety and enable engagement between the police and schools.
Kev has put a lot of hard work and effort into this project which he hopes to role out to the junior/infant schools in the Brigg police area very soon.
Tracey and Kev have been out at Kirton Lindsey addressing problems with youths congregating and acting in an anti-social manner but also engaging with the Beaver, Cub and Scout groups there.
Street Sport has also started at Huntcliff School on a Wednesday evening between 6pm and 8pm to provide some sporting activity for teenagers
Kev recently organised a youth surgery at Hibaldstow, which was well attended and well received by teenagers.
Further events will be arranged and he hopes to make this a regular event
The Neighbourhood Action Team meeting was well-attended with about 20 representatives present.
Local neighbourhood issues were discussed and actions prioritised.
Scawby Village Hall will be the regular venue for the meetings, the next one being on May 1 at 7pm.
PC Vince Potter and PCSO Vicky Petty have been busy on the Broughton and Appleby Neighbourhood.
Following a spate of car crime at the Water’s Edge development at Scawby they went out leafleting the area with advice notices to raise awareness and seek information.
This had a knock-on effect of generating interest in establishing a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme enabling Vicky to put a resident in touch with Ken Bates, the development officer for North Lincolnshire.
Working with traffic colleagues and other members of the Brigg team, Vince and Vicky have been tackling problems with off road motorcycles who often cause not only nuisance but a danger to themselves and other road users, at Broughton, Dragonby and Roxby.
The assistance of the police helicopter was also called in and several motorcycles were seized and many warning notices issued.
They team also paid some attention to other areas including Barnetby, Wrawby and Kirton.
At Broughton we have seen an increase in calls for service on a Friday night resulting in some damage being caused to cars at Brooklands Drive and the cricket screens at the Phil Grundy sportsground were also damaged recently.
Continued attention will be paid to Broughton by the team and the Friday and Saturday evening respect patrols.
The next Neighbourhood Action Team meeting will be at the Phil Grundy Centre at Broughton on April 8 at 7.30pm.

On the Brigg and Wolds neighbourhood, PC Rob Armstrong and Sgt Liz Staff are working with Sir John Nelthorpe School and our partner agencies to tackle damage to the school and anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of the school.
Rob and PCSO Lisa Bogg are also focussing attention at the Spring’s Parade area of the town where again we are receiving complaints about youths congregating there in significant numbers.
Alcohol is being seized where teenagers are found in possession of it and parents will be contacted where teenagers are behaving inappropriately.
Support of parents is essential in helping to tackle issues relating to teenagers causing a nuisance in the community.
I urge parents to speak to their teenagers about the impact their behaviour can have on others in the community, particularly the elderly, when they gather together in numbers and behave in a rowdy or disorderly manner.
At Barnetby complaint have been received about motorcycles using bridleways.
Patrols are targeting these areas and warning letters being sent to keepers when a registration number is obtained
Complaints about parking outside the school at Worlaby are being addressed as has an issue of anti-social behaviour at The Hurds Farm development.
Local teenagers have been visited and this problem appears to have been resolved but passing attention is being given by Lisa.
The next Neighbourhood Action Team meeting will be on Wednesday, April 16 at Worlaby Village Hall, commencing at 7pm.
Finally, there will be some changes to the team by the end of this month.
Rob Armstrong’s temporary posting to the team has now been made permanent and a new PCSO, Rob Straker is currently under going training. We will also be pleased to welcome PCSO Craig Tomlinson who joins us from Scunthorpe. This will mean some moves to make best use of experience and balance staff to areas of highest demand.
Craig will be covering Messingham and Lynsey Stamp will join Rob Straker on the Brigg Neighbourhood, increasing our capacity to tackle issues across the communities served by the whole team.

HECTIC PROGRAMME TONIGHT

You can enjoy the warmth of the Angel Suite tonight - and contribute your thoughts on how the town is run.
For the Annual Town Meeting is being held at 7.30pm. By law, town and parish councils must hold at least one of these each year, giving residents the opportunity to go along and ask questions and raise topics of interest.
Prior to that there will be a meeting of Brigg Town Council's planning and environment committee at 6.30pm, when among the items of interest will be an application relating to the new Wilkinson store in Cary Lane.
At 7pm the monthly meeting of the town council will get under way.
Hopefully it will finish promptly at 7.30pm - there is not too much on the agenda - so members of the public attending for the main event of the evening are not kept waiting.
However, 'Joe Public' is very welcome to sit and listen to the committee and full council meetings...if anyone fancies making a night of it.
Maybe there's not too much good stuff on the telly!
For those who might not be sure of the exact location of the Angel Suite, it's off Market Place. You can park in the Angel car park (off Elwes Street) or, if arriving on foot, walk down Exchange Place (alongside Hardy's bar).

Town clerk Jeanette Woollard (pictured above with Town Mayor Coun Michael Doherty) has kindly supplied the agenda for tonight's Annual Town meeting, which we are happy to publish on Brigg Blog.

BRIGG ANNUAL TOWN PUBLIC MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 17, at 7.30pm - THE ANGEL SUITE

1. Welcome by the Town Mayor
2. Receive Minutes of the 2007 Annual Town Meeting
3. Matters arising from the Minutes
4. Town Mayor's Report - Councillor M. Doherty
5. Reports from others, which may include:
a) North Lincolnshire Council
b) Local Policing Team
c) Public Footpath Warden
d) 3 B's Street Project
e) Friends of the County Bridge
6. Proposed Changes to ambulance cover for Brigg and the surrounding area:
To receive details of the proposals from the invited representative of the East Midlands Ambulance Service.
7. Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service:
To discuss and consider the request received by Brigg Town Council for the timing of the parade to be changed in order to ensure that the 1 lam Act of Remembrance can take place at the War Memorial.
8. To receive a progress report on the Brigg Emergency Plan.
9. To further consider the creation of a Brigg Parish Plan
The public are advised that much of the information required to create a Parish Plan for Brigg is already contained within the Brigg M.T.I. Action Plan, and it will be a small task - for a willing few -to transform this into a full Parish Plan. Would you be interested in participating in this initiative? If so, please come along.
10. OPEN FORUM - the opportunity for you to raise issues that you are concerned or even happy about! DON'T WASTE IT!

ALPHA IN BRIGG

The New Life Church, Brigg, has been running three Alpha courses since January, involving more than 20 people.
They include a shortened version of the course in Rosecroft residential home, on Wrawby Street, eagerly attended by several residents.
As a basic introduction to the Christian faith, Alpha allows for an exploration of many issues in a non-threatening and non-judgemental environment.
Alpha was the ‘brainchild’ of the Rev Nicky Gumbel – vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Brompton, back in the 1980s.
"Last year, more than 190,000 people attended Alpha courses across the UK – evidence that Christianity is very much alive in our land!" said Brigg's Coun Alec Depledge.
If you’re interested in attending an Alpha Course in Brigg, contact him on (01652) 652116, or e-mail: alecdepledge@totalise.co.uk

HELLO, HELLO, GOODBYE!

Brigg Town Council is to write and thank Pc Steve Wash for his good work in the town.
He was neighbourhood beat officer for Brigg, but has now moved on to a new role.
The popular Pc sent the council his best wishes for the continued success of its youth initiative.
Now the town council is to thank him for his work while based in Brigg.

FUNDRAISER

A Brigg hockey fun day for all the family is to be held on Sunday, April 20 at the Winterton artificial pitch, Newport Drive (2pm).
There will be a fun tournament for six-a-side mixed teams, costing £4 per person.
Teams should be a mixture of adults, children and non-regular players.
Club spokesman Peter Spittlehouse said: "We need to raise £1,500 for Brigg Colts to enable the club to continue training youngsters, entering tournaments, buying equipment and developing youth hockey in the area.
"In the past we have had to raise subscriptions every year and we hope to avoid doing this again next season."
The hockey will be followed by BBQ and rounders, and there will be games, stalls, a raffle and other attractions.
Contact emails are clarkesarah@hotmail.co.uk pete.spittlehouse@ntlworld.com
Angela Coggon angela@fmsap.com
The reason the event is having to be staged at Winterton, is Brigg still remains without a floodlit, 'Astroturf' pitch of its own, despite a campaign stretching back more than 20 years. Brigg, as a town, has more hockey teams than anywhere else in the area, yet successive councils - Humberside, Glanford and North Lincolnshire - have failed to make the project happen.

KRASH COURSE

The March session of KRASH (Kids Really Are Special Here) saw 60 children in attendance.
It was described by Coun Alec Depledge (pictured), of the New Life Church, Brigg, as 'a fantastic morning...two hours of fun'.
It included:
* The world premiere of a new song written by KRASH leader, Mark Depledge, called You Got Me (including actions)
* Shooting game - sweaty sock game (but minus the socks)
* Smartie Bible bingo game.
* Easter crafts - including decorating an Easter Bunny biscuit with chocolate and sweeties (very popular)
* The KRASH Challenge. "How many marshmellows can you hold in your mouth and still say 'I'm a chubby bunny'?" The winners managed eight!
* A talk, plus a question and answers session, from KRASH's guest, Fr Owain Mitchell, of St John's Church, Brigg
The Black team won overall team event.
Alec added: "Twelve team leaders and helpers KRASH-ed out for the rest of the day. But what incredible fun!"
To find out more about Brigg KRASH, email alecdepledge@totalise.co.uk

MAKING PLANS FOR SUMMER

Sue Hoy, head gardener at the Normanby Hall walled garden, is to be invited to be one of the judges for Brigg's best-kept garden competition this summer.
The organisers hope she will join representatives from sponsors Brigg Garden Centre on the judging panel in July.
Gardening expert Sue, who lives near Brigg, writes a very popular column which appears in the Scunthorpe Telegraph's Homes guide every Friday.
The allotment of the year competition, open to tenants of the town council-run allotments on Redcombe Lane and Grammar School Road, will also operate again this summer.
Alistair Stothard, from Barnetby, is to be invited to judge that once again, and additional prizes are being made available this year, funded by Brigg Garden Centre and the council.
Keep watching the Tuesday Brigg Extra page in the Scunthorpe Telegraph, and www.thisisbrigg.co.uk for further details of the competition as they are revealed by the town council during the spring.

HIGHLIGHT OF YEAR

Tonight's the biggest night of the year for Brigg's first citizen, Coun Michael Doherty and his Mayoress, Pat.
For the town council's annual civic charity banquet is being held at the Kar Restaurant, in Old Courts Road.
It's proved a very popular event, with all tickets snapped up in good time.
There will be an extensive raffle, all proceeds from the night going to help local hospice care, the Town Mayor's chosen charity.
Brian Parker (pictured), of the Brigg LIVES First Responders, will be attending to collect the award for being the town's top voluntary worker.

GOOD TURN-OUT

Last night's quarterly public meeting staged by the Brigg Neighbourhood Policing Panel attracted a good number of people from the town and surrounding area to the Angel Suite.
Brigg's Coun Tom Glossop chaired the meeting, and Insp Brett Rutty, head of rural policing, revealed up-to-date crime figures.
Among topics raised by members of the public was parking on double yellow lines in Grammar School Road South and (by Coun Carl Sherwood, pictured) the number of vehicles to be seen in the pedestrianised town centre.
The main issues from Insp Rutty's interesting police report, including the latest crime trends, will be reported in Tuesday's Brigg Extra page in the Scunthorpe Telegraph. The full report will then be posted on Brigg Blog.

LET'S BE FLUSHED WITH PRIDE

Under the imaginative slogan All Cisterns Go, local councils, like our own North Lincolnshire unitary authority, are being encouraged to do more to halt the decline of the great British public loo and to adopt pioneering new approaches to boost access to public toilets.
In Brigg, we have decent public conveniences in Cary Lane (pictured) and near The Monument, but they are not open 24 hours a day.
Indeed, on Sundays and bank holidays they are only available for people 'caught short' because Brigg Town Council pays North Lincolnshire more than £500 a year to fund the man who does the locking and unlocking.
True, in the evenings people can pop into pubs, while there are toilets at Tesco's store, available while it is open for business - so to speak.
But surely that's not the point. We have a Tourist Information Centre, run by North Lincolnshire Council, yet is it good for tourism to have visitors turning up at the town centre toilets to find them locked?
A Government spokesman said 150 years ago public lavatories were seen by councils as being the key to good public health - as well as a chance to promote leading edge architecture.
"They became a symbol of civic pride as well as the advances of sanitation," he said. "But in recent years there has been a significant fall in both the level of provision and public satisfaction."
Now a Strategic Guide has been produced - aimed at encouraging local councils to look at a range of things they can now do to provide better access and better quality toilets across the country.
"We think that the state of our public toilets should indeed be a mark of civic and community pride," said the spokesman.
"The Guide will say that being able to use clean and accessible public loos are important to everyone - but it is critically important to particular groups such as disabled or older people and families with young children.
"And the whole community suffers - not least because poor quality provision in our towns and city centres contributes to anti-social behaviour through 'street fouling' and poor hygiene standards."
Communities Minister Baroness Andrews is encouraging councils to consider a range of innovative ideas and actions to boost the availability, and quality of, public toilets.
They include new 'SatLav' schemes - a new mobile text initiative which sends immediate information on the nearest toilet and opening times.
However, now for a word of caution: Councils will soon be given the discretion to charge for toilets they own and run. This will be their decision and the guide stresses councils should consult local people about how to promote public access to toilets, and if they take a decision to introduce charging it should be fair and reasonable.
Baroness Andrews added: "Some people may find the whole idea of a strategic guide on public toilets funny. But let's remember that there are serious issues too, issues that make public access to toilets a matter of vital importance to many people.
"For older people, disabled people, and families with young children poor access to public toilets can make it difficult to leave home, and reduce their freedoms and sense of dignity.
"For decades, the provision of good municipal facilities was a matter of considerable civic pride. But for many years we seem to have gone backwards. We need to reverse this decline."
Richard Chisnell, of the British Toilet Association, said: "We are very grateful to the Government for taking up the important issue of public toilet provision. First impressions can be gained in the toilets on arrival and it is these that get taken home by visitors.
"Expanding and improving the range of toilets available for public use is the right way forward and we welcome the positive changes that this guidance could inspire."

GREEN LIGHT

Outline planning permission for the erection of a detached dwelling, detached domestic garage and northern boundary wall at 31 Elm Way, Brigg, has been granted to Mr S Wilson by North Lincolnshire Council.

SEE YOU THERE?

Don't forget you can go along tomorrow (Tuesday) to the Angel Suite, in Brigg, are voice your concerns about crime or road safety issues at the quarterly meeting of the Brigg Neighbourhood Policing Panel.
You can chat in confidence to police officers from 6.30am, while a public forum will follow from 7.30pm.
Insp Brett Rutty, head of policing for the Brigg area, will reveal the latest crime figures and comment on how things are going.

SIGN OF THE TIMES

With the country gripped by a bad weather warning, strengthening winds had taken their toll on a large wooden advertising hoarding outside Brigg Sugar Factory Social Club.
By 6.30am today the hoarding - advertising much of the old sugar factory site as being for sale - had come down and was resting across the footpath.

TAKE CARE

With very strong winds forecast for tomorrow (Monday), North Lincolnshire Council and the emergency services in Brigg will be standing by.
Some structural damage and uprooting of trees is forecast for the UK, as a storm sweeps across the country, although the west is expected to be worst hit.
Hopefully tomorrow's winds won't turn out to be as strong as those which hit Brigg one Saturday about 15 years ago.
It was so bad the hockey goals at the recreation ground kept blowing over and our game with Doncaster had to be abandoned after 10 minutes, with the visitors 1-0 ahead and looking good for many more.
It meant a very early arrival in the pub!
When the bad weather arrives tomorrow, keep in touch with Breaking News on www.thisisbrigg.co.uk

'TARDIS' DISAPPEARS

This Blog has made several comments on the computer-controlled console in the bus shelter on Cary Lane, which is supposed to be there to offer on-screen information to travellers, but which has not worked for a long, long time.
Well, now it has disappeared altogether - a bit like Doctor Who's Tardis.
Some months ago the screen carried a message suggesting someone ought to plug in the keyboard. Then hopes of a permanent fix rose when we saw a Microsoft screensaver appear.
However, the console has now been removed altogether. Hopefully it's just been taken away for repairs and will re-appear in tip-top order, in the not too distant future.
At least there is currently an old-fashioned printed timetable fixed to a lamp-post at the bus stop, although it is showing signs of vandalism.
And perhaps that's central to the difficulties in and around the bus station.
Last night I returned late from Scunthorpe to Brigg, on the Hornsby No 4 service, arriving in town about 9pm. Yet the after-dark drop-off and pick-up point remains Wrawby Road, near the White Horse.
This has been the case for a long time, as drivers became fearful of rowdy youths in Cary Lane and the possibility of damage to people and buses.
That's very sad. Especially as the town's police station is only a stone's throw away (sorry, perhaps not the best choice of phrase!).
Will this situation remain for ever more, meaning the trouble-makers have won?
For what we have here is a little no-go area after dark for buses and their passengers. Not something which puts the town in a good light!

APARTMENTS ON CARDS

The go-ahead has been given for six self-contained apartments with associated parking, bin store and amenity areas, on land off South View Avenue, Brigg.
Tracey Pearson, of Longhurst Group Ltd, has been granted planning permission by North Lincolnshire Council.
Council garages used to occupy the site, which is near to Woodbine Park.

Did you know you can access scores of previous postings on Brigg Blog? When you first visit the Blog you will see the words 'Nigel Fisher's Brigg Blog' in Blue, underneath the title to the Blog, and above the latest article posted. Click on the words 'Nigel Fisher's Brigg Blog' and it will take you into the archive section, which has a search facility. You will also see the posts listed in date order on the right-hand side of the screen.

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL

Maybe Brigg now boasts the smallest traffic hump in the country.
It's on Woodbine Avenue and a photo is no good to show you what it looks like; it's just too small to show up! Go along and have a look...if you are interested.
New power cables were recently laid under the road and it was necessary to remove one of the tarmac humps while the work was being done.
However, rather surprisingly, whoever relaid the top surface seems to have made a token attempt at replacing the traffic hump, although it's only sticking up an inch or two.
No doubt North Lincolnshire Council will eventually restore it to its former glory.
And on the question of highway matters: How come Almond Grove can qualify for a mini-roundabout but Bigby Road can't?
The junction between Birch Avenue and Almond Grove sees much less traffic than the connecting point between St Helen's Road and Bigby Road.
Try exiting St Helen's Road during the early morning or late afternoon and there's a constant stream of traffic holding you up.
A mini-roundabout would solve the problem, and keep traffic moving.
If you are thinking this is an A-road (A18)and so cannot have a mini-roundabout, then how come there's one at Fountain Corner, Scawby Brook?
Perhaps it's time North Lincolnshire Council staff had a look at the situation at the top of St Helen's Road, which is not made any easier by vehicles being permitted to park on Bigby Road, opposite the junction. This would have to stop if a mini-roundabout was introduced.

HOUSE CALL

These days it's common for houses in town centres to be converted to offices, but unusual for the reverse to apply.
However, planning permission is currently being sought to convert 11 Queen Street, Brigg, back to a dwelling.
Martin Stewart, of St James' Road, is seeking the go-ahead from North Lincolnshire Council.
He says it was built in 1888 as a two-bedroomed terraced family home but converted to offices for use by Brigg courthouse staff in the 1960s.
It has since been used by a number of companies, the current occupants being Mainline Security Systems, looking to move to larger premises.
Mr Stewart says properties in Queen Street are currently divided 50-50 between housing and commercial.
He believes turning No 11 back to a dwelling 'will help to satisfy the current demand in the increasingly sought-after market town of Brigg for affordable housing for the first-time buyer'.

Did you know you can access scores of previous postings on Brigg Blog? When you first visit the Blog you will see the words 'Nigel Fisher's Brigg Blog' in Blue, underneath the title to the Blog, and above the latest article posted. Click on the words 'Nigel Fisher's Brigg Blog' and it will take you into the archive section, which has a search facility. You will also see the posts listed in date order on the right-hand side of the screen.

REFRESHMENTS ON OFFER

Brigg Older People's Club meets on Thursday, from 1pm to 3pm, at St John's Church Hall, in Bigby Street. The £1 entry fee includes refreshments.
For further details ring Marilyn on (01652) 653384.

IDEAL LOCATION

A car showroom is one of the suggested uses for the former lorry wash site near the roundabout at the top of Atherton Way.
The one-acre site is available for sale, or to let.
"This is an extremely prominent site that could be suitable for a car showroom and/or industrial usage up to 20,000 sq ft," say LWE Commercial Property Advisers.
For further information contact Nigel Griffiths. Tel 01302 329888.
The site has been acquired by Ground Group.

Did you know you can access scores of previous postings on Brigg Blog? When you first visit the Blog you will see the words 'Nigel Fisher's Brigg Blog' in Blue, underneath the title to the Blog, and above the latest article posted. Click on the words 'Nigel Fisher's Brigg Blog' and it will take you into the archive section, which has a search facility. You will also see the posts listed in date order on the right-hand side of the screen.

ENTERTAINING DAY

Tomorrow (Tuesday) there's an open invitation to Brigg folk to attend a coffee morning in Tennyson Close, off Albert Street (from 11am).
It will be followed by a fish and chip lunch. And once that's been eaten, there will be a game of bingo.
All are welcome - you don't have to be a resident of the Tennyson Close development.
The total cost is £2.20, and to book you need to contact Marilyn Demott, of Fresh Start, on (01652) 653384.

Did you know you can access scores of previous postings on Brigg Blog? When you first visit the Blog you will see the words 'Nigel Fisher's Brigg Blog' in Blue, underneath the title to the Blog, and above the latest article posted. Click on the words 'Nigel Fisher's Brigg Blog' and it will take you into the archive section, which has a search facility. You will also see the posts listed in date order on the right-hand side of the screen.

SO SAD

The death of well-known Brigg character 'Chuck' Marshall is extremely sad news.
In his latter years he was a familiar figure, dressed in his dark suit, outside the town's Tesco store, or on Barnard Avenue, where he spent a lot of time.
Many Brigg people have spoken fondly of ex-steelworker 'Chuck' who did not enjoy the best of health in recent years.
Hopefully, when his funeral can finally proceed, there will be a good turn-out.

PETITION LAUNCHED

A 'Save Our Ambulance' petition has been launched by the Brigg and Goole Conservatives.
They have sent a newsletter to homes in the Brigg area, spelling out their opposition to the proposal to withdraw the Brigg-based ambulance and replace it with two fast response cars.
Householders are being given the chance to complete a petition form contained in the newsletter and return it to the Conservatives' office, Freepost DC 684, Scunthorpe - or complete it online by visiting www.andrewpercy.org
East Midlands Ambulance Trust is behind the proposal, which affects the ambulance currently stationed at Health Place, off Wrawby Road.

Did you know you can access scores of previous postings on Brigg Blog? When you first visit the Blog you will see the words 'Nigel Fisher's Brigg Blog' in Blue, underneath the title to the Blog, and above the latest article posted. Click on the words 'Nigel Fisher's Brigg Blog' and it will take you into the archive section, which has a search facility. You will also see the posts listed in date order on the right-hand side of the screen.

SCARY TIME OF YEAR

Many of us who attended Brigg County Primary School, in Glebe Road, during the 1960s were 'persuaded' to enter the verse speaking classes at the music festival at this time of year. You didn't say 'No' to the likes of Mrs Shemmings!
You had to learn a particular poem and run through your performance a few times with the hard-pressed class teacher, who probably had much better things to do with a class of well over 30 to look after.
Then, on the big day, you walked (with parent in tow) ever so nervously to the Corn Exchange - now sadly gone - and awaited your turn to perform.
Pitted against you would be children from Brigg Prep and the Catholic School, plus (and this was always a mystery to me) one or two from the tiny village of Nettleton (near Caistor).
Eventually, your turn would arrive and you had to climb wooden steps at the side of the hall before inching your way across to the exact centre of the stage to await your cue from the adjudicator.
He, or she, would be sitting some distance away - in the centre of the Corn Exchange - still busily writing comments about the last 'performer' onto a special sheet.
Then it was time to start your rendition - hoping desperately you did not 'dry' as the acting profession calls it - and have to be prompted with the next line.
For that would mean a swift end to any hopes of glory - a bit like hitting the kerb while trying a three-point turn on the driving test.
With the eyes of all those mums on you in the audience, it was a nerve-racking experience. Or perhaps, from an educational standpoint, a character-building exercise.
Either way, you just longed to get it over with and forget all about the festival for another 12 months.
I must have performed every year but can only remember the titles of two poems - The Donkey and Star Man - and no verses at all.
For one of those I somehow scraped third place, receiving a handsome certificate and having the moment captured for posterity by Bryan Robins, the Lincolnshire Times photographer. He photographed the winning group on the aforementioned steps leading up to the stage.
The image of grinning children must have appeared in the paper that Friday, with the black and white print being displayed in the window of the offices at 57 Wrawby Street. Mother must have gone in later to buy a copy, which she probably still has in a drawer, somewhere.
Glebe Road was often outshone, in terms of prizes, by children from the Prep school. But maybe we deserved more praise than we got from the adjudicator, as the kids from the council house estates had to try to cover up their natural North Lincs twang - at least for the performance. We did not normally talk 'proper' - unlike some of those whose parents paid for their education.
Years later, while working for the Lincolnshire Times, it was necessary to report on the music and drama festival, offering a complete results service, plus comments from the adjudicator. This was, after all, a major event for the entire area.
In the editorial department we worked hard - and some odd hours. But the reporters' only scheduled Saturday night 'diary job' of the entire year was the festival's all-winners' show. It was not a favourite!
There was a sneaky way round it, however. If the reporter could find someone, perhaps a relative or friend, who enjoyed such concerts you could leave them in the Corn Exchange and nip back later to get their thoughts on the highlights.
For many folk still living in Brigg, their main memories of the Corn Exchange will relate to the music and drama festival.
It was not the world's most attractive building, and not particularly old - only dating back to Victorian times. But it could stage big events...lots of room for 'bums on seats'.
Sadly, the cost of its upkeep tested the patience of district councillors to such an extent they finally decided it had to come down.
Maybe someone could write a poem, or song, dedicated to the old building and perform it at the Angel Suite during a future music and drama festival.

Did you know you can access scores of previous postings on Brigg Blog?
When you first visit the Blog you will see the words 'Nigel Fisher's Brigg Blog' in Blue, underneath the title to the Blog, and above the latest article posted.
Click on the words 'Nigel Fisher's Brigg Blog' and it will take you into the archive section, which has a search facility. You will also see the posts listed in date order on the right-hand side of the screen.