VIEW FROM RIVER

A recent Blog posting made reference to the former Trent Foods factory site, off Bridge Street, again being put to good economic use - for storage.
Well, here's a picture, taken from the far bank of the River Ancholme showing a large pile of wooden pallets.
Not the most attractive scene, it's true. But in the current economic climate, it's good to see some business activity.

FAREWELL TO RON

Today sees the funeral service for well-known Brigg man Ron Morris, who died aged 92.
It is being held at Woodlands Crematorium, Scunthorpe, at 1pm.
Ron was married to former town councillor Barbara Morris, living in King's Avenue for many years. He supported his wife very well during her time as Town Mayor, in 1998.
Older Brigg Blog readers will remember the famous Morris family chip shop in Wrawby Street, illustrated here by ex-Brigg man Stephen Hill, who contributes to the Scunthorpe Telegraph's Nostalgia magazines.

SURVIVAL STORY

Although it's out in the open, this public telephone on Brigg railway station does work, and has been working for a long time. Remarkable, given the amount of vandalism and wrecking you come across.
Long may it continue to serve the few passengers using the one-day-a-week service linking Brigg with Sheffield and Grimsby/Cleethorpes.

TAKING SHAPE

This new home right alongside the Old River Ancholme seems to be coming along nicely.
It has replaced the old, derelict, white-painted farmhouse.
The house is well off the beaten track - and to get to it you have to go right down Mill Lane and then turn off across the fields.
However, it can be viewed, as our picture demonstrates, by journeying a good way down Cadney Road.
Decades ago, we understand, there was a rowing boat system used to get to and from the farmhouse.

CHANCE TO JOIN

You do not necessarily have to be involved with farming to join the Brigg and District Farmers' Wives Club - but you will need to have an interest in the countryside and the environment.
For further details contact Margaret Dodds on (01652) 650814, or email margaretdodds@toucansurf.com

WELCOME SUPPORT

Brigg Town Council has earmarked cash to help three major events in the town - £,1500 for Brigg District Lions' Summer Fair, £500 for Brigg Fiddle Fest and £300 for Brigg Live Arts' Bi-annual Art Exhibition.
All three sums are 'in case of need' - meaning the council will only pay out in the event of expenditure exceeding income.

TORCHED!

It looks like the vandals have struck again in centre of Wrawby Street, as this is all that's left of the bin.
It's bad enough when people target the flowers in the planting tubs during spring and summer, but you wouldn't expect much to happen during winter, would you?

WE GOT THERE IN THE END

Good to see a litter bin has now appeared next to the seat adjoining the zebra crossing in Bigby Street.
Brigg Town Council always wanted it there but when a new bin went up last year (installed by the North Lincolnshire authority) it was some distance away, near the pizza parlour. Now, however, this extra bin has appeared.
Brigg councillors felt the bin should be near the seat to help combat litter dropped by people sitting there.

"ANOMOLIES" CONSIDERED

Tonight's monthly meeting of Brigg Town Council - in the Angel Suite from 7.30pm - looks set to provide some interesting items.
Consideration will be given to "anomalies" which see some homes we might class as being in Brigg actually being in neighbouring parishes.
Town councillors will also have to consider their response to North Lincolnshire's Housing and Land Allocations Development Plan - Pre-Submission Consultation - Second Stage.
Cutting through the council jargon, this is the shortlist of areas where the planners might encourage housing development. Expect York Road 'field' (pictured) to be one of the more controversial.
If you are planning to go along to the meeting, note there will be a 15-minute period available for public questions prior to the start.

CRICKETING MEMORIES

Memories of Brigg cricket flooded back at the monthly meeting of the Lincolnshire Cricket Lovers' Society at Cleethorpes' Chichester Road clubhouse.
"Yours truly" was called in as a late substitute speaker to replace Peter Lever, the former England and Lancashire fast bowler, who was unable to make the date.
The talk featured personal memories of Lincolnshire cricket, favourite grounds and characters of the past 35 years, but opened with an explanation of how my interest in the sport developed.
As a boy, prior to joining Brigg Town Cricket Club, all available summer spare time was spent playing on the small area of grass between the fenced-off recreation ground and South View Avenue.
Due to the close proximity of the council houses, we tried desperately not the employ too many big-hit straight drives. However, as the Cricket Lovers heard the other night, sometimes a juicy full toss was just too tempting to ignore. And so it was, one infamous day, Dean Nutbrown, of Poplar Drive (later to play club cricket for Brigg and Broughton) smashed a big six and deposited the ball through the sitting room window of one of the houses. Unfortunately, not just any old house - but the house belonging to Coun Herbert "Sooty" Welbourne.
Later, at Brigg Grammar, we were encouraged by schoolmaster Gerry Longden, who played high-standard club cricket for Scunthorpe Town, and by coach Salim Uddin, who was a renowned Lincolnshire Minor Counties player, then playing for Appleby-Frodingham CC.
Fortunately, the year I left the grammar school, Brigg Town Cricket Club was reformed, playing home games at the recreation ground (pictured) in the Grimsby Saturday League.
Having got the "Brigg roots" bit out of the way, I thought that was quite enough on our town and moved the talk on, widening the net over the next hour to include memories of charming village grounds, like East Halton and Elsham, and funny incidents encountered while covering Lincolnshire Minor Counties games for the Scunthorpe and Grimsby Telegraphs.
Following the conclusion of the talk, there was a brief "beer break" after which the chairman invited questions from the audience. And one retired cricketer said he was surprised there had been no mention made of Brigg Town CC legend Garry "Gig" Smith.
The questioner wondered whether "Gig" was still seen on sportsgrounds in the area.
I replied we could have had a whole session on stories just about "Gig" but recalled attending his last match (aged 60) which was away to Lincoln side Hartsholme.
"These days, if I'm umpiring at Marsh Lane, Barton, he might turn up to watch and give me a bit of gentle stick from the boundary," I added.
"Gig" was a magnificent all-rounder who should have played a lot higher standard of cricket than he did with Brigg Sugar Factory and Brigg Town.
Although from a well-known Brigg family, many members of whom still live in the town, "Gig" has resided in South Ferriby for many years.
Also mentioned during the evening was Fred Marris, the former Elsham and Brigg Sugar Factory batsman, who was remembered by many players in the audience.

MORE POPULAR THAN TV HOSTS?

Brigg Blog seems to be outgunning Richard and Judy in popularity. Our site counter shows traffic of more than 9,000, while, according to figures in some of today's national papers, their new digital channel show is only attracting the interest of some 8,000.
When with the Lincolnshire Times I seem to recall attending one or two press conferences alongside Mr Madeley, in Scunthorpe, when he was with Yorkshire TV.
We will leave you to dwell on the figures and conclusion given above, but beware - 'stats' are not always what they seem.
"Lies, damned lies and statistics" has long been one of my favourite phrases. Although popularised in the United States by top author Mark Twain, its orgins are a little nearer to home - Benjamin Disraeli, the Victorian Prime Minister, and the subject of my A-level history thesis at Brigg Grammar School.
He was a very colourful character and, if alive today, might well have helped lift Richard and Judy's ratings, as a guest on their show.

FOWL PLAY ON ALLOTMENTS

Chickens have been stolen from the Grammar School Road allotments site, and the matter has been reported to Brigg police.
That prompted a tenant to request Brigg Town Council to make the site more secure, but he/she has been told the cost of fencing round the area would be far too prohibitive, when considering the modest income generated from annual rentals.
Brigg Blog subsequently asked for details of how made birds had been stolen, but the council was reluctant to reveal further details, following the issue being raised (briefly) at a meeting of the property and services committee, in the Angel Suite, which we attended.
Publicity and further information, it was argued, might alert other wrongdoers to the situation.
The other side of the coin, of course, is by airing the matter in public, Brigg folk who might be approached by chicken-rustlers to buy birds may be wary of doing so, having read of the thefts.
It should be stressed not all allotment-holders keep chickens. The majority just grow their own veg.
Next time we speak to Insp Brett Rutty (pictured), head of Brigg police, we will ask him whether inquiries into the chicken-rustling have proved successful. It's very unlikely Brett's team will be able to obtain enough evidence to get a prosecution in this case. For the evidence might well have been consumed by now!

PS It's not that many months ago we reported on topsoil being stolen from Brigg allotments. As far as we know, that was an isolated incident, and there have been no other reports of thieves 'dishing the dirt'!

COMEDY LEGENDS REMEMBERED

Thanks go to Karen Deeley, Brigg's Angel Suite manager, who has supplied this picture of Laurel and Charlie, who will be appearing at the town centre venue on Saturday, May 9 (7.30pm).
The show is based on the early lives of two of Hollywood's greatest comedians and has been described as 'a fresh and funny take on two characters familiar to us all'.
A Bad Apple Theatre Company production, Laurel and Charlie is a new comedy, written and directed by Kate Bramley (ex-Hull Truck Theatre).
The Angel Suite show is part of a tour starting in April which includes venues in Bury, Rotherham, Bridlington, Leeds and Lincoln.
Tickets for the Brigg show on May 9 cost £7.50. Call (01652) 659402 or email enquiries@briggmarkettown.co.uk
For further information about the tour and performers, visit the website www.badapple.freeserve.co.uk

CHANCE TO JOIN IN THE FUN

Linda Baxter, of Brigg Bowls Club, has penned a special article for us on the merits of joining our town club, based near Dudley Road (behind the old courthouse). With spring not so far away, others may wish to follow her example.

Both my husband and myself have been members of Brigg Bowls Club for four years. We had never thought about playing bowls until we saw a small ad in a shop window. I rang the number and Brian Clark who explained the basics of bowling as well as showing us round the facilities met us at the club. We felt a bit apprehensive at first thinking: Would we be able to play bowls well enough? We were put at ease and told we could practice as much as we wanted and then play in the league matches when we felt ready. Brigg Bowls Club prides itself on giving all members many chances to play in the league matches but it is not compulsory to do so, members can play on a social or casual basis.
I retired from work recently and have just taken on the position of secretary for the club so I am looking forward to the start of the season. I have always worked in accounts offices and six years prior to moving to Brigg I owned an office in Barnsley Town Centre providing bookkeeping services, temporary accounts staff, accounts and help for small businesses.
Having moved to Brigg from Barnsley, I didn’t know many people here but after joining Brigg Bowls Club I have met many new friends. New residents into the area are always made very welcome.
Brigg Bowls Club offers members free lessons for beginners. Gala days, Fun days, Ladies Day (when all the ladies play and the men do the food catering) are just a few of the get-together days at the club. There’s a chance to compete in the many club competitions. Members can go to the Bowls Club to practice or for a friendly game most times.
The green at Brigg is exceptionally good due to the hard work of our greenkeeper and his helpers. The club has good facilities such as a large pavilion, well-equipped kitchen, disabled toilets, changing room and outside viewing area.
Playing bowls is a great way to meet people; the matches are enjoyable evenings out. There’s nothing better on a lovely summer’s evening to be either watching the matches or taking part.
Bowling is a great pastime, fun and provides a chance to meet up with many different age groups whilst enjoying bowling. We have a First Division team down to a Fifth Division so whatever your standard of bowling there is a chance to play in the league.
Brigg Bowls Club is a well-established club soon to celebrate its centenary.
If you fancy giving it a try, we welcome any age groups, whether you are an accomplished player or like me someone who had never played before just give me a call, Linda Baxter on 01652 657386.

APPEAL FOR HELP

Our reference to the demolition of the buildings at Pingley Camp, on the outskirts of Brigg, to make way for industry/housing, has prompted a request for information about prisoners of war during the 1940s. Maybe some Brigg Blog followers will have information of use to our contact.
Andrea Qudah says: "I am particularly interested in Italian prisoners of war located at Low Santon, Lincolnshire. I have read your blog with much interest and am contacting you in the hope that you may be able to help with my research into my family history.
"Whilst there is little mention of a camp at Low Santon, I understand that it was a satellite camp, housing some 20 to 30 Italian POWs. My research so far has indicated that the administrative camp responsible for these prisoners would have been either Pingley Farm Camp, Bigby, Brigg (Camp 81) or Castlethorpe Hall Farm, near Brigg.
"I note your reference to a German POW located at the Low Santon camp and wondered if you have any details as to which farms these prisoners may have worked on in addition to that at Low Santon. I am also keen to locate any records of the prisoners and any other information (photographs etc) which may have survived."
We are helping Andrea with some information from the Telegraph archive, buit if you can help please email andreaqudah@hotmail.co.uk

SOUNDING THE RIGHT NOTE

Coun Penny Smith has kindly volunteered to try and get an organ installed in the Angel Suite, to give added value to events at Brigg’s community venue.
It appears the organ is free to collect to the town council from a chapel somewhere in deepest Broughton, but there have been problems getting hold of the right person with the right key, and organising the organ's move to our town.
Maybe, once it's installed at its new home in Brigg, we can have a demonstration.
Before readers get the impression it's a much-loved mighty Wurlitzer, of the type made famous at seaside resorts, we should point out this is much more modest.
We have a basement at the Angel Suite, it's true, but there's no chance of the organ rising through the floor of the ex-ballroom above.
Brigg's Angel Suite will never rival Blackpool's Tower Ballroom. But the organ's arrival will be a welcome addition. Now all we need to do is find Brigg's answer to Reginald Dixon (look him up on Google, if his name means nothing to you!)

NOTE TO COUNCILLORS

It's high time a litter bin was installed near the bus shelter in Cary Lane.
Yes, people should take their litter home with them. But if those who can't be bothered see a bin nearby they might, just might, put it in there, rather than tossing it on the floor.
I seem to recall there was a bin attached to the shelter, but it was vandalised.

SET FAIR?

Dowse's funfair pays an annual spring visit to Brigg, its traditional site being the old lorry wash, near the entrance to Atherton Way.
But for many weeks this piece of land has been camped on by travellers, with their caravans and associated vehicles.
Prior to using the lorry wash site, the funfair was housed on the town's main car park, off Old Courts Road, which prompted complaints about the reduced number of parking spaces available to shoppers.
We shall have to wait and see what happens in the coming weeks.

TRENT FOODS FOR THOUGHT

It's good to see the former Trent Foods factory, off Bridge Street, back in productive use, with a large collection of wooden pallets stacked up in the yard.
We gather it's being used for storage.
This privately-owned site, beside the Old River Ancholme, is one of those North Lincolnshire Council is thinking about earmarking for housing development in its planning blueprint for the future.

LET'S GO TO THE HOP

Pete Boston (pictured) has thanked Brigg Blog for the publicity afforded to his regular monthly live music nights at the Ancholme Inn, on Grammar School Road.
He did so in Den's chippie, on Glebe Road, at the weekend, while dropping some posters off for a forthcoming event in this popular series.
So perhaps that will act as a reminder to individuals, and groups, that Brigg Blog is a good vehicle to publicise town events of all kinds - social, cultural and sporting. Email details to nigel.fisher@gsmg.co.uk - or post to Nigel Fisher, Scunthorpe Telegraph, 4/5 Park Square, Laneham Street, Scunthorpe, DN15 6JH. You can also fax to (01724) 273101.
Information sent to Brigg Blog may also be included, from time to time, and depending on content, in the Scunthorpe Telegraph and the Scunthorpe Target.
Here's hoping to hear from you!

ATTENDING THE BASH

Josie Webb, chairwoman of the very successful Brigg Amateur Social Historians group - better known as BASH - is finalising speakers for the monthly meetings this year.
She has now pencilled me in to talk on the Lincolnshire Times weekly newspaper on Tuesday, December 1 at Brigg Servicemen's Club, Coney Court (8pm).
It was more than five years ago when a talk on the Lincolnshire Times, delivered in the White Horse, launched BASH's monthly get-togethers.
The late, lamented weekly paper's office was at 57 Wrawby Street, Brigg, and it served our area from 1867 until its closure in 1985 - so there's a 25th anniversary coming up in 2010. Our graphic shows the front page of the final issue. A very sad day for all concerned.
To find out more about BASH visit the website wwww.briggbash.org.uk

ACTION CALL

A delivery truck had to return to base without dropping off items at an address in Glanford Court, Brigg.
Vehicles parked on Grammar School Road, close to the entrance to Glanford Court, made it impossible for the driver to get in to make his delivery.
Brigg Town Council, which has raised road safety concerns with the highway authority before, is now hoping North Lincolnshire Council will take another look at the issue.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

There's a great deal of national debate at the moment about local councils deciding to drop apostrophes from street names. Claims of declining standards, etc, etc.
In Brigg, since the days of the old Urban District Council, Princes Street has failed to include the apostrophe, although wasn't it named after the Prince of Wales? Just as nearby Albert Street was a tribute to his father, and Queen Street honoured his mother, Queen Victoria.
Then there's St Helens (Helen's?) Road and Kings (King's?) Avenue to consider.
Plus Springs (Spring's) Parade, honouring Mr Spring, founder of the great jam factory which once employed so many Brigg folk on the site where Lidl now stands.
Clearly the absence of apostrophes in street names is nothing new - despite what some of today's academics and national journalists think.
Some time ago, on the Brigg Extra page in the Scunthorpe Telegraph, we asked whether the street signs should say Forrester Street or Forester Street.
Chapel Way ought to be Chappell Way (remembering former Vicar of Brigg, Canon Chappell).
Decades ago, a schoolboy error was spotted, and corrected, when council workmen erected a sign saying Grammer School Road, rather than Grammar School Road.
Some newcomers/visitors to town also get confused about where Bigby Street becomes Bigby Road, and then gives way to Bigby High Road.
At Brigg Grammar in the days when English teaching was (thankfully) of the old-fashioned variety, we had to consider the possessive apostrophe. Never mind the standard variety.
Bear that in mind next time you pop down Island Carr to visit the local plumbers' and builders' merchants!
Oh, and finally...What's your view on St James Road? Should it be St James' - or would you go for the full out St James's?

THE ROARING (OVER) 40s!

Dont' forget a disco for the over-40s is planned for tonight (Friday) at the Ancholme Inn, Grammar School Road, Brigg, from 7.30pm.
There will be music from the '50s, '60s and '70s, courtesy of the Groove Disco.
Fresh Start staff - serving the over-50s - will be there, the cost being £5.50p, inclusive of pie and pea supper.
Tickets are available from the Ancholme, or call 01652 651127 or 01652 652093.

TOUCH OF ROMANCE

There's just time to surprise a loved one by booking for Brigg Town Council's Valentine's dinner/dance, to be held in the Angel Suite tomorrow (7.30pm).
Enjoy a three-course meal with wine, coffee and mints, vocal entertainment, 'gifts for the ladies', and a licensed bar.
Tickets are £24.50p - available from Angel Suite manager Karen Deeley (pictured). Tel 07903531201. But hurry!

OVER THE FIRST HURDLE

It was heartening to help get some positive good news about Brigg into the Scunthorpe Telegraph the other day, when I spotted Tom Wood's plans to revamp and extend his Yarborough Hunt hostelry, in Bridge Street.
Details had just gone up on the North Lincolnshire Council planning portal (website) when I happened to spot them while doing my weekly check of Brigg-related issues.
Usually this only provides a paragraph or two, but on this occasion it became the main story on one of our pages.
I'll have to declare an interest here: Tom's hostelry is one of my favourites. By his own admission it is not the cheapest, by any means, but it always offers a good selection of quality real ales. As the saying goes: You get what you pay for!
Tom's plans must now go through the planning process at North Lincolnshire Council before he can pull himself a celebratory pint.
His expansion cleared the first hurdle on Wednesday night, with Brigg Town Council - which must by law be consulted on planning matters - raising no objections.
Indeed, Coun Jackie Brock summed up the situation nicely when she told planning and environment committee colleagues: "It's good to hear of something doing well."
We've endured the closure of the Brocklesby Ox, Dying Gladiator and White Horse, so it's great to see the trend being reversed at the Yarborough by owner and brewer Tom (pictured by me at last summer's Lincolnshire Show while I was sampling a pint of his best!).
And finally...Despite what some might think, journalists love to bring good news, not just bad. It's just that, in a recession, there's a bit of an inbalance.

DOOR-TO-DOOR SERVICE

Brigg streets and households are now being visited by a newly opened farm shop - Baker's Fruit 'n Veg, of Victoria Road, Barnetby.
He's coming to Brigg on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, we understand.
If you think Paul can help your quest for the Government benchmark 'five a day' you can call him on 07852526219.

ON RIGHT TRACK

A novel and cheap idea to help passengers waiting at Brigg’s unstaffed railway station was put forward by Coun Jackie Brock at the town council’s monthly meeting.
Why not get the signalman in the box on Bigby Road to ring the phone in the shelter on the station and advise passengers of train delays?
Coun Brock said she was one of four people who endured a long wait on the platform for a train which had been held up at Retford - without knowing the reason at the time.
Brigg station only receives passenger trains on Saturdays – three going to Cleethorpes and three to Sheffield.

EYES DOWN, LOOK IN

A bingo session is being held tomorrow night (Friday) at St Mary's Church Hall, Barnard Avenue, from 8pm. This is a new initiative. All welcome - refreshments available.

NO OBJECTIONS

Brigg Town Council has raised no objections to a conservatory being retained at 14 East Parade. North Lincolnshire Council planners will now have the final say.

HIGH FLYERS

There's a meeting next Wednesday (Feb 15) of the Brigg-based Lincolnshire Branch of the National Service RAF Association. It's at the Ancholme Inn, Grammar School Road, starting at noon. Guest speaker will be Ken Duddell, of the Elsham Wolds Association.
Our picture - courtesy of Brian Emerson - shows members on an earlier visit to RAF Waddington.

BOOK YOUR LUNCH

Brigg folk are being invited to Riverside Mews, off Market Place, from noon on Friday to join in with the fish and chip lunch, followed by a sing-song.
The cost is £1.50, further information and bookings being handled by Michelle or Anne on (01652) 653414.
If you are interested but can't make the February 20 event, an identical session will also be held on Friday, March 20.

LOOKING AFTER THE PENNIES

Tonight sees Brigg Town Council deciding whether it wants to continue to pay to have the town's public conveniences opened up on Sundays and bank holidays by North Lincolnshire Council.
The suggested cost will be considerably more than 'spending a penny'!
This issue will be discussed when the property and services committee meets at the Angel Suite, off Market Place, at 7.30pm. The session is open to the public, if you wish to go along and listed to the debates.
Prior to that, at 7pm, there's a meeting of the planning and environment committee, when councillors will consider whether to comment on an application to retain a conservatory at 14 East Parade, Brigg.
See you there?

DETAILED REPORTING

The informative minutes of council meetings penned by Brigg town clerk Jeanette Woollard are to continue. She took the unusual step of asking town councillors ‘ to review the depth of information reproduced in the minutes’.
Mrs Woollard explained there was a school of thought in local government that minutes should merely list the decisions reached, not councillors’ comments and opinions made during debates.
Mrs Woollard said lengthy minutes like hers could be considered ‘verbose’.
However, Coun Michael Doherty - a solicitor who spent his working life in local government, latterly with Glanford Borough Council and North Lincolnshire Council – was adamant Mrs Woollard should not change the content of Brigg minutes.
He said the way the town council’s were presented helped people not on a particular committee to see what the reasoning had been in reaching a particular decision.
“I congratulate the clerk on her very good minutes,” he added.
Coun Ann Eardley said she believed ‘in depth’ was the best policy to follow on minutes.

CAMP COMES DOWN

By the weekend little more than the brick watertower remained of the buildings at Pingley Camp, on the outskirts of Brigg, where the site is being re-developed for housing and industry.
All the huts which were home to German and Italian prisoners of war during the 1939-45 conflict have been demolished.
Pingley Camp is near Brigg Garden Centre, on Bigby High Road - just over the border into West Lindsey, where the district council gave planning consent for the new development.
Executive-style detached properties will be built on the site, which was acquired by Grimsby-based Barford Builders Ltd.
A few years ago, some surviving relics from Pingley Camp, including the dentist’s chair, were taken to Harperley, in Northumbria, where another PoW camp has been converted into a tourist attraction.
Brigg Amateur Social Historians made a visit there to see some of the Pingley artefacts in their new home, while Pingley Camp formed the basis for a very well-attended monthly meeting of the group, in the White Horse.
Long after the end of the Second World War, the camp continued to play home to agricultural workers, some of whom were students from Europe enjoying working holidays.
One of the PoWs, Gerhard Moerbe, of Scawby, married and stayed on in this country.
He shared his memories at that BASH meeting, and with readers of Nostalgia magazine.
Gerhard revealed there had been a drive to return all prisoners home before the 1948 Olympic Games were held in London.
Mr Moerbe who had been at Castlethorpe moved to Pingley Camp at Brigg in the summer of 1947 to act as a clerk in the transport office.
He, like many others, came from the Eastern part of Germany which had been occupied by the communist Russians.
"I was not anxious to get home. I came from East Germany and had no wish to go back to the Russian Zone. I had never lived under the Russians and had no intention of going back there," he told Nostalgia during an interview in 2002.
The spectre of life under a totalitarian Communist regime as one of the defeated enemy was as unappealing as the Nazi regime that had gone before.
"In the German regime you did not know anything. Things were strict in Germany. You were not allowed to listen to foreign radio stations. If you were caught there were strict prison sentences. We did not know any different or what was happening in other countries," he said.
There were French and Belgium prisoners who worked on farms in Germany. He felt there had been a good reception from the English for the German prisoners.
"A lot of the local people did not mind the prisoners of war. You maybe got a few looks but if you behaved yourself people accepted you," he revealed.
He said Pingley Camp consisted of concrete slab huts as opposed to Nissen huts. Jimmy Thorpe was the farmer at Pingley.
Mr Moerbe said that while at Pingley Camp he met up with a former schoolmate who it turned out was stationed at a camp at Sandtoft.
There were also camps at Scawby at the Greetwell crossroads, off Messingham Lane, on the Scawby side, at Low Santon and at Keadby.
"I was due to be repatriated by March 1948 but I volunteered to stay on to work on a farm."
He said around 20,000 former Prisoners of War were allowed to stay in England under a scheme run by the War Agricultural Association.
The local camp for such workers was a former WAAF camp at Kirmington opposite the parish church, to which he moved in March 1948.
He said there would have been around 160 at Kirmington with 20 people to a hut. He stayed there until December 1948. Anyone who wanted to stay had to find their own lodgings.
Mr Moerbe said he initially worked on Davy’s farm at Greetwell and then got a job with the farmer’s company at Yarborough Mills oil mill.
"I stayed there until towards the end of 1949 then I worked at the steelworks at Appleby-Frodingham," he added.
We'd love to hear your memories of Pingley Camp, or receive your comments on its demolition and the new plans for the site. Post them here or email nigel.fisher@gsmg.co.uk

Our pictures show the site at the weekend, with demolition well under way, and the camp as it was during a BASH visit a few years ago, while the huts were still standing.

A BIT OUT OF PLACE?

North Lincolnshire Council planners must soon decide what to do about the variety of signs put up at United Carpets' new store, near The Monument.
However, while we are talking about things which might not be in keeping with the conservation area, take a look across the road from the store and see what you make of the big new traffic bollard that's been stuck there, near the Tin Tabs.
Some might well say it's plastic and garish - but highly visible to everyone.
Which you could also say about United Carpets' signage.
Council planners are really in a 'no win' situation with the store's planning application. If they refuse to allow the existing signs to stay they could be accused of failing to support a business bringing trade and jobs to Brigg; if they grant permission there will be claims it sets a worrying precedent on planning, and that there's little point in having the conservation area.

MAKE A DATE

The 59th North Lincolnshire (Brigg) Music and Drama Festival will be held next month.
Music classes run from March 16 for four days; drama opens on March 23 and will last two-and-a-half days.
Venues will be the Angel Suite, Vale of Ancholme Technology College and St John's Church.
Read the Scunthorpe Telegraph for further preview information, and results and pictures once the event gets under way.

LET'S HAVE A NEW SHOP

How about a 'corner shop' being included in future housing development on York Road 'field' in Brigg?
On Wednesday and Thursday - in the Angel Suite - planning authority North Lincolnshire Council gave townspeople the chance to see the eight areas of land on which housing developments might eventually be encouraged. This list is likely to be whittled down further - and no firm decisions have been reached. We hope to receive an update in August/September.
Returning to York Road, a shop would prove very useful to the many households on the surrounding housing estate. Think of the time saved, and the reduction in 'carbon footprint, if we could walk a street or two, without taking the car into the centre of the Brigg, as many now do, to buy a paper or a pinta.
It would be especially handy for the many senior citizens living in this part of town, would cut down the amount of traffic on estate roads, and help combat the hold-ups often encountered at the junction between St Helen's Road and the the A1084 (Bigby Road).

PLANS APPROVED

Planning permission to erect a storage shed at Brigg Youth Centre has been granted by North Lincolnshire Council, which has also decided to allow an existing domestic garage to be retained at 6 Wold View.

COAL YARD MEMORIES

There's a special feature article on Brigg railway station's coal yard/sidings in the latest issue of Telegraph Trains magazine, now on sale for 75p.
Many older Blog followers will remember the Brocklesby family as purveyors of fine 'nutty slack' to Brigg households in the days when central heating was rare and most homes, including the scores of council-owned ones, had coal fires.
There's plenty of other enjoyable reading in Telegraph Trains, although I'll have to declare an interest as the person who's put it all together!

IT'S SNOW JOKE!

Reading the newspaper reports and watching TV footage of people and places coming to a standstill after a sprinkling of snow set me thinking about the white stuff and Brigg in years gone by.
I still retain strong childhood memories of the bad winter of 1962/3, particularly trudging from Hawthorn Avenue to Woodbine Grove prefabs in the teeth of a blizzard which took your breath away.
At Glebe Road school there used to be a childhood song, chanted en masse in the playground, urging: "Snow a bit faster!" Not that headmaster Reg Stocks was likely to have closed the school because of a few inches of the stuff.
Once at Brigg Grammar, things got worse. If the snow was particularly bad, our head H B Williams would wait until the school dinners had been consumed, then send the out-of-towners back home to their villages - including Keelby, Hemswell and Snitterby. However, the Brigg lads had to remain in class - even though most of us cycled to school, which made the going somewhat harder for us than it was for those sitting on a nice, warm bus!
In the documentary film, later converted into a CD/DVD, of school life in 1968, there's evocative footage of a snow-bound BGS, with boys having snowball fights. The film was produced to mark the school's 300th anniversary the following year.
As children we used to like taking our sledges (rusty metal runners duly oiled) to venues like 'Bigby Swings' - better known as the Davy Memorial Playing Field - where the slope provided a perfect platform for high-speed action.
Today, at the same venue, you sometimes see plastic dustbin liners, wrapped around the lower half of the body including the feet, being employed to provide just as good a ride as we used to get from our heavy wooden sledges.
The colour picture used here, supplied to the Telegraph archive by Nellie Reynolds, is of a snowy day at the Brocklesby Ox, in Bridge Street, back in 1974.

WELCOME ADDITION

In Brigg Extra in the Scunthorpe Telegraph on Tuesday we explained how former Brigg landlady Sue Nicholson had been co-opted to fill a vacancy on the town council (at a session she couldn't attend), but stressed she needed to sign the declaration to become a councillor.
Well, it's good to report all the paperwork has been completed and Sue is now onboard, bringing the council back up to full strength.
We intend to get a picture of her being officially welcomed to the authority by Town Mayor Coun Mike Campion next time he attends in his chain of office.
Sue has already attended her first meeting of the policy committee.

IT'S FUN TO STAY AT THE...

Reference was made to The Village People at last night's meeting of Brigg Town Council's policy committee, held in the lounge at the Angel Suite.
It's not unusual - sorry, Tom Jones! - for music being played at events upstairs in the old ballroom to filter down to council sessions downstairs.
But last night there was no rendition of It's Fun to Stay at the YMCA. For Coun Michael Doherty's reference to The Village People related to residents from places like Howsham, who come into Brigg to use the shops and services.
Later, another councillor used the word 'whipping'. But before anyone jumps to the wrong conclusion and search engine hits on this posting start going into overdrive, let's put things into perspective.
Coun Penny Smith was talking about 'whipping' in its political context. More precisely, North Lincolnshire Council Labour group members voting along party lines.
Politicians often complain about journalists taking things out of context. Sometimes they have a point!

P-P-P-PICK UP A PENGUIN!

For one week only, starting tomorrow, the Oxfam Books and Music Shop in Brigg is offering a buy one, get one free deal on gardening, travel sports and antiques books, and videotapes.

STRIKING BLOW FOR THE PRESS?

Depending on whether I get there on time or not, I might make a submission to Brigg Town Council tonight, challenging the proposed resolution to exclude the press and public from the discussions over possible funding for Brigg summer fair, which the District Lions are looking to organise in August.
It's public money we are talking about, and as far as I can see, anything the town council might agree to give, or underwrite, would be money well spent for the benefit of the town and its residents.
So it's difficult to appreciate why the debate has to be behind closed doors.
"Would the press mind not reporting this?" has always proved sufficient in my experience of 30-plus years, as long as the council explains why.
I think I need to refresh my memory of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, allied to the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960.
If Coun Michael Doherty is at the meeting - a former Glanford Borough Council and North Lincolnshire Council solicitor - he will know them both chapter and verse.

UPLIFTING EXPERIENCE

Brigg Rotary Club’s annual winter visit to their old friends at the Leonard Cheshire Disability Home, near Barnetby, featured superb entertainment from the Sir John Nelthorpe School Choir.
Two more pictures - courtesy of David Brittain - and a full report appear in tomorrow's Scunthorpe Target.

SET FAIR FOR SUMMER?

Brigg town councillors will meet representatives of Brigg District Lions tomorrow to discuss the organisation's request for funding towards the cost of resurrecting Brigg Fair in August.
By Brigg Fair we mean the sideshows, stalls and street entertainment - not the buying and selling of horses by travellers and gypsies.
The council is very likely to exclude the press and public for the talks with the Lions, which form part of a meeting of the policy committee in the Angel Suite lounge (from 7.30pm).
Our picture shows the fair when the event was organised by the Brigg Upgraded Summer Society. Last summer there was no summer fair, although the horse trading still went ahead, organised by the travelling community, and drawing a big crowd, as always.

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT'S DUE

Plenty of evidence of gritting and sanding of Wrawby Street to be seen this morning after yesterday's snowfall. North Lincolnshire Council does the work to help shoppers.

POP IN TODAY

Fresh Start – serving the over-50s – has a session on acrylics today (Tuesday), from 10am-noon, at the Brigg Resource Centre, on Horstead Avenue. It’s part of the Tuesday Crafters series of events.
Contact Marilyn Demott, tel (01652) 651127 for further details.

BACK TO NORMAL

The light in Springfield Road (mentioned in earlier Blog postings) has now been sorted to everyone's satisfaction...just in time for the arrival of the snow.

ORDER! ORDER!

Members’ question time at Brigg Town Council is not quite on a par with the lively exchanges in the House of Commons, but it does meet a similar purpose – to give ordinary members the chance to raise issues of importance to them.
At the council’s latest monthly meeting in the Angel Suite, Coun Julian Kidd (pictured) kicked things off with reference to advertising boards obstructing footpaths.
Coun Ann Eardley then expressed her concerns about motorists churning up grass verges on the Newlands estate, the number of vans and cars parked on them, and the poor state of roadside kerbs.
Town Mayor Coun Mike Campion described parking on grass as ‘a horrible habit’.
Coun Ben Nobbs echoed Coun Eardley’s views about Newlands, saying land at the bottom of Elm Way had been turned into ‘a pig sty’.
These issues will be drawn to the attention of North Lincolnshire Council, which is responsible for roads and footpaths in Brigg.

SEEING WOOD FOR THE TREES

An issue first raised in Brigg Blog about bad visibility for motorists exiting St Helen’s Road, onto Bigby Road, is to be brought to the attention of North Lincolnshire Council by Brigg Town Council.
Trees, particularly when in leaf, make it difficult for motorists to see whether it’s safe to exit onto the A1084.
A resident of Bigby Road – identity not revealed by the town council – has called for tree pruning, leaves to be cleared from footpaths and gutters, and gulleys to be cleared.
The town council is to add its support to those requests.
“There are some issues with those trees,” said Coun Tom Glossop.

MEMORIES FLOW...WITH THE BEER

Although a health scare meant Simon Church was unable to return from Australia to meet up with old Brigg school chums, and cricketers, at the Yarborough Hunt last night, there was still a good turn-out of people meeting up to chat over old times - even though the weather was bitterly cold.
Shaun Coulson came up specially from Portsmouth, and Simon Pottage from Peterborough.
Pictured, left to right, are Shaun Coulson, Graham Day, Simon Pottage and Nigel Beacock.
Some of those returning to town were sad to see the closure of the Brocklesby Ox, Dying Gladiator and White Horse, recalling happy nights spent in those hostelries years ago.
Simon Church intends to re-organise his trip over to Brigg for later in the year. Keep watching the Brigg Extra page in the Scunthorpe Telegraph and Brigg Blog for details.
A more comprehensive report of last night's get-together, and another picture or two, will appear in the Scunthorpe Target on Thursday.