Nigel Fisher's Brigg Blog: July 2011

Sunday, July 31, 2011

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

The Brigg Community-Led Plan organisers will be holding their last scheduled consultation event on Tuesday 9th August at Brigg Garden Centre, between 11am and 3pm.
This will allow people to find out more about the Plan, which is aimed at setting out a blueprint for the future, showing how the community would like Brigg to develop.
You can find out more about the Plan by viewing the shop window display in Wrawby Street (not far from the archway leading to the Exchange).

Saturday, July 30, 2011

BRIGG MILLENNIUM GREEN TRUST

Coun Ben Nobbs has stood down as one of the delegated representatives of Brigg Town Council on the Millennium Green Trust, having taken over as chairman of the Trust from Chris Dodsworth at the recent AGM.
The Millennium Green is close to the Old River Ancholme and situated just off Elwes Street (Cadney Road).

REPRESENTING BRIGG

Town Mayor Coun John Kitwood and Coun Ben Nobbs will represent Brigg Town Council at the annual meeting of the East Riding and North Lincolnshire Local Councils Association on Saturday, September 17 at the Memorial Hall, Haxey.
Our picture shows Coun Nobbs, centre, and Coun Kitwood, with Town Clerk Jeanette Woollard.

Friday, July 29, 2011

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

They say "An army marches on its stomach." As I drove into Spring's Parade to visit the R @ B off-licence the other evening I spotted a long line-up of youngsters from the cadet unit in Bridge Street, Brigg, all seated in the fast food takeaway next door.
Back in the 1960s, as boy choristers, some of us did likewise, from time to time, after choir practice - visiting Jack Wattam's chippie in Wrawby Street. Especially when our quarterly "pay" came through.

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN NOW READ MORE INTERESTING NEWS ABOUT BRIGG AND DISTRICT BY VISITING AN EXCITING NEW WEBSITE?

brigg people

“YOURS TRULY” IS THE COMMUNITY PUBLISHER. YOU CAN REGISTER WITH THE SITE AND THEN UPLOAD YOUR OWN NEWS, SPORT AND VIEWS.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

OLDER BRIGG FOLK WILL LOVE IT

A new gallery looking at how British culture has developed since the end of World War Two will be opening at North Lincolnshire Museum, in Oswald Road, Scunthorpe next year, and it's bound to attract the attention of many Brigg people older enough to remember the 1950s.
The gallery will focus on how the dramatic cultural changes of the past 60 years have affected North Lincolnshire.
Plans for the new gallery include a 1950s-style kitchen and diner, a 1960s living room, and areas featuring pop culture paraphernalia from the 1950s to the 1980s.
The museum is now appealing to people to for suitable objects to be displayed in the new gallery alongside pieces from its own collection.
Crockery, tableware, glassware, light fittings, ornaments, kitchen and dining room furniture and living room furniture from the post-war period, particularly the 1950s and 1960s, are among the items needed.
Pop culture collectibles from music and youth movements such as mods, rockers, hippies, heavy rockers, punks and new romantics will also be welcomed.
The new gallery will open in May 2012 and renovation work will start earlier in the year.
It will tell the story of how a huge number of workers flocked to the area after World War Two to work in the town’s steel industry and how the steelworks acted as a catalyst for the growth of the town.
The museum is very keen to hear from people who have stories to tell from this period.
It’s possible that these stories will be recorded for visitors to the new gallery to listen to.
For more details contact Emma Wood on 01724 843533 or email emma.wood@northlincs.go.uk.
Couin John Briggs, cabinet member for Asset and Estate Management, Sport, Leisure and Culture at North Lincolnshire Council, said: “North Lincolnshire Museum is very keen to hear from people who have pieces of furniture or other items that could be displayed in this wonderful new gallery.
“A number of exhibitions about North Lincolnshire’s more recent history have proved hugely popular with visitors.
“The new gallery is part of the museum’s plan to give more prominence to the post-war period and the many cultural changes that have taken place. Please contact North Lincolnshire Museum on 01724 843533 if you can help.”

BRIGG NURSERY ENJOYS SUCCESS

From Melissa Marris, Munchkins Nursery, Brigg

Owing to expanding numbers, we are looking for two new part-time nursery practitioners to start in September. We are putting out job adverts but I wondered if you would be able to put a notice on Brigg Blog for us, please. We are looking for Level 3 qualified staff but experience is not essential. Any interested parties should contact me on 07729207323 or at mel@munchkinsnursery.co.uk for further details.

Monday, July 25, 2011

TAKING CARE OF BRIGG READING

North Lincolnshire Council’s libraries, in partnership with Brigg Carers’ Support Centre (pictured), is hoping to set up a carers’ group with a focus on reading.
Library staff would like to hear from any carers interested in joining such a group to see how it could be run to best suit their needs.
Carers will be welcome to pop along and meet other people who share similar experiences to discuss books or other stories of interest in a relaxed and informal setting.
The venue is likely to be Riddings Library in Scunthorpe or The Carers’ Support Centre in Brigg.
Funding or other support might be available if the person you care for cannot be left alone. In certain cases travel costs might also be reimbursed.
The group will be free to attend with a small charge for refreshments.
For more information, to make suggestions or to register your interest, please contact North Lincolnshire Central Library on 01724 860161 or via library.enquiries@northlincs.gov.uk

Sunday, July 24, 2011

SPLASH OF COLOUR BRIGHTENS BRIGG

Perhaps many of us who live in Brigg fail to appreciate the care taken to tend the flowerbeds, borders and hanging baskets. This colourful display is close to the busy A18, near the Old Courts Road traffic lights. Even someone with no interest at all in gardening, like myself, can appreciate the efforts made to brighten up the town. Brigg Town Council and North Lincolnshire Council are involved in terms of funding and deployment of manpower.
A blooming good effort!

NELSON'S FLAGSHIP PROJECT

The refurbishment work just undertaken to the outside of the prominent Hardy's/Lord Nelson building in Brigg Market Place has improved the look of the town centre. So let's pay credit to those prepared to invest in the work at a time when the licensed trade in general is not exactly thriving.

THIS 'OLE HOUSE

Shakin' Stevens, and others, have sung about This 'Ole House. This boarded-up property is used for storage by North Lincolnshire Council. It's in no man's land between Cary Lane, the back of the police station and the Old Courts Road car park. You'd think the council, with all the premises it owns across the district, could find somewhere else to store whatever is inside the old house and then knock it down to improve the look of the area. They could even consider extending the car park.
Anyone got any other ideas?

Saturday, July 23, 2011

3k RAISED BY BRIGG COUNCILLOR

Brigg town councillor Andrew Markham raised £3201.57p for the Alzheimer’s charity through a charity cycle ride.
Prior to his fundraiser, Andrew took delivery of a bike donated by Sherwood Cycles, in Bridge Street, from shop manager Dave Harrison, to use on his sponsored charity ride from Halifax to Brigg.
A great effort that by Andrew, of Woodbine Avenue, who is pictured here presenting the cheque to the society at a ceremony on Bridge Street.
Brigg Blog’s thanks go to Andrew and Michaela Crosthwaite, the Alzheimer's Society’s Community Fundraiser, North Yorkshire, East Riding and the Humber, for their assistance with the pictures after other work commitments in Hull meant we were unable to get down to the presentation.
The society is leading the fight against dementia.

Friday, July 22, 2011

CLARKY SETS RECORD

Steve Clark smashed the course record with 2hrs39m17s to take the win this year's Brigg Bomber quadrathlon.
It was blessed with excellent weather and one of the best turnouts seen. The mass start was split into two waves with 75 per cent solos and the rest made up of teams.
Read the full story and results by following this link...
http://www.lincsquad.co.uk/2011/07/clarky-smashes-course-record-to-win-the-2011-brigg-bomber/

BRIGG COUNCIL MEETING DOUBLE ON MONDAY

Brigg's Civic Service will be held at St John's Church, Bigby Street, on Sunday, October 9, when Town Mayor and Mayoress, Coun John and Kathryn Kitwood, will be in attendance.
Monday (July 25) sees a meeting of Brigg Town Council's planning and environment committee in the Angel Suite, from 6.45pm. This is open to the public.
So is the monthly meeting of Brigg Town Council which follows at 7.30pm. At the beginning of "full council" meeting, 15 minutes have been set aside for Public Question Time, when members of the community can raise issues with councillors.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

WORLDWIDE VISITORS TO BRIGG BLOG

The past month's visitors to Brigg Blog, ranked by most hits from each country, are:

1) United Kingdom
2) United States
3) France
4) Germany
5) Russia
6) Ukraine
7) Romania
8) Iran
9) India
10) Canada

Since former Town Mayor and ex-Councillor Tony Sykes (of the Black Bull, Brigg) returned to town from Portugal, with his wife, where they lived for some years, we no longer have one (Brigg) foot in the Algarve. But we think he's still following Brigg Blog at local level.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

BRIGG CEMETERY SEATING NEEDS REPLACING

Brigg councillor Rob Waltham is stepping in to see if it's possible to get replacement seating installed at the town’s cemetery, off Wrawby Road.
Coun Rob sits on both North Lincolnshire Council (responsible for upkeep of the cemetery) and Brigg Town Council. And since May he’s enjoyed high-level Cabinet rank within the unitary authority.
The poor state of cemetery seating was flagged up at the latest meeting of Brigg Town Council’s property and services committee, in the Angel Suite, by Coun Ben Nobbs, who felt that as North Lincolnshire had failed to undertake the necessary repairs and replacements, Brigg Town Council ought to step in and pay to get things sorted out.
He stressed the cemetery was a place where many Brigg people went “to sit and contemplate.”
Coun Nobbs reported complaints being lodged about the seats by members of the public.
Damaged seats varied in state from “seriously dangerous” and “broken beyond repair” to “just needs cleaning” he suggested.
On safety grounds, Coun Nobbs added: “If they are not repaired, they need removing.”
But Coun Jenny Bell felt very strongly that this should not become another example of Brigg Town Council being asked to fund something for which North Lincolnshire was responsible.
“North Lincs should be doing it!” she said.
Coun John Kitwood suggested “strong representations” to North Lincolnshire Council on the issue.
Coun Waltham then joined the debate, wholeheartedly agreeing it was a matter for North Lincolnshire to resolve.
He asked town councillors to defer the issue until the next meeting so he could make inquiries. He hoped Brigg Town Council would “not have to look at it again.”

COUNCIL RALLIES TO GREEN CAUSE

The Millennium Green in Brigg is to be kept tidy by the Town Council in the future.
Depending on the frequency of grass cutting undertaken, the annual cost to the Town Council would be between £679 and £793, councillors heard.
Property and services committee members were supportive of a suggestion by Coun Ben Nobbs that their authority should sponsor the upkeep.
His idea was for the Town Council to enter into a Service Level Agreement, under which North Lincolnshire Council neighbourhood services workers would undertake regular maintenance between April and October.
Coun Nobbs explained two volunteers had been overseeing tidying of the Green, off Elwes Street and near the Old River Ancholme, but the job was too much for them.
Coun Nobbs also suggested damaged little bins should be replaced.
But the £367 quoted cost per bin was “ridiculously excessive” according to Coun Jenny Bell.
Coun Penny Smith also had concerns about the price, but said the bins had been broken for some time and two were certainly needed.
However, councillors seemed happier after hearing that a request could be made to see whether “servicing” of the bins could be included in the price quoted.
Looking at the future upkeep of the Millennium Green, Coun John Kitwood said: “I think we have got to do it. It’s just got to be done, somehow.”
Coun Smith then suggested taking up the less expensive option of cutting the grass every three weeks, which was agreed.
Coun Rob Waltham felt that was a good idea as the Millennium Green should not be “a manicured area.”
The Green was a community project designed to mark the changeover from the 1900s to the 2000s and to mark the milestone in Brigg by way of a permanent reminder.
Since being established with its grassed areas, walks and seating, it has been overseen by a Millennium Green Committee drawn from the community.

WITH THANKS TO KEN HARRISON FOR THE ABOVE PICTURE.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

BRIGG PLANS COMING TO A SCREEN NEAR YOU

Coun Ben Nobbs projecting the plans, watched by Town Clerk Jeanette Woollard.

Brigg Town Council has entered a new technological era. It was not exactly one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind – but town councillors have had to boldly go where none had before...in five decades.
Ever since its formation in 1974, Brigg Town Council has received printed copies of planning applications (and supporting documents) from a higher level of local government.
It was originally Brigg-based Glanford Borough Council which provided the paperwork, and since 1996 it has been the North Lincolnshire unitary authority.
However, keen to save time, cut costs, improve efficiency and embrace the latest technology, North Lincolnshire planners have axed the paper method and told town and parish councils, from Haxey to Goxhill, they must now view relevant applications on the internet, using the special planning portal at www.northlincs.gov.uk
Brigg Town Council objected and understood North Lincolnshire Council was reviewing its decision. But no paper plans have been received in recent weeks at the Town Council Office, leaving chairman Coun Ben Nobbs and fellow members of the Planning and Environment Committee in a very difficult position.
Should they reluctantly agree to embrace the technology by using the website system? Or should they stick to their original objection, in which case how were they going to view Brigg applications without a flow of paper plans into Angel Suite HQ?
The resourceful Coun Nobbs decided on a trial run - and a laptop computer and screen duly appeared in the Angel Suite to display all plans for the benefit of committee members.
He had already downloaded the necessary files off the North Lincolnshire Council website and took charge of the laptop keyboard himself as plans for the County Bridge, and other applications, came up for discussion.
Many councillors found it necessary to move right to the front of the room, adjoining the Press tables, to be able to see the plans and accompanying reports as they came up on the projector screen.
Although it had been possible to borrow some of the kit required to display plans at the meeting of the Planning and Environment Committee, Coun Nobbs made it clear that practice could not continue indefinitely.
So, at the Brigg Town Council meeting which followed immediately after the planning session, councillors approved up to £550 to buy the necessary equipment.
In addition to providing displays at planning meetings, the new laptop can be used to show plans to members of the public visiting the Town Council office and also by the Angel Suite manager, Karen Deeley, as part of her duties in marketing the facility online and dealing with correspondence.
Coun Jenny Bell remained very unhappy about the change in planning policy which she stressed was now an additional cost on Brigg chargepayers.
“I think North Lincolnshire Council should buy us this computer because they have stopped sending us paper plans and they are saving money,” she declared.
Coun Nobbs said North Lincolnshire Council had pointed out that grants for such equipment had been available a couple of years ago to local councils under a Government technology scheme, but Brigg had not applied as it did not know the paper system was about to end.
Coun James Truepenny warned that councils in general should be mindful of disability access laws when it came to expecting people to view information on-screen, which some could not do, or would find difficult.
Coun Rob Waltham, who also serves on North Lincolnshire Council, explained that Brigg people without home internet access could use computers at the Link Office and the town’s Library. Viewing plans at Brigg Town Council’s office was not the only option.
Coun Mel Oades then summed up the discussions in a nutshell by saying: “We are not going to change North Lincolnshire Council’s stance on this, I believe, although, yes, it is going to cost us money.”

Councillors who came forward to get a better look at the projected plans. Left to right: Couns Jackie Brock, Jane Kitching, Ann Eardley (front), Jenny Bell and Chris Dyson.

One of the on-screen planning documents.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

NEW LIFT FOR BRIGG'S ANGEL?

The lift at Brigg’s Angel Suite - used to take people from floor to floor - is getting old and it seems a replacement will be required in the not too distant future.
An update was given to the Town Council’s property and services committee, which oversees the community venue.
A lift engineer’s inspection report recommended it should be replaced. Given the age of the device, it's proving very difficult to find spares.
It was agreed to get a group of councillors to consider the issue and report to the September meeting of the Town Council.
If a new lift is sanctioned, quotes will be obtained and the style of device considered.
The lift links the basement of the Suite, which houses the Lounge, the bar area and the Town Council Offices, with the higher level former Ballroom, where most events are held. Stairs are also in place.
At Wednesday’s meeting, the property and services committee agreed to replace a swing fire door between the Angel Suite kitchen and ballroom.

Friday, July 15, 2011

MUSIC TO HER EARS

Brigg’s repainted bandstand, in the Market Place, hit the right note with Coun Jenny Bell, who told the Town Council’s property and services committee: “It looks very nice.”

COUNT YOUR CHICKENS!

A fox has been sighted in the Almond Grove, Atherton Way/Redcombe Lane area of Brigg.
Its appearance was mentioned by Coun Ann Eardley at a meeting of the Town Council’s property and services committee, in the Angel Suite.
She mentioned the predator’s presence as a warning to Town Council allotment tenants who keep chickens.
In a written report to the committee, Redcombe Lane/Atherton Way allotment holders’ representative, Peter Brock, said all plots were being worked, with no real complaints.
Coun Ben Nobbs made an inspection visit to the allotments on Grammar School Road and said that although one or two plots were not being well looked after, many of the others could only be described as “fabulous.”

PICTURE ABOVE COURTESY OF KEN HARRISON.

BIGBY HIGH ROAD SCHEME OVER FIRST HURDLE

An application seeking permission to erect at single storey extension and detached domestic garage at 29 Bigby High Road, Brigg, has passed successfully through the first stage of the planning process.
Brigg Town Council, which must be consulted on such proposals, has raised no objections, and the final decision will now be taken by North Lincolnshire planners in the next few weeks.
Coun Ben Nobbs, chairman of Brigg Town Council's planning and environment committee, told Wednesday night's meeting in the Angel Suite Lounge that what was planned could be described as "quite a major expansion."
Coun Mel Oades suggested light-coloured render was to be added to walls "while 80 to 90 per cent of the houses are still brick down there."
However, it was pointed out to him that a precedent had been set by neighbouring properties. "There are a number down there that are rendered," said Coun Nobbs.
Brigg councillors were happy with a proposal to erect a two-storey extension at 12B Mill Lane, which will now pass to North Lincolnshire planners for a final decision.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

TOP HONOUR FOR BRIGG'S TOM

The first Freeman of Brigg has been apppointed - former long-serving councillor Tom Glossop.
The honour has been bestowed on him by the Town Council, from which he retired in May after more than three decades of dedicated public service.
The Council announced last night, in an official proclamation:

“By virtue of section 249(5)(6) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by s27 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (the 2009 Act); the title of ‘Honorary Freeman of Brigg’ should be conferred upon Mr. Thomas David Glossop, of ‘Sandcrest’, 50, St. Helens Road, Brigg, in recognition of his outstanding and un-interrupted service to Local Government and the Town of Brigg throughout the past 32 years as a member of Brigg Town Council; and also in recognition of his tireless support for charitable events and organisations in the Town, which has benefited the Town and its residents and also served to generate a positive profile of Brigg, both locally and nationally.
Accordingly, Mr. Glossop has been invited to attend the Town Mayor’s Civic Service and reception, which will be held at 4pm on Sunday 9th October 2011, at St. John the Evangelist Church, Brigg, when the Town Mayor will make the formal presentation at the reception which follows the service, at the Angel Suite.
In addition to the title, the Town Council also determined that, from hereon:

• Mr. Glossop will be invited to attend all of the council’s Civic Functions, together with a guest, at the Town Council’s expense.

• At those Civic Functions where a formal Civic Procession occurs, Mr. Glossop and his wife will be entitled to process with the Town Mayor and Mayoress.

It should, however, be noted that the title of Honorary Freeman is not a hereditary title and, therefore, the title and its entitlements can not be bequeathed or passed on.

OUR PICTURE ABOVE SHOWS TOM MAKING HIS LAST SPEECH AS A COUNCILLOR.BELOW, HE'S SEEN CHAIRING A MEETING OF THE BRIGG COMMUNITY-LED PLAN GROUP IN THE ANGEL SUITE LOUNGE.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

REDUNDANCY ADVICE AVAILABLE

North Lincolnshire Council is reminding Brigg folk facing, or at risk of, redundancy about a special event taking place on Saturday (16 July) at the Wortley Hotel, Rowland Road in Scunthorpe.
This event will offer help for people in North Lincolnshire facing or dealing with redundancy.
Support organisations in North Lincolnshire are joining together to hold the special event.
In addition, council officers are working with Taskforce partners through a local delivery group to understand the wider implications of the Tata job losses. The council is keen to understand the implications for local businesses to ensure that support and advice can be made available to them.
Between 9am and 5pm people will be able to talk to specialists offering advice about a range of subjects.
These will include learning new skills, money and finance, pensions, benefits, tax, starting up a business, local job clubs, housing, staying healthy, volunteering and importantly what the next steps after redundancy might be.
There will be free one to one advice sessions and group workshops available on the day. The sessions run by Money Made Clear will give advice about how to make the most of your money.
Organisations including Citizens Advice Bureau, Jobcentre Plus, Housing Advice Team, Trade Union, HMRC, Business Link Yorkshire, Voluntary Action North Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire Council plus many more will be exhibiting at the event.
The event is also the ideal opportunity for friends and family to come along and show their support.
To reserve a one to one session with an advisor or to book a place on one of the workshops, contact Linda Cox on 01724 297504 or email linda.cox@northlincs.gov.uk.

FREE DRINK AT BRIGG FARMERS' MARKET

Northern Lincolnshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England will be holding a stand at the Farmers' Market in Brigg on Saturday July 23rd, starting at 9.00. People are invited to go along, talk to representativdes and find out about what the group does do and how you can help. There will be a raffle, a free drink and something to eat.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

BRIGG REQUEST DERAILED

A suggestion that Brigg Town Council might like to chip into the cost of maintaining a footway to the railway station has hit the buffer stops.
North Lincolnshire Council, which owns land on the approaches to the facility on Station Road, inquired whether the Town Council would agree to provide a financial contribution towards future maintenance, if a suitable walkway was provided.
Town councillors have been campaigning for years to get a better surface laid to the station, but some seemed surprised, and even a shade shocked, at being asked to cough up for a share of the upkeep.
It was suggested the Town Council might like to indicate an amount it would be prepared to earmark, to which Coun Penny Smith responded: “I suggest an upper limit of nought £s and nought pence!”
Brigg railway station has served the town since the 1840s and was once on the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway’s mainline, boasting a fine range of station buildings, adjoining goods yard, sidings – and a staff to match.
However, more than 40 years ago it was reduced to the level of an unstaffed halt, the buildings being progressively demolished, siding removed and the number of trains calling there severely curtailed.
Since the mid-1990s, Brigg has only received Saturday passenger trains – three to Cleethorpes and three to Sheffield, which are poorly supported and generally involve just one motorised coach.
The access from the end of Station Road is very poor indeed, crossing the rough area used on Thursdays by Stennett’s produce market.
Railway managers recently invested some money in improvements to the station, but no extra trains have been provided.

Monday, July 11, 2011

OFFERS OF HELP WELCOME

PICTURE AND INFORMATION FROM DAVID BRITTAIN

The Early Starters Breakfast Club is for children aged 0-5 years and is held at The Angel Suite, Brigg, every Friday from 9.15am until 11.00am during school term time. All sessions are based on the Early Years Foundations; the leaders encourage parents to interact with their children as well as share any parenting advice.
They encourage parents to drop the older children off at school and then join the group for tea & toast and a chat whilst the little ones get involved in some organised arts and crafts and enjoy story and song time.
This is a great way for parents to meet new mums, dads and also grandparents as everyone is welcome. It is so important for new and some established parent to get to know other parents and they will form bonds that prove so valuable as their children move to Play Groups and School.
The group have been supported by Brigg Rotary Club and welcome other offers of help to keep this valuable service going.
Why not drop in yourself and see what goes on or even offer to lend a hand and share your experiences?

PICTURED: Past President, Janice Grimley (left) with Charlotte Robinson and Alison Mather, plus children.

BRIGG SCHOOL SAFETY CALL

Efforts are being stepped up to improve the safety of pedestrians – parents and pupils - outside Brigg Primary School, on Atherton Way.
Brigg Town Council debated the following proposal from concerned Coun Sheila Boughey at its monthly meeting in the Angel Suite:
In the interests of pedestrian safety, and in consideration of the fact that Atherton Way is now both a vehicular and pedestrian route to Brigg Primary School, Brigg Town Council should make strong representations to North Lincolnshire Council regarding the formal adoption of Atherton Way, and request that the following additional highway safety measures should also be put in place:

A crossing patrol
A 20mph speed restriction
School sinage
Additional signage to direct lorries not to enter the northern spur of Atherton Way that leads to the school only.

Fellow councillors agreed with the thrust of Coun Boughey’s proposals, although there was some discussion about the exact wording of the missive to be fired off to North Lincolnshire Council, which is both the highway and the education authority.
Should it be a question of Brigg Town Council supporting existing efforts being made by the school governors? Or should Brigg Town Council be making its own direct call for action?
Coun Boughey suggested Brigg Primary School was “uniquely sited” – in that the powers-that-be had decided to put it at the furthest extent of a busy industrial estate.
“Lorries are going through and cars are going back and forth,” she explained. “At school pick-up and drop off times it’s a nightmare!”
Coun Boughey said the message should be clear: North Lincolnshire Council chose to put the school there “so let’s do something about it.”
She demanded: “It is really going to take a child to be killed before it is sorted?”
Coun Mel Oades suggested asking the school governors what support they might require from Brigg Town Council.
And Coun Rob Waltham felt Brigg Town Council’s approach should be “to support the governing body in its efforts”.

LITTER NEAR COUNTY BRIDGE

A public-spirited person asked Brigg Blog to go down and take a picture of this litter-strewn area of the Old River Ancholme, close to the County Bridge, on a recent Saturday morning, having spotted we were out and about in the town centre, camera in hand. She pointed to the fact that one or two dead ducks were in among the discarded fast food cartons and other objects. Hopefully this picture might inspire someone, somewhere to take some action.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

CHRISTMAS COMES BUT ONCE A YEAR...

Planning for Christmas will get under way in Brigg on Wednesday (July 13).
Town councillors will note that the contract for the installation of the town centre Christmas lights has expired and will need to be re-advertised.
Other items to be considered by Brigg Town Council's Property and Services Committee will include the Millennium Green, Elwes Street; seating at Brigg Cemetery, Wrawby Road; Brigg Children and Families Project; Allotments, Redcombe Lane and Grammar School Road; and the Angel Suite.
This meeting is in the Lounge at the Angel Suite, off Market Place, at 7.45pm.
Prior to that, from 7pm, there will be a meeting of Brigg Town Council's Planning and Environment Committee to consider the latest planning applications.
Both these meetings are open to interested members of the public.

GOOD TO BE BACK

Brigg Blog resumes normal service today after a week's break for a holiday in Jersey, booked with the First Choice travel agency, in Wrawby Street, and including a flight from Humberside Airport.

Saturday, July 02, 2011

BAGS OF INTEREST IN FEEDING BRIGG DUCKS

Here's a picture of a popular Brigg pastime - feeding the ducks (and swans) on the Old River Ancholme, from the safety of the railings close to the County Bridge. Many adults take along their children and grandchildren and supplement the birds' naturally sourced diet with bread and other tit-bits. The jury is still out on whether the kids or the adults enjoy this weekend pastime the most. And these days, unlike when Mary Poppins was around, it costs a lot more than tuppence a bag to feed the birds!

BRIGG PLANS APPROVED

North Lincolnshire Council has granted planning permission to carry out alterations to an existing outbuilding at 49 Albert Street, Brigg, and given permission to erect a conservatory to the side of 2 Churchill Avenue.

BRIGG TO MARK DIAMOND JUBILEE IN STYLE

Brigg is gearing up to celebrate the current Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in style next year.
Our community won’t exactly be rolling out the red carpet, but there will be bunting and flags. For shopkeepers are already showing an interest in decorating their premises in 2012 as their predecessors did in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria’s 60 years on the throne.
Coun Jane Kitching (pictured left) told Brigg Town Council’s monthly meeting in the Angel Suite that Brigg Amateur Social Historians were already supporting the idea and had access to photos showing decorated shops during the late Victorian era celebrations.
The information came to light after Coun Sheila Boughey (pictured below) suggested: “Brigg Town Council should initiate discussions with the community with regard to the organisation of events to celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in June 2012, and determine how this can best be achieved.”
Town Clerk Jeanette Woollard said she understood Brigg District Lions were looking to repeat this June’s successful Brigg Festival at a similar time next year.
Coun Boughey welcomed that news and said it would be beneficial to work with the Lions.
Coun Rob Waltham recalled how Brigg Recreation Ground had been visited by Her Majesty as part of her Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977, when Coun Bryan Robins, as Brigg Town Mayor, was presented to her.
Welcoming the planned 2012 celebrations as a cracking idea, Coun Waltham said: “We should do whatever we can to support it.”
It was agreed that a small group of town councillors, including Coun Boughey, should liaise with the Lions about next year’s celebrations.

INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN COMES TO BRIGG

Brigg Bandstand, in the centre of the Market Place, was the venue for an Amnesty International stand, with volunteers chatting to passing shoppers and giving out information about their cause.

Friday, July 01, 2011

BRIGG TESCO STORE PLANS REVISITED

Tesco's proposals for a new supermarket in Brigg will come under discussion at a meeting next week.
Brigg Town Council's Planning and Environment Committee will meet in public session on Tuesday (July 5) at 10am in the Angel Suite.
Town councillors will consider correspondence received from the retail giant and proposed amendments and revisions to the planning application lodged last December.
Brigg Town Council must consider whether, in the light of previous submissions, it is now satisfied with the responses put forward by Tesco.
The firm wants to build a store about twice the size of the existing one and to provide scores of new jobs.
It should be stressed that Brigg Town Council is only a consultee - the final decision on whether to approve Tesco's planning application will be made by North Lincolnshire's planning committee.
Our picture shows the current Tesco store, off Barnard Avenue, which will disappear if the current scheme wins approval, as will the nearby one owned by Lidl, which will relocate to new purpose-built premises on Atherton Way (subject to planning consent being granted).