Nigel Fisher's Brigg Blog: October 2011

Monday, October 31, 2011

POP IN TO REVAMPED BRIGG SHOP TODAY

British Red Cross staff and volunteers are inviting people to come along to the re-launch of their new look shop at 21-22 Wrawby Street, Brigg (DN20 8JJ) today (Monday 31 October) at 10am.
It has just been given a complete makeover and refit.
Customers can enjoy drinks and nibbles in the newly fitted interior whilst browsing the selection of men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, books, DVDs and toys on offer at the shop.

BRIGG STATION NEEDS FURTHER IMPROVEMENT

It’s not exactly a new dawn for Brigg railway station, although we went down early one morning last week to get this picture of the sun rising over distant Westrum Lane in the distant hope of inspiring such a situation.
Yet, in recent months, there have been some welcome, if cosmetic, improvements to the station.
Following the installation of a new surface on the footbridge and the filling in of cracks on the platforms, the timetables on view have been simplified, which is welcome.
On show now are just the train times people need – an honest admission that only three operate in each direction, Saturdays only.
There’s also a new display, with map, directing visitors around the town centre.
The new advertisement board intended to sell family fun days out is well-meaning, but impractical for anyone using Brigg station as a starting point for journeys.
Sadly, the approach road to the station remains rutted and dotted with potholes. Not something you’d want to walk across or bring into contact with your car's tyres and springs.
Since taking over in May, the new group controlling North Lincolnshire Council has brought about a number of welcome improvements in Brigg.
But when will the station approach refurbishment rise to the top of the pending pile?
Hopefully, the current public transport survey will include calls by many people for extra passenger trains to serve Brigg on days other than Saturday.
If so, North Lincolnshire Council ought to get together with train companies in a real effort to persuade them to provide more to serve Brigg, Kirton Lindsey and Gainsborough.
After all, this was once the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway’s main line.
The best course of action would be for North Lincolnshire Council to write to train company bosses and suggest a midweek meeting at their Hewson House offices – pointing out it’s on Station Road, just a couple of hundred yards from Brigg station.
You can image rail chiefs then instructing their secretaries to reserve seats on trains to Brigg - only to find there aren't any Monday to Friday.
That would help to get the message across!

Theres's not much point in offering family fun days out if Brigg station is the starting point.

Timetables at Brigg station showing three trains in each direction, Saturdays only.

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN NOW READ MORE INTERESTING NEWS ABOUT BRIGG AND DISTRICT BY VISITING THE BRIGG PEOPLE WEBSITE?

brigg people

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

Sunday, October 30, 2011

IN THE MARKET FOR BRIGG ROLE

Two locally-based companies interested in providing Brigg Town Council’s website, Brigg Market Town, made “initial presentations” to councillors during the October meeting at the Angel Suite. The council is reviewing its website but no firm decisions have yet been made.

NIGHT TO REMEMBER AT BLACK BULL IN BRIGG

Lee Johnson, right, on good form. The life and soul of the party, as always!

The Black Bull in Brigg was the venue for a 40th birthday party last night, when a great time was had by all. Now take a look at 28 more pictures from a memorable event on Brigg People, through this link...
Brigg People piccies

Julie taking a brief break from a busy night behind the bar.

They also enjoy top billing in the Brigg People gallery of pictures from last night's event.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

CLOCK A LOAD OF THIS, BRIGG FOLK

Brigg folk need to put their clocks BACK one hour when they go to bed tonight. Many thanks to Redbrick for the TIMELY graphic. I've always thought that altering the clocks is a total waste of time and a chore we could all do without. It could be days, even weeks, before I get round to changing the one in my old car.

WHAT DOES FUTURE HOLD FOR BRIGG TOWN CENTRE BUILDINGS?

The now-closed leisure centre premises on the corner of Spring's Parade and Market Place, Brigg.

A tall building fronting onto Brigg Market Place is concerning town councillor Mike Campion.
He highlighted the state of the currently closed leisure centre/cafe on the corner of Spring’s Parade.
He also sought an update on the sale of 7 Market Place – put on the market some months ago by North Lincolnshire Council as being surplus to requirements.
Coun Campion was concerned that, with time, that building “could become shoddy.”
Coun Rob Waltham – a member of the unitary authority and the Town Council – agreed to seek information from North Lincolnshire Council on both issues.
He reported back at the October meeting of Brigg Town Council in the Angel Suite, saying a letter had been sent out about tidying up the premises mentioned earlier by Coun Campion and confirmed 7 Market Place was still up for sale.

7 Market Place, which North Lincolnshire Council has put on the market. So far, no takers.

Friday, October 28, 2011

BRIGG MUSIC AND DRAMA FESTIVAL DATES

North Lincolnshire Music and Drama Festival will be held in Brigg from Monday 12 March to Thursday 22 March, 2012.
Music classes will be from the 12th to the 15th, and drama from the 19th.
Daytime classes will be in the Angel Suite (except Wednesday in St John’s Church); evening classes Westmoor Hall, Grammar School Road.
The winners' concert will be at 6pm on Saturday 24 March.
For more information, call 01652 652084.
MAKE A DATE IN YOUR DIARY? OR DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO WISHES TO ENTER?

WILL BEACON FIRE BRIGG'S ENTHUSIASM?

Brigg has been approached to see whether it wants to light a beacon to commemorate Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee next June.
Brigg Town Council has been approached and asked to reply to the organisers by November 30.
The intention is to have a network of beacons blazing away merrily across the UK on June 4, including some in North Lincolnshire.
The approach to Brigg came through Simon Driver, North Lincolnshire’s chief executive.
The Town Council already has a group of councillors meeting Brigg District Lions to discuss possible Jubilee events and the beacon idea will be raised during future talks.
Brigg already has two tall metal beacons at the entrance to Station Road – outside North Lincolnshire Council’s Hewson House office block.
It is thought they were put up as part of the town twinning with Gifhorn, in Germany, during the days when Glanford provided our second-tier local government.
However, nearby trees have grown somewhat since the metal beacons were put up and it looks as though considerable lopping and pruning would be required for them to be lit in today’s health and safety-conscious era.
In 2002, more than 1,800 beacons were lit across Britain to mark The Queen’s Golden Jubilee.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

ILLUMINATING APPLICATION

Advertisement consent to retain an internally illuminated fascia sign at the Capri Pizza House, 45 Wrawby Street, Brigg, is being sought by Mr D Majeed, of Waltham, from North Lincolnshire Council.

ROB IS BRIGG'S MAN IN THE SNOW

Brigg’s first snow warden is Coun Rob Waltham (PICTURED).
If there are spells of really bad weather, like those experienced last winter, he will act as a direct link to the North Lincolnshire Council control room in Scunthorpe, providing staff there with updates of the situation in Brigg.
North Lincolnshire Council came in for criticism last winter after many Brigg streets were left snow-bound for long periods.
The unitary authority has now revised its plans and agreed to supply towns and parishes with stocks of rock salt.
The idea is for volunteers to be used to undertake “grit-spreading.”

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

DON'T FORGET ELEPHANT MAN TALK IN BRIGG

From Phil Allen (BASH Committee)

Please note the next meeting of Brigg Amateur Social Historians will be on Tuesday, November 1 - Joseph (John) Merrick, "The Elephant Man" ; an illustrated talk by James Darby.
A true and accurate account of the life of this tragic man, it dispels many
myths surrounding his life and times and utilises first-hand accounts of the
man himself and the people who knew him.
The event is at Brigg & District Servicemen's Club, Coney Court, starting at
8pm.
Raffle, free entry and free buffet - all are welcome.

MEET THE NEW EDITOR OF BRIGG MATTERS

Emma Smith - the new editor of the Brigg Matters Community Newsletter - pictured in the Old Courts Road car park by Ken Harrison.
Emma has taken over the post vacated by Coun Ben Nobbs.
The newsletter is distributed free to Brigg households and each issue includes a supplement containing information about Brigg Town Council.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

BRIGG JOB TO HELP YOUNGSTERS

New staff are being sought in Brigg to help reduce the number of young people, aged 13 to 19, who are not in employment, education or training.
An Information Advice and Guidance Assistant is needed as soon as possible, based at Hewson House, Station Road, Brigg.
North Lincolnshire Council has set the closing date for applications as noon on Thursday November 3.

FIND OUT MORE THROUGH THIS LINK
VACANCY

BRIGG NIGHT AT THE OPERA

It's long been a tradition for the Brigg Town Mayor and councillors to attend one of the performances of the annual show given by Brigg Amateur Operatic Society.
This year's it is Lionel Bart's family favourite, Oliver!
The venue is Vale of Ancholme's Westmoor Hall, off Grammar School Road.
There will be nightly performances from today (Tuesday) to Saturday, October 25-29 at 7.30pm - plus a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.
Tickets are available now from Brigg Beds (PICTURED), Princes Street, Brigg, tel 01652 651828.

Monday, October 24, 2011

BRIGG CONCERT FOR POPPY APPEAL

Brigg folk can enjoy a church concert in aid of the Poppy Appeal 2011.
It will be at St John’s Church, Bigby Street, on Saturday, October 29 (7pm).
The concert will feature Jigsaw and the St John’s Church Choir.
Admission is £5 – light refreshments included.

7pm START TO BRIGG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Please note that Brigg Town Council's monthly meeting tonight at the Angel Suite, off Exchange Place, starts at 7pm (amended time). If you are going along, entry will be through the Rotunda building at the back (pictured here). As always, 15 minutes have been set aside for Public Question Time at the start of deliberations.

TAKE OVER JOB FOR A WEEK, BRIGG YOUNGSTERS URGED

Youngsters throughout Brigg and district are being offered the chance to taste working life.
Almost 100 job shadowing opportunities are on offer to 11 to 25-year-olds across North Lincolnshire, as part of Takeover Week from 7 to 11 November.
All sorts of jobs from film-making, journalism and sports coaching to youth work, plastering and baking are up for grabs.
To find out more, and register your interest, contact Hayley McPhun on 01724 296869 or email hayley.mcphun@northlincs.gov.uk
A full list of all the opportunities can be found in the Children and Young People section of the North Lincolnshire Council website, www.northlincs.gov.uk
Everyone taking part in Takeover Week is also invited to the Great Debate celebration on Friday 11 November in the council chamber at Pittwood House, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe.
Those taking part will have the chance to challenge local MPs Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) and Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe), councillors, police officers and other “key players” whose decisions affect the lives of young people in North Lincolnshire.
The theme this year is So what - and it will be a very different event to previous years in that an action plan will be drawn up to make sure the people in power follow up on the promises they make.
There will be a huge range of other activities taking place alongside the event from street performances to a video diary room and it runs from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
Brigg and Wolds’ Coun Rob Waltham (PICTURED ABOVE), Cabinet Member for Adult and Children's Services at North Lincolnshire Council, said: "Takeover Week is a fantastic opportunity for young people in North Lincolnshire.
"It gives them the chance to find out more about a huge range of jobs and see how some of our services are delivered.
"Both myself and the council leader will be shadowed during Takeover Week to give a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse of politicians at work.
"At the Big Debate visitors won't just have the chance to challenge people like me about the decisions we make, we'll be made to draw up a plan and show that we are going to act on what we say."

Sunday, October 23, 2011

BREAK FOR BRIGG TOWN FC

Brigg Town FC, who lost 6-1 at Witton Albion yesterday in the FA Trophy, have no game coming up on Tuesday night (despite what's indicated on some fixture lists to be viewed in town centre shop windows). Nor is there a league game next Saturday.

READ THE WITTON MATCH REPORT BY BOB TAYLOR THROUGH THIS LINK

BRIGG PEOPLE

BRIGG SCHOOL REACHES GOLD STANDARD

Sir John Nelthorpe School in Brigg is the first secondary school in North Lincolnshire to be awarded the Careers Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) Gold Standard.
A review took place at the end of the summer term that involved interviews with the Head teacher, Careers Co-ordinator, Head of Year, the Council’s Careers Adviser for the school and a focus group of young people.
The standard was created by the IAG team within North Lincolnshire Council. It describes the key features of good quality careers information, advice and guidance for young people.
Brigg’s Coun Rob Waltham, Cabinet Member for Adult and Children’s Services, said: “Well done to Sir John Nelthorpe School - they have all worked extremely hard to meet the IAG standard.
“North Lincolnshire Council has a team of career advisers who are linked to all our secondary schools and local colleges, providing careers information, advice and guidance.
“The range of information available to help with your career choice when you leave school or college is invaluable.”

Linda Hewlett-parker, Head Teacher (PICTURED), said: “This is a great achievement for the staff and pupils at Sir John Nelthorpe School. The quality of the support given to pupils to enhance their employability skills and raise awareness of the world of work is first class.
"Our Year 11 Work Experience Programme is very successful and highly regarded by local employers. The vast majority of our pupils go on to the sixth form, local colleges or employment.
"It is very important that they realise their potential in the current economic climate and maximise their future prospects. Congratulations to everyone involved."

Saturday, October 22, 2011

BRIGG IS BEST

By Jane Kitching

Over the past twelve months, retailers in Brigg have been involved in a campaign to object to the proposed development of Tesco and Lidl, and as a result Brigg Against Tesco's and Lidl's Expansion (BATLE) was formed.
One of the main aims in opposing this expansion has been to support local independent traders and preserve the variety of local shops which is integral to preserving the character of the town.
We have been supported in this by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) and Tescopoly.
It has become increasingly evident that the town desperately needs a Business Association or Partnership, otherwise the businesses and suppliers do not have a voice to represent their views and any proposed developments.
On the back of BATLE and the next stage of their campaign, supported by CPRE’s national Shop Local campaign (whether the Tesco store application is successful or not) the aim is to persuade more people to use the local shops.
As a result of the return of the two-hour free parking and the impetus of setting up this local campaign, Brigg Town Business Partnership has now emerged.
An enthusiastic committee has been formed. The Chair is Byron Teague, Brigg Fruit and Vegetable; Paul Keane, Vice Chair, is of Granddad’s Shed.
An ongoing schedule of promotional events will be organised by the traders.
The first is a Public Meeting, which will take place on Tuesday, 1st November, 5.30pm, in the Angel Suite.
All are welcome to attend this meeting where the aims and objectives of our Shop Local campaign will be discussed in more details and to finalise the Constitution and Business Plan.
Businesses will then be asked to stay behind to be involved with Brigg Town Council in developing a strategy to deal with any emergencies, eg the severe winter weather conditions which more or less closed Brigg down to shoppers due to the dangerous car parks and streets.

BRIGG PATHS BEING REPLACED

Following long-running complaints from Brigg residents going back many, many months - reported on Brigg t'internet - North Lincolnshire Council is now replacing the old, worn (and some might say potentially dangerous) footpaths in the East Parade and Central Square area of town.
Coun Nigel Sherwood (Cabinet chief for Highways and other services) kindly phoned us a couple of Fridays ago to say his authority had agreed dates for this work to be carried out.
Last night we ventured down on our way to The Hawthorns and saw the contract is under way at last.
We have "before" pictures in our collection and hope to bring you "after" shots when the work is complete.

BACK TO BASICS IN BRIGG BANK

The Lloyds TSB cashpoint in Wrawby Street either ran out of notes or threw a technological fit this morning of all days, Saturday, Brigg Farmers' Market Day and one of the busiest of the month. So it was a return to the era when you had to queue at the counter to get your hands on some of your "hard earned" to spend at town centre tills.
This cashpoint is usually very reliable and kept well stocked, which made it all the more surprising.
Don't tell Mervyn King, the Bank of England's top bod, or he might think Brigg has started a run on the Pound.
Supercalafragalisticexpialidotious!

HAWKEYE SPOTS KESTREL ON BRIGG STREET

A kestrel was hovering over King's Avenue, Brigg, this morning.
Was there a mouse loose near someone's hoose?
Normally when you spot Kestrel on a Brigg housing estate its of the discarded tinned lager variety. So this was a pleasant surprise.
Did our feathered friend bag himself some dinner before returning to the countryside?

Friday, October 21, 2011

BRIGG TOWN COUNCIL MAKES EARLIER START

The monthly meeting of Brigg Town Council on Monday (Oct 24) will start at 7pm - earlier than originally scheduled. This is because a lack of business means the earlier meeting of the Planning and Environment Committee has been cancelled.
Monthly meetings of the Town Council are open to the public and held in the Angel Suite (entry via the conservatory-like building at the back of the premises, off Exchange Place).
From 7pm, there will be 15 minutes set aside for Public Question Time, should any Brigg folk have issues they wish to raise.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

WINDS OF CHANGE

The appointment of Paul Edworthy (pictured) as senior leader of New Life Church, Brigg, at the end of May has proved a catalyst for significant changes in the months following. Paul and his wife, Ros, with their 2 children, moved into the area at the invitation of the church’s governing body, New Life Christian Fellowship, Lincoln, in order to lead the congregation in Brigg, and also to oversee the launch of a new church in Scunthorpe.
In June, Mark & Michelle Depledge were added to the leadership team, and now work closely with Paul & Ros to provide direction and necessary administrative back-up. A further addition to the team is Bible College student, Ben Haldane, on placement to gain experience in preaching, youthwork, and general church life. Further appointments are envisaged in the coming months.
Also, a change of name to the Foundry Church was considered necessary, in order to reflect the joining of Brigg and Scunthorpe as one church on two sites, and the desire to be a fresh expression of church in North Lincolnshire … while at the same time retaining strong governmental links with the centre church in Lincoln.
More recently it was decided, in order to facilitate growth, to move the Brigg congregation from its regular meeting venue at Demeter House School into the refurbished Youth Centre & newly built Brigg Children’s Centre on Wesley Road – meetings will continue every Sunday morning at 10am – and include modern facilities for the growing number of children involved.
Excitingly, on Tuesday 11th October 120 people gathered for the launch of the Foundry Church in Scunthorpe, at the C E Primary School, Gurnell Street – (which is to be the venue for the church’s regular Tuesday evening meeting at 7.30pm). Welcomed by Pastor Paul Edworthy, the evening included worship, led by a team from Lincoln, and an encouraging message from the Senior Pastor of New Life, Lincoln, Stuart Bell.
Speaking after the launch, Pastor Edworthy commented: “We've had a great start to this new venture. We've been really welcomed into the area and have met some great people. It's an honour to take on a great church like Brigg, and then to start another congregation in Scunthorpe is really exciting. We're looking forward to The Foundry Church's future and to helping make a difference in North Lincolnshire. We're aiming to make Church as accessible as possible, and hope that people come to one of our congregations and learn more about the Christian faith."

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

BRIGG HOMES APPLICATION REJECTED

Outline planning permission for residential development on land off Grammar School Road, Brigg, has been refused by North Lincolnshire Council. The proposed site is very close to the flyover bridge which takes Grammar School Road over the M180.

OFFICE PLANNED FOR ISLAND CARR, BRIGG

Planning permission to erect a two storey modular office building is being sought at Unit K3, Island Carr Road, Brigg, by Deborah Services.
Brigg Town Council has raised no objections and a final decision will be made by North Lincolnshire planners.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

BRIGG FIRM SEES THE SUNNY SIDE

A Brigg travel shop is offering an opportunity to forget the bad autumn and winter weather to come.
Appleby’s First Choice, of 56 Wrawby Street, will be launching its 2012 Summer Brochure on Thursday (Oct 20), from 10am to 3pm.
It contains lots of great places to visit.

BRIGG WEDDING FAIR ON THE CARDS

Brigg could enjoy a major Wedding Fair of great interest to local brides of 2012.
Initial preparations are being undertaken for the event on Sunday, March 4.
The venue will be the Angel Suite, which is available for wedding receptions and a wide range of functions, celebrations and meetings.
The Suite is operated by Brigg Town Council and Angel Suite manager Karen Deeley is looking to arrange the Wedding Fair for the day after the Civic Dinner is held in the town centre venue.
Karen said: “We are very competitive on price within the wedding market and this seems to be the way forward – hence the Wedding Fair at which we will be calling in the outside suppliers, giving them the opportunity to dress the room with the very best of their wares, using all options of table choices, providing canapes, along with inviting photographers.”
The past month has been “a quite busy and varied time” at the Angel Suite.
Events have included the reception after the Civic Service, three private parties, a large wedding reception, a meeting in which food was provided for 80 people, and the Town Mayor’s coffee morning.
Several weddings have already been booked for next year.
People, families, firms or groups interested in booking the Angel Suite should email enquiries@briggmarkettown.co.uk

Monday, October 17, 2011

HELLO VIETNAM - PLEASED YOU FIND BRIGG OF INTEREST

Visitors to Brigg Blog over the past month have included a sizeable number from Vietnam.
Behind the UK and the US, the most popular countries of origin of our site visitors over the past month have been:

3. France
4. Germany
5. Russia
6. Vietnam
7. South Korea
8. Ukraine
9. Latvia
10. Saudi Arabia

BRIGG BIN GIVEN PIZZA TOPPING

Come on, Brigg Blog followers, what breed of dog springs to mind when viewing this unusual scene at the “poop-scoop” bin at the junction of Bigby Road and St Helen’s Road?
How about...A BOXER ?
Sorry!
The picture was taken early yesterday morning after some reveller clearly needed a bite to eat following a Saturday night out on the town.
Rather than toss the carton on the floor, it appears he/she went to some trouble to perch the pizza box on top of the bin.
But why not carry it home and toss it into the wheelie-bin?
For future reference: There are litter bins wide enough to take pizza boxes provided not far away in East Park (near the Tin Tabs).
He/she might have passed by on the way to Bigby Road.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

BRIGG TURNS ON THE POWER

This long-shot view, taken this afternoon from Cadney Road, alongside the Old River Ancholme, shows a train drifting past Glanford Power Station, Scawby Brook, with a powerful diesel in charge. We've had plenty of freight trains passing through Brigg recently and expect a lot more in the coming months. The Brigg line, of course, is an important diversionary route when the one linking Immingham with Scunthorpe and Doncaster is out of action of undergoing repairs. If you live near the railway line, like me, you tend to notice the trains rumbling by at night.
But we should point out the railway has been in Brigg since the 1840s and was once very much busier than now, being the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway's primary route.

NO LIKEY, NO LIGHTY - YET AGAIN

Only a couple of weeks after Brigg Blog reported a street light "out" in St Helen's Road, another has given up the ghost in the run up to Halloween. Same side of the street - a couple of lamp-posts nearer to Bigby Road. We were wending our merry way down to the Black Bull last night when darkness descended on a stretch of footpath. Still, with less "dog muck" about than was once the case in Brigg (thanks to more responsible owners and North Lincolnshire Council's pooping and scooping?) there's less danger of putting your foot in it these days.
We are confident Coun Nige - Cabinet chief for highways - will take note of our posting and send the boys round with a new bulb, or whatever's required.
(With apologies to Paddy McGuinness and his TV dating show for the headline).

BRIGG TOWN FC MID-TABLE AFTER BELPER DEFEAT

Brigg Town FC lost 2-1 at home to Belper yesterday at The Hawthorns - both teams being mid-table in the Evo-Stik League Division One South.

With Brigg Town FC on the attack in the second half, the ball flashes across the Belper goalmouth and out for a goal-kick to the visitors.

Watch for a push in the back, ref!

After the final whistle.

Yesterday's team sheet - always very helpfully pinned up on the outside of the director's room so all spectators know who's who on the field. DOUBLE-CLICK THE IMAGE FOR A CLOSE-UP VIEW.

LINK TO PICTURE GALLERY ON THIS IS SCUNTHORPE

LINK TO BOB TAYLOR'S MATCH REPORT ON BRIGG PEOPLE

LINK TO MISTER BRIGG'S EXTENSIVE GALLERY OF MATCH PICTURES