REMEMBER THE WONDER OF WOOLIES IN BRIGG?

Nick Grafton

Just how much Brigg has changed down the decades was demonstrated by long-serving teacher Nick Grafton when he spoke at the annual dinner of the Briggensians' Association on Saturday night - at Elsham Golf Club.
Nick, who used to live in London, recalled driving into Brigg for the very first time, in the late 1970s, on his way to be interviewed for the vacant post of drama teacher at Sir John Nelthorpe School.
Arriving on the A18 from Scawby Brook, he  passed a derelict warehouse (Yarborough Mills) and then saw shops like W H Smith, F W Woolworth and Radio Rentals.
The Mills, beside the New River Ancholme, were knocked down and the site cleared for the Water's Edge housing estate.
Smith's, Woolworth's and Radio Rentals - all national companies - pulled out of Brigg prior to regeneration and pedestrianisation.
For those who can't remember Brigg in the late 1970s, the building occupied by W H Smith is now Scalini's fish restaurant and chippie, while Martin's occupies the old Woolworth's premises.
Nick's reference to Radio Rentals made us think long and hard. We reckon it later became Brigg Photolabs and is now occupied by a travel agent.
We'd welcome confirmation.