Brigg Town Cricket Club WILL be playing in the Lincolnshire County Cricket League next summer.
The club has been given permission to continue playing home games at Brocklesby Park while Brigg Recreation Ground is revamped and brought up to the standard required of member clubs by the county competition.
Without this very important decision, made at a meeting on Wednesday night, Brigg Town could not have continued in the league.
Without this very important decision, made at a meeting on Wednesday night, Brigg Town could not have continued in the league.
At the end of the 2016 campaign in Division Four, Brigg Town CC will need to have a home ground of accepable standard ready to show the league's inspectors.
Brocklesby Park has a good standard playing area but lacks a number of necessary off-the-field amenities, as required by league rules.
Our Town club has been using the rural ground as a temporary home until Brigg Rec's refurbishment is complete.
Brigg Town CC was represented at this week's league AGM, held in Market Rasen, by Nick Beacock, Nigel Beacock and Mark Dawson.
Nick explained Brigg Town's situation at some length. A vote among member clubs was taken later on a motion that Brigg Town be given permission to play one further season at Brocklesby Park.
North Lincolnshire Council intends to revamp the Rec. The initial scheme was submitted for planning permission late last year. Revisions have since been made and the latest scheme is now progressing through the planning process. Extensive work was carried out on the cricket square last year but more will be required.
There is also the issue of who is going to maintain the square, and outfield - a skilled and time-consuming task. It also requires a range of specialist and expensive equipment.
Brigg Town Council has been consulted about the Rec redevelopment scheme, and at a meeting held on Monday night in the Angel Suite there were no objections from the Planning & Environment Committee to the latest, revised application.
This now progresses to North Lincolnshire Council, as the local planning authority. Planning permission is required before work can at last begin on what will be a very welcome development for sport and leisure in Brigg.
The picture (above) was taken several years ago when Brigg Town CC was still playing home games at the Recreation Ground, off Wrawby Road. It is to be hoped the ground can be brought back to acceptable standard for the Town team to return there for home games in 2017.