Friday, September 30, 2016

CYCLISTS AND DRIVERS IN BRIGG TOWN CENTRE CAUSE CONCERN


A former Brigg Town Mayor has highlighted the safety issue posed by bikes being ridden through the pedestrian-only part of our town centre.
This is not permitted, and Coun James Truepenny (pictured) - speaking during  the Town Council's September meeting - suggested action was needed.
He drew attention to cyclists "not slowing down" and reported that some pedestrians were worried about being struck.
Could North Lincolnshire Council do something about?
The issue of vehicles being driven through the town centre was also raised at this point in the discussions by another councillor.


Coun Carl Sherwood (above), a cabinet member of the unitary authority as well as being a town councillor, said North Lincolnshire Council could NOT take action  where offenders were on the move. Such cases could only be dealt with by the police.
But Coun Sherwood said he would get North Lincolnshire Council to raise the issue with the police.


Coun Ron Waltham (above), North Lincolnshire Council's deputy leader, also offered to place this matter on the agenda for a future meeting of the Brigg & Wolds Neighbourhood Action Team (NAT).
The NAT includes representatives of North Lincolnshire Council, local parish and town councils and social landlord Ongo.


Coun Mike Storey (above) told Monday night's Town Council meeting that vehicles continued to be an issue within the pedestrian zone, some being driven all the way through the Market Place and along Wrawby Street. 
Well ahead of Monday's meeting, Brigg Blog contacted North Lincolnshire Council about the issue of cycling in prohibited areas and was told that community wardens do not have powers to deal with cycle-riding problems like this.
We have highlighted the issue of cycles being ridden - and vehicles being driven - through our  town centre many times previously.
Brigg Blog fears it will continue until someone in authority takes a stand and decides on a "blitz" spread over some few weeks. 
It now looks as though the police will have to be persuaded to deploy some officers (constables and/or PCSOs). However, CCTV footage from North Lincolnshire Council's existing Brigg town centre cameras might well assist them with their inquiries.
Once fines/fixed penalties have been imposed and  errant cyclists and drivers know that people are being made to pay, we will see a massive reduction in an annoying problem that has been with us for years.
People should be able to walk and shop freely in Brigg town centre without having to watch out for approaching cyclists or make way for vehicles that should not be there.
If you wish to comment on this story, use this link to email scoopfisher@aol.com


GRANT FOR BRIGG GROUP'S HEADQUARTERS


A long-established Brigg group which serves young people is to get a grant from the Town Council.
The money will be used to provide a new front door at the1st and 2nd Brigg Scout Hut, situated on the corner of Elwes Street and Paradise Place, close to the Old River Ancholme.
Access to the building is being improved.
An application from the Scouts for financial assistance from Brigg Town Council's grants and donations budget met with a positive response at the authority's September meeting in the Angel Suite.
The meeting have heard that the door would cost £470 + VAT with free fitting, Councillor Donald Campbell successfully proposed that the council paid the full amount.
North Lincolnshire Council has now granted planning permission for the Scouts to install a ramp to the front door with safety handrails, remove a section of boundary wall and a new front door
Brigg Town Council told  planners that it supported this application.
There were no comments submitted by members of the public.

IMPORTANT BRIGG DATES

Two important Brigg dates have been revealed this week.
North Lincolnshire councillors for Brigg and Wolds, Carl & Nigel Sherwood and Rob Waltham, tell us that the outline planning application to build "older people's accommodation" on part of the former railway station yard "is likely to be submitted by mid-October."
Secondly, they say good progress is being made on the project to transform Brigg Recreation Ground, off Wrawby Road, where the new all-weather hockey pitch has been laid and work is ongoing to complete the changing facilities.
"We are on schedule for an early November completion," the councillors say.


BRIGG MILLENNIUM GREEN LATEST


Brigg's Millennium Green, between Elwes Street and the Old River Ancholme, is still some way from being under new management.
Town Clerk Claire Davis updated members of Brigg Town Council at September's meeting   "about the possible lease of the Green from North Lincolnshire Council."
The Year 2000 project was originally overseen by a trust which arranged grass cutting and tidying.
However, negotiations relating to  the lease have been ongoing for months, and it  is proving a complex issue.
Coun Carl Sherwood, who is a cabinet member of the unitary authority as well as being a member of Brigg Town Council, told Monday night's meeting in the Angel Suite that he would contact North Lincolnshire Council's legal department.
Coun Rob Waltham, deputy leader of the unitary council and a town councillor, confirmed: "The freehold is held by North Lincolnshire Council."
He suggested convening a meeting between both councils to move things forward.




Thursday, September 29, 2016

SUPPORT FOR CHARITY PLANTING IN BRIGG


Brigg Rotary Club's innovative project to plant masses of purple crocuses at prominent spots in the town to come into bloom next February is to receive a £400 donation from the Town Council.
Brigg Blog recently posted an extensive story about the Purple4Polio international initiative which involves raising funds to rid the world of polio - a dreaded disease now only found in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Kenya.
Our original story came at the request of Chris Darlington (pictured), chairman of the Brigg Rotary Foundation Team, to whom we chatted during the Town Mayor's coffee morning in the Angel Suite.
That was the venue for Monday night's monthly meeting of the Town Council, where elected members considered a request for assistance.
The crocus corms cost  £1 for 10 - and Brigg Rotary wants to plant 20,000 during late October and early November. The flowers will bloom in February, die back before the spring mowing season but reappear the following year.
Chris says: "We would like to have large clumps at the entrances to Brigg as well as on the verges through the town, such as Bridge Street, etc."
The club has been talking to Lidl and Tesco to permit crocus planting areas near their stores.
If you were wondering about the choice of purple, it is because when a child is immunised against polio, his/her finger is dipped in purple die to signfify that they have been innoculated.





BOOST FOR BRIGG PLAY AREA

 

Brigg is fortunate to have three Town Council members who also hold high-ranking posts on the North Lincolnshire Council unitary authority.
Couns Carl Sherwood, Rob Waltham and Nigel Sherwood have taken to providing a written report of North Lincolnshire Council-related developments in Brigg.
This used to be delivered verbally, but the written version saves time at the Town Council's monthly meeting. Members of the Press in attendance get a copy on the night.
Six items were highlighted in the report presented to the September meeting, held on Monday evening in the Angel Suite, including improvements to the Almond Grove Park, known locally as the Donkey Field*** (pictured above).
"Work is to be carried out in the next few weeks to deliver some drainage solutions. The new play equipment will be installed soon after," the report says.
N.F. ADDS: This will be welcome news for the young residents of the Newlands estate, and others, who use the facility between Almond Grove and Atherton Way, close to the new Lidl store.

ELSEWHERE IN THE REPORT

  • North Lincolnshire Full Council on Thursday 29 September (today) will consider a paper on devolution following an extensive consultaton of North Lincolnshire residents.
  • Funding has been secured from the government for the Brigg Neighbourhood Plan.
  • New bollards  (see picture below) have been installed throughout Brigg. Recent government guidance means that these now do not have to be illuminated.



Coun Waltham is deputy leader of North Lincolnshire Council, Coun Carl Sherwood is a cabinet member, while his brother Coun Nigel is chairman of the planning committee.
**** For the benefit of younger Brigg Blog followers and people who have moved to the town in recent years, we should explain that donkeys used to be kept in this area, long before the A18 was re-routed along Barnard Avenue and Atherton Way saw major industrial and educational additions.

BRIGG HOMES PLAN REJECTED

A proposed housing development in Brigg has been turned down by North Lincolnshire Council.
Planning permission was sought to carry out alterations and sub-divide an existing dwelling to form two dwellings and erect a new detached dwelling at Treetops, 2 Nicolgate Lane, off Wrawby Road (opposite Sir John Nelthorpe Lower School).
The council's planning committee reached a decision during its September meeting, held at Scunthorpe Civic Centre.
It refused permission because: "The proposal represents a cramped, uncharacteristic form of development which is out of keeping with the surrounding area."
Anyone refused planning permission may lodge an appeal with the Government, an inspector then deciding whether to uphold the local council's decision or grant permisson.

THREE BRIGG APPLICATIONS CONSIDERED


Brigg Town Council's Planning & Environment Committee considered several applications relating to buildings within the town during its late September meeting in the Angel Suite.
The season was chaired by Coun Mike Storey.


  • Application to erect a cabin for use as an office, Farmstar, Bridge Street. NO OBJECTIONS RAISED.
  • Application to change the use from Class A1 to A1 7 sui generis, 8 Bigby Street. (This would permit use as nail/ beauty salon - sui generis being Latin for 'in a class of its own' and used by planners as a category). NO OBJECTIONS.
  • Listed building consent application to change the paint colour of the shop front from green to black with white trim, 63 Wrawby Street (Tech Box). NO OBJECTIONS.
  • There was also some discussion of an application from neighbouring Broughton parish, relating to the retention of the existing ‘Wressle - 1 Well’ wellsite and access road for long term production of hydro-carbons. COMMENTS TO BE PASSED TO PLANNERS.
North Lincolnshire Council will now decide whether to grant permission in each case.

ENJOY THE SCAWBY WINTER WONDERLAND

FROM ANDREW BANKS

Scawby Winter Wonderland is coming this year. 
We have a range of stalls, activities and more for all the family. 
We have Santa in his Grotto and also a Talent Show to really provide even more entertainment. 
Book your child in to have a personalised experience with Santa Claus here  
Book into the Talent Show here  
Want to book a stall, click here  
The event will be held on Saturday, December 10 at Scawby Village Hall, from 10am to 2pm. 

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

THIS BRIGG LEAFLET IS NOT JUNK MAIL & CAN SAVE YOUR MONEY

 

Here's some money-saving advice for Brigg householders.
Today, or in the very near future, you may well receive a colourful single-sheet circular from the Bargain Booze chain, which has an off-licence shop on our town's Spring's Parade.
We read the front of the sheet about cheap deals on wine, cider and lager and were just about to toss it into the paper recyling box when we decided to turn it over. 
Good job we did - for on the reverse side  are  vouchers. Cut them out and save £2 a time when you spend a tenner. 
The vouchers will be valid from October 7 to October 13. So file them away carefully until then.



NEW BRIGG VIDEO WILL INTEREST HISTORIANS OF THE FUTURE


It's important to record today's Brigg buildings, street scenes and events for prosperity.
Traditionally, this has been done through photographs - black & white and colour prints and now digital imagery.
But Brigg railway line campaigner Paul Johnson has taken things a stage further with some video footage.
He compiled what he calls a Walk Around Video of Brigg Station "and popped it onto the Brigg Memories Facebook page."
He tells us that his footage enjoyed more than 100 views in just 24 hours!
Brigg Blog is a firm believer that today's events are tomorrow's history, and Paul's welcome video fills a void in the archive.
He tells us that passenger numbers on the Saturday-only Brigg line passenger service at the weekend "were rather good to say we are in the non-peak season."
There were a number of new travellers using the line due to promotion and fare reductions, he explains.
View Paul's video of Brigg station here...
Brigg Blog was talking to a well-known resident in the town centre the other day, while she was out early taking photographs in the town centre for her own amusement.
We told her that Brigg Blog should make arrangements to pass on our extensive gallery of pictures taken over many years, as they may be of use, and interest, to people in years to come. They will bring back many Brigg Memories.
Imagine how interesting it would be if  today we could view footage of Brigg station during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. 
The facility then enjoyed passenger trains seven days a week, of course, starting with the very early morning mail train from Manchester. 
It would be great to watch film footage of B1 4-6-0s or  D11 Director 4-4-0s heading trains  from Sheffield, simmering in our station when it still boasted a roof and an extensive range of buildings provided by the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway, later the Great Central, then the London North Eastern and latterly British Railways (from 1948).

The above picture shows a preserved 'Black Five' 4-6-0 steam locomotive nearing Brigg station some years ago at the head of an enthusiasts' special. Weekend summer excursion from South Yorkshire during the age of steam came through Brigg on their way to Cleethorpes, packed with sun- and fun-seekers from Sheffield out for the day to sample the resort's Wonderland Amusements, Big Dipper, Kiss-Me-Quick Hats,  donkey rides, sticks of rock, seafront pubs and fish and chips. 


Pictured below: A preserved B1 4-6-0 crossing the old Cadney Road bridge over the River Ancholme some years ago with an enthusiasts' train, bound for Cleethorpes. 




EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW OF £13.9 MILLION BRIGG DEVELOPMENT

An exclusive preview of Brigg's newest school is on offer.
The Vale Academy will be holding a year six open evening for students interested in starting there during 2017.
Their parents/guardians will be in accompanying them at the event on October 6.
Parental tours are at 9.30am, with an opening evening for students and parents from 6.30pm.
The Vale is offering an exclusive preview of the £13.9-million new school  being built close to the existing premises off Grammar School Road.
Work on this ambitious project is now well advanced.
The Vale describes itself as an Ofsted-rated good academy with outstanding features.
People attending the open day can meet "our exceptional team and hard-working students."
To find out more about the school and its open evening, visit www.valeacademy.org.uk or call 01652 652908 or email info@valeacademy.org.uk
Neighbouring Sir John Nelthorpe School, on Grammar School Road, recently held its year six open evening, which we also publicised in advance on Brigg Blog.

BOND TO BOWIE CONCERT FROM BRIGG LIVE ARTS

Acclaimed jazz singer Juliet Kelly is to perform in Brigg - offering songs of stage and screen.
Her concert - presented by Brigg Live Arts - is entitled Bond to Bowie.
It will be held in the Nelthorpe Barn, off Bridge Street - behind Scanlon's pub, near the County Bridge - on Saturday, October 29.
The show will start at 7.30pm and tickets - costing £6 - can be obtained from Brigg Tourist Information Centre at the Buttercross, in the Market Place. Or call 01652 658995 to reserve yours.
Visit www.julietkelly.com for further information about the performer.

INTERESTING TALK IN PROSPECT AT BRIGG BASH

The next meeting of Brigg Amateur Social Historians (BASH) will be held at the Servicemen's Club, adjoining the town's main car park, on Tuesday, October 4 (8pm).
Marilyn Roberts will be giving an illustrated talk, Sisters of the Tsar.
What happened to Grand Duchesses Exenia and Olga after the tragic death of Russia's Tsar Nicholas II a century ago?
Everyone is welcome at BASH meetings - no membership necessary. Just turn up on the night.
Admission is free, light refreshments will be provided and a raffle held to help towards costs.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

BRIGG BUSINESS CELEBRATES SWEET SUCCESS


Many congratulations to a Brigg town centre business which has reached a milestone.
The fifth anniversary of Sankey's Sweet Shop was celebrated at the Wrawby Street premises on Saturday.
It's a traditional sweet shop whose wares includes "goodies" familiar to those of us who were children in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
Opening hours at Sankey's Sweets are: Tuesday and Wednesday, 10am to 4pm; Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 9.30am to 4.30pm. It does not open on Sunday and Monday.
Proprietor Natalie  invited us along to the official opening back in 2011 (see some of the pictures below) and her shop has appeared on Brigg Blog from time to time since then.


























SING FOR YOUR PLOUGHMAN'S SUPPER IN BRIGG

A Musical Evening is to be held in Brigg for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Local duo Starstruck will perform during the event at St Mary's Church Hall, Barnard Avenue, on Saturday, October 15, starting at 7.30pm.
Entry costs £6, including a ploughman's supper.

BRIGG GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL HAD AN EARLIER LOCATION


Brigg Blog recently posted a piece about the former Girls' High School, highlighting the stone tablet on the front of the building, off Wrawby Road, which carries the date 1936.
Cliff Turner, now 91 and resident in New Zealand, was living in Brigg at the time and emails us to say: "It is not exactly true that the Girls' High School was founded 80 years ago. It was previously housed in huts near the Vicarage in Bigby Street."
Therefore, Brigg Blog should have said the building (now housing the Sir John Nelthorpe Lower School) is 80 years old.
The foundation stone was laid in 1936 and the new building opened officially on 2nd November 1937 by Miss G E Hadow M.A (Principal of the Society Of Oxford Home Students).
Miss Lardelli, the Headmistress who was a driving force behind the plans for the new building, died in 1935 before it was opened. 

BRIGG CLUB TO ENJOY OPULENT OCTOBER

Brigg & District Flower Club has a meeting come up.
Opulent October will be the theme for national demonstrator Catherine Gledhill.
She will be at Scawby Village Hall on Wednesday, October 12 (7.15pm start).
The £10 ticket price includes a glass of wine.
There will also be a cake stall, produce on offer and a raffle.
For further information, call 01652 657473 or 01469 569607.

Monday, September 26, 2016

KEYO BRIGG SPRINT TRIATHLON 2016 - FIRST BATCH OF PICTURES


Here's our first batch of pictures from Lincsquad's Keyo Brigg Sprint Triathlon 2016 held yesterday -  Sunday, September 25. It involved competitors swimming 16 lengths of the Ancholme Leisure Centre pool, followed by 20km cycling on local roads and  then a 5km run. We took these pictures  on Cadney Road, Elwes Street and the Market Place.
view Scunthorpe Telegraph pictures from the event here...



No 90 - Vicky Howden, of Lincsquad, from Scunthorpe.


110 Victoria Smaller, Brigg, Lincsquad




72 Donna Marris, Barnetby; 95 Alicia Bell, Grimsby

106 Andrew Greaves, Scunthorpe

111 Richard Leach


119 Tracey Lovett, Gainsbororough



77 John Armstrong, Grimsby


92 Craig Ward, Doncaster

Andy Yeadon, Scunthorpe




79 Emma Watts