BRIGG LANDMARK LOOKING A PICTURE AFTER REFURBISHMENT

Brigg has received an early Christmas present from North Lincolnshire Council.
After weeks of toil by contract workers, external refurbishment of the landmark Buttercross building, in the Market Place, has been completed.
The wooden clock tower has been restored while the metal weather vane - damaged by strong winds earlier this year - has been given specialist attention and is now back on top of the structure which is one of the most prominent within the Conservation Area.
The 'working at heights' scaffolding erected around the grade two listed building was being taken down yesterday afternoon (Friday, December 21) ahead of today's Christmas farmers' market when the Buttercross can be viewed by hundreds of passing shoppers. 
Perhaps it will become something of a talking point.
A bit of work has still to be done, including re-hanging the ground floor plaque marking the visit by The Princess of Wales (Lady Diana) in March 1988 during the era of Brigg-based Glanford Borough Council. It's location is above the main door at the front. 
The Princess unveiled the plaque to mark the beginning of the Brigg Regeneration Project which resulted in a number of old properties being improved and restored.
Many people in Brigg town centre glance up at the clock as they approach the Buttercross. They do this without thinking.
However, the timepiece has not been providing this public service during the latter part of the building's refurb. So it's good to see the return of our free time checks.
Next year will see the 200th anniversary of the Buttercross building being unveiled to the public in 1819 - the well-known Elwes family of land and property owners being involved.
Farmers' wives, and others, then sold locally-made produce on the ground floor, which then had side openings.
Today the building has the Tourist Information Centre at ground level and an ornate function suite above.
Pictured here are images taken yesterday while the last of the scaffolding was being dismantled and a few others taken over a number of weeks while the refurbishment work was being carried out.