BRIGG GOING TO THE POLLS FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS MONTH

Brigg people will be going to polling stations for the second time this month.
Following the North Lincolnshire Council and Brigg Town Council elections held on May 2, there's another coming up for the European Parliament tomorrow - Thursday, May 23.
Six seats need to be filled and nine parties have nominated 51 candidates for the Yorkshire and Humber Region of the European Parliament, which includes us.
Polling stations in Brigg and elsewhere will be open between 7am and 10pm.
It will be interesting to see the percentage turnout.

DOES PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN BRIGG NEED A BIT OF A RE-THINK?

Better public transport is on the wish list of many people who live within the Brigg area.
We could do with a meaningful train service - rather than the current Saturdays-only timetable offering only three easterly journeys to Cleethorpes and three to Sheffield.
And grateful as we are for the fine bus links between Brigg and Scunthorpe, including the relatively new X4 Hornsbys expresses, journeys to towns and cities other than our neighbouring metropolis can prove difficult if not impossible.
We thought about this while making a recent Friday trip from Brigg to Buckinghamshire, returning three days later, on a Monday.
First, we had to take the No 4 bus from Brigg Cary Lane to Scunthorpe because connecting National Express company cross-country coaches from Hull to the steel town, via the Humber Bridge, do not call in Brigg on their way to London and other destinations.
Is there any chance the powers-that-be could ask for our town to be included through a slight diversion to the route?
We duly boarded the mid-morning Friday National Express coach in Scunthorpe and headed for Birmingham, where we took a train from Moor Street station to High Wycombe, arriving mid-afternoon.
Between Birmingham and our destination we gazed from the window of the excellent and very frequent Chiltern Trains service as we passed through towns that, unlike Brigg, still have stations with a meaningful timetable.
Having returned to Scunthorpe on the Monday aboard the National Express coach we were in time to catch the 8.10pm Hornsbys No 4 back to Brigg, via Broughton and Scawby.
However, had we chosen to return a day earlier, a taxi would have been required from Scunthorpe to Brigg as no late buses are operated by Stagecoach on Sundays.
Talk to people living in many other parts of the UK and they find it hard to believe that an area like North Lincolnshire has sparse public transport, compared with what they enjoy and assume to be the norm.
And what about more local  public transport?
There's a bus service between Brigg and Lincoln, via Scawby and Hibaldstow, but it only runs on Fridays.
If you want to go to Grimsby - Monday to Friday - you can get a bus from Brigg to Barnetby and back again, but timetabling makes it difficult to spend a meaningful length of time in the coastal town. The same applies if you want to visit Barton.
Buses, coaches and passenger trains are all run by private companies, not North Lincolnshire Council which, to its credit, supports some public transport routes and also the CallConnect dial-a-bus service. However, much as we appreciate CallConnect (being a registered user) it does not operate at all times when demand exists.
When it comes to the all-important carbon footprint and reducing global warming, we are told that using public transport is most desirable because it reduces the number of individual car journeys.
But someone, somewhere has to ensure that buses and trains are available whenever people want to comply with this worthy aim, and that means in the evenings and weekends, seven days a week.
Our traveller's tale does have a happy ending. Having arrived at High Wycombe railway station, we had some time to kill.
Just beyond the car park we spied the Bootlegger pub that proved to be an absolute delight. So much so that we took some pictures of it to share with fellow real ale fans once we got back to Brigg.
Viewing the line-up of pumps on the bar, we selected a refreshing light ale made by a local brewery called Fisher's!

Fisher's Blonde Ale on tap at the Bootlegger pub (below) in hilly High Wycombe.

Birmingham's famous Bull Ring Centre viewed from Moor Street railway station in the centre of the city.

VISITOR ATTRACTION NEAR BRIGG WILL BE OPEN ON BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY

Individuals and families in the Brigg area who are looking for somewhere interesting to visit over the forthcoming bank holiday should note that Wrawby Mill will be holding an open day on Monday, May 27 (from 1pm to 5pm).
This Free-to-visit historic landmark is cared for by the Wrawby Windmill Society.
Built in the 18th century, the mill - close to the A18 Melton Road at DN20 8SR - will also be open to the public on these dates in 2019:
Sunday 30th June
Saturday 27th July
Monday 26th August
Saturday 21st September.
Admission and parking is free - donations welcome.
There will also be a family fun day on Sunday, June 30, from 1pm to 5pm.

BRIGG GARDEN COMPETITION 2019: ENTER NOW, DON'T DELAY!

Get those entries in now for the Brigg Garden Competition 2019, organised by the Town Council.
You can nominate your own or a friend's or neighbour's that has taken your eye.
But don't delay as the closing date is drawing near - June 14.
The competition is a long-established one, culminating in a showpiece, late summer presentation ceremony in the Angel Suite to which finalists are invited to hear the results  announced and see the the trophies and certificates being presented.
In addition to the top gardens, there are also awards for the most impressive allotments tended by plot-holders on Redcombe Lane/Atherton Way and Grammar School Road who hire their veg-growing patches from the council in return for a small annual rent.
Schools and business premises with floral displays are also included.
Categories are:

• Best house front garden
• Best hanging basket/display - business or organisation premises
• Best allotment plot
• Best school display - basket, flower bed or vegetable plot

Entries can be made in several ways, and judging will be undertaken during July.
You can collect a printed form from the Town Council Office on the ground floor of the Angel building or from the Tourist Information Centre at the Buttercross in the Market Place.
Alternatively, CLICK HERE and download the form.
Please note that as this competition is organised by our town council, all gardens must be located within the Brigg parish boundary.
Well-received changes were made last year to the way in which the garden competition is organised.
Small groups of councillors used to tour the town, street by street, looking at gardens and drawing up a shortlist of those that impressed them to go forward for final judging.
This time-consuming method has now been replaced by a simpler system involving nominations by townsfolk for the judging stage.
Click here to view the current trophy-holders, following the presentations made last year.
 
PICTURED ABOVE: The best front garden of 2018, tended by Derek Capp, of the Newlands estate, seen below receiving the coveted trophy from Town Mayor Councillor Donald Campbell last August in the Angel Suite.

HOT FOOD COMING TO BRIGG PUB

A Brigg pub that does not normally offer food to customers is to make notable exceptions.
Traditional pizza, prepared in a wood-fired oven, will be available at the Yarborough Hunt, on Bridge Street, between 4.30pm and 8.30pm on three days over the coming months.
The dates are May 31, July 26 and August 30 - all Fridays.
The food - "a little taste of Napoli" - will be provided by Scunthorpe-based Pizza da Angelo.
The Yarborough hosted something similar in terms of pop-up pizza last summer.
Angelo de Pizza will be visiting many other North Lincolnshire hostelries to run pizza nights over the next few months.

THE TEAMS PROMOTED BRIGG TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB WILL BE PLAYING NEXT SEASON

Brigg Town Football Club's promotion to the Northern Counties East League Division One for the 2019/2020 season has now been confirmed, allowing us to take a look at some of the sides the Zebras will be playing during the new campaign, starting in late summer.
Brigg finished runners-up in the Balcan Lighting Supplies Lincolnshire League Premier earlier this month, making them eligible to move up a grade in the football pyramid to what's known as Step 6.
Twenty teams are scheduled to play in the NCEL First Division, including nearby Winterton Rangers.
There are several sides from the North Bank within comfortable travelling distance, but the only other Lincolnshire club is Skegness.
Brigg will also face Retford - potentially giving local fans the chance to use our Saturdays-only passenger train service to get to the North Nottinghamshire town, and Retford followers to come to us.
Familiar teams Brigg have played at this level in previous seasons include Armthorpe Welfare, Harrogate Railway, Selby Town, Dronfield Town and Campion.
Brigg Town have also confirmed that they will be operating a reserve side next season, playing in the Lincolnshire League.
So there will be continuous Saturday football available to watch at The Hawthorns.

VIEW 30 PICTURES FROM THE BRIGG PUMP BLESSING 2019

Here's a fine and wide selection of colourful pictures showing the Brigg Pump Blessing 2019 event held in the town centre on Saturday, May 18.
The 30 featured were all taken by Ken Harrison, of Brigg Matters Magazine, to whom we extend our sincere thanks.
Brigg Town Business Partnership co-ordinated the festivities with sponsorship and support from a number of local companies.
Many townsfolk and visitors from neighbouring communities watched the dancing and the ceremonies beside the pumps.
Also in attendance were Brigg Town Mayor Coun Sharon Riggall, Deputy Town Mayor Coun Brian Parker, North Lincolnshire Council Leader Coun Rob Waltham and Brigg's Curate, the Rev Trudy Hobson.
The cast iron pumps that once supplied water to homes and businesses in the town centre are located on Bridge Street, near the County Bridge, and on Grammar School Road South, close to Wetherspoon's White Horse pub.

 

DRIVER ALERT: DELAYS LIKELY ON BRIGG ROAD

Delays are likely to be experienced by drivers using the A18 near Brigg.
Between Tuesday and Thursday, May 21 to 23, roadworks will be in place on Brigg Road, Wrawby, near Highfield Lane.
Temporary traffic lights will control traffic while drainage work is carried out by North Lincolnshire Council.
Stop-go boards will operate on Kettleby Lane, Wrawby, between 9pm on Sunday, May 26 and 9am on Monday, May 27. This is while Network Rail is working on track near the level crossing.
Drivers using Kettleby Lane are advised that delays are possible.

BRIGG TOWN THE BEST-SUPPORTED FOOTBALL TEAM IN THE LEAGUE

Brigg Town Football Club had to settle for runners-up spot in the Balcan Lighting Supplies Lincolnshire League Premier at the end of the 2018/19 season which drew to a close earlier this month. 
However, the Zebras did finish top in the attendance table compiled for the campaign.
The average for league games at The Hawthorns was 109, with 142 supporters being the highest and 97 the lowest.
Surprisingly, champions Lincoln Moorlands Railway only averaged 39 fans for home matches.
Brigg finished four points behind Moorlands during the 22-match programme in which the Zebras won 15 league matches, drew five and lost only two.
Town also played in the last game of 2018/19, losing 1-0 at The Hawthorns to Lincoln United Reserves in the Challenge Cup final on Friday, May 10 at The Hawthorns.
Brigg's leading scorer in Premier games was Jake Reed with 13, while Reece Moody managed 11 (including two penalties).
With success gained in other cup finals and second place achieved in the league, it proved to be a fine season for the club.
With the Brigg players now enjoying a well-deserved break, thoughts begin to turn to next season.

DECISIVE VICTORY FOR BRIGG TOWN CRICKETERS & BOTH BROUGHTON TEAMS WIN

Brigg Town Cricket Club moved up to second place in the table following a decisive away win in Lincolnshire County Cricket League Division Three yesterday (Saturday, May 18).
Town travelled to the Isle of Axholme to claim the maximum 20 points on offer while beating Outcasts 2nds - the margin being nine wickets.
Brigg won the toss and invited the home team to bat first at Hirst Priory, near Crowle. But Outcasts used up only 28 of the 45 overs on offer while being dismissed for 80.
Brigg's opening seam attack inflicted most of the damage, Nick Beacock claiming four for 28 and Tom Brock four for 40.
Phil Dewfall then took the final wicket, one of the earlier batsmen having been run out.
After tea, Brigg soon lost a wicket but were steered to victory after only 18 overs by an impressive partnership between Jack Richards (41 not out, pictured above) and Danny Bradley (23 not out).
Broughton 2nds continue to set a hot pace at the top of Division Three, not having dropped a point after four fixtures.
Yesterday they hosted Lindum 3rds and won by 15 runs - helped by another fine display from experienced all-rounder Paul Clark, who hit an unbeaten 65 and took five for 31.
Also in the runs was seasoned former Lincolnshire batsman Clive Coulthurst, who made 39, and Sam Benson with 28 - most of Broughton's runs coming from the middle-order.
Having made 199 for nine in their 45 overs, Broughton dismissed the Lincoln side for 184 with just four balls remaining in the final over of the match.
Assisting Paul Clark with the wicket-taking were Andrew Hillyard (two for 42) and Kavithessh Karunanantharajah and Craig Hall (one victim apiece).
There was also a run out late in the game in which Broughton keeper Lee Stothard was involved, and he chipped in with a catch and a stumping.
Broughton's first teamers triumphed by 33 runs in a very high-scoring away match at Barton Town in Division One.
Opener Nick Dobbs led the way with an unbeaten century, finishing 135 not out as Broughton rattled up 274 for nine in their 45 overs. Richard Green managed 54 and Neil Simpson 21.
Barton replied with 241 for nine, Shaun Clark taking four wickets, Sean Clixby three and Paul Mitchell the other two.
Broughton are fourth in the standings after three games.
In Division Two, leaders Hibaldstow lost by 23 runs when hosting second-placed Clee Town Laportes in a relatively low-scoring affair.
Laportes were dismissed for 113, with Joe Taylor taking five for 27 in 11 overs.
After tea, Hibaldstow opener Josh Cowling made 27 but only two other batsmen reached double figures as they were dismissed for 90.

LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE
(Sponsored by Readers)
RESULTS - SATURDAY, MAY 18

Premier Division
Cleethorpes 2nds 141, Bracebridge Heath 2nds 142 for five
Caistor 151 for nine, Nettleham 17 for no wicket - abandoned
Hartsholme 283 for four, Grimsby Town 123
Haxey 136, Lindum 2nds 113 for eight - incomplete game due to rain
Scothern 224 for eight, Cherry Willingham 225 for six

Division One
Scunthorpe Town 2nds 158 for nine, Alkborough 106
Broughton 274 for nine, Barton Town 241 for nine
Outcasts 95, Holton-le-Clay 98 for no wicket
Messingham 162 for five, Normanby Park 163 for nine
Louth 2nds 126, Appleby-Frodingham 2nds 127 for four

Division Two
Old Lincolnians 66, Cherry Willingham 2nds 67 for one
Hartsholme 2nds 90, Grimsby Town 2nds 93 for three
Clee Town Laportes 113, Hibaldstow 90
Caistor 2nds 118, Market Rasen 2nds 119 for no wicket

Division Three
Broughton 2nds 199 for nine, Lindum 3rds 184
Nettleham 2nds 132 for eight, Haxey 2nds 112
Messingham 2nds 205 for five, Cleethorpes 4ths 110
Outcasts 2nds 80, Brigg Town 81 for one

Division Four
Scunthorpe Town 3rds 80, East Halton 81 for three
Horncastle 20, Scothern 2nds 21 for no wicket
Keelby 92 for nine, Louth 3rds 22 for no wicket - abandoned


FIXTURE - TODAY, SUNDAY, MAY 19
Division Two
Cleethorpes 3rds v Holton-le-Clay 2nds (1.30pm start)

BRIGG ROADWORKS: DELAYS POSSIBLE FOR DRIVERS

Delays are possible for drivers in Brigg during roadworks affecting one of the town's most heavily used routes.
At times between Monday and Wednesday, May 27 to 29, temporary traffic controls will be in place on Grammar School Road.
The location is near the former entrance to the Vale Academy on the edge of the Springbank  estate.
These roadworks are due to work being carried out for BT - the telecommunications company.
This will be the third set of roadworks in this area of the town in the space of a few weeks - the others being near Beech Villas and on Preston Drive.

ELF AND SAFETY SHOULD LOOK INTO OVERSPILL PARKING FOR THE BIG CHRISTMAS EVENT IN BRIGG 2019

Should overspill car parking be made available in Brigg during major events?
This question comes to mind have read comments posted recently on social media by a number of local folk, following the well-attended Brigg Live Arts Festival.
The Old Courts Road car park could not cope with demand on the day, leading to suggestions that overspill parking should be made available elsewhere.
Ideas include North Lincolnshire Council's staff car park behind Hewson House, on Station Road, and Health Place, off Wrawby Road.
Brigg Blog supports both of these, but adds a simpler solution: put up temporary signs on the A18 pointing people to the extensive area of open space adjoining the railway station.
Dozens of cars could be accommodated without any policing/stewarding being required.
Simple signs at the beginning of Station Road, near the council offices, could then direct drivers and passengers along Queen Street or down Bigby Street.
Some marked-out car parking spaces are already available near Hewson House beside Station Road.
But few drivers visiting from neighbouring towns and villages will know that, so temporary signs are vital along the A18.
Station Road is floodlit as far as the railway station, so perhaps it will be possible to use this area for overspill parking during the Christmas lights switch/on later this year.
Elf and safety at the council should be asked to look into that without delay, we suggest.
It's very off-putting for drivers who come to Brigg to support our major events and then find it difficult, or impossible, to park because of heavy demand for spaces.
We don't want even one of them to say "never again" and pass over opportunities to make return visits to the town.
Brigg Town Council has a group that will be looking at arrangements for the major Christmas event which the authority manages.
We hope this group will discuss our suggestion in the not-too-distant future.

POPULAR BRIGG CURATE MOVING TO TAKE ON HER OWN PARISH

Congratulations go to our popular Brigg Curate who has been appointed to take charge of her first parish.
The Rev Trudy Hobson will be moving from the Diocese of Lincoln to Salisbury, in Wiltshire.
Her new appointment is as Priest in Charge of the Upper Wylye Valley Team.
She will be licensed on July 29 at the Heytesbury St Peter and St Paul Church by the Bishop of Salisbury, The Rt Rev Nicholas Holtam.
For some time The Rev Trudy has been working alongside Father Owain Mitchell, Vicar of Brigg, also covering Wrawby, Cadney and Howsham, Bonby and Worlaby.
During her time in Brigg she has officiated at many public events, including December/January Tree of Light ceremonies held in Chapel Court.
She also arranged a memorable musical recital at St Mary's Church, Wrawby in March 2017 involving members of the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment, to raise funds for RAF charities and the church. Among those taking part was her sister, Corporal Nancy Hobson.
The Rev Trudy formerly served in the RAF as a musician, based at RAF Cranwell.
In July 2017 she was ordained at a service in Lincoln Cathedral. Her first Brigg-based communion as a priest followed shortly afterwards at St John's Church.
The picture above, taken recently by Ken Harrison of Brigg Matters magazine, shows The Rev Trudy with retiring Town Mayor Coun Donald Campbell at the Town Council's annual meeting, held in the Angel Suite. In a chaplaincy role, she has led the elected members in prayer at a number of council meetings.

The Rev Trudy Hobson during the musical event she organised at Wrawby Church. Picture by Ken Harrison.

The Rev Trudy Hobson officiating at a Tree of Light service in Brigg town centre.

ENJOY THE DIRTY PITCHERS PLAYING LIVE IN BRIGG WITH FREE ADMISSION

Local band The Dirty Pitchers has another gig coming up in Brigg - with FREE admission.
The group, specialising in Bripop era music, has alerted Brigg Blog to another booking in the town centre.
This the lads will be appearing at Brigg & District Servicemen's Club, Coney Court.
The date/time is Saturday, June 1, from 8.30pm.
The Dirty Pitchers' play list includes tunes made famous by Oasis, Blur, Pulp, Shed Seven, Radiohead and Stone Roses, plus many more.
The band has drawn sizeable crowds to previous gigs in Brigg at venues like the Exchange, the Britannia, Brigg Town Football Club's Hawthorns and the Yarborough Hunt.
Our picture shows The Dirty Pitchers performing beside a Wonderwall at the Exchange a few months ago!

WETHERSPOON PUB IN BRIGG RATED FOR FOOD HYGIENE

One of the most used eateries in Brigg features in North Lincolnshire Council's latest routine batch of food hygiene inspections.
Council staff visited Wetherspoon's White Horse pub and restaurant, on Wrawby Street, and awarded it FIVE STARS - rating the premises "very good."
Five stars is the top rating an eatery can receive in the national scheme to which North Lincolnshire Council has signed up.
The inspection team found food hygiene and safety to be very good, structural compliance to be very good and declared confidence in premises' management to be high.
FOUR STARS were given to the China Garden takeaway on Wrawby Street, Brigg, and to the new Jennys Cafe located at the former filling station on Brigg Road, Hibaldstow. They are both rated "good" in terms of food hygiene.
PICTURED: The White Horse pub and restaurant in Brigg town centre. It is operated by the national J S Wetherspoon company.