VERY WARM WELCOME TO NEW COUPLE RUNNING BRIGG PUB

 

A very warm Brigg welcome is extended to the new couple who have taken charge at one of our town centre pubs. There are already plans for musical entertainment to go with the low-priced drinks.
Andy and Tracey Noon (pictured here) are now running the Black Bull, on Wrawby Street.
He told Brigg Blog: "We plan to bring back live music and hold quiz nights."
Teams playing darts and dominoes will hopefully to be added to the existing pool squads.
Andy had been to Brigg only once before prior to taking charge at the Bull with Tracey.
But the couple, who took over on Monday, July 8, have really taken to our town.
"I love it," he said. "The people are very friendly; the most friendly I've encountered in 15 years in the trade."
Former hostelries run include one in Lincoln, the Old Farmhouse at Gunness and the Warren Lodge in Scunthorpe.
While at the latter, Andy oversaw the introduction of the famous Dustbin Challenge - a huge, meat-laden feast served on a metal lid, which "went viral" on the internet.
A young colleague of ours at the Scunthorpe Telegraph famously tried it, at our suggestion when we were overseeing the paper's website. Andy still remembers that, although it was a few years ago.
There are no plans for a Brigg version of the Dustbin Lid challenge, but FREE bacon butties have been reintroduced at the Black Bull on Sunday mornings, from 10am to lunchtime.
Feel free to drop by for a late breakfast snack and meet the new couple in charge.
They are big fans of guest beers and plan to keep changing what's on offer, in addition to their standard range.
The good news for Brigg pub-goers is that drinks are in the budget price range - £2.40p for a pint of Fosters lager and £1.85p for John Smiths and Worthington bitter.
Yes, £1.85p - very low indeed by today's standards!
Having heard the new couple were in town, Brigg Blog popped in for an hour last Friday night (July 12) towards the end of Andy and Tracey's first week in charge, following the annual Sir John Nelthorpe School sports reunion in which the cricket match was blessed with thirst-creating warm weather.
We arranged to go back a few days later to take some pictures and pen a piece about Brigg's newest mine hosts.
They were just opening up when we arrived on Tuesday morning, with some regulars already queueing at the front door.
Hot and sunny weather gave us an ideal opportunity to photograph Andy and Tracey in the south-facing beer garden behind the Bull - added during the brief tenure of Dexters Ale House & Kitchen.
On hot days the palm trees and cabanas (beach huts) at the back make it seem more like Spain and Turkey than North Lincolnshire!
The Black Bull dates back to 1820 and was popular with airmen from local bases during the Second World War.
We told Andy a bit about the hostelry's history and some of the changes we've observed since the 1970s.
It was back in the early 1980s that we first wrote a 'new couple takes charge' feature about the Bull. That was when Mal and Carol Shipley took over, and it was also a hot and sunny summer's day when we popped in for a chat and Bryan Robins photographed them outside the front door.
Tony Rampling had the Bull for a time after them; we think he'd been at Elsham Golf Club or went there after leaving the Bull.
We've lost count of the many happy nights we've enjoyed at the Bull down the decades, notably during the very length Sykes and Smith era which began in the mid-1980s.
Tony Sykes (ex-Royal Navy) was a long-serving councillor, Town Mayor and chairman of the Brigg & District Licensees' Association for some years.
It was during his tenure that the first open plan layout was introduced - much altered since.
More recently, and post-Dexters, we covered the reopening of the pub - now part of Craft Union's extensive portfolio with its original name restored.
What we forgot to mention to Andy - and apologies for that - was the Black Bull once had its own football team which played in a local Sunday morning league, with home games at the Recreation Ground.
Much has changed since the days of Black Bull FC in the 1980s, and there are now far fewer pub teams about.
But would there be sufficient interest to get one going again?
Andy, who hails from Blackburn, supports the Lancashire town's famous Rovers.
During our own sport-playing days, Brigg Men's Hockey Club and Brigg Town Cricket Club members were also frequent after-match users of the Black Bull at various times, and many a game of darts and dominoes was enjoyed.
To use the modern phrase, it became something of a sports bar.

Offering a warm welcome to the Black Bull on a warm day!

Highly regarded Timothy Taylor's Landlord ale is on offer at the Black Bull in Brigg from new landlord Andy Noon and landlady Tracey Noon.

The couple in the covered shelter at the back of the Black Bull, with its large TV screen.

 

BRIGG CRICKET FANS URGED TO SUPPORT LINCOLNSHIRE'S NEXT MINOR COUNTIES 3-DAY FIXTURE

 

Cricket fans living in Brigg and district are to get this season's only chance to watch Minor Counties cricket in the north of the county.
Lincolnshire will be playing Suffolk, in a three-day championship match at the Chichester Road ground in Cleethorpes on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, July 21, 22 and 23.
Lincolnshire CCC tells us: "This three-day match is a crucial one for both counties. Suffolk currently lead the Eastern Division table whilst Lincolnshire, following their defeat against Staffordshire, have slipped to fourth place. 
"From the 2020 season both the Eastern and Western Divisions will divide into two divisions of five teams. The top five sides in each current ten team division at the end of the 2019 season will comprise division one and the remainder division two. Therefore, Lincolnshire will be endeavouring to consolidate their position in the top five."
Play commences at 11 am each day and admission to the ground is free.
If sampling a few pints from the club bar while you watch the match appeals, we suggest taking the train from Barnetby to Cleethorpes.
You can then get a bus to the Leisure Centre, which is close to the ground, or walk along the seafront.
Turn immediately right near the Leisure Centre; the ground is nearby.
This is a well-appointed venue with a fine playing surface and has hosted first class matches involving Nottinghamshire in past seasons.
Brigg Blog has been to many Lincolnshire games at Cleethorpes since the late 1970s sometimes in a reporting capacity, sometimes to spectate.
It's well worth considering a day at the cricket to support our county side.
In their latest championship fixture, Lincolnshire travelled to West Bromwich Dartmouth CC to face Staffordshire.
On winning the toss, Staffordshire elected to bat. Lincolnshire struck first, removing Kadeer Ali and Matt Morris with the total on 31. Staffordshire then added 66 for their third wicket and thereafter took control of the match. Tim Maxfield and Michael Hill added 194 for their fourth wicket and by tea on day one they had reached 347 for 5. Hill with 153 and Maxfield with 117 dominated the Lincolnshire attack with Spencer Byatt (50 not out) and Dan Richardson (35 not out) adding useful middle order runs to see them reach 451 for 6 declared in the ninetieth over. Lincolnshire’s bowlers toiled hard with Nic Keast 3 for 134 being the most successful. By the close of play Lincolnshire had lost three wickets for 55 and faced an uphill task to save the match.
On day two Lincolnshire’s batsmen struggled to handle the Staffordshire attack and only Bilal Shafayat with a fine 98 not out withstood the pressure. Lincolnshire were finally dismissed for 214 in the seventy-fifth over, still 237 runs in arrears. Richardson with 4 for 28 and James Cox with 4 for 65 were Staffordshire’s most successful bowlers. Staffordshire did not enforce the follow-on and by the close of play on day two had reached 239 for 6, a lead of 476, Hill again top scoring with 56. Nic Keast with 3 for 78 was again Lincolnshire’s most successful bowler.
Staffordshire declared on the morning of day three and Lincolnshire now faced an uphill task to save the game and to their credit they made a tremendous effort to do so. They survived into the ninety-eighth over with every player battling hard against the strong and varied Staffordshire attack. Tom Keast with 42 off 93 balls, debutant Ben Coddington with 41 off 91 balls, and Dan Freeman with 39 off 92 balls all played their part in a rear-guard action. The last wicket fell in the final hour of play, Lincolnshire being dismissed for 216, leaving Staffordshire victorious by 260 runs. 
Staffordshire took 24 points from the match and Lincolnshire 3.
This result leaves Lincolnshire fourth in the Eastern Division table.
PICTURED: Bilal Shafayat batting for Lincolnshire at West Bromwich against Staffordshire. Images kindly supplied by Lincs CCC.

BROUGHTON SCHOOL INVOLVED IN NEW 'FUTURES' INITIATIVE

Broughton has featured in a new initiative helping primary school children to explore their futures - something Brigg Blog is pleased to see.

FROM CHRIS O'ROURKE, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

An ambitious project has been launched by North Lincolnshire Council to inspire primary school children to broaden their horizons and consider a wider range of career options.
Industry role models are being sought to help deliver the scheme which will also help primary school children better understand the link between their education and their future.
The Primary Futures initiative connects schools with local volunteers who visit and speak to pupils about their jobs. Meeting people with different career backgrounds helps to open children’s eyes to the range of potential opportunities available to them in the future.
Research by the charity Education and Employers has found that children as young as six have already started to form opinions about what they can – or can’t – be in the future, with gender and socio-economic stereotyping influencing their ideas about their own futures.
The council’s Director of Learning, Skills and Culture, Peter Thorpe, said: “We’re in a really good place in education in North Lincolnshire, with the highest proportion of good and outstanding schools in the Yorkshire and Humber region. Starting from this strong platform we can begin to think about what else is possible to ensure all our children have the best start in life.
“Research has shown that encounters during education with people from the world of work has a direct link to whether or not children and young people end up not in education, employment, or training further down the line. So by bringing volunteers into classrooms across North Lincolnshire through Primary Futures, we’re bringing learning to life and making school seem more relevant to pupils, whilst raising their aspirations about their futures.”
North Lincolnshire Council piloted the project in a number of local primary schools during spring 2019.
Broughton Primary School was one such school which held a Primary Futures event with over 40 local volunteers coming to speak to the school’s pupils, from the youngest aged 4, to the eldest at 11.
Daniel Clayton, Head of Broughton Primary School, said: “Children have a limited view of the world of work – they know what their parents and grandparents do, and what they see on TV and social media. We wanted to show that there’s a wealth of opportunities out there that suit every type of personality and skills.
“The exposure was important for us. Even if children listened to our visitors and thought ‘this isn’t for me’, it’s still important to have these early experiences to help shape their lives.
“The volunteers were happy to see how they’d inspired these keen, young minds. We could see the affect that the Primary Futures event had on our pupils; you could see the lights turning on behind their eyes during their day.”
Cllr David Rose, cabinet member responsible for education on North Lincolnshire Council, added: “Children in North Lincolnshire are already receiving the best standard of education our area has ever seen, but through innovative schemes like Primary Futures, and our continued commitment to the Imagination Library and investing in our learning environments, we’re ensuring we give all our children and young people the best start in life.”
Primary Futures is now open to the 61 primary, junior and infant schools in North Lincolnshire and volunteers and schools are welcome to register through the Primary Futures website.
Volunteers from any business or organisation are welcome to register with the free programme and pledge as little as a few hours a year to visiting schools to talk about their jobs to pupils.
For more information about Primary Futures and to register a school, or as a volunteer, visit www.primaryfutures.org
PICTURED: Broughton pupils find out about the fire service. Image from North Lincolnshire Council.

VERY RARE CHANCE TO VIEW INSIDE BRIGG TOWN CENTRE TIME CAPSULE

The only grade two star listed building in Brigg - built in 1760 - still houses many features that would have been familiar to people who visited it, or worked there, during previous centuries.
What's now the Exchange Coach House Inn, on Bigby Street, has had various guises down the years, including a gentlemen's club and a girls' school.
Current owner Joe Mullen kindly gave Brigg Blog a detailed guided tour of the premises, including parts of the upper floors that do not have public access.
Brigg couples who held wedding receptions at the Exchange years ago used to pose beside a large picture window, still in place today halfway up the period staircase (pictured above), so the official photographer could record the scene in the souvenir album.

What later became a conference room (seen above) had been used to trade locally-grown cereals before the Victorians built the town's Corn Exchange.
There's an ornate card table, dating back to William IV's reign in the 1830s, around which some properties, farms and fortunes are said to have been wagered and lost long ago.

The floors of the Exchange, when it was built, were laid down using an early kind of concrete spread over brushwood frames, producing a rock-hard finish.
Still visible in one room is an alcove (below) where Brigg Home Guard stored its rifles during the Second World War when the Exchange doubled up as the detachment's headquarters.
 

With the Luftwaffe active and fears about fifth columnists ever-present, fire-watching and surveillance were carried out from the roof of the building which today still has panoramic views over rooftops in the centre of the town.
 

These buildings include ones added during the early part of Joe's ownership, when a courtyard extension (seen above and below) was constructed on the former Lincolnshire Times newspaper car park to provide additional sleeping accommodation for paying guests.
The brick archway is still there to provide pedestrian access to the Exchange from Wrawby Street, but it's many years since any cars passed through.
 

In 1988, Brigg Town Council gave Joe an award for the careful and sympathetic restoration of what was described in the citation as Raffles Club.
Two years later a plaque was erected in the courtyard, paying tribute to the efforts of Master Builder Bruce Finch.

Many people in Brigg will remember towards the end of the last century when the Exchange boasted the town's only late night entertainments licence, with dance music on offer on the ground floor at weekends.
Entry was gained through an entrance off the side car park, and fun-seekers often had to queue, with doormen operating a 'one out, one in' policy to ensure things did not get too crowded.
An additional bar, known as Scruffy's, was also established close to the parking area.

BRIGG TOWN CENTRE PICTURES TAKEN FROM UNIQUE VANTAGE POINT

Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, called at the Exchange in Brigg during her royal visits to the town.
Police marksmen, posted for security reasons, found the Exchange's lofty roof an ideal spot, following in the footsteps of the Home Guard based there during the Second World War.
Dad's Army privates from Brigg on top of the roof in the early 1940s would have spied Wallhead's shop (established in 1897) far below them on the corner of Cross Street.
From the top of the building now, on a clear day, you can see the so-called Golf Ball monitoring station on top of the distant Lincolnshire Wolds.
As we surveyed the scene, owner Joe Mullen pointed out the M180 by-passing Brigg and (much closer to home) the roofs of town houses built a few years ago on the site previously used by Draper's Joinery.
We watched traffic progress down Bigby Street towards the Dying Gladiator pub and then made our way back down the winding steps from the flat roof with its protective battlement-like surrounds.
Once we had returned to ground level, Joe pointed out an inscribed metal plaque listing those Exchange Club members who served their country during the First World War, in a variety of roles.
Sadly, some did not survive the conflict. But among those who did was Sir Berkeley Sheffield (6th Baronet), 1876-1946, local landowner, Brigg MP for some years and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, 1905.
During our guided tour we also popped in to take a look at the historic Tiffin Room, on the Bigby Street side of the ground floor. View details here...
Brigg Blog reckoned we had seen most things of note in the town over the past 60+ years, but visiting the roof of the Exchange was a first for us.
PICTURED ABOVE: St John's Church and Bigby Street,  with the Dying Gladiator pub on the left.

Looking down Bigby Street towards Albert Street.

The Exchange with its lofty roof from where our bird's eye pictures were taken.

The Golden Living housing development in Brigg town centre.

A view across the roof of the Exchange with protective wall.

Wallhead's shop, founded in 1897, on the right.

Looking towards Cross Street and Garden Street.

Trees as far as the eye can see!

D-DAY FOR LARGE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PLANNED IN THE BRIGG AREA

A scheme to create up to 48 new homes within the Brigg area is to be considered by decision-making councillors at a meeting today (Wednesday, July 17).
North Lincolnshire Council's Planning Committee will rule on an application seeking outline approval for the dwellings off the B1207, Station Road, Hibaldstow.
The council says there has been "considerable public interest" which is why this application is being considered by the committee, comprising councillors from across the unitary authority's area.
A report prepared by council staff outlines objections to the scheme from the parish councils in Hibaldstow and Scawby.
There have been "numerous objections" from members of the public "and some in support" of the scheme.
Opponents are suggesting the site is outside the village's development boundary, say that agricultural land will be lost and suggest it will put a strain on local services.
Supporters have told the council this development will contribute to the economy and provide housing for families wanting to stay in the village.
The application, from Maltgrade Ltd, will be considered by the Planning Committee at Church Square House, within Scunthorpe town centre during a meeting starting at 2pm. It is open to interested members of the public.
Councillor Nigel Sherwood (Brigg & Wolds) chairs this committee.
Options open to councillors include approving or refusing an application or holding a site visit before reaching their decision at a later date.

BRIGG HORSE FAIR 2019 PREVIEW AS THE BIG DAY DRAWS NEAR

Brigg Horse Fair 2019 will be held on Monday, August 5 with members of the gypsy/traveller community expected to begin buying and selling steeds from 9.30am and continue trading well into the afternoon.
In recent years the fair has featured a number of stalls, trailers and vans selling various horse-related items, including brasses, while refreshments have also been available within the site.
This free-to-attend fair takes place on land near Station Road  - postcode DN20 8XH - and will attract spectators from a wide area.
Historic Brigg Horse Fair is one of a dwindling number still held across the UK.
The first travellers in their caravans will start arriving up to a week before the big day, parking up ahead of the event.
If you go along, please watch out for approaching horses being paraded for the benefit of potential purchasers.
And note that no spectator parking will be available on Station Road during the horse fair.
Car-driving visitors are advised to use the town's main car park, off the A18 on Old Courts Road, at DN20 8JD.
Not being seen as an official event, Brigg Horse Fair does not usually appear in listing guides.
It is organised by gypsy/traveller community members who meet up in Brigg each summer as generations of their families did before them, going back many decades.
Some years ago when the Brigg Amateur Social Historians (BASH) group organised an exhibition of black and white Brigg Horse Fair prints of the past at the White Horse pub, some adult travellers - in town for the event - spotted themselves as children and picked out friends and relatives in the pictures on display.
Seen here - a couple of images from Brigg Horse Fair 2018.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN BRIGG NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

How many people living in Brigg today don't realise that the town still has a railway station on the national network?
We pose that question after being informed that a passenger on Saturday (July 13) boarded a train at Brigg for the very first time, to visit Cleethorpes.
"She's only just recently found out there's a railway station in Brigg despite living in the town for 12 years," Brigg Blog has been told by one of the people working hard to try and promote the local line.
Brigg Blog replied to our correspondent that we know people who've lived in the town a lot longer than that who think our railway station closed long ago!
It should be stressed that passenger trains only run on Saturdays, which has been the case for more than a quarter of a century.
Please help to spread the word; Brigg station is STILL OPEN.
On Saturdays you can board trains heading to Barnetby, Grimsby Town (very close to the main shopping centre) and Cleethorpes. Or head in the other direction to Kirton Lindsey, Gainsborough, Retford and Sheffield.
Change trains at Barnetby to go to Lincoln, or at Sheffield to get to the Meadowhall shopping centre.
The main seven-days-a-week passenger service between Cleethorpes, Grimsby and Sheffield takes a different route via Barnetby and Scunthorpe.
But every Saturday three trains in each direction also run along the Brigg line.
Summer offers families the chance to board trains at Brigg station and enjoy a day at the seaside in Cleethorpes.
Apart from the humble efforts of Brigg Blog, from time to time, how else can people find out that our station is still in business?
The British Rail logo appears on a few road signs in the town, showing motorists where to find the station (via the Monument roundabout and Bigby Road).
The station's name also appears on a sign near the Hewson House council offices at the end of Albert Street.
You can search online for train timetables from Brigg but that presumes people know there's a station operating in the town.
Could, or should, we be doing much more locally to get this message across?

BRIGG CRICKETERS IN THE EARLY 1980s

Much interest having been generated by our recently posted picture of a Brigg Town Cricket Club line-up in 1987, here's another from that decade.
We don't have an exact year for this offering but it would have been taken between 1980 and 1983.
Brigg were playing an away match at the Co-op Ground in Scunthorpe.
Back row, left to right: Graham Day, Mark Robinson, Nigel Fisher, ?? Singleton (?), Gary M. Smith, Simon Fisher.
Front row, left to right: Brian Markham, Mick Wescott, Paul Church, Simon Pottage, Phil Kent.
Brigg only had one Saturday side for a few seasons in the early 1980s, and this was taken during that period.
Wicketkeeper/batsman Graham Day later moved up many levels to play many seasons with top Scunthorpe club Appleby-Frodingham in the Yorkshire League.
Simon Church eventually emigrated to Australia and still keeps in touch, following Brigg Blog from his home in the Perth area.
This was a very young Brigg first team, some of the players having started out in the junior ranks.
Sorry we are a bit vague about the identity of the player third from right on the back row. Can someone please confirm his name for us?

TIME TO BRING BACK BRIGG FIREWORK NIGHT AT THE RECREATION GROUND?

Is it time to bring back November's annual fireworks display at Brigg Recreation Ground, off Wrawby Road, which once attracted more than 1,000 spectators?
Many years have elapsed since the last was held and we've recently been asked by a local resident: "If towns like Barton and Winterton can still run one, why can't Brigg?"
We replied that the organisation was undertaken by hard-working Brigg volunteers and this takes a great deal of time and effort, especially in this age of well-intentioned health and safety regulations.
There's also the cost to consider - several thousand pounds, we estimate, being required to put on a good display.
With parents with children dominating the attendance, the admission charge has to be kept at a reasonable level.
That means that some organisation needs to underwrite the event, particularly if the weather is bad and reduces the turnout.
Some companies in the UK will organise firework displays on behalf of communities, but this obviously costs more than shows put on by volunteers.
Brigg Town Council has a limited budget set aside to support Major Events that benefit the town and its residents.
It also tasks small groups of councillors to get together and consider various subjects and topics.
Would the Town Council be interested in forming a group to look at the possibility of re-starting fireworks at The Rec?
Back in the 1970s a committee was created to organise and run our annual display - something that might perhaps be rekindled.
Many groups and individuals contributed, with Brigg Town Cricket Club assigned to build the bonfire.
A local haulage company provided a lorry and driver and we went to the British Steel Corporation's Scunthorpe works to collect 'scrap' railway sleepers to form the frame of the bonfire.
One year, following the closure of Spring's Brigg jam factory, we called at the site to collect a range of wooden furniture.
Fairground rides, vans selling food and a hog roast were popular features of these displays for many years, while the Town Mayor applied the flaming torch to light the bonfire..
Would Brigg people today like to see the fireworks display re-introduced?
It might well be too late to put the wheels in motion for this November, but how about 2020?
Organised firework displays expanded across the UK decades ago because they were seen as being much safer than households letting off bangers and rockets in their back gardens.
Parking proved a problem in years past at The Rec with cars having to be lined up on the cricket pitch outfield.
However, recent improvements at the ground have added more hard-standing spaces while nearby Brigg Town Football Club can accommodate many more vehicles.
For those attending firework displays on foot, the Hawthorns bar might well prove a popular watering hole after the last rocket has been fired, which would help generate some income for the Zebras.

TWO LANCS COMING TO BRIGG

Lancaster heavy bombers had close connections with the Brigg area during the Second World War, many of them flying from the bases at Elsham and Kirmington, with their crews relaxing at pubs in Brigg, Barnetby and Kirmington between raids.
There have also been occasional flypasts over Brigg in recent years by the surviving, iconic Lancaster from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire.
Now Brigg Women's Institute is to hold an open meeting called A Tale of Two Lancs.
Flt Lt (retired) Mike Chatterton, of the BBMF, will speak about his experiences and also those of his father who flew Lancasters during WW2.
The pilot's talk is coming up on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at St John's Church Hall, Bigby Street, from 10am.
The cost is £3.50p, including tea/coffee, and interested people can pay on the door on the day. Brigg WI is making it clear that men are welcome to attend.
Find out more by emailing briggmorningwi@gmail.com or call Kate on 01652 655232.
WW2 Lancaster crews liked to drink in the Black Bull and the Dying Gladiator, Brigg, the latter being nicknamed the Dying Navigator, with a touch of dark war-time humour.
Locally based crews called the Marrowbone & Cleaver at Kirmington The Chopper.
It is said that crews' frequent trips to some pubs in the Brigg area ensured that beer was always on tap, despite war-time shortages!
Use this link to access YouTube footage in which Flt Lt Chatterton talks about 40 years' service in the RAF and his time as Captain flying a surviving Lancaster...
The fine picture above was taken in 2014 by Ken Harrison, of Brigg Matters magazine - someone else with RAF connections.

BRIGG TOWN DEFEATED BUT BROUGHTON & HIBALDSTOW STILL LEAD THE WAY

Brigg Town Cricket Club have now dropped into the lower half of the table following defeat at Haxey 2nds on Saturday (July 13).
Having made a decent start to their campaign in Lincolnshire County Cricket League Division Three after gaining promotion, Brigg have failed to find success in recent outings.
Saturday's fixture in the far west of the Isle of Axholme saw Haxey total 190 for six in their 45 overs after Town had invited them to bat first.
Paul Neal was Brigg's most successful bowler with four for 66, while Tom Brock managed a tidy one for 34 from 11 overs.
Brigg were then dismissed for 125 in the 41st over, Matthew Bell hitting 36, Mark Dawson 30 and opener Jack Richards 22.
Result: Haxey 2nds (20 pts) beat Brigg Town (3 pts) by 65 runs.
Haxey 2nds' match report from their skipper appears below...
Broughton 2nds continue to lead Division Three, having beaten Barton Town 2nds on Saturday. However, Broughton had to be content with 17 points, rather than the full 20, after failing to dismiss the visitors.
Paul Clark led the way for Broughton - the home side - with a century, scoring 112 of their all-out 221.
Bottom side Barton lasted all their 45 overs in making 139 for six, Kavithessh Karunanantharajah being Broughton's most successful bowler, finishing with three for 48.
Hibaldstow, who top Division Two, enjoyed an 80-run home victory over Holton-le-Clay 2nds on Saturday. Tom Taylor top scored with 43, while Andy Barnaby claimed three for 12 after tea.
Broughton's first teamers lost by three wickets at Outcasts in Division One, despite half-centuries from Graham Wilson and Shaun Clark.
Glen Sands has kindly sent up this report...
Outcasts won a high scoring game against Broughton at Hirst Priory to put them in the challenging pack in mid-table and with a game in hand on most.
Broughton were invited to bat first and posted a tough looking total of 193 for 8 with Graham Wilson (58) and Shaun Clark (50) keeping the innings on track although Richard Green also contributed 36 at an important time.
Liam McAnaney is beginning to find some form and he proved to be the best of the Priorymen's bowlers with a haul of 5 for 28 , backed up by cousin Graham Clark who took 2 for 47 in the allotted 45 overs
Josh Bramhill and Martin Davey led the way when the Isle side set about chasing the big target and things were going well before Bramhill went for 68.
The wall that is Davey was proving to be a tough nut to crack for the visitors and it appeared that they were going to ease to a splendid win until Shaun Clark produced two quickfire LBW decisions (one to end Davey's knock of 57) to set home team hearts racing but it was too little too late as Jason Whiteley and Russell Fletcher saw them home for a well-earned win against a team who have only lost twice now in the 2019 season.


MATCH REPORT BY HAXEY FROM SKIPPER, MARK ATKINS-SLOAN

Haxey 2nd XI hosted Brigg Town in a match both sides were keen to win following disappointing defeats in their previous outings.
Haxey welcomed back junior opening bat Hunter and included fit again Ryan Moody who has played no cricket since last season due to injury.
He was joined by Simon Widdup who made his League debut due to having a week off from his Yorkshire League umpiring duties.
After a deluge the previous evening Brigg captain Nigel Beacock invited Haxey to bat first, obviously hoping to roll out the hosts following the capitulation last week.
The task was made more difficult as Brigg were missing Nick Beacock and Owen Dunderdale.
Haxey made a steady start as youngsters Hanson and Hunter compiled an opening stand of 30 before Hanson was bowled by Tom Brock.
Widdup joined Hunter at this point. Hunter was out for 37 and Widdup 48. All-rounder Moody cracked 62 not out to guide the home side to 190-6, Brigg spinner Paul Neal claiming 4-66.
While Haxey were pleased with their innings after the previous effort the week before, Brigg would have been disappointed with the score given their decision to bowl under cloudy skies and a damp pitch.
After tea Haxey made a swift breakthrough as youngster Wainman bowled opener Bradley. Richards and Dawson were struggling to deal with Yorkshire Terriers' opening bowler Baxter and junior Round.
Brigg looked to be building a useful response until the introduction of Moody. Having been injured with a serious hamstring problem, it was a nervous time for the bowler and his teammates. As he steadily eased himself back into bowling he claimed the wicket of Richards for 22.
Haxey captain, Atkins-Sloan and Widdup then claimed 2 crucial wickets each to leave the visitors on 120-7 - Dawson 30 and Bell 36 being the main contributors to the total.
Youngster Wainman returned to claim the last two wickets as Brigg batted with 10 due to someone being absent.
Haxey therefore claimed 20 points to move up to 4th in the table, Brigg slipped to 4th from bottom having taken 3 bonus points.
In a tight division, one result can have a significant effect on a teams position.
Brigg Blog's thanks go to Mark, who we know well, for taking the trouble to compile this report from the home side's perspective.



LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE
(Sponsored by Readers)
RESULTS - SATURDAY, JULY 13

Premier Division
Bracebridge Heath 2nds 161, Scothern 162 for five
Caistor 199 for eight, Grimsby Town 118
Cleethorpes 2nds 157, Cherry Willingham 156 for nine
Lindum 2nds 62, Hartsholme 64 for five
Market Rasen 197, Nettleham 126

Division One
Appleby-Frodingham 2nds 129, Barton Town 107
Holton-le-Clay 186 for seven, Normanby Park 67
Messingham 184 for eight, Alkborough 80
Broughton 193 for eight, Outcasts 194 for seven
Scunthorpe Town 2nds 138, Louth 2nds 141 for four

Division Two
Cherry Willingham 2nds 118 for nine, Clee Town Laportes 99
Caistor 2nds 109, Hartsholme 2nds 110 for four
Hibaldstow 175 for eight, Holton-le-Clay 2nds 95
Market Rasen 2nds 200 for six declared, Grimsby Town 2nds 41 for eight (40 overs), incomplete match
Old Lincolnians 135, Cleethorpes 3rds 136 for four

Division Three
Broughton 2nds 221, Barton Town 2nds 139 for six
Haxey 2nds 190 for six, Brigg Town 125
Lindum 3rds 167, Nettleham 2nds 169 for five
Cleethorpes 4ths conceded the game to Messingham 2nds

Division Four
Scothern 2nds 301 for three, Horncastle 48

BRIGG SCHOOL REUNION PROVES VERY ENJOYABLE

 

A school reunion was enjoyed in Brigg on Friday evening (July 12).
Former pupils of Sir John Nelthorpe School and one or two who attended Brigg Grammar (pre-1976) played in the annual Youth v Experience cricket match.
It was followed by a get-together at Wetherspoon's White Horse pub.
The first 'Old Boys' match is believed to have been played in the 1920s and various organisers since then have worked hard to keep this friendly fixture alive.
Many other Lincolnshire schools used to have similar matches decades ago but Sir John Nelthorpe's is now one of the few survivors.
Some good batting, bowling and fielding were on show during the 2019 fixture, played on the artificial pitch at SJN.
It is located some distance from the old grass square used by generations of pupils and also Brigg Town Cricket Club for many years until demolition of the wooden pavilion and adjoining brick canteen building where teas used to be taken.
The game ended in a comfortable six-wicket win for the Experience team, who limited Youth to 110 for seven and knocked off the required runs in quick time.
Jack Richards, now a Brigg Town veteran, was in good form with the bat for the Experience XI whose most senior member, Tony Beel, just managed to see victory achieved at 7.30pm before setting off to pick up a taxi fare!
It was evident that Sir John Nelthorpe School continues to produce some promising cricketers, as it has done since the mid-1970s.
Current holder of the Lincolnshire County Cricket League scorer of the year trophy, Brigg Town's David Baggott was among those to assist with keeping tally when not fielding or batting.
Phil Dewfall later took the book in hand to enter the winning run - a no-ball that was hit for four.
Alex Smith managed the school side, with Nick Beacock organising the Old Boys. Jon Taylor, who helped arrange the game, popped down at the start - camera in hand.
Left-arm seamer Nick, Brigg Town's opening bowler, produced the best wicket-taking ball of the match - an inswinging delivery that demolished the pop-up stumps.
Umpiring the match allowed us an ideal vantage point to report on the match, which was 16 six-ball overs a side, and to chat to some of the Caistor, Barton Town, Brigg and East Halton club players we remember from our years as a league umpire.
The weather was perfect - warm but not too hot - and we hope it proves possible to arrange another fixture in July 2020 to go in the Briggensians' Association events diary.
Many of these matches, decades ago, were played on Sunday afternoons, but a rapid expansion of Sunday league cricket in the 1980s resulted in a switch to Friday nights.
Now much less cricket is played on Sundays, could we try an afternoon game again, perhaps with a break for tea? Just a thought...
The Briggensians' Association represents former pupils and staff from SJN, Brigg Grammar, Brigg Girls' High School and Brigg Sixth Form. Find out more through this link...

PICTURE ABOVE: Matthew Bell celebrates a wicket and Andy Sharp sees the funny side.

Alex Smith, right, preparing to toss the coin for choice of innings with Nick Beacock, the opposing captain.

Youth v Experience players prior to the start of the July 2019 friendly fixture at Sir John Nelthorpe School.

ROADWORKS COMING UP IN AND NEAR BRIGG - DELAYS POSSIBLE

Roadworks are coming up near Brigg, resulting in possible delays for drivers as temporary traffic lights will be in operation.
Between Tuesday, July 16 and Thursday, July 18, Lincolnshire County Council highways maintenance will be working on the A1084 Bigby High Road in Kettleby.
Delays are said to be possible for drivers using Albert Street, Brigg, between Monday, July 15 and Wednesday, July 17 due to work being carried out by Anglian Water.

SPEED CAMERAS TO BE OPERATING IN THE BRIGG AREA

Safer Roads Humber says safety cameras are used across the region as part of its overall strategy to make local roads safer. And a section of the A18 near Brigg is to be included this week.
Mobile and fixed speed cameras detect speeding vehicles "at sites of risk." They are able to deploy the cameras at a range of locations.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17: 'Daily enforcement' will be carried out on the A18 in Melton Ross.
Brigg Blog's advice to drivers is: Slow down and stick to the speed limit in place on local roads at all times.

NEW BRIGG CAR WASH DISCUSSED BY COUNCILLORS

A new car wash planned for Brigg has been discussed by the Town Council.
The facility is designed to replace an existing one at Brigg Service Station, on Bridge Street.
An application from Motor Fuel Limited to install the new jet washer is now being considered by North Lincolnshire Council, which will make the final decision on whether to grant approval.
It is intended to have screens made from galvanised steel and perspex.
Plans show the new vehicle washer will have low-level LED lights.
Brigg Town Council's Planning & Environment Committee "supports the conditions proposed by highways" at North Lincolnshire Council.
An earlier application, seeking approval to raise the height of the canopy over this service station, is also awaiting a decision from North Lincolnshire planners.
PICTURED ABOVE: Brigg Service Station, off Bridge Street.

BRIGG SUPPORT FOR BARTON BIKE NIGHT 2019

Brigg pubs will be missing some customers tonight due to it being Barton Bike Night 2019.
Thousands of people from a very wide area, including the North Bank, will be meeting up in our neighbouring town for its annual two-wheel showpiece on Saturday, July 13, from 4pm to 9pm.
Many Brigg bikers will be taking their machines to Barton via the 'old route' up Elsham Hill or along the A15 to the Humber Bridge turn-off.
The Dirty Pitchers, very well-known in the Brigg area, will be providing music on Barton Bike Night. They will be playing at the Red Lion, on the High Street, from 6pm.
With Brigg Bike Night 2019 enjoying a record 2,000-plus attendance on Friday, July 5 we hope Barton's also achieves an all-time high this time.
The volunteer organisers are expecting around 10,000 people to attend.
Caistor Bike Night 2019 - hosted by the town's Lions - will be held on Thursday, August 8, from 5pm. Brigg bikers will be heading along the A1084 to join the crowds.
PICTURED ABOVE: A previous Barton Bike Night that Brigg Blog attended and enjoyed. However, we'll be staying in our town tonight and visiting a few Brigg bars.

Local band The Dirty Pitchers playing at the Yarborough Hunt on Brigg Bike Night 2016.

BRIGG HORSES SET FAIR FOR BEER DELIVERIES

This striking picture was taken in more than 100 years ago but is not related to Brigg Horse Fair for which the town is famous, with the next coming up on Monday, August 5, 2019
The image shows drays loaded with barrels of beer made by the Sutton, Bean & Co Britannia Brewery.
This had thrived in the 19th century courtesy of Frank R. Sutton of Scawby, who was later joined by Hull accountant William Ashby Bean.
The firm closed in 1924 after one of the partners pulled out, and we think Denis Wheeler was either the final or penultimate chief brewer with Sutton & Bean.
The brewery's address was listed as Wrawby Street AND Queen Street, as it owned considerable property. There was an off-licence on Queen Street which survived in this role until relatively recent times.
As well as being brewers, Sutton, Bean & Co were wine and spirit merchants, importers and bonders, and beer bottlers.
A close look at the centre of the original print taken in the early 20th century appears to show a pub sign above one of the doors - some way from the brick archway behind the Britannia Inn.
Was this another hostelry operating in addition to the Brit? Or does the sign indicate a small residential guest house?
Sutton & Bean had 17 pubs which were sold off in the mid-1920s - the Nelthorpe Arms, on Bridge Street, being bought by landlord Billy Bell but the others going to rivals like the Hull Brewery Company, Hewitt Brothers and Ward's. Among those to change hands was the Lord Nelson.
Listed in S&B's portfolio was the White Horse, on the other side of Wrawby Street - now owned and operated by Wetherspoon's
Below is the scene today more than 100 years after the dray horses were lined up to be pictured. Brigg's Conservation Area appears to have served its purpose; the buildings have not changed out of all recognition.
 

CHOICE OF LIVE MUSIC GIGS IN BRIGG

There's a choice of live music to enjoy in Brigg this weekend.
Mad About Mandy will be performing at the Woolpack Hotel, Market Place, on Saturday, July 13, from 9pm.
This pop party band plays a selection of songs from past decades including the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
Well-known solo artist Noz will be performing at Brigg & District Servicemen's Club, Coney Court, on Saturday, from 8.30pm.
Local band The Dirty Pitchers will be playing at Barton Bike Night on Saturday (13th) from 6pm.

TIME TO GET CHATTY ABOUT A NEW FIRST IN BRIGG

 

Brigg now has its first dedicated Chatty Bench.
You can find it within the town centre, midway along College Yard.
Brigg Blog chanced upon the Chatty Bench being embellished on Friday morning.
So-called Chatty Benches, where people are welcome to sit together and converse, can be found worldwide. They generally have a coloured theme.
College Yard shops have worked hard to decorate this courtyard with potted plants.


 

 

For a small market town, Brigg is well served by public seating.
The unique Tintab covered shelter, on East Park, near The Monument war memorial, is the best known.
Over many years, North Lincolnshire Council, Brigg Town Council and some groups have provided bench seats at many other locations, while some families have provided ones in memory of loved ones now departed.
Locations range from Wrawby Road to Bridge Street and along the Old River Ancholme towpath.
The Angel's WI (Women's Institute) previously installed a jam pot theme beside the A1084 on Bigby Road.
This year the same flower bed has an attractive busy bee display, pictured below.
We've already mentioned volunteers' worthy Brigg in Bloom initiative which has provided flowers at many sites and the D-Day Landing Craft bed from the Brigg & District Veterans' Group.
Colourful flower tubs were in place for Brigg Bike Night 2019 - ahead of an influx of more than 2,000 visitors to the town centre.
Many of those people walked over the County Bridge and admired the floral displays.

BRIGG BUCKS THE TREND WHEN IT COMES TO SHOPPING

Having returned home after a walk into sunny Brigg town centre to do a bit of shopping earlier this week we sat down to read a national newspaper and saw a prominent story about June sales figures for British shops suffering a record fall, with online buying and other factors being blamed.
Clearly, many retailers across the UK - large and small - are feeling the pinch and lots have closed.
Brigg has a few empty shops, such as the former Greggs premises on Wrawby Street, but generally has managed to buck this downward trend affecting British retailing.
Indeed, we reported that a lady travelled over by train last Saturday from historic York to take a look at what our town centre has to offer.
During our walk home on Tuesday morning we passed Wallhead's outfitters and glimpsed the window sign saying it was established in the 1890s.
No other shop in the town centre can match that, but our 'high street' - unlike many others across the UK - is not full of empty units carrying 'For Sale' and 'To Let' notices.
How does Brigg do it?
Pedestrianisation certainly helps, as does the generous free car parking concession from North Lincolnshire Council and the fact that we have a number of niche retailers.
Brigg Town Business Partnership also deserves a pat on the back, while the markets (general and farmers) are a draw and increase what retailers call footfall.
But the main reason is a simple one: People enjoy shopping in Brigg, and come from miles around to do so - week after week - although there's clearly no cause for complacency.
We've lost some pubs over the past 15-20 years but still have a good number for a town of Brigg's size.
Some bank branches have also closed but we still have a couple that are busy.
Many UK towns that have higher populations than Brigg now have no banks at all, and some have only one or two hostelries remaining.
Having taken those factors into consideration, surely we shouldn't grumble too much about Brigg town centre in 2019.
When the new shopping arches are installed in the not too distant future (artist's impression of one appears above) they will help guide visitors along the courtyards between the main car park, Wrawby Street and the Market Place.