BRIGG SPORTSMAN TO RETURN FROM AUSTRALIA AND MEET OLD FRIENDS AT REUNION

One of the best-known residents of Australia with strong Brigg links is set to return to town in the spring.
Former Brigg Town Cricket Club batsman Simon 'Choz' Church emigrated down-under decades ago but makes occasional visits to the old country.
The former Brigg Grammar School and Sir John Nelthorpe pupil says he is scheduled to be holidaying in the UK with his family in April 2019.
"It would be lovely to catch up with any old Briggensians that may want to swap a few yarns of days gone by," he tells us in an email from his home in the west of the vast country.
The former Barnetby resident tells us he met ex-Brigg cricket colleague Paul Jenkinson after flying 4,000 km across Australia to Sydney.
They went to watch an Ashes' Test at the famous SCG venue and joined the renowned Barmy Army of England followers.
"On a scorching hot day (35-40C) a few cooling ales were the order of the day," Simon says.
He adds: "Back at home in Perth I have been fortunate with my work to be involved with the supply and installation of various signage at the key stadiums here in WA.
"One such venue is the fabulous 60,000-seater sports stadium (Optus Stadium), which is the new home of cricket here in the west.
"In my spare time I have been involved with boxing and martial arts and over the last 5-6 years have had the pleasure to work with both Justin Langer and Adam Voges and the Western Australia cricket team.
Simon's brother Paul, who attended Brigg Grammar School between 1961 and 1965, also emigrated to this part of Australia, where he still lives.
We seem to recall that he once worked at Layne's Garage, on Bigby Street, Brigg.
Simon and Paul were at the recent opening of the new Pinjar Park speedway track.
"Special guest and eventual winner of the WA State title was none other than Scunthorpe legend and current World Champion Tai Woffinden," Simon reports.
"Tai, although born in Scunthorpe, was educated in Perth and spends the off-season here with his family in and around Ocean Reef.
"Paul and I were delighted when an elderly gentleman introduced himself as Tai’s Grandad (Brian)."
Closer to April, Brigg Blog will post precise details of Simon's return visit to the town.
But we are confident it will take place on licensed premises and look forward, as ever, to raising a glass with him and remembering some Brigg Town games of the past in the 1970s and 1980s.
Famously, he trudged to the crease with an opposing bowler on a hat-trick and bagged a golden duck trying an ambitious reverse sweep!