Brigg Blog's recent post about covering Brigg Town Council meetings decades ago has prompted us to reflect on the contributions made to the community by the authority's early Town Mayors - elected to be 'first citizens' for 12-month periods by their fellow councillors.
All their names were subsequently listed on a large plaque in the foyer of the Angel Suite, which is still in place today - close to the entry doors to the largest room (the converted former Angel Hotel Ballroom).
Ken Pearce 1974/75 (key official of Brigg Chamber of Trade who managed a shop on Queen Street).
Ivor Strudwick 1975/76 (also served our area on Humberside County Council).
Jack Wattam 1976-77 (ran a fish & chip shop on Wrawby Street for some years with his wife; Jack later worked at Redbourn steelworks in Scunthorpe until he retired).
Bryan Robins 1977-78 (Lincolnshire Times photographer who was presented to the Queen when she came to Brigg Recreation Ground to watch a pageant in her Silver Jubilee year).
Bill Smart 1978-79 (retired administrator of Glanford Hospital, Brigg; also served on Glanford Borough Council).
Eric Robinson 1979-80 (Brigg Grammar School caretaker who also ran the lock-up garages off Glebe Road).
George Hewson 1980-81 (North Lincolnshire Council later named the council offices on Station Road in honour of its former Mayor; also served Brigg on the Lindsey and later Humberside county councils; ran a convenience shop serving Brigg's Newlands housing estate).
Derek Lawtey 1981-82 (worked as a supervisor at Sass's Monument garage; also served on Glanford Borough Council).
Chris Gunnee 1982-83 (retired Scunthorpe steelworks water engineer; an official of many Brigg organisations).
Eileen Forman 1983-84 (lived on Bigby High Road; wife of Coun Herbert).
Les Watkinson 1984-85 (managed Varlow's shop in the Market Place for many years).
Tom Glossop 1985-86 (Leader of Brigg Youth Centre; made the first Freeman of Brigg when he retired after more than 30 years' service to the Town Council; still involved today with the Music & Drama Festival).
Herbert Forman 1986-87 (retired bank manager and former army officer; also served on Glanford Borough Council; husband of Coun Eileen).
Keith Smith 1987-88 (railway signalman and later supervisor; still lives in the town).
Mike Hookham 1988-89 (college lecturer; senior official of Ancholme Rowing Club; also played hockey for Brigg).
Bill Smart 1989-90 (as above).
Eric Robinson 1990-91 (as above).
Enid Brocklesby 1991-92 (Chamber of Trade official from Bowen's well-known and much-missed bakery).
Tom Glossop 1992-93 (as above).
Tony Glossop 1993-94 (youngest Town Mayor when elected; son of Coun Tom and his wife Maureen; played football and cricket for Brigg teams; still lives locally).
Keith Smith 1994-95 (as above).
Barbara Morris 1995-96 (member of many Brigg organisations).
Bryan Robins 1996-97 (as above)
Penny Smith 1997-98 (worked for the Lincolnshire Times in Brigg and later for North Lincolnshire Council; still a serving town councillor today).
Barbara Morris 1998-99 (as above).
Adele Tasker 1999-2000 (member of many Brigg organisations).
Brigg Town Council was created by local government reorganisation in April 1974, with its Mayoral year running from May to May.
There have also been Town Mayors elected each year since 2000.
The current holder of the post is Coun Sharon Riggall - serving her second term.
Coun Eric Robinson was Town Mayor when we covered our first council meeting in January 1980. And we've reported the thoughts of ALL Brigg's first citizens since then.
PICTURED: Above - George Hewson who worked tirelessly for various charities and worthy causes in Brigg, including meals on wheels whose initial delivery van he officially presented to the group. George visited Glanford Hospital every Christmas, distributing gifts; below - the Board of Honour in the Angel Suite listing the Town Mayors between 1974 and the end of the 20th century.
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