'GREAT TRADITION' OF CHRISTMAS IN BRIGG NOW IN DOUBT

A long-established feature of Christmas in Brigg is now looking in doubt this year because of the Coronavirus emergency restrictions.
A fundraising football match in aid of charity is usually held over the festive period at Brigg Town FC's EC Surfacing Stadium (the Hawthorns) as part of a winter sports reunion by the Briggensians' Association - representing former pupils and staff of Sir John Nelthorpe School, Brigg Grammar and Brigg Girls' High.
However, organiser Jon Taylor was in touch with Brigg Blog over the weekend to say: "The old boys' football is looking doubtful this Christmas due to the global pandemic. An announcement will be made on December 16th to see if we move out of tier 3, so I will keep you posted.  
"Everyone loves this event so it is sad we may have to postpone a great tradition. We will look to hold a similar event later on, if need be. A final decision will be made later in the month (December) but everyone’s safety is paramount."
The reunion match held in late December 2019 -  by kind permission of Brigg Town FC - saw a collection held among the players which raised more than £200 for Lindsey Lodge Hospice. The game ended 2-2 and was followed by the usual Briggensians winter sports reunion pub games - pool, darts and dominoes - plus a quiz.
The Briggensians' 2019 dinner went ahead at Elsham Golf Club in March - just a few days before the virus emergency was declared. However, some people who bought tickets decided to stay at home.
The summer sports reunion, including the popular cricket match at Sir John Nelthorpe School, was cancelled.
PICTURED: A cheque for £1,600 being presented to the British Heart Foundation at the late December 2019 Briggensians'  match at Brigg Town FC. The money had been raised during that May's Adrian Gibbons memorial game at the Hawthorns - 'Gib' having been a very well-known Sir John Nelthorpe School teacher and renowned local sportsman. Brian Taylor MBE received the cheque on behalf of the foundation.

VETERAN COMES TO THE END OF THE LINE IN BRIGG

A very long-serving railway employee visited Brigg at the weekend as he reached the end of the line in terms of working life on Saturday (November 28).
The passenger train guard/conductor, who is based in Sheffield, was photographed on Brigg station by local man Phillip Hewson.
"Robin's very last job was to work the Brigg Line service this morning," the Independent Brigg Line Rail Group (IBLRG) informed us on Saturday. 

He had been a railway employee for almost 50 years.
The campaigning group posted a picture and details on social media which received many comments from people wishing the train veteran a long and happy retirement.
Among those sending best wishes was the managing director of Hull trains, Louise Cheeseman, who had worked with Robin while at Sheffield.
Brigg's Saturdays-only passenger service is timetabled to have three trains to Cleethorpes and three to Sheffield. It has continued to operate during Lockdown 2.0.
The IBLRG also informs Brigg Blog that work has started to improve access at Retford low-level station which will benefit Brigg Line travellers visiting this North Nottinghamshire station. These two platforms were added in 1965 to by-pass the existing three on the famous London-Scotland east coast mainline.
"Due to a recent award from the Department Transport's Access For All Fund, money has now been made available for a new footpath between Retford high-level and Retford low level, and for a new lift on the Sheffield platform," the group explains.
"The IBLRG will be pressing local politicians and councillors for Brigg to access this fund in future to provide ramps to the controversial footbridge at the station."
Some years ago, rail bosses invested in a replacement for Brigg's Victorian cast iron footbridge. Steps were included but not ramps to assist those with disability issues. Barnetby station - next stop from Brigg towards Cleethorpes - was given both when its footbridge was renewed.

BRIGG ROADWORKS: DELAYS FORECAST FOR DRIVERS

Roadworks are scheduled on the A18 in Brigg from today, and drivers are likely to experience delays.
Anglian Water will be carrying out work on Wrawby Road, near Beldon House, between Monday, November 30 and December 11.
Two-way temporary traffic controls will operate while work is proceeding.

TINTAB BENEFACTOR WAS RETIRED BRIGG POLICE OFFICER & COUNCILLOR

Following Brigg Blog's recent post about the origins of the Tintab (Tin Tabernacle) shelter on East Park, information has come to light about the man who donated it to the town in the 1930s.
During their recently-held November meeting, town councillors approved future repainting and tidying up of the shelter and discussed the possibility of restoring a plaque or plaques (no longer legible) explaining who donated the structure for public use and perhaps also a biblical verse regarding the term Tabernacle.
Ken Harrison, chairman of Brigg Matters Magazine, has since been in touch to say the shelter was donated by Lambert Andrew (not Andrews).
Ken says he was related to Sister Ellen Andrew(s) who was killed in action on the Western Front in 1918 (they are thought to have been cousins).
"Ellen was born ANDREW, but a spurious 's' was added by default when she enlisted into the Army Nursing Service," Ken explains. "She is buried under 'Andrews'."
Turning to the generous benefactor of the shelter, Ken adds: "Lambert Andrew was a retired senior police officer, and was a member of Brigg Urban Council."
Ken says he can remember seeing a plaque on the structure in the early 1980s, and it is believed the plaque is still there under 'new' woodwork' A metal detector may help to locate it.
Ken puts forward theories about the origin of the name...
1. Inside one section (allegedly) was a biblical inscription relating to the Exodus and the use of the Tabernacle (religious temp shelter) during exploits in the desert.
2. Folk from then nearby Workhouse going to the shelter during a break and taking out tabs (roll-ups) from their tobacco tins for a smoke; colloquially, this practice being known as 'tintab'.
Ken suggests that some members of Lambert Andrew's family still live locally,
If so, Brigg Blog wonders whether anyone has a picture of Councillor Lambert they are prepared to share? Would the council like to incorporate it into a dedication plaque, if this idea proceeds at some point in the future?
Brigg Workhouse was abolished in 1930 - together with many other survivors across the UK.
Lindsey County Council then took charge and established the Crosslands Hostel (residential home).
In the early 1970s, while Lindsey social services was still running the establishment near the Monument, we recall the bus run by the Brigg Branch of the Grimsby Town Supporters' Club making a special stop on Wrawby Road, near the courthouse/police station, to pick up a disabled resident of Crosslands who had mobility issues, on the way to home games at Blundell Park, and drop him off again after matches.
Older Brigg residents will also remember men from Crosslands sitting in the shelter, as Ken suggests, to watch the world go by and, in many cases, enjoy a roll-up or two.
PICTURED: The Tintab shelter viewed from the other side of Wrawby Road. There used to be a zebra crossing near here which Crosslands residents used to make their way to and from the shelter.

PUBLIC OPEN SPACE & VERGES IN BRIGG SUFFER DAMAGE

An extensive area of public open space in Brigg has been damaged as a result of chafer beetle grubs. Living beneath the surface, they are dug out by hungry birds - ruining the grass above. Some species of grubs also eat grass roots, it appears.
During the October meeting of Brigg Town Council, reference was made to York Road field (as locals call it) being kept well-trimmed and in good order by a contractor during the growing season earlier in the year.
Now, though, instead of the large field being in tip-top order, there are many brown patches of disturbed grass.
Brigg Blog has paid visits to monitor the situation and taken pictures to accompany a report on how things are since the grubs became evident. 

The field continues to be available to the public for recreational purposes, including dog-walking.
We gather that autumn and spring are the major times of year for chafer grub damage.
 

 

 

There are various ways to control the grubs and repair the damage, including re-turfing and re-sowing grass.
North Lincolnshire Council, which owns York Road's open space, has been aware of the grub infestation.
York Road field was not mentioned during Brigg Town Council's November meeting, held a few days ago.
Perhaps the grubs are also affecting grass in other parts of Brigg.
On Bigby Road we pictured some crows pecking at a verge not far from the Monument, which looks similar to parts of York Road field. Some grass on nearby St Helens Road (not pictured) also appears to be suffering.

 

 

BUSY MORNING IN BRIGG THANKS TO MONTHLY FARMERS' MARKET

Brigg Farmers' Market attracted a bigger attendance than many of us expected yesterday (November 28). This was also the case for stalls on the adjoining general Saturday market.
The turnout was a talking point in the morning among those who visited the Market Place. Many people arrived before 10.30am - perhaps the peak time for attendance.
 

 

Among those taking a look was Brigg charity fundraiser Andrew 'Sass' Markham, from the local Pancreatic Cancer Action team - pictured here.
A high number of dog-owners took their pets with them to the market; the weather being dry offered the chance to mix 'walkies' with a spot of shopping.
We returned to the Market Place not long after 2pm when some of the farmers' market stallholders were packing away to head home.
With 'non-essential' shops still under enforced closure due to Lockdown 2.0, there were few people about in the town centre later in the afternoon.

 

 

PICTURES: NEW BRIGG CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCHED ON FOR 2020

The Christmas lights in Brigg town centre have now been switched on, to be viewed after dark over the coming weeks.
Brigg Town Council has provided new illuminations this year and they stretch from East Park, near the Monument, to the Yarborough Hunt on Bridge Street.
Standing beside the large fir tree in the Market Place, Town Mayor Coun Sharon Riggall officiated at the switch on ceremony at tea time last night (Friday, November 27) which had to be low key due to Coronavirus emergency restrictions on social gatherings.
The council posted a video, which you can view through this link...
Brigg Blog took these pictures about 8pm last night. Normally the town centre would have been packed with people doing their Christmas shopping, touring the indoor and outdoor stalls on the Lions' festive market and packing the pubs. But not this year, for obvious reasons.
The stalls seen in some of our images have been put out for the late November farmers' market to be held in the town centre today (Saturday). It is going ahead as planned from 9am to mid-afternoon, together with the adjoining general market.

 

A new addition on Cross Street.

A new feature at the top of Cary Lane.

Bridge Street is again included, as far as the Yarborough Hunt.

Additional lighting near the 201-year-old Buttercross.

College Yard.

East Park.

Queen Street.

GENEROUS BRIGG BENEFACTOR REMEMBERED

The Tintab (Tin Tabernacle) seating shelter in Brigg will be refurbished with new paint being added in the near future to help protect its wooden panels and supports from the elements. Brigg Town Council, as expected, sanctioned the refurb during its latest meeting.
But councillors also discussed ways in which the origins of this distinctive four-sided structure on East Park, near the Monument roundabout, might be marked.
The shelter was gifted to the town in the 1930s by a Mr Andrews who lived near the railway level crossing, and it became known as the Tabernacle because of an attached framed verse from the Bible containing this word for a meeting place.
Town Mayor Coun Sharon Riggall mentioned a request made to restore a plaque which once explained who donated the shelter.
Coun Rob Waltham described it as a building of local importance which was currently looking a bit shabby.
"We want it spruced up to look nice for the spring," he suggested.
Coun Brian Parker, the Deputy Town Mayor, noted weeds on the roof in need of removal.
However, Coun Penny Smith questioned why the Town Council was being asked to carry out work on the shelter when maintenance in the past had been undertaken by the North Lincolnshire authority.
Coun Waltham replied that, for the good of local people, "let's just get it done!"
The meeting heard a suggestion that original inscriptions within the Tintab had been "painted out."
Brigg Blog went down later to take a look and can confirm this to be the case - one of the metal plates being pictured here.
Sadly, after so many years, the original inscriptions can no longer be read.
Did the original plaques contain the Biblical inscription and also mention this generous benefactor?
There's a distinctive stone with a metal plaque attached at the Davy Memorial Playing Field to honour a generous gift of land in the last century, since enjoyed by generations of Brigg children. So remembering Mr Andrews' good deed near the Monument would not be setting a precedent.

 

 

An October view of the Tintab shelter from Wrawby Road.

 

QUESTION TIME ONLINE IN BRIGG

It's to be hoped that future online/virtual meetings of Brigg Town Council attract members of the public, as the latest one did when it was held earlier this week.
Chris Darlington - speaking under the Public Question Time item which always appears on agendas at these monthly sessions - made a welcome contribution about litter cleaning.
However, members of the public not wishing to put questions are still welcome to observe the proceedings as they happen.
The next online Town Council meeting will not be held until late January, prior to which Brigg Blog will post details of how the public can follow the debates 'live' on the web or by dialling in.
However, if a number of new Brigg planning applications are submitted for consideration in the next week or two, it's possible that a 'case of need' meeting of the Town Council's Planning & Environment Committee will be convened by the chairman, Coun Brian Parker, who is the Deputy Town Mayor.
Our pictures were taken during last Tuesday night's 'virtual' Town Council meeting.
Such sessions are 'hosted' - using the Zoom facility - by Town Clerk Kerry McGrath.
Town Council notices and meeting agendas are now being uploaded on one of the new digital display boards recently erected on the rear wall of the Angel car park.
This system has replaced printed copies being posted in a glass case or affixed to a window in the nearby Rotunda.
Several Acts of Parliament in the 19th and 20th centuries gave the public legal rights to attend council meetings and those of committees and sub-committees.
Earlier this year when the Coronavirus emergency halted council meetings being held in traditional form around a table, further legislation extended these rights to local authority sessions taking place online.
PICTURED: Town Clerk Kerry McGrath and Coun Carl Sherwood logged on via the web and making points during Brigg Town Council's 'virtual' November meeting, held on Tuesday evening online using Zoom.

BRIGG SETS UP REGULAR LITTER CLEANING ROUTE - LEAVES INCLUDED

Street cleaning and tackling litter and accumulations of autumn leaves were topics which dominated Brigg Town Council's latest meeting.
The first mention came from a member of the public; Chris Darlington, a Freeman of the town, joined councillors and staff for the online 'virtual' session. Concerned about litter, he was keen to know the frequency of 'litter wardens' attending in Brigg.
This prompted Brigg & Wolds Ward councillors to furnish details of North Lincolnshire Council's new fixed penalty notice clampdown on litter droppers and those pet owners who fail to clear up after their dogs have fouled pavements and verges. View details here...
Chris then commented on the amount of litter present after markets have been held in the town and suggested a reminder should be issued to stallholders.
Coun Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for rural areas, replied: "We will take that up."
Chris's next point related to street sweeping. This is undertaken at various times by a contractor working for Brigg Town Council and is also done by the North Lincolnshire authority.
Chris noted large accumulations of fallen leaves on streets with significant numbers of trees - many being piled up against walls and on verges, where (if left) they would kill the grass beneath. he suggested.
The Town Council later accepted a suggestion from Coun Rob Waltham to define a set 'sweeping route' to remove litter and autumn leaves, to be carried out by the handyman contractor, using the council's mechanical sweeping machine and also brooms and shovels.
This route will cover main streets and courtyards within the town centre, plus Springs Parade, Bigby Road, Cary Lane and Albert Street.
Coun Jane Kitching sought an update about a project to install new bins to collect discarded cigarette ends which the council had sanctioned many months earlier. They are to be installed at the front of some town centre pubs and also outside the entrance to the Health Place offices on Wrawby Road.
Coun Rob Waltham explained this had been affected by the pubs not being "fully open" because of the virus emergency, while Health Place staff had been working from home.
The council will need to liaise with licensees about installing the bins.
Just a day after the Town Council discussed leaves and litter, a team of North Lincolnshire Council workers was detailed to collect fallen leaves in Brigg; we saw them doing so on Bigby Road.
PICTURED: Accumulated leaves awaiting collection on Bigby Road and Albert Street earlier this week, and Chris Darlington making a point to councillors during Public Question Time on Tuesday night.

CALL FOR BRIGG LIBRARY OPENING HOURS TO BE REVIEWED

With the end of lockdown 2.0 approaching on December 2, Brigg Library's opening hours came under discussion during the Town Council's latest meeting.
When the library - housed in the Angel 'community hub' building - is permitted to open, its current operating hours are 9am to 4pm.
But Coun Penny Smith wants to see these times amended by North Lincolnshire Council, saying that the afternoon closure time and absence of Saturday sessions restrict youngsters in education and families from calling in to use the facilities.
Coun Smith suggested to North Lincolnshire councillors present at the meeting that later opening in the morning would permit the library to stay open beyond 4pm, and also that Saturday sessions should be re-introduced.
Coun Carl Sherwood, cabinet member overseeing rural communities for the unitary authority, explained that these opening hours were linked to the Covid-19 emergency.
Among extra duties was a requirement to take every book returned by the public to a special room where they were stored for 72 hours.
Coun Rob Waltham, North Lincolnshire Council's Leader, mentioned how the virus had affected staffing levels across the authority. Available workers were being deployed to help the maximum number of people.
He pointed out that "24/7 access" was available online to library services, including a book-borrowing facility, click & collect, and access to various newspapers.
Coun Ann Eardley expressed some concerns about the re-organised layout of the library and suggested the reference section had been reduced in size.
But Coun Sherwood replied that the children's area upstairs was "three times bigger" and added that no books had been taken out of the library as a result of the recent reorganisation.
It was also pointed out that lift access was available between floors.
N.F. ADDS: When Brigg Blog was invited down to view the reopening of the refurbished Angel some weeks ago, a guided tour of the building included a look at what we are going to call the quarantine room for returned books, on one of the upper floors. Later, to illustrate a picture, we asked one of the guests to take a book at random from a nearby shelf. Picture duly taken,  the children's volume was bound for three-day storage in the special room above!
PICTURED: Inside the new-look Brigg Library prior to lockdown 2.0.

TIMELY REMINDERS: BRIGG CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON & FARMERS' MARKET

Various social media posts by Brigg residents which have appeared online in the last few days prompt us to issue reminders about two important events, as there are people who are still in the dark about what's coming up.
The phrase 'in the dark' is apt because some folk don't realise that the switching on of Brigg's Christmas lights will take a different form tonight (Friday, November 27). Instead of people gathering en masse in the Market Place to watch the switch on ceremony from a temporary stage erected near the Angel, 'live stream' footage will be posted at 5pm by the Town Council which has provided a new set of lights for 2020. View full details through this link...
Secondly, the November farmers' market is going ahead and will be held tomorrow (Saturday, November 28). Details here...
The Saturday general market will be taking place nearby. North Lincolnshire Council has also confirmed the date for the pre-Christmas farmers' market as Saturday, December 19, which is worth noting down for reference. 

Brigg's Coun Rob Waltham has been given the honour of switching on Scunthorpe's festive illuminations this weekend.
For the first time the lighting up of the steel town's town centre is being done virtually - at 6pm on Saturday (November 28) by Coun Waltham and pantomime star Annie Fanny who, in recent years, has graced the stage at Brigg's switch on ceremonies.
Coun Waltham, as the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “It has been a challenging year, but coming together, even virtually, can help our families, friends and communities enter the festive spirit and spread some happiness.”
PICTURED: Previous Christmas lights and a December farmers' market.

ALL BRIGG SHOPS CAN REOPEN BUT PUBS & BARS MUST REMAIN SHUT FROM DECEMBER 2

Brigg has been placed in Local Covid Alert Level Very High (tier 3) by the government, along with the rest of North Lincolnshire, to come into force after lockdown 2.0 ends on Wednesday, December 2.
However, the good news is that all 'non-essential' shops will be allowed to REOPEN, together with barber's and hairdressers. 

On the down side, Brigg's pubs, restaurants and bars must remain CLOSED, which rules out trips to licensed premises for a few pints in the run-up to Christmas or enjoying sit-down meals in local eateries.
Takeaway meals can still be cooked and enjoyed, as they are at the moment.
Places of worship are permitted to reopen from December 2, with restrictions on who people meet.
Under the new regulations coming into force from December 2 after lockdown 2.0, local people MUST:

• Work from home, if possible.
• Avoid travelling outside the area, other than for work or education.
• Reduce the number of journeys, where possible, and avoid car sharing.

The tiers in which districts have now been placed may be subject to fortnightly review if their virus cases show significant changes.
Brigg's Coun Rob Waltham, as Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said today: “Despite these significant efforts we have not dropped sufficiently to see us avoid tier 3. While that is certainly disappointing, and will mean the impact of certain restrictions will be felt by many businesses across the area, we are heading in the right direction.
“Suppressing the spread of Covid-19 and protecting the most vulnerable people is being balanced with minimising the impact upon the economy and protecting jobs."
He added: “With a two week review period built in to the tiering system, if everyone keeps up the effort now, sticks to the preventative measures, looks out for their friends, family and neighbours then they help us and public health officials make the argument for dropping tier levels much easier going forward.”
North Lincolnshire Council has compiled a helpful guide, setting out what today's announcement means. View it through this link...
PICTURED: Bird's eye view of Brigg  by Neil Stapleton.

NEW CLAMPDOWN: BRIGG LITTER 'LOUTS' AND UNCARING PET OWNERS RISK HEFTY FINES

People who drop litter in Brigg (including 'fag' ends) or fail to scoop up and bag 'poop' while walking their pet dogs face being slapped with sizeable fines.
Brigg Town Council's November meeeting on Tuesday night heard details BEFORE North Lincolnshire Council launched a major publicity campaign through its website.
Ex-Brigg Town Mayor Coun Carl Sherwood, who is the cabinet member responsible for rural communities at the unitary authority, said the "new regime" had started two weeks ago in parts of Scunthorpe with 67 fixed penalty notices already issued despite lockdown meaning fewer people being on the streets. A firm from South Yorkshire had been engaged to assist.
Coun Sherwood stressed there were plans to target other communities, and he hoped visits to Brigg would be undertaken on a regular basis.
Coun Rob Waltham, North Lincolnshire Council's Leader, mentioned fixed penalty notices of £150 and asked why people should be able to drop litter and "walk free" without penalty.
The unitary authority says it is carrying out a crackdown on 'litter louts and dog foulers'.
"Patrols are now in operation across the county and anyone caught dropping, throwing or depositing litter and leaving it on the ground will find themselves hit with a fixed penalty notice," the council warns.
"The scheme is designed to stamp out littering and dog fouling."
During the 'virtual' Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Coun Waltham shared a picture by email with colleagues which showed fellow North Lincolnshire councillors holding signs in support of the campaign.
He told the council's website: “We are taking an even tougher stance on environmental crime. We have a zero-tolerance policy to those people who drop waste on the ground for someone else to collect.
“Residents have voiced their increasing concerns about litter and this new campaign is a real statement of intent; dropping litter and failing to clean up after your dog is unacceptable and won’t be tolerated across our communities.
Hard-hitting signs will be erected across North Lincolnshire to get the message across.
Read more about the North Lincolnshire Council initiative through this link...

PICTURED: Above - litter in Brigg town centre - photographed by Brigg Blog at various times. Below - Coun Waltham, second right, with colleagues from North Lincolnshire Council holding signs aimed at cutting out the dropping of litter, the discarding of cigarette ends, and dog mess left on pavements and verges.

 

North Lincolnshire Council image.

BRIGG ANNIVERSARY OF NOTE

Brigg Bandstand, in the centre of the Market Place, will be 20 years old next year.
It was a project for the new millennium formulated by the District Civic Society and was completed and opened in 2001.
Following the society's eventual demise, Brigg Town Council took over caring for the centrepiece which is getting a spruce up at present.
Councillors were due to formally approve repainting during their latest monthly meeting held on Tuesday evening (November 24) but there was no need as the council's handyman service had already been assigned to the task, paid a visit and set to work with brushes.
Coun Ann Eardley pointed out that the circular inscribed metal plaque set in the floor of the bandstand required cleaning. She also suggested that weeds nearby should be removed.
When Brigg Blog passed by the following day, the plaque had been covered - perhaps suggesting the clean-up is already in hand.
The plaque, pictured above, lists some of those who backed the project, including the Singleton-Birch company of Melton Ross.
The bandstand - now such a familiar feature of the Market Place - is smaller than the design first suggested.

CONTRACT TO CREATE NEW BRIGG ALLOTMENTS SITE GOING OUT TO TENDER

 

Preparatory spadework of a legal and administrative nature having now been completed in Brigg, the town's new allotments site can proceed and provide land for green-fingered fruit and veg growers.
A North Lincolnshire Council contract to clear, level and prepare the ground allocated for the allotments will go out to tender next week (December 4) and on-site work is to start in late February, with completion by April 30.
Allotments will be available to tenants on the Woodbine Park site, near South View Avenue, from May 2021.
A project update was given by Coun Rob Waltham during Brigg Town Council's November meeting held on Tuesday night (November 24). The Town and North Lincolnshire authorities have been working together for many months but the Coronavirus emergency period has led to some delays.
The new plots, to be managed by the Town Council, will occupy part of the grassed-over children's park - replacing well-established allotments on Grammar School Road which occupy land earmarked for redevelopment.
With vehicular and pedestrian access from Preston Drive, an extensive estate of post-war prefab bungalows, known as Woodbine Grove, occupied the entire site which now forms Woodbine Park. The last of these temporary homes were demolished in the early 1970s.
Food for thought... The prefabs all had gardens (front, rear and sometimes side) and most of the tenants grew fruit and veg for the table. So the wheel is about to turn full circle almost half-a-century since the last sprouts and spuds were planted and apples and berries picked.
Brigg Town Council will continue to operate its allotments on Atherton Way/Redcombe Lane.
To find out more about taking on a 'grow your own' plot in Brigg, email enquiries@briggmarkettown.co.uk
PICTURED: Above - current land on Woodbine Park and some Grammar School Road allotments; below - Woodbine Grove prefab life in the late 1950s.

 

 

WATCH BRIGG CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON 2020 'LIVE STREAMED' AS IT HAPPENS

Brigg people can get into the festive spirit by watching the town's Christmas lights switch on ceremony from the comfort of their own homes on Friday night (November 27).
The familiar 5-4-3-2-1 countdown performed from a temporary stage in the Market Place with hundreds of locals looking on has had to be CANCELLED because of Coronavirus emergency restrictions on social gatherings, as has the accompanying Lions' festive fair (with indoor and outdoor stalls).
Instead, a 'virtual' ceremony will take place at 5pm, to be 'live streamed' through the Town Council's Facebook page.
Use this link on Friday to watch it.... https://www.facebook.com/briggtown.council/ or log on later and take a look.
The council has bought new illuminations this year and the display will stretch from East Park through the town centre and along part of Bridge Street.
Donated by the Scawby Estate, the Christmas tree is ready in the Market Place, near the former NatWest Bank (now home to Victor Finance) and will lit after dark from Friday and for weeks go come. Earnshaws have kindly furnished the protective wooden surround without charge.
In past years when good weather prevailed, the lights switch on with accompanying events has attracted up to 2,000 people - setting the tills ringing in local shops, pubs and eateries for several hours.
Snow has fallen on occasions but there will be no concerns about wintry weather spoiling the spectacle this year, as people can stay warm indoors and watch the ceremony on their smartphones, tablets of 'desktop' home computers.
PICTURED: Above - the 201-year-old Buttercross, with Christmas lights in the Market Place all set to be switched on this Friday. Below - the Christmas tree in the long-familiar location.

 

BRIGG BUSINESS RELOCATING

A well-known Brigg business is relocating to premises within the town centre.
It will be occupying the sizeable retail unit on Wrawby Street that was home to the Lindsey Lodge Hospice Shop until a few months ago.
Kennedi Boutique, currently situated in the Market Place near the County Bridge, will be "opening soon" at its new base.

Meanwhile, refurbishment and conversion work continues  (see picture below).
Kennedi offers a mixed range of contemporary and classic clothing.
In May 2017 we were invited down to attend Kennedi's 10th anniversary.

Refurbishment underway on Wrawby Street.

The Kennedi Boutique's current premises.

WELCOME MAINTENANCE WORK ON BRIGG RAILWAY LINE CONTINUES DESPITE LOCKDOWN

Despite the fact that public transport is for essential travel purposes during lockdown, maintenance work still continues on the Brigg Line for the Saturday only train service, says the campaigning Independent Brigg Line Rail Group.
"The latest project is for the removal of trees on the embankment which is the main cause of wheelslip of both passenger and freight trains, the IBLRG says.
"Phase one has just been completed at Blyton, north of Gainsborough, as seen in these photos taken by Gainsborough rail enthusiast Graham Clark.
"Two other areas for tree maintenance on the railway have been identified, which are at Kirton in Lindsey station and approaching the level crossing at Hibaldstow.
"The overgrowing trees on the platforms at Brigg station were removed a few years ago due do to a request by the then Friends of the Brigg Line (now The Independent Brigg Line Rail Group) as seen in Neil Stapleton's drone picture (at the foot of this post)."

 

Brigg railway station with trees still in place. Picture courtesy of Neil Stapleton,

BRIGG FARMERS' MARKET IN NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2020

Brigg Farmers' Market will go ahead as planned this Saturday (November 28) from 9am until mid-afternoon, despite lockdown 2.0 still being in operation.
North Lincolnshire Council will also be providing stalls so the adjoining general market can proceed.
The local authority says markets are "open for traders selling essential goods only."
The monthly farmers' markets were suspended for a time in the spring during the initial Coronavirus lockdown period but resumed on June 27.
The pre-Christmas farmers' market is scheduled for Saturday, December 19, the council says.
Car parking is free in Brigg on Saturdays, which helps people coming to the town centre to browse the market and attend town centre shops that are currently permitted to open.
Our picture shows a previous November farmers' event. The first market was held back in summer 2000 and it went on to gain a national award.

LATEST BIRD'S EYE PICTURES OF BRIGG BY NEIL STAPLETON

Local man Neil Stapleton has taken more interesting bird's eye views of Brigg from the air. He has kindly granted Brigg Blog permission to feature a few of his latest pictures today, showing areas of the town centre. View more through this link...
Whenever we've featured batches of Neil's pictures in the past, they have generated plenty of interest.
ABOVE: In the centre... the distinctive Rotunda and the Angel building; right of centre is the former HSBC bank for which planning permission is being sought to create a licensed bar, plus apartment and office space, with ample rear car parking. 

 

The 1828-built County Bridge over the Old River Ancholme is seen in the centre, with the White Hart pub to the left; centre right is the white-painted frontage of the historic Woolpack.

Properties on Manley Gardens, near the river, are pictured to the left, with a section of Bridge Street above.

St John's Church dominates this view, with Elwes Street in the centre; Paradise Place is bottom left, and part of the The Bottlings appears bottom right.