A Brigg planning application currently awaiting a decision from North Lincolnshire Council prompted us to delve into the history and uses of a well-know building within the town centre's conservation area (pictured above as it is today and as it was in the early 1970s).
Dating back to the 18th century, it is a grade two listed property.
Approval is now being sought to make internal alterations and replace a rear bay window with bifold doors at 2 Manor House Convent, Bigby Street, which forms part of the former Brigg Manor House and Convent School.
This closed in July 1971 on instructions from the religious Order which ran it.
The grand former Manor House, occupied by the Elwes family, was given to the Rosminian Nuns, rent free, when Gervase Elwes and his wife moved to live at Billing Hall, Northamptonshire. The nuns later obtained the freehold of the building for a nominal sum.
Following closure of the Convent half-a-century ago, the property was converted to provide residential accommodation while the St Clares Walk cul-de-sac development occupied some of the manor house's extensive grounds.
Various reunions of former Convent School pupils have been held in Brigg over the years.
With the 50th anniversary of its closure coming up this summer, perhaps there will be another this summer (Coronavirus emergency permitting)?
Our former Lincolnshire Times colleague, Edward Dodd, devoted a page to the Convent in 19734 when he wrote his acclaimed Brigg book, marking the end of the Brigg Urban District Council era which stretched back to the 1890s.
