WELCOME BACKING FOR 150 BRIGG TREES OF THE FUTURE

Protective sleeves and backing support stakes have been provided since Brigg Blog's previous post about the planting of saplings on the extensive area of public open space off York Road.
About 150 have received this treatment and a few have already grown to reach the top of their circular protective coverings which have removed the threat of damage from hungry creatures, playful dogs being exercised, stray footballs and people's size 10s!
When the saplings were planted some time ago there were no sleeves or supports - something that was raised as a topic of concern during Brigg Town Council's February meeting. However, North Lincolnshire Council indicated that protective measures were pending.
The saplings on York Road field have been spaced well apart in three roughly circular areas.
The North Lincolnshire authority has launched a major environmental project which will involve planting 170,000 saplings across the district. We can expect to see more added at other locations in Brigg.
Meanwhile, it's to be hoped that many of today's saplings on York Road go on to become mature trees in the years to come.
This suburban green area in the centre of a housing estate was designated in the late 1970s/early 1980s as the site for Brigg's new primary school, to replace the one on Glebe Road which had opened in 1929.
That was a decision made by Humberside County Council while it was the local education authority.
However, following the creation of North Lincolnshire Council (founded in 1996) it was subsequently decided to build the new primary off Atherton Way, on the other side of the town and to leave York Road field to continue as an area of public open space.
Today the periodic grass cutting is carried out by a contractor working for Brigg Town Council. 

 

HEARTENING SUPPORT FOR BUSY BRIGG THURSDAY MARKET

It was heartening to see many traders serving shoppers at the Thursday market held in Brigg yesterday (Thursday, April 29) and also the number of people who turned out to support their efforts.
These pictures were taken around 10.30am when the market was busy, despite chilly 5C temperatures (well below average for the time of year) which meant stall-holders and customers donning winter clothing in many cases.
In addition to the dozen-or-so stalls set out by North Lincolnshire Council in the Market Place and Wrawby Street there were trailers and vans selling cheese, fish and meat.
We've visited and photographed the Thursday market not too long ago when the number of stalls had dipped, but things have certainly picked up since then - a welcome and optimistic sign.
A second look at the town centre around 1.30pm yesterday saw some traders packing up their stalls and preparing to head off home before April rain showers arrived - the morning having seen some hail for a time as well as sunny spells.
Brigg was awarded its market charter way back in the early 13th century. Thursdays see the main general market operating from 8am, with a smaller version on Saturdays. Once a month the latter supplements the very popular farmers' market which was founded 21 years ago by North Lincolnshire Council.

 

 

BRIGG TOWN CRICKETERS BEGIN SEASON & THERE'S A WEEKEND FOOTBALL DERBY

Football and cricket continues to operate side by side, with more fixtures coming up for Brigg and district teams on Saturday (May 1).
There's a local derby coming up in the EC Surfacing Scunthorpe & District Football League where Barnetby United Reserves will be hosting Briggensians in a Division Two encounter at the railway village's Silver Street ground (3pm kick-off).
Meanwhile, Barnetby's first teamers will be visiting Scunthorpe side College Wanderers for a Division One encounter.
In the Lincolnshire County Cricket League, Brigg Town's programme will finally begin, weather permitting, on the third Saturday of the season. Town head south to Legbourne to take on Louth 3rds in a Division Three game.
Our other local teams will be in knockout competition action tomorrow.
In the first round of the Bob Welton Cup, Hibaldstow host Grimsby Town 2nds (1.30pm) while Broughton 2nds make the long trip down to Alford.
Broughton's first teamers entertain Holton-le-Clay at the Scawby Road ground in the first round of the George Marshall Trophy (1.30pm).

BLOOMING GOOD NEWS: BEST GARDENS IN BRIGG COMPETITION TO RESUME

The popular annual competition to identify and reward the best gardens in Brigg is to make a welcome return.
It was not held in 2020 due to the Coronavirus emergency, but now it is planned to resume this annual competition which was launched many years ago.
Organised by Brigg Town Council, it initially saw councillors touring Brigg streets to view gardens and draw up a shortlist for final judging. However, this was later replaced by a system involving people emailing entries to the council.
Details of the 2021 competition, including how and when to enter, will be revealed in due course. See a future Brigg Blog post and the Town Council's section in the next Brigg Matters magazine.
The return of the competition was sanctioned by councillors during their latest online meeting, held on Tuesday evening (April 27).
Pictured are a few of the colourful Brigg gardens nominated in previous years.

DECISION MADE ON BRIGG CONSERVATION AREA TREE FELLING & PRUNING APPLICATION

A tree felling and pruning application within the Brigg Conservation Area has now been decided by North Lincolnshire Council planners.
Consent has been given to fell a pear tree and prune a group of holly and a Robinia tree at The Gables, a domestic property on Bigby Road near the A1084.
Having received a Notice of Intention for these works, the council prepared an assessment report which advised against making a Tree Preservation Order (TP0) in this case.
"These trees are situated within the rear garden of the property and cannot be seen within the street scene or wider landscape," the report concluded. "It is therefore considered that they do not have high visual amenity in this area and therefore are not worthy of being made subject to a TPO."
The proposal was publicised and no objections were lodged with North Lincolnshire Council.

BRIGG TO FLAG UP LINCOLNSHIRE DAY CELEBRATIONS THIS YEAR

Brigg Blog has long campaigned for more to be done locally to celebrate our own county day. 

So we were pleased to hear during Tuesday night's meeting that when Brigg Town Council installs a new flagpole on the side of the Buttercross building, it intends to fly the flag in support of Lincolnshire Day on October 1 (as well as others on the calendar, including royal anniversaries).
Many counties, including Yorkshire, have long held their own days to highlight local heritage and food delicacies.
Lincolnshire Day became a fairly recent addition in 2006 and has since failed to generate the support it merits in the northern part of the historic county.
Some householders who have flag poles in their gardens have been known to fly the county flag (example pictured above).  

So it will be good to see the landmark Buttercross in the Market Place reminding passers-by, this autumn, about Lincolnshire Day.
This will be an opportunity to eat locally-made sausages, pork pies, haslet, plum bread, Poacher and Yellowbelly cheeses and to drink beer made in the county by firms like Lincolnshire Craft Beers (Melton Ross), Batemans (Wainfleet) and Axholme Brewing (Grimsby).
Our Yarborough Hunt pub, on Bridge Street, is the 'brewery tap' for Lincolnshire Craft Beers - serving its range of ales as well as guest beers from other suppliers.
As September's Brigg Farmers' Market will be held only a few days prior to October 1, 2021 (a Friday) there will be a golden opportunity to stock up with suitable products.

PROVING A REAL DRAG: NEED TO TACKLE LITTER LIKE THIS IN BRIGG IS HIGHLIGHTED BY PUBLIC MEETING

Tackling litter in Brigg dominated a public meeting held last night (Tuesday, April 27) with new measures to be taken to deal with discarded cigarette ends like those picture above which are proving a drag when it comes to keeping the town centre pavements tidy.
There were various references to litter prevention and collection during the Annual Town Meeting held online using the Zoom platform, with members of the public logging in for the discussions.
The commitment shown by a host of community-minded volunteers who carry out litter-picking sessions at various locations was highlighted and it was stressed that suitable equipment is being made available to help them.
Members of Brigg Town Council, which arranged this once-a-year public forum, also indicated the authority's commitment to deal with cigarette ends discarded on pavements outside some local pubs.
The council agreed many months ago to provide special bins outside some hostelries.
Although this provision has been delayed by pubs being in enforced lockdown (until recently) the council intends to talk with licensees to get these bins installed.
Coun Rob Waltham said it would required pubs' agreement "and they have not been open." But smokers had to take responsibility for their own actions. The fact that a bin might not be available nearby was no excuse for discarding cigarette ends.
Coun Ann Eardley also stressed that they should not be discarded into drain grates across the town; this was unacceptable.
There was also reference to chewing gum being discarded on local pavements.
Brigg Blog adds that all licensed premises provide ashtrays for their customers, and some also have bins near their frontages.
However, as Coun Waltham rightly pointed out, those who have finished their 'fags' need to ensure the remains do not end up on the pavement.
Pubs have only been permitted to reopen on a limited basis so far - serving drinks outdoors. Full service resumpton is expected to be approved by the Government in mid-May.

WHERE THE NEXT BRIGG TOWN MAYOR WILL BE INDUCTED PROMPTS INTERESTING DEBATE

A new Brigg Town Mayor is to be installed next month to serve as the community's first citizen.
Coun Brian Parker, currently Deputy Town Mayor, will be nominated by Town Council colleagues at the authority's annual meeting in late May.
But there will be an enforced change to the traditional Mayor-making ceremony when one holder of the post formally accepts the post and receives the chain to wear for official duties.
With some public building meeting venues unavailable for various reasons, the Town Council is now looking to confirm an alternative.
The Methodist Church on Barnard Avenue is one option, while Coun Rob Waltham came up with a very interesting suggestion during last night's Town Council meeting: Could the Mayor-making ceremony be held outdoors, to be followed by a formal meeting of the nine town councillors indoors?
If so, Coun Carl Sherwood wondered about using the Millennium Green on Elwes Street for the formal section of the evening.
Town Clerk Kerry McGrath explained it would be a legal requirement to hold the AGM as a "physical" meeting in May.
All council meetings since the Coronavirus emergency was declared by the Government in March 2020 have been held 'virtually' online using the Zoom platform because of continuing restrictions on public gatherings.
Coun Ann Eardley, a former Town Mayor, wondered whether the concert room at Brigg & District Servicemen's Club, off Coney Court, might provide a suitable venue.
But the Town Clerk explained that the law did not permit council meetings to be held on licensed premises. She also discounted the idea of holding the May meeting before 6pm because of time-related regulations.
After Brigg Town Council was formed by local government reorganisation in 1974, successive Town Mayors were inducted at ceremonies held in the ornate wood-panelled council chamber inside what's now the Hewson House office block off Station Road.
When the Town Council moved base in the mid-1990s to the Angel Suite, the converted former hotel ballroom became the venue for such ceremonies.
Coun Sharon Riggall, our current Town Mayor, is pictured above with Coun Parker, who is in line to be installed as her successor during Brigg Town Council's Annual Meeting next month - venue to be confirmed. In addition to being the current Deputy Town Mayor, Coun Parker also chairs the Planning Committee.
Although there may well be further Government changes to the current emergency regulations by the time the council's AGM is held in late May, Brigg Blog expects that a social aspect of the Mayor-making may well be ruled out - the serving of light refreshments at the conclusion of the meeting when people gather to congratulate the new first citizen on his/her election.

WHY IS BRIGG STILL WITHOUT A VICAR? ISSUE HIGHLIGHTED BY TOWN COUNCILLOR LAST NIGHT

When is Brigg going to have a new vicar appointed? This question was raised during the Town Council's April meeting held last night (Tuesday) by Coun Nigel Sherwood among "requests from councillors for future agenda items."
He said the post had been vacant for an awfully long time and suggested lodging an inquiry with the Diocese of Lincoln.
Town Mayor Coun Sharon Riggall agreed, suggesting this would be a good question to ask.
Brigg Blog last raised this point is January, saying: "Brigg will soon have gone a year without a vicar, following Father Owain Mitchell's departure to take over a parish in the Peak District and no successor being appointed."
A popular figure in Brigg, Father Owain conducted his last service at St John's Church in late December 2019, but his tenure in the town did not officially end until late January 2020. He was inducted into his new parish - New Mills, Derbyshire - the following month.
Father Owain spent the best part of 15 years serving our town and some nearby villages as the Church of England's representative.  

The Vicar of Brigg also looks after the spiritual needs of Wrawby, Cadney & Howsham, Bonby and Worlaby.
The Lincoln Diocese told Brigg Blog in late January that no appointment had been made at present, nor had the role been advertised.
"The diocese is currently undertaking a review of its finances and the number of clergy that are deployed around the county is one element of this review," the added.
Any vacant roles for the clergy are advertised via Pathways, the Church of England recruitment site, and the diocesan website, we understand.

PICTURED: Father Owain Mitchell conducting his final service at St John's Church, Brigg, in December 2019 - images by Ken Harrison, Brigg Matters magazine.

 

 

MANY SIGNS THAT BRIGG IS A VERY POPULAR PLACE TO LIVE

The fact that some 'For Sale' signs in Brigg are soon being replaced by 'Sold Subject To Contract' set us thinking about the popularity of our town as a place to live and also how many new homes are in the pipeline to add to the existing housing stock.
Pictured here are three Brigg 'Sold' signs evident on the same residential street yesterday (Monday, April 26) and another we encountered elsewhere a few minutes earlier while visiting the town centre.
In the case of the three properties within 100 yards of each other, they weren't 'For Sale' very long before firm offers were forthcoming.
Many other Brigg residents are busy extending existing properties as an alternative to moving. These schemes always generate considerable interest when Brigg Blog features their progress through the various stages of the planning process, usually culminating in permission being granted by North Lincolnshire Council.
Brigg's obvious appeal as a place to live means that demand can exceed supply and additional properties are needed.
Builders and developers - large, medium and small - are keen to meet the town's needs.
At the top end of the scale, Keigar has now started building a development which will provide more than 60 new houses off Bridge Street. Another scheme for land elsewhere on the former Falcon Cycles and Corah factory site recently received approval for new apartments to be built.
Former cycle shop premises on Bridge Street will be demolished with three town houses and a retail unit erected on the site.
Still awaiting decisions from council planners are schemes to build more homes near the northern end of Island Carr Road's industrial estate and also properties near Barnard Street on the other side of the A18. Town housing is also planned behind Dean Wray's carpet shop, with access from Engine Street. There is also a 'pending' application for additional housing on land off Westrum Lane.
North Lincolnshire Council has the former Youth Centre on Grammar School Road and the ex-community hub off Horstead Avenue on the property market for sale at present and is suggesting that both sites will be suitable for accommodation, subject to planning permission being obtained.
Approval was given several years ago for a sizeable block of apartments to be built on currently disused land near the railway station but this has failed to proceed... so far.
More medium or long term, perhaps, is the so-called Brigg North Development - a huge scheme for new housing on fields within sight of the Recreation Ground, Wrawby Road, the Springbank estate and the M180, stretching as far as Grammar School Road and Atherton Way.
Last, but my no means least, is the conversion of existing Brigg buildings into residential accommodation.
It's now a couple of years since the grade two listed Nelthorpe Arms pub closed on economic grounds and was soon converted to provide additional town centre housing without altering the outside appearance of the premises.
The old police station and courthouse on Wrawby Street were transformed into Courthouse Mews, while elsewhere in the conservation area a former accountant's office on Bigby Street was re-purposed as flats.
These are just a few examples, and we can expect to see more conversion schemes being drawn up in the future.

PICTURED: Current 'Sold' signs near Brigg domestic properties. The town also has a number of other local agents including DDM, Brown & Co, Bell Watson and Paul Fox.

LOCAL HISTORY BOOK BARGAINS ON OFFER IN BRIGG

Local history is the theme of the current window display at the Oxfam Book Shop in Brigg town centre.
As a so-called 'non-essential' shop, this Wrawby Street outlet of the worldwide charity has now been permitted to reopen from Coronavirus emergency lockdown.
While walking past yesterday (Monday, April 26) our attention was caught by a purple-covered book within the display.
It's no real surprise that Post-war Scunthorpe and District looked familiar; we co-wrote it 21 years ago with fellow Scunthorpe Telegraph journalist Chris Horan!
This was the second Telegraph 'Nostalgia' book looking back on the 20th century - both publications being compiled to mark the ending of one century/millennium and the beginning of the next.
We hope someone snaps up this copy of a book which contains a range of local history articles and is illustrated with pictures drawn from the newspaper's extensive archive. Brigg features, as you might expect.
We resisted the temptation to inquire from Oxfam about the book's sale price!

BRIGG PEOPLE HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT THE APRIL DROUGHT

Most of this month has been dry in Brigg - and that's not a reference to the fact that our pubs were under enforced lockdown until quite recently!
The lack of those usually heavy April showers and more prolonged periods of rain will be concerning for farmers, domestic gardeners and probably the town's allotment holders who rent their plots off Grammar School Road and Atherton Way/Redcombe Lane from the Town Council with a view to growing fruit & veg for the table.
However, the dry weather has been welcome for walkers and dog exercisers - making paths that are sometimes muddy at this time of year a real joy to use.
The picture above shows cracked earth on the popular public footpath which leads from Churchill Avenue over the fields to Wrawby. A field containing cereals is to the right.
There's a farmers' irrigation reservoir and historic St Helen's Well near to this public right of way - the latter been used to provide Brigg with its first safe supplies of drinking water in the mid-19th century.
Thankfully today there will still be plenty of water deep down below ground level.
The last time we experienced a 'proper' drought was in 1976, but that was in the summer.

SPEED CAMERAS OPERATING IN THE BRIGG AREA TODAY

Safer Roads Humber says safety enforcement cameras are used across the region as part of its overall strategy to make local roads safer. A main route near Brigg will be monitored today.
Mobile and fixed speed cameras detect speeding vehicles "at sites of risk." They are able to deploy the cameras at a range of locations.
MONDAY, APRIL 26: There will be 'daily enforcement' on the A18 between Brigg and Wrawby.

Make sure that you stay below the limit when entering and leaving the town on this well-used route.

DEMOLITION WORK AT BRIGG SITE EARMARKED FOR NEW HOUSING & RETAIL UNIT

Permission was granted in February for empty and adjoining former shop premises in Brigg to be demolished and replaced by three new residential properties (with garages) and a ground floor retail unit.
These pictures, taken on Friday afternoon (April 23), show activity at this site - 11-12 Bridge Street (on the corner of Forrester Street).
The protective fencing carries CLS Demolition Ltd signs saying Danger - Demolition - Keep Out. Contractors' vehicles and workers were also in evidence.
These old buildings, which do not have listed status and were formerly used by Sherwood's cycle business, changed ownership some time ago.
Planning permission for redevelopment was subsequently granted to Phil Drury, who successfully applied via a company/agent based in West Lindsey.

 

 

A picture of the properties (centre and right) taken from the A18 on Friday, with contractors' vehicles in view.

 

BRIGG PROPERTY EXTENSION APPROVED

A decision has now been made on a domestic property extension proposed in Brigg.
North Lincolnshire Council has approved a 'householder application' to erect a two-storey side extension to 4 Oakfield Close. This street forms part of an established housing development off Bigby High Road.
A delegated assessment report prepared by council staff concluded the extension would not have a significant adverse impact on the street scene when viewed in the context of the locality, and would not impact negatively on the amenities of the neighbouring properties.
No objections were received when the proposal was publicised.
North Lincolnshire Council has now granted permission to erect a replacement garage at 28 Kirton Road, Greetwell.
The authority is now considering an application to erect single-storey and first floor rear extensions at Cobbles Close Cottage, Main Street, Sturton (decision yet to be made).

STILL TIME TO BOOK YOUR PLACE AT THE BRIGG ANNUAL MEETING

There's still time to sign up and take part in the Brigg Annual Meeting, but don't delay. It will be held online tomorrow (Tuesday, April 27) from 6.45pm.
People wanting to raise questions with Brigg Town Council about any topic, or just watch and listen to the discussions, need to email enquiries@briggmarkettown.co.uk so the Town Clerk, as host of the Zoom session, knows to admit you on the night. 

We suggest sending your email by 5pm today (Monday).
You don't need to have the Zoom 'app' downloaded to take part. You'll be sent a link to click on which will take you to the meeting through your existing web browser.
This session is being chaired by Brigg Town Mayor Coun Sharon Riggall (pictured below). And her colleagues from the Town Council will be present for this consultation with interested locals.

 

 

BRIGG LANDLADY LEAVING TOWN TO TAKE OVER HIGHLY-RATED VILLAGE PUB

A Brigg landlady is moving to take charge of a village pub in South Lincolnshire, which she will be running with her partner.
Sarah Ryder will serve her final 'table service' customers at the Woolpack on Friday (April 30).
She will be retaining overall control of the licensed Market Place hostelry and is in the process of appointing a manager to run the Woolie on a day-to-day basis for her.
After Sarah heads south, the Woolpack will remain open; there will be NO temporary closure period.
She is moving to the quaint Kings Head at Freiston, near Boston - a pub renowned for its real ales and meals.
"Google it!" she suggested to us. A check later revealed it has received many very favourable ratings from customers; it's 4.5 (out of 5) star rated on Trip Advisor.
Sarah, who hails from Derbyshire, came to Brigg two years ago to take charge of the Woolpack. She later became chairwoman of Brigg Pubwatch, an organisation which represents local licensees.
While running the Woolpack, she also kept a management eye on another pub in South Yorkshire - making her a particularly busy (land) lady!
She is pictured here outside the front entrance to the Woolpack a couple of days ago when she stopped us to pass on news about her departure.

IT'S A WRAP: BRIGG PUB CUSTOMERS GO PREPARED FOR BEER GARDEN VISITS

Blankets are making an appearance at some Brigg pubs as a result of the current Coronavirus emergency regulations applying to local hostelries.
Pubs across the UK have been allowed to reopen but only for outdoor 'table service' which means that once the sun sets it can get chilly in the beer gardens.
So to keep warm in the evenings, some enterprising customers are taking blankets with them when they venture out.
We saw some being employed last night (Saturday, April 24) when the temperature (a pleasant 18C in the afternoon) dipped down to 6C or 7C.
Caps, woolly hats and heavy-duty coats are also proving popular attire at present for the same reason.
However, from what we've seen over the past couple of weeks since the pubs reopened on a limited basis, many drinkers aged 18 to 30 don't seem to feel the cold as much as those of more senior years.
The Yarborough Hunt, Dying Gladiator and Lord Nelson were all doing good trade in their beer gardens last night, our inquiries revealed.
We were hoping to get a picture or two of people wearing woollies at the Woolpack  but sadly arrived after closing time.

Some of our pubs have installed heaters of various design in their beer gardens for use after dark.
When licensee Bob Nicholson operated his micro-brewery at the Queens Arms many years ago, one of the ales he made to serve to regulars at his Wrawby Street venue was known as Blanket Lifter.

MIXED RESULTS FOR BRIGG AREA SATURDAY FOOTBALLERS

Only one of our Brigg & district teams managed to win in the EC Surfacing Scunthorpe and District Football League yesterday (Saturday, April 24).
Barnetby United Reserves were 2-1 winners at Santon in Division Two, thanks to goals from Joe Plaskitt and Nathan Plaskitt.
In the same section, Briggensians suffered a 9-1 defeat at Kingsway - Scott Soulby scoring what proved to be a consolation goal for the Brigg side.
In Division One, Barnetby United's first teamers went down 2-1 when hosting old rivals Limestone Rangers - Greg Brackenbury netting for the railway villagers at their Silver Street ground.

BRIGG CRICKETERS MISS OUT ON THE FINE WEATHER BUT BROUGHTON & HIBALDSTOW IN ACTION

With Brigg Town Cricket Club still to begin the 2021 season in the Lincolnshire County Cricket League, two other local sides made their first appearances yesterday (Saturday, April 24) as the fine weather continued.
Broughton's first teamers, two of whom hit half-centuries, enjoyed a very convincing 137-run home victory over Louth 2nds at the Scawby Road ground in Division One, while Hibaldstow lost when hosting Alford in the same section in a high-scoring game.
Broughton 2nds, playing in Division Two, were well beaten on their visit to Normanby Park. This was the second outing of the new campaign for Broughton who had also played on April 17.
Broughton v Louth 2nds: Broughton 224 (Graham Wilson 76, Richard Green 56), Louth 2nds 87 (Shaun Clark 4-13).
Hibaldstow v Alford: Hibaldstow 199 (Lee Robinson 45), Alford 203 for four.
Normanby Park v Broughton 2nds: Normanby 253 for four, Broughton 2nds 116 (Steve Johnstone 45).

PICTURED: All-rounder Shaun Clark who took four wickets for the Broughton first team yesterday. He's pictured in Brigg's Yarborough Hunt pub prior to the virus emergency.

BRIGG FARMERS' MARKET: SHOPPERS SUPPORT BUSY APRIL EVENT

There was no hint of April showers spoiling this month's Brigg Farmers' Market, held in the town centre today (Saturday, April 24, 2021).
The prolonged spell of dry weather continued and was a factor in helping to attract many shoppers from the town, and elsewhere, to the stalls.
People were able to stock up on cheese, bread, cakes, locally-brewed bottled beer and many other items.
The Saturday general market - again provided by North Lincolnshire Council - was also busy, with many shoppers making their way to the fruit & veg stall.
Brigg's circular bus service, operated by Hornsbys, which picks up shoppers from various housing estates, was well patronised today.

 

A talented violinist, located near the top of Cary Lane, was playing a variety of popular tunes - ranging from classical to pop  - to entertain market supporters.
We estimate that about one third of the people who were out and about in the town centre this morning opted to wear facemasks (not mandatory in the open air) as the Coronavirus emergency continues.
As ever on farmers' market Saturday, the increased footfall generated welcome trade for Brigg shops and other businesses, as people paid them a visit after taking a look at the stalls.
Stall-holders will continue to trade well into the afternoon today. So there's still time to pay a visit.

 

 

WORK PROGRESSING IN BRIGG TO PROVIDE NEW HOMES

Work started some weeks ago to build more than 60 new houses on a site in Brigg.
Preparatory work is coming along on the former Falcon Cycles factory site off Bridge Street, which will be accessed from the A18.
North Lincolnshire Council has granted planning permission to Keigar - the well-known local house-building company.
We were prompted to take a look at the site yesterday (Friday, April 23) after noting that many people recently have been searching for, and taking a look at, our previous posts about the Keigar development.
The south-western corner of the former Falcon and Corah site (near the top of Island Carr Road and the mini-roundabout) is earmarked for a block of new apartments to be available to people aged 55+.
This site has also been cleared and awaits re-development in the months ahead - detailed planning permission having been granted recently by the council.
This site has a Danger - Keep Out warning in place from CLS Civil Engineering Ltd, a local company.

PICTURED ABOVE: Views from Bridge Street showing the Keigar site (top), its entrance from the A18, and the land cleared ready for the new apartments.

JUSTGO FROM BRIGG TO ENJOY COUNTY CRICKET... HOPEFULLY

Brigg Blog, and other local sports fans, might have a cricket-related Test for the new JustGo dial-a-ride bus service introduced to our area by North Lincolnshire Council.
Lincolnshire's Minor Counties cricket team plays a solitary three-day championship fixture in the north of the county every year - at Cleethorpes.
Is JustGo willing and able to run fans from Brigg to the resort? Or is 25 miles considered too far? JustGo is based in East Yorkshire - about the same distance from Brigg (via the Humber Bridge) as Cleethorpes.
The other travel possibility for Lincolnshire v Norfolk is an early morning JustGo or Hornsbys bus to Barnetby and then a train to Cleethorpes.
This game opens on Sunday, July 11 and continues on Monday and Tuesday (July 12 and 13).
Brigg Blog, and other cricket fans, have previously travelled to watch Minor Counties games at Cleethorpes on Mondays and Tuesdays (Sunday public transport provision proving too challenging).
There's a spacious licensed bar/clubhouse at the resort's ground which explains why driving there is not an option for some of us. A pint or two in the sun is very much part of the average spectator's day out.
During the lengthy walk from the railway station to the venue, it's standard practice to enjoy a hearty breakfast at a seaside cafe, and to have a pub or cafe snack on the way home.
What for decades was known as the Minor Counties Championship has now been renamed the National Counties Championship though few, if any, saw 'Minor' as a derogatory term. Lincolnshire compete in Eastern Division One.
The county Development Team will be playing one of its games at Barton Town's well-appointed Marsh Lane ground on Monday/Tuesday, August 2 and 3, when Northumberland will provide the opposition. Brigg Town will be playing a Lincs League game at the same venue later this season.
All Lincolnshire County Cricket Club officials have been re-elected: President John Van-der-Vord, Chairman Chris Keywood and Chief Executive Chris Farmer. Mark Fell will continue as Director of Cricket and also oversee the Development XI. Carl Wilson will again captain the 1st XI.
Mark Footitt, the former Nottinghamshire pace bowler, has been signed as the County Club's professional for 2021.
Brigg Blog's thanks go to Chris Keywood for the update. We recall playing for Brigg Town many against Hartsholme when Chris appeared for the Lincoln club, and also against John Van-der-Vord at Sir John Nelthorpe School.
We've known Mark Fell since he joined Lincolnshire as a batsman from Nottinghamshire, the Trent Bridge-based first class county, in the mid-1980s. During the early part of Felly's lengthy career we were travelling the country, as well as the county, reporting on Lincolnshire Minor Counties games for the Scunthorpe & Grimsby Telegraphs... and getting paid to watch cricket.
And finally... just a reminder that Brigg Town Cricket Club have no game today (Saturday, April 24). They have yet to start their Lincolnshire League season.
 
PICTURED: Lincolnshire in Minor Counties action at Cleethorpes, a Trans-Pennine train from Barnetby after arriving at the resort station on a county cricket match day, and a JustGo bus in Brigg.

BRIGG ANNUAL TOWN PUBLIC MEETING: ZOOM IN AND RAISE LOCAL ISSUES OF INTEREST TO YOU

Modern technology will be employed for the first time to stage what has previously been very old-style meeting in Brigg next week. And all interested people can take part.
The Brigg Annual Town Public Meeting - a consultation session between the Town Council and local residents - is an historic annual event which gives members of the public an opportunity to put questions to councillors and raise topics which electors consider of interest.
Such sessions have been held for many years in the Angel Suite, with chairs laid out in rows to be occupied by local residents.
Mass gatherings have been ruled out by law since the Coronavirus emergency was declared by the Government in March 2020, and that ban remains in force.
So, instead, Brigg Town Council will be using the Zoom platform to host the Annual Brigg Town Meeting 2021 online.
It will take place on Tuesday, April 27 from 6.45pm.
Taking part is simple and does NOT involve downloading the free Zoom app; people can access the session via any internet browser.
Simply send an email now to enquiries@briggmarkettown.co.uk to inform the Town Clerk you intend to take part. As 'host' of the meeting, she will be ready to admit you to the 'virtual' session prior to 6.45pm on Tuesday night. You just need to use the online link she will have supplied by then.
Alternatively, people can take part by listening into this meeting by phone. The numbers to call can be obtained by contacting the Town Clerk.
Zoom has been used successfully for many months to host monthly Town Council meetings.
They always include Public Question Time as an agenda item, and local people who are not councillors have logged in and taken part on various occasions.
However, next Tuesday's session is different as this meeting is devoted entirely to questions from the public, as outlined in the agenda below. The session will be chaired and hosted by the Town Mayor, Coun Sharon Riggall.

1. Welcome by the Town Mayor.
2. Receive the minutes of the last Annual Town Public Meeting.
3. Any matters arising from those minutes.
4. Town Mayor's Report 2021.
5. Open Forum. The opportunity for you to raise your own issues with the Town Mayor and your elected representatives. "Have your say; it's your turn to speak."

LEE FIELDEN'S EBAY 'FINDS' BRING BRIGG CRICKET MEMORIES FLOODING BACK

 

Nostalgic reminders of Brigg Town Cricket Club's very early days are contained in online ebay purchases made recently by a former player.
Lee Fielden, from Barnetby, who played for the club as a wicketkeeper/batsman of note some years ago while he was a pupil at Sir John Nelthorpe School and after he left Brigg Sixth Form College, has obtained a copy of the Grimsby & District Cricket League Handbook published in 1976.
Reviewing the previous season, it shows that Brigg Town had first and second teams in different divisions, while opening batsman Bob Elwood finished the 1975 campaign as the leading batsman in the top flight. Bob was a very reliable opener who accumulated his runs in steady fashion. A former club captain, he later became a league umpire after moving to the Alford area.
Although Brigg Town received a number of mentions in the 1976 Handbook, our local club had already resigned by the time it was published.
A successful application was made during the close season to step up a level to the Lincolnshire County Cricket League.
So May 1976 saw Brigg playing its first games in the Lincs competition, to which it sill belongs today.
Neighbouring Broughton CC also made its Lincolnshire League debut at the same time, having previously played in the North Lindsey competition (then mainly a Saturday competition).
Some Brigg Town players from 1975 are still living locally today and will remember the Grimsby League era.
We are among them and recall playing in what turned out to be the last Grimsby League home game (at Brigg Rec) when the first team lost to champions North Thoresby - a very talented side - in late August.
We also played in the club's final Grimsby League fixture - a second team match a couple of weeks later when Town lost narrowly away to East Halton, then based at a quaint ground on Townside Farm where the players changed and took tea in a wooden hut which had once been the booking office/waiting room at the village railway station!
This match saw Brigg 2nds' veteran vice-captain Roy Hunt play in the same team as his sons Graham, Keith and Martin. This was a proude moment for Roy and his boys. He lived at Scawby Brook and was senior employment officer at Appleby-Frodingham steelworks, Scunthorpe. We think this was Roy's last appearance before retiring.
Brigg Town Cricket Club's annual presentation evening for the 1975 season was held in what the Angel Hotel Ballroom (now the Angel Suite community venue). It included a 50/50 disco (remember them?) and a buffet.
Our thanks go to Lee for sharing his ebay purchases which have brought back many happy cricketing memories for us, and probably will do likewise for Brian Parker, Martin Hunt, Allan Kemshell, Simon Fisher and Pete Kerridge who are all still living in the town. Some other members of the squad now reside elsewhere in North Lincolnshire.
Club cricket in the mid-1970s was very different to today's game. Generally speaking, playing squares were not as good back then, resulting in much lower average team totals.
During summer 1975 we remember visiting Grimsby with Brigg 2nds to take on eventually Division Three champions Alpine-Findus when our side was skittled for either 16 or 18. We think Brigg were captained that day by Brian Parker who is currently Deputy Town Mayor of Brigg. We await his confirmation with interest!
We also recall keeping wicket that season away to South Kelsey, on the village's very small ground at Skipworth Ridge.
In very fine weather, across the rolling agricultural fields to the south, they used to reckon you could see the tall spires of Lincoln Cathedral in the far distance.
Happy days... 46 years ago!

PEOPLE IN BRIGG AREA CAN ENJOY STEAM-HAULED TRAIN EXCURSION

People living in the Brigg area will enjoy a whiff of nostalgia and have the chance to enjoy a great day out later this Spring.
British Railways withdrew the last of its steam locomotives from duty in North Lincolnshire in 1966, but an engine which avoided the scrapyard cutter's torch and lives on in working order in preservation is to visit our area on Saturday, June 12, 2021.
It will be hauling a special 'day trip' train bound for Tyneside, and people who book tickets will be able to climb aboard at Barnetby station. 

The excursion will then pass through Elsham, Worlaby and Scunthorpe on its way north. So local people who can't make the trip will be able to watch the steam loco pass by - remembering to keep well away from the tracks and to observe social distancing if others have chosen the same vantage point.
Specialist firm The Railway Touring Company is organising this train, having run a number of others from our area in past years.
Brigg Blog has travelled with the RTC on many occasions and can thoroughly recommend their nostalgic train trips.
The steam-hauled Tynesider will pick up passengers in Barnetby at 8am.
There will be an afternoon opportunity to visit the sights of Newcastle before the return journey.
The Railway Touring Company offers three classes of ticket - Premier Dining, First Class and Standard Class.
View full details and make bookings via this link...
Or call the company on 01553 661500 - email enquiries@railwaytouring.co.uk
The preserved steam loco which will be hauling the train will be revealed nearer the time; it will be drawn from a pool of engines cared for and kept in tip-top condition at a heritage centre in Carnforth, Lancashire.

PICTURED ABOVE: Previous Railway Touring Company steam-hauled excursions passing through Brigg in 2003, Barnetby in 2010 and Elsham in 2016 - the latter being hauled by the world famous Flying Scotsman which attracted a crowd of spectators near the level crossing.

GOOD SIGN: PLANNERS DECIDE BRIGG TESCO STORE APPLICATION

North Lincolnshire Council planners have now decided an application made by Tesco for its Brigg store site between Barnard Avenue and Cary Lane.
The major retailer sought 'retrospective' approval for additions made in its car park adjoining the store.
The council has now granted advertisement consent for one LCD screen and three flag pole signs relating to electric vehicle charging points. They offer a welcome free service to customers. View details here...
The Brigg installation formed part of a Tesco 'roll out project' to benefit shoppers at various company stores across the UK
A council delegated assessment report prepared by staff recommended that permission should be granted, saying these additions would not be out of character for a supermarket site.
"Whilst the site is in close proximity to Brigg Conservation Area, the proposals would not increase the impact of the superstore building on the setting of that area," the report said.

BRIGG BLOG PREVIEWS FOOTBALL & CRICKET MATCHES ON SATURDAY, APRIL 24

Football and cricket teams from the Brigg area will be in league action on Saturday (April 24).
All three of our local sides in the EC Surfacing Scunthorpe & District Football League have fixtures.
Barnetby United host Limestone Rangers at Silver Street in Division One, while
Barnetby Reserves are away to Santon, and Briggensians visit Kingsway in Division Two.

Brigg Town are yet to begin the new 2021 season in the Lincolnshire County Cricket League, but two more local sides will be starting their campaigns tomorrow.
They are Broughton, who host Louth 2nds, and Hibaldstow, who entertain Alford (both 1.30pm starts in Division One).
Broughton 2nds, who played last Saturday on the opening day of the season, make the short journey to Normanby Park tomorrow for a Division Two encounter.


CRICKET FIXTURES FOR APRIL 24
PREMIER DIVISION (1pm start)
Appleby-Frodingham 2nds  v  Cherry Willingham
Grimsby Town  v  Cleethorpes 2nds
Haxey  v  Caistor Town
Holton-le-Clay v  Lindum 2nds
Market Rasen  v  Nettleham

DIVISION ONE (1.30pm)
Bracebridge Heath 2nds  v  Hartsholme
Broughton  v  Louth 2nds
Hibaldstow  v  Alford
Messingham  v  Scunthorpe Town 2nds
Outcasts  v  Clee Town Laportes

DIVISION TWO (1.30pm)
Alkborough  v  Cleethorpes 3rds
Hartsholme 2nds  v  Grimsby Town 2nds
Normanby Park  v  Broughton 2nds

DIVISION THREE (1.30pm)
Alford 2nds  v  Scothern 2nds
Caistor Town 2nds  v  Scunthorpe Town 3rds
Lindum 3rds  v  Barton Town 2nds
Nettleham 2nds  v  East Halton

UPDATE ON APRIL'S BRIGG FARMERS' MARKET TO BE HELD THIS WEEKEND

North Lincolnshire Council has provided us with further information about Brigg Farmers' Market to be held on Saturday (April 24).
This will be the first of these monthly events to be held in the town centre since the Government changed its advice to the public from 'Stay Home' to 'Stay Local'.
A spokesman for the local authority told Brigg Blog: "We have a hand sanitiser station in the bandstand and social distance markings on the floor to assist both customers and traders.
"All traders have also completed a Covid-19 risk assessment which they have submitted to the Council which demonstrates that they will operate safely."
If the spell of fine weather continues until Saturday, a sizeable attendance is expected as shoppers head for the stalls between 8.30am and mid-afternoon. The Saturday general market, also organised by the council, will operate at the same time. Read more about this Saturday's farmers' market here...

PICTURED: Social distance markings near the fruit & veg stall, and former Brigg Town Mayor Coun Ann Eardley shopping at the market (pre-Covid emergency).

BRIGG FARMERS' MARKET THIS WEEKEND COULD ATTRACT BIGGEST ATTENDANCE OF THE YEAR

All the signs point to a big turnout for the monthly Brigg Farmers' Market to be held on Saturday (April 24) alongside the usual general market which offers fruit, veg, flowers and other items.
Although some potential shoppers may still have reservations about being out and about with other people, the Government is now saying 'Stay Local' rather than 'Stay (At) Home, while our markets are organised and promoted by local government (North Lincolnshire Council). We photographed one of the banners beside the busy A18 earlier today (see above).
Brigg Farmers' Market is an open air event, and hundreds of people living in Brigg and district have now had one or both injections against the Coronavirus, Covid-19.
The stalls on Saturday will be located apart, and face-masks will be worn by many town centre visitors, although this is not mandatory. Many market stallholders also accept contactless card payments, avoiding the need to handle cash tendered by customers and while offering change for banknotes.
As has been the case for more than 20 years since the monthly farmers' market was established, this Saturday's will see most shoppers opting to visit local businesses.
On April 24, for the first time since December, there will also be an opportunity for market-goers to have a pint at our pubs, though only at tables located adjacent to the hostelries. The Government recently relaxed restrictions to permit this.
The FREE car parking concession continues courtesy of the council and the stalls will be trading from circa 8.30am through to mid-afternoon.
Goods on offer at the farmers' market include cheese, cakes, pastries, jam, pies and bread. Locally brewed bottled beer is also expected to feature.
This Saturday's event has the potential to attract the biggest attendance of the year so far, depending on the weather.

BRIGG ZEBRA IS LOSING ITS STRIPES

The Zebras is a well-known nickname for Brigg Town Football Club but another black and white zebra in the town is slowly losing its stripes.
Brigg's only surviving zebra crossing - there used to be four - is still doing valued pedestrian safety work on Bigby Road/Street near Dent's Nisa Local shop, Hewson House and the original Post Office.
However, the white markings on the highway have worn away and are in need of a repaint.
During the Coronavirus emergency of the past year, North Lincolnshire Council - the local highway authority - has faced various challenges and many people might see the repainting of a zebra crossing as being a long way way down the list of jobs to be undertaken.
But if it is possible to send out a line marking crew in the next few weeks, could these workers also be asked to look at the footpath markings along Wrawby Road?
The Brigg-Wrawby route became Brigg's first joint cycle-way/footpath many years ago, but the white painted markings indicating which half of the path is for pedestrians and which is for riders have worn away in various places.
It there was an unfortunate collision between someone on foot and a bike rider, might the absence of clear markings be called into question?
When the A18 still followed its original route through Brigg town centre, there were zebra crossings near East Park, on Wrawby Street close to the Cross Street junction and on Bridge Street. The new alignment/by-pass saw button-controlled pelican crossings with traffic lights installed. 

These are a better design because a red light means drivers must stop, whereas drivers are supposed to stop at zebra crossings if pedestrians are waiting.
The zebra crossing near the old Post Office still has two historic Belisha Beacons - the orange lollipop-shaped lights, named after a politician who was Minister of Transport in the 1930s when many of these were installed as the first 'zebras' were introduced on busy roads across the UK to improve pedestrian safety.
Bigby Street, for many decades, formed part of the main A18 (westbound) towards Scunthorpe via the Market Place and the County Bridge until the 1990s; today it is less busy than it was - the only 'through' destination being Cadney via Elwes Street. However, it still sees a fair amount of internal traffic, particularly drivers heading along Cross Street on the one-way system which serves the eastern end of the town centre.

CASH GRANTS OF UP TO £7,000 NOW AVAILABLE TO BRIGG BUSINESSES

Brigg people are now being offered grants of up to £1,000 if they go self-employed and work for themselves, while existing businesses can receive up to £7,000 for every new job they create and £6,000 for every job that is safeguarded.
North Lincolnshire Council has announced a £1.85 million grant pot aimed at safeguarding local jobs and creating new ones.

FROM NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

New start-ups, existing companies looking to diversify and businesses creating new opportunities are all invited to apply.
The Covid-19 Recovery Support Programme has been set up as a response to the effects the pandemic has had on jobs and the local economy.
The New Business Start Up Grant awards up to £1,000 to anyone planning on going self-employed in response to Covid-19, and can be used on things such as marketing and stock acquisition.
It is aimed at helping people starting a new venture, going self-employed or businesses in their first 12 months of trading.
A £300,000 Business Diversification Fund is to be shared between visitor economy businesses looking to diversify their existing model to improve sustainability and continue delivery of services.
They will receive up to £7,000 for every new job they create and £6,000 for every job that is safeguarded.
The Covid Renew Scheme awards applicants from the business to business sector up to £7,000 for every new job they create.
This will help offset jobs lost as a result of Covid-19.
Expressions of interest should be submitted as soon as possible. Once the funds have been allocated the programme will be closed and a reserve list created.
For more information, including application criteria, expression of interest forms and how to speak to one of our Business Advisors, go to the Invest In North Lincolnshire website. LINK HERE...

BRIGG GARDEN CENTRE PLANS NEW ADDITION

Brigg Garden Centre is seeking permission to make a new addition to its site on the outskirts of the town.
An application has now been submitted to West Lindsey District Council for a new warehouse. The scheme is now being considered by the local authority.
Approval is being requested for the erection of two-storey warehouse, reconfiguration of an existing car park, laying out of a service yard, and the erection of a service yard fence at the site off Bigby High Road (A1084).
A detailed statement submitted with the application explains the intention clear existing storage containers to make room for the new warehouse. This will not involve extending the current site.
"The building will be two storeys, with an upper mezzanine level providing additional storage space," the statement says.
"It is to be situated in an area of the site that is currently inaccessible to customers, and it is intended to remain that way with it to be used by garden centre staff only.
"A new service yard area will be created to the eastern end of the warehouse with the existing fence line to be extended out to accommodate delivery vehicles turning around.
"Access to the new service yard area will be through the existing overflow car park which currently has a gravel finish and as such the route around the edge is to receive a tarmac finish.
"The warehouse is to have three roller shutters in total to provide access for forklift trucks carrying goods. Access ramps at each entrance have been designed to minimise the need for extensive regrading works to the existing landscape."
A Public Consultation Period is now underway on the application.

Brigg Garden Centre recently received approval for the removal of existing buildings and structures and the erection of a two-storey office building and car parking area.
 

POSTERS IN BRIGG TODAY BRING BACK FUNFAIR MEMORIES

One of the posters currently on display in Brigg town centre for a forthcoming funfair will bring back memories for many townsfolk and former Brigg residents who have since moved away.
Giving dates, time and other details of the fair soon to be held at Hemswell Cliff (not far from the A15 on the way to Lincoln) is a poster in the bus shelter between Wetherspoon's pub and the China Garden takeaway.
Fifty years ago, funfairs were held regularly in this part of Brigg on Horse Fair Paddock - allowing youngsters to try the dodgems, sky rocket and other rides.
The original paddock was near the Grand Cinema which closed in the mid-1960s and was demolished during the following decade, with the now familiar grouped dwellings later being constructed. The 1990s saw the A18 re-routed through this area.
Funfairs were enjoyed in Brigg for many years after the paddock's redevelopment - sites including the old lorry wash near the Atherton Way roundabout (where the Lidl store is today) and an area of the Old Courts Road car park.
Pictured here, and taken from our archive, is a scene from one of the funfairs held on Horse Fair Paddock in the early 1970s. Happy days!
Dowse's Family Funfair will visit Hemswell Cliff, DN21 5TJ, on the following dates: April 23, 24, 25, 30; May 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9. Visit www.dowsesfunfairs.co.uk