BRIGG BLOG REVIEWS THE YEAR 2021 WHICH SAW MANY POSITIVES DESPITE THE CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY

With the Cornavirus posing a threat throughout, 2021 has been a testing year for Brigg but there have been many positives, including events and achievements of note which we reported.
Local people have shown Dunkirk-type spirit and stuck at it, to paraphrase a famous saying by war-time Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The famous politician who visited Brigg used a more basic term to enforce his point!
Welcome work has started to revamp the long-closed White Hart pub by the river, while businessman Joe Mullen's Exchange Tavern, on Wrawby Street, continues to take shape. We are making arrangements to bring you a further update on the latter project in the New Year - this time with some pictures taken inside the premises.
There is also the Vault Bar venture to come in the former HSBC bank.
Brigg Town Council launched something new in 2021 which has been much admired - projected displays on the front of the Buttercross in the Market Place. So far we've seen fluttering poppies for Remembrance Day and snowflakes for Christmas... with other themes to follow in 2022.
Refurbishment of the Tintab shelter, located on East Park near the Monument, was completed with inscribed plaques explaining its name and history.
In a green initiative, scores of saplings were planted on York Road Field (an area of public open space) to grow into mature trees over the coming years.
New CCTV cameras were introduced by the council to keep an eye on the Donkey Field play area, on the edge of the Newlands estate.
Oikos opened its new town centre shop in the vacant former Greggs premises, and Brigg Food Bank has continued to assist many local families in need throughout 2021.
Brigg also welcomed the new Gracie's cafe/eatery in the Market Place, and (quite recently) the Curry Corner takeaway located nearby.
National retailer Pavers Shoes opened a new outlet at Brigg Garden Centre, off Bigby High Road, in June.
In October we were sad to report the impending closure of Barclays bank in the Market Place (yet to take effect).
On a more positive note, that month saw Lincolnshire Day 2021 marked by a very enjoyable Friday Food Fest in the Market Place, with a host of stalls. This was arranged by North Lincolnshire Council. The Brigg Town Business Partnership also organised an event later that weekend.
One of the most pleasing features of the year has been the staging of regular Totally Locally and Antique/Craft markets on Saturdays, in addition to the long-established monthly farmers' market, which 'came of age' in June. It completed 21 years' successful trading since Coronation Street actor John Savident (butcher Fred Elliott in the TV series) attended the launch. I say, attended the launch!
The Brigg in Bloom group again contributed colourful floral displays in 2021, and the town enjoyed success in a regional competition which judged various communities' efforts across the region.
The competition to select Brigg's best gardens and allotments was able to resume, with certificates and trophies being presented from an al fresco base in the Market Place - a change from the previous practice of making the presentations in the Angel Suite.
Late summer saw famous tune Brigg Fair feature in the national Last Night of the Proms event covered by the BBC, helping to publicise our town and resulting in many online searches for background information about historic Brigg and its links with composers Frederick Delius and Percy Grainger.
Brigg & District Servicemen's Club marked its centenary with a special social event at the Coney Court venue, songs being provided by nostalgic group The Blighty Belles, from Lincoln, who proved very popular.
The Independent Brigg Line Rail Group continued to campaign for greater use of the Saturdays-only passenger train service calling at our local station, but various factors (some related to the virus) mean even the sparse timetable failed to operate on a number of occasions.
Brigg Horse Fair 2021 went ahead under blue skies in August on its traditional site adjoining the railway station.
This year has seen the demolition of the former Sherwood cycle shop premises on Bridge Street to make way for new housing and a retail unit (scheme yet to be completed).
Sadly, Brigg Bike Night in July was unable to take place, but we very much hope to bring welcome news of its return in 2022.
Keith Simpson proved a very popular choice as winner of the coveted Joseph J. Magrath Award for public voluntary service, being presented with his trophy during a council meeting held in the Methodist Church. Coun Brian Parker was installed as the new Brigg Town Mayor, with Keith serving as his Chaplain.
While she was still Town Mayor early in the year, Coun Sharon Riggall staged a Big Virtual Brigg Quiz online to raise money for her charity appeal fund.
Volunteers were praised for their litter-picking efforts across the town, with a number of organised sessions undertaken to bag up rubbish for disposal.
Newly-elected Humberside Police & Crime Commissioner, Jon Evison, gave an informative presentation to Brigg Town Council at one of its monthly meetings in the Buttercross. He addressed many points, answered questions and set out plans for the future.
Anti-virus jabs (first, second and boosters) were administered at medical surgery sessions in Brigg and also at an NHS walk-in one held in the Buttercross on the day when the Christmas lights were switched on. So many people turned up for injections that queues formed in the Market Place from early afternoon through to the evening.
December saw one of the biggest Santas ever in Brigg erected on the frontage of a house on Hawthorn Avenue.
For the record, Brigg Blog (founded in October 2007) brought its followers well over 1,100 posts on a wide range of topics during 2021 - keeping up our three-a-day target despite the difficulties posed by the virus emergency which restricted or led to the cancellation of some events and get-togethers.

PICTURED: Top row - A snowflake display projected onto the Buttercross, The Blighty Belles performing on stage at the Brigg & District Servicemen's Club 100th anniversary event, and Gracie's eatery soon after it opened to the public. Second row - Keith Simpson after receiving the Magrath Trophy, enjoying the Food Fest held on Lincolnshire Day (October 1) and visitors to Brigg Horse Fair 2021.

BRIGG BLOG REVIEWS THE LOCAL SPORT SCENE IN 2021

Brigg Town Football Club has progressed on and off the field during 2021 and enjoys some of the highest home attendances in Toolstation Northern Counties East League Division One in which the first team is chasing promotion to the Premier section.
Pips Kitchen, the Hawthorns bar and the Zebras' social facilities have proved popular during 2021.
Brigg Town FC Veterans are doing very well in the Hull League, playing on Sundays.
A football team based at the Black Bull pub was re-established for the 2021/22 season, playing home games as Brigg Recreation Ground. The players have already had some enjoyable matches in the Paul Fox Scunthorpe Sunday League, with more to follow in 2022. In decades past there were Black Bull teams in the Scunthorpe Sunday League and the Barton Regional League.
Briggensians FC introduced a second team this autumn, playing in the EC Surfacing Scunthorpe & District League on Saturdays - two divisions below their first team colleagues.
People in their homes or visiting local pubs with big screen TVs cheered on England's footballers, under Gareth Southgate, as they progressed to the final of the Euro competition in the summer.
Brigg Town Cricket Club's season in the Lincolnshire County League concluded with the retirement of its longest-serving player, Nigel Beacock and we were there to see him walk of the Rec Ground square for the final time.
Ancholme Rowing Club, with a boathouse off Manley Gardens, was pleased to be able to re-introduce its major Ancholme Head race in the autumn.
With a range of men's and ladies' teams, Brigg Hockey Club has continued to make full use of the all-weather 'blue astro' floodlit pitch at Brigg Rec.
Success was enjoyed by Brigg Tennis Club, using the same venue in 2021. Tennis events included a popular tournament and a range of coaching was provided.
Brigg Town Council installed an outdoor table tennis table on the Davy Memorial Playing Field near Bigby Road, following requests from young people, and this has been well used.
Some notable fundraising sports matches were held in Brigg during 2021.
In the summer the Gary 'Bottler Smith' cricket friendly at The Rec, involving current and past Brigg Town players, raised £837.50p for the Stroke Association. Gary Smith, the former Brigg opening batsman, was a spectator at this game.
On Monday this week, the Adrian Gibbons memorial football match between Briggensians and Brigg Over 30s raised £797 in support of Cardiac Screening Fundraising. This total will rise as donations are still being made via  
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/stephen-ayling-2
Indoor sports continue to be played in Brigg. In August we previewed the start of a new pool league season.

PICTURES FROM 2021: Brigg Town FC Veterans, cricketer Nigel Beacock leaving the field for the last time at The Rec, and a Brigg Tennis Club tournament being played at the same venue.

KARAOKE DISCO IN BRIGG ON NEW YEAR'S EVE

Please note there will be a karaoke disco tonight (Friday - New Year’s Eve) from 7.30pm at the Woolpack in Brigg Market Place. Pop in and take a look.
Brigg & District Servicemen's Club, on Coney Court, MAY have a few tickets remaining for tonight's gig by Special Bru (a ska and soul band). It looks like proving to be a sell-out by the time the group takes to the stage.
We note there's a Special Bru video clip on the net entitled Night Boat to Brigg.
The Black Bull, on Wrawby Street, ran a coach trip to the Boxing Day meeting at Market Rasen racecourse, with live music back at the Bull in the evening.

WILL BRIGG SEE TEMPERATURE RISE TO RECORD HIGH FOR LATE DECEMBER?

People across the Brigg area will be keeping a keen watch on the weather as the New Year draws near.
Very mild conditions are forecast for the next few days, with the temperature already topping 14C (57F) in our district early this morning (Thursday, December 30) which is positively balmy for the time of year. The blue image above shows the situation shortly before 8am today.
Weather experts suggest we may see 16C, 17C or even 18C (60 to 64F) ahead of, or in, the New Year.
This is due to a plume of warm air coming our way from the sub-tropical south-west.
It could be that a new temperature record for late December will be achieved.
Relatively high temperatures are going to be maintained after dark, too, so the central heating settings might need adjusting.
Brigg Blog recently reported on an unusually mild spell circa 1951 which saw cricket being played in Broughton over the festive period.
In contrast, some of us can recall the grim winter of 1962/63 when the end of December saw the mercury drop below freezing point and stay like that for much of January and February, with prolonged spells of snow and ice.
Late December 2010 saw a notable cold snap with snow showers, as shown in the Wrawby Street picture below.
Things will look very different this year as people venture out to celebrate the New Year.
Perhaps winter overcoats will be replaced by summer jackets.
How apt it is that palm trees (pictured top left) are located in the beer garden behind the Black Bull pub, on Wrawby Street!
The view of Brigg town centre seen above comes courtesy of Neil Stapleton.

 

 

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIGG ON NEW YEAR'S EVE

Live entertainment will be on offer at some licensed premises in Brigg & district on New Year's Eve (Friday, December 31).
Ska and soul band Special Bru will be performing at Brigg & District Servicemen's Club, Coney Court, on New Year's Eve (cover charge applies - no payment on the door).
The Britannia Inn, on Wrawby Street, will have drag queen DJ and performer Cherry Pops centre stage on New Year's Eve. People are being advised to get there ahead of 7pm to get a seat.

The Woolpack, in the Market Place, has a karaoke disco on New Year’s Eve.
Black Orchid, a rock & pop covers band (pictured above during an earlier local performance) will be playing at the Sutton Arms, Scawby, on Friday evening.
It will be interesting to see if the traditional New Year's Eve linking of hands and singing a verse or two of Auld Lang Syne features tonight as the clock on top of the Buttercross ticks past midnight.
'First footing' - visiting neighbouring households carrying a lump of coal to bring good luck - is a once-common tradition in Brigg which has declined in line with 'real' fires, although some Brigg properties still have these.
In time for the New Year, Ken Harrison, of Brigg Matters Magazine, has kindly sent us a topical picture (below) he took recently of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, London ..."home to the Prime Meridian and GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)" he explains.
It is located in Greenwich Park, next to the Planetarium and overlooking the National Maritime Museum.
The ball on the tower was once vital for mariners aboard vessels on the very busy River Thames, being raised and lowered at a set time each day so they could set their clocks accurately and later use this to accurately fix their position at sea via longitude. The first very accurate timepiece was invented by John Harrison, who once lived at Barrow-on-Humber, North Lincolnshire. It helped to revolutionise nautical navigation. The discovery of a very valuable John Harrison timepiece provided the plot for one of the most famous episodes of TV comedy Only Fools And Horses. It turned up, centuries later, in Del Boy's Peckham lock-up and made him and brother Rodney Trotter multi-millionaires. Lovely, jubbly!

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY MEMORIES OF PAST NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS IN BRIGG

Brigg is well-served by licensed premises where people will be meeting up on New Year's Eve to herald the arrival of 2022.
However, the town has lost some venues which were once popular meeting places either side of Christmas.
Many of us have happy memories of New Year's Eve sessions at the Nelthorpe Arms, particularly when long-serving mine hosts Myles and Mary Scanlon ran the Bridge Street hostelry with its 'real' fire in the bar and jukebox.
The large function room at the Ancholme Inn, on Grammar School Road, accommodated many December celebrations for Brigg clubs and organisations.
Some offices in Brigg with relatively few people on the payroll would meet up in the old lounge at the back of the Queens Arms, on Wrawby Street. This was before the pub was given an open plan layout which resulted in three rooms becoming one.
The Brocklesby Ox pub, on Bridge Street, saw many events in December, culminating New Year celebrations.
The Ancholme and 'Brock Ox' have both been demolished with housing taking their place; the Nelthorpe Arms has been converted into residential accommodation; the former Queens Arms, Fish Inn (and later Vines) building is still evident alongside the A18 but is no longer operating as a restaurant.
Many major functions in December were hosted in the cavernous Brigg Corn Exchange and also in the Ballroom of the nearby Angel Hotel. Layne's Garage (once employing dozens of people) and Spring's riverside preserves factory (several hundred) held festive socials at these venues.
Most Brigg businesses and factories used to have December social events years ago with some employees also visiting town centre pubs in groups over the festive season, particularly after leaving work for the last time before Christmas.

PICTURED: Some of the people who attended a ball at Brigg Corn Exchange in the mid-1960s - photographed from the stage.

1,000+ WATCH BRIGG TOWN IN LEAGUE ACTION AS 'GIBB GAME' DONATIONS CONTINUE

More than 1,000 spectators watched Brigg Town Football Club's first team game yesterday (Tuesday, December 28) as donations continue to be received for a worthy cause allied to Monday's Adrian Gibbons ('Gibb') charity match which was played at the EC Surfacing Stadium.
Unfortunately for the Zebras and their travelling fans, Brigg were defeated 3-2 at Hallam yesterday in an important game involving teams aspiring to promotion from ToolStation Northern Counties East Division One.
The 1,128 spectators present in Sheffield saw Scott Phillips (penalty) and Jon Oglesby net for Brigg Town in the second half. Town were one down at half-time.
Hoping to secure promotion at the end of the season (automatically or through the play-offs) Brigg remain in third spot, while Hallam have now gone above North Ferriby to become the new leaders. Ferriby lost 2-1 at home to mid-table Hall Road Rangers yesterday in a local derby also watched by more than 1,000 people.
We have received an update from Steve Ayling on the Briggensians v Brigg Over 30s charity match in memory of Adrian Gibbons which was played at Brigg Town's EC Surfacing Stadium (Hawthorns) on Monday (see picture above).
It includes a big thank you to all the players and spectators who collectively raised a "whopping" £797 in support of Cardiac Screening Fundraising. Special thanks go to Jane Gibbons and Jon Taylor for their help and support.
Brigg Blog has also received a welcome link to a JustGiving page from Steve, where people can find out more...
https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/stephen-ayling-2

We note that local residents and others with Brigg connections have donated to the cause very recently, and there's an opportunity for others to do likewise in the days ahead.

BRIGG TOWN CENTRE PREMISES RATED FOR FOOD HYGIENE

North Lincolnshire Council, which continues to carry out routine food hygiene inspections across its district, has now graded further premises within Brigg town centre.
It has awarded the highest possible mark - five stars - to St John's Church Hall on Bigby Street - rated 'Very Good' for food hygiene.
St John's Church Hall scored highly in all three sections of the inspection dated earlier this month - Food Hygiene and Safety, Structural Compliance, and Confidence in Management.
This community hall has a kitchen which is used for preparing and serving refreshments and is also the venue for various functions at which food is served.
Brigg Town Council made a generous grant, some years ago, to purchase a new cooker when the hall was being refurbished.

PLAYERS FROM FOUR CLUBS IN THE BRIGG AREA HAD DINNER WITH SPORTING LEGEND

 

Following Brigg Blog recently posting several nostalgic local sports articles, Broughton's Neil Simpson has been in touch with details about the formation of a cricket competition serving North Lincolnshire.
The Scunthorpe & District League did not feature Brigg or Broughton when it launched in the mid-1930s, but sides from Scawby, Elsham, Hibaldstow and and Barnetby took part. We presume these village clubs all had players and officials present at the function.
The images here show the 'batting order' for the speeches which accompanied the annual dinner held in October 1935 at Scunthorpe's Crosby Hotel, when the guest of honour was Herbert Sutcliffe, the famous England and Yorkshire batsman who played in 54 Tests for his country.
The league's chairman back then was Ernest Plowright, who lived on Central Square, Brigg, in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
Editor of the Scunthorpe Star weekly newspaper, this well-known journalist was the father of famous actress Dame Joan Plowright (Lady Olivier) who is widely regarded as the most famous Brigg person of all time, having been born in Brigg in 1929.
Ernest, who subsequently moved to Scunthorpe, proposed a toast to the King (George V) while Talbot Cliff proposed another to the Lincolnshire County Cricket Club.
Talbot, who had played first class cricket for Worcestershire, was a member of the family which pioneered and developed ironmaking and then steelmaking in Scunthorpe in the latter decades of the 19th century, living in a mansion at Scawby (The Grove). He was a local magistrate.
Neil Simpson informs us that 13 teams took part in the inaugural Scunthorpe Cricket League season:

DIVISION A
Elsham
Scawby
Hibaldstow
Barnetby
Thomas Firth and John Brown's (Firth Brown foundry)
Appleby-Frodingham 2nd XI (steelworks)
Ashby

DIVISION B
Whitton
Winteringham
Scunthorpe LNER (railway company)
Messingham
Scunthorpe Postal Staff
West Butterwick

Winteringham won the title, being presented with the Dinsdale Cup, which had not been used for a decade.
Herbert Sutcliffe, speaking at this function, bemoaned the “doping of wickets to such an extent that even the best bowlers in England can’t get life out of them.”
He was talking about first class cricket; local pitches would have been rather different for batting!
Herbert also mentioned the dropping of Larwood and Voce following the short-pitched 'Bodyline' tactics employed by England in a famous, or infamous, 1932-33 Test series in Australia.
“No England team can be complete without them," Herbert said in his speech about Harold and Bill, two of the pace bowlers who played Down-Under for a touring side captained by Douglas Jardine.
Decades later the solid silver Dinsdale Trophy was used for a knockout cup competition arranged by the Broughton Evening Cricket League. This was won by Brigg Town in 1978.
It had also been won by Brigg in 1908, an inscription on the plinth revealed as the 1978 team took the trophy back to their HQ - the White Horse pub, on Wrawby Street, for close inspection amid the celebrations.
Neil says Barnetby won the Scunthorpe League in its second season.
The Brigg Town team ceased to function at some point in the 1930s and the club did not play league cricket again until 1974.
Brigg gained admission to the Lincolnshire County League in 1976 at the same time as Broughton.
They both still play in this competition - Broughton having two teams.

PICTURED: The menu card from the dinner held in 1935, autographed on the night by Herbert Sutcliffe. A five-course meal was served, including joints of beef and ham, and roast chicken. It must have helped to have T. Fisher (no relation) as a league official and present at this function, as he was proprietor of a large butchery business. We believe this menu card was signed for a member of the Messingham club.

CLOSE ENCOUNTER AT BRIGG TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB IN AID OF CHARITY

A close encounter was played and enjoyed at Brigg Town Football Club's EC Surfacing Stadium (Hawthorns) yesterday (Monday, December 27).
The annual match held in memory of long-serving Brigg teacher Adrian Gibbons saw the Briggensians draw 1-1 at full-time with Brigg Over-30s. The 'Old Boys' then won on penalties to secure the trophy for another year.
Among those to score from the spot was 72-year-old Col Mumby who, well over 50 years ago, played for Scunthorpe United Reserves alongside Kevin Keegan, who went on to become a much-capped England international.
Following yesterday's match, members of both teams took part in various 'indoor games' including darts, pool, dominoes and fives & threes, plus a quiz. 

Some £797 was raised to help fund a mobile cardiac screening for young people. View details through this link...

Adrian Gibbons, who played football for various local teams including Brigg Town and Briggensians, died in 2014, aged 63.
He was a very popular and highly respected teacher at Sir John Nelthorpe School, Brigg. 'Gibb' also helped to organise many quizzes in the town.

PICTURED ABOVE: Col Mumby relaxing on the touchline between playing stints and members of the teams on the field after the game. Images courtesy of Simon Fisher.

COVID-19 'BOOSTER BUS' TO CALL IN BRIGG & TAKE PEOPLE TO SCUNTHORPE FOR THEIR JABS

Help is available for Brigg people needing transport to get their Covid-19 injections in Scunthorpe.
North Lincolnshire Council says its 'booster bus' will be making its way to Brigg on Wednesday (December 29) and Barton the following day.
This bus is for people who are struggling to get to the walk-in Covid-19 vaccination centre at The Foundry in the steel town.
Call 01724 297000 and choose option 6 to book your seat.
Public health officials are urging local people to get booster jabs as soon as possible "as more than 200 suspected cases of Omicron are identified in North Lincolnshire."
Tessa Lindfield, North Lincolnshire’s Director of Public Health, said: “As expected, Omicron has arrived in North Lincolnshire with over 200 suspected cases currently identified. This looks set to rise sharply over the coming days.
“Two doses of the vaccine do offer some protection, but the booster jab reduces the risk of illness by around 70 per cent and dramatically reduces the risk of serious illness and hospitalisation.
“Locally, the NHS have ramped up the vaccine programme with GPs, pharmacies and the vaccination centres at the Ironstone and The Foundry pulling out all the stops to offer first, second and booster vaccinations. Most older people have had the booster but there are still thousands of people aged under 50 that will be offered the jab over the next couple of weeks to meet the Government’s target.
“Health and care services are under pressure. The vast majority of people in hospital with Covid-19 have not been vaccinated. I would urge everyone to do all they can to keep themselves and their loved ones safe over the holiday period. Please get fully vaccinated and think carefully about how much you mix with others. Prioritise important meetings and avoid those that can wait. Check you aren’t unintentionally spreading Covid-19 by taking a lateral flow test before catching up with people, and remember... hands, face, space and fresh air.”
Vaccinations can be booked online via the NHS website, through your GP or some pharmacies.
The walk-in vaccination centre is open in The Foundry between 9am and 5pm Tuesday to Saturday – no appointment needed.

FOUNDRY SESSION TIMES

Wednesday 29 December: 9am to 5pm
Thursday 30 December: 9am to 5pm
Friday 31 December (New Year's Eve): 9am to 5pm
Saturday 1 January (New Year's Day): closed
Sunday 2 January: closed
Monday 3 January (Bank Holiday): closed
Tuesday 4 January: 9am to 5pm.

Brigg Blog noted recently that Lincolnshire's dial-a-ride Call Connect buses were being deployed to operate a shuttle service from Lincoln to the Lincolnshire Showground (north of the city) so people could get their jabs at walk-in sessions.

Image credit: North Lincolnshire Council.

PRIZE-WINNING CHRISTMAS LIGHTS NEAR THE BROUGHTON & BRIGG BORDER

Brigg Blog's Christmas Eve post about what we suggested might well be the biggest Santa currently on display at a domestic property in the town proved to be very well read, and has prompted someone living just over the border in Broughton parish to get in touch with these pictures.
She proudly informs us that her household's display on Riverside, Waters Edge (near the New River Ancholme which marks the boundary) has won first prize in the Broughton parish Christmas lights competition 2021. People don’t need to enter; the judges look around the area to see what's on display.
Broughton Town Council announced its winners as follows: 1st place, 4 Riverside, Waters Edge (pictured above); second place, 11 Westminster Road, Broughton; third place, 8 Beechwood Crescent, Broughton.
The council praised a number of other domestic displays, plus the Red Lion pub and nearby St Mary's Church for their lighting.
There was a very high standard of entries this year so "the judging was incredibly difficult."
Broughton Town Council announced its top three via social media on Christmas Eve.

BRIGG PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICE TO BE WITHDRAWN FOR SIX WEEKS

Brigg Blog is sorry to impart some negative news for local public transport users.
All the passenger trains calling at our railway station and Kirton Lindsey's will be CANCELLED for six weeks, beginning in the New Year.
Northern, which provides the Saturdays-only Sheffield to Cleethorpes service via Barnetby is withdrawing trains along the Brigg line in a Covid emergency "amended" timetable operating from January 4 to February 19, 2022.
Northern will NOT be operating a substitute bus service during this period.
Often in the past, when trains have failed to run for various reasons, a luxury coach has been arranged to call at all stations on the route.
Although appreciating the staffing difficulties currently being faced, isn't there a case for our local line to be given priority when it comes to allocating available resources due to the fact it only has a service one day a week (and just six journeys in total)?
Many other lines in the north which get trains far more often than Brigg does will still have trains running in the New Year when the amended timetable is introduced.
It's only a few weeks since a new timetable became effective for passenger trains on the Brigg Line. This was intended to cover the period through to May 2022.

PICTURED: The first Saturday train of the morning (and the week) picking up passengers in Brigg some months ago, and a substitute bus at our railway station at a later date when the trains did not run.

ANOTHER BIG GAME AHEAD FOR BRIGG TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

Big games just keep on coming for Brigg Town Football Club.
Having beaten leaders North Ferriby in their last fixture, the Zebras now journey to second-in-the-table Hallam (Sheffield) tomorrow (Tuesday, December 28).
Brigg (third) are currently two points behind Hallam and four adrift of Ferriby in Toolstation Northern Counties East Division One after playing 22 league games apiece.
It's anticipated that the top side in Division One will gain automatic promotion, with the second and third ranked teams going into end-of-season play-offs in May against lowly teams from the Premier, to decide who goes up or stays up.

Brigg Town's next first team Toolstation League game will be on Monday, January 3, 2022, when they host Armthorpe Welfare (from Doncaster) at the EC Surfacing Stadium (Hawthorns) kicking off at 3pm.

DON'T MISS OUT: AMENDED BRIGG BIN COLLECTION FOR CHRISTMAS WEEK

Don't miss your Christmas bin collections this year, Brigg people are being told by North Lincolnshire Council.
There's an important change to note this week... Brigg households will have their bins emptied A DAY LATER.
So instead of collections taking place tomorrow (Tuesday) they will be carried out on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29.
Crews will be emptying general waste wheelie bins, blue recycling boxes filled with newspapers and magazines, and green kerbside boxes containing cans, glass and clean aluminium foil.
"It can be hard to keep track of the days over the festive period," the authority says, "and with three bank holidays, bin and box collection dates will be changing this year.
"If you don’t have a collection calendar, check your collection dates on the North Lincolnshire Council website (USE THIS LINK) or call the contact centre on 01724 297000.
"From now until the end of February, winter opening times are in effect at all eight Household Recycling Centres across North Lincolnshire."
The council would like local people to recycle as much as possible, especially as more stuff is generated at this time of year.
Greetings cards without glitter can be recycled in your burgundy bin or at the Household Recycling Centres. If a card has glitter on, place it in the general waste bin.
You can recycle your old Christmas lights in a standard supermarket carrier bag "and present along with your kerbside boxes," the council says.
Clean aluminium foil can be recycled in your green box.
Wrapping paper can be recycled in your blue box or at one of the paper banks across the area, but avoid any wrapping paper which is laminated or is not made from paper.

BRIGG TOWN FC TO HOST MATCH TOMORROW IN MEMORY OF ADRIAN GIBBONS

A football match in memory of former player Adrian Gibbons will take place at Brigg Town FC's EC Surfacing Stadium (Hawthorns) tomorrow (Tuesday, December 27) by kind permission of the club. Kicking off at 11am, it will be raising money for charity.
This long-established 'old boys' game is to resume after being postponed last year due to Coronavirus emergency lockdown.
It will combine the long-established post-Christmas Briggensians get-together/reunion involving former football-playing pupils of Sir John Nelthorpe School and the 'Gibb' fixture played in memory of this very popular local teacher and ex-Brigg Town and Briggensians footballer who died seven years ago.
All the players tomorrow will be donating £10 to the Cardiac Risk in the Young charity. There will also be an opportunity for spectators to contribute on the day.
For many years the Briggensians Association, representing former SJN pupils and staff, held winter sports reunions a few days after Christmas, with 'Gibb' being one of the organisers.
These football matches were followed by 'indoor games' and a drink or two on licensed premises.

 

Adrian Gibbons - fondly remembered by so many people in the Brigg area.

 

DOZENS OF NEW HOMES PROPOSED IN BRIGG

A proposal to build dozens of new homes in Brigg is subject to a public consultation period which will end on December 30.
Back in summer 2020, outline planning permission was initially sought from North Lincolnshire Council to erect 70 dwellings at the Keyo Agricultural Services site off Island Carr Road. A decision was not forthcoming at the time.
However, earlier this month and also during November, various new documents relating to this application were made public through the local planning authority.
The latest of these - "produced for Keyo Agricultural" - says: "The proposed works consist of the demolition of the existing warehouses, outhouses, offices and hardstanding and the construction of 53 new houses with parking spaces and rear gardens. Also, the development of new green space and planting trees and creation of an attenuation pond."
Other recent documents supplied to the planning authority include several which relate to 'drainage strategy'.
New documentation has resulted in the current consultation period - an initial one having been held last year.
North Lincolnshire Council will decide the outline planning application in due course.
The proposed site is at the northern end of Island Carr near Glanford Boat Club's headquarters.

BRIGG & BROUGHTON BOXING DAY SPORTS MEMORIES

 

Boxing Days in Brigg & district long ago used to feature some regular sports fixtures.
In the 1980s while most club hockey was still being played on grass pitches, Boxing Day morning friendlies were arranged at Brigg Recreation Ground.
These were inter-club encounters and sometimes a bottle or two of spirits would be taken along to warm the players up at half-time, but chiefly the umpires!
Broughton Cricket Club once hosted a friendly game at Christmas time... in mild weather, as demonstrated by the picture above kindly supplied by Neil Simpson from his club archives. Neil has looked up weather records and thinks it's 1951. Was the match repeated in future years?
There was also an opportunity for local league football decades ago on Boxing Day in the Brigg area, if this happened to be a Saturday.
When the Brigg Branch of the Grimsby Town Supporters' Club ran buses to all home games (between the late 1950s and the early 1980s) plenty of fans would be picked up in Cary Lane and at the stop outside Wrawby Road's cemetery to be whisked off to Blundell Park, if the Mariners had a Boxing Day home fixture.
This bus, provided by Broughton's Daisy company, followed a meandering route via Wrawby, Barnetby, Bigby, Owmby, Searby, Grasby and Keelby - picking up villagers.
One Boxing Day we recall that some supporters had met up in Brigg pubs for a festive ale or three prior to boarding. 

The lads were getting very uncomfortable, with legs firmly crossed, by the time the bus reached the outskirts of Grimsby. We think an emergency stop was requested.
Football League matches involving Grimsby Town and Scunthorpe United used to be played on Christmas Day into the 1950s.
A few other League clubs persisted with this practice into the 1960s, generally involving local derby clashes which meant less travelling for away fans.

BRIGG AREA FOOTBALL MATCHES WERE PLAYED ON CHRISTMAS DAY WHEN TRAINS STILL RAN ON DECEMBER 25

Christmas Day in the Brigg area was once seen as a good time to play, or watch, local sports fixtures.
Lee Fielden - Barnetby United Football Club's stalwart player, official and historian - has kindly furnished Brigg Blog with details of a couple of games which were enjoyed on Christmas Day.
Match report cuttings in Lee's extensive archive show a 'seven-goal classic' home match circa 1937, which was watched by more than 300 spectators!
Post-war in the 1948-49 season, Barnetby played at home to Louth United on Christmas Day and won 10-0 in a Grimsby League first division encounter.
Nicknamed The Railwaymen, Barnetby's footballers then travelled to Louth on Boxing Day and won 7-1.
This prompts us to wonder if, as a passenger train service still operated on Christmas Day, this was how Barnetby's players got to and from Louth - family car ownership not being widespread in those days.
Passengers could board trains at Barnetby station to Grimsby Town and then change to head south to Louth along the East Lincolnshire Line. It closed in 1970, as part of British Rail's so-called Beeching Cuts.
This route ran through North Thoresby and Ludborough, whose village stations have since been reopened by enthusiasts as the popular Lincolnshire Wolds heritage railway.
A quick check online today suggests that BR was still timetabling trains in England on Christmas Day in the mid-1960s.
Perhaps someone who follows Brigg Blog has archive material showing the last time Brigg Town FC, or other local teams, played  league games on Christmas Day.
Barnetby players decades ago must have been well chuffed to be supported by 300 villagers on Christmas Day!

PICTURED ABOVE: A now-preserved B1 4-6-0 steam loco, built in the 1940s, arriving at Barnetby railway station. Image courtesy of Lee Fielden.

 

Click on these images to take a closer look at the reports.

 

BRIGG CONSERVATION AREA REPLACEMENT SCHEME APPROVED

Planned improvements to a building in Brigg town centre have been approved.
Listed building consent has been granted by North Lincolnshire Council to allow the replacement of two sash windows at the well-known Albert House guest house at 23 Bigby Street.
The property has grade two listed status, is within the Brigg Conservation Area and is described as being Victorian in age.
Information submitted to the council with the application said a local joinery firm had been instructed to carry out this work.
"The windows will be made up as they were in 1857," the statement stresses. "They will be exact replicas - inside and out."
The applicant said she felt very passionate about keeping Albert House in its original format.
The current windows outlined in the applications are considered to be life expired.
North Lincolnshire Council has also given consent for pruning to be carried out to a beech tree which is subject to a Preservation Order - the location being 10 & 12 St Clares Walk, Brigg.

GENEROUS CHRISTMAS DONATION FROM BRIGG TO SCUNTHORPE HOSPITAL CHILDREN'S WARD

Smiles were put on the faces of children in hospital today following a generous festive season donation from Brigg.
Youngsters on the Disney Ward at Scunthorpe General Hospital over Christmas are getting to know a giant teddy bear called Duncan.
He was won by Brigg shopper Jayne Fisher in a Tesco Extra Christmas name this bear competition.
Through social media, local people were then asked to nominate worthy causes they thought would benefit from having Duncan donated, with different suggestions forthcoming.
A special trip was made from Brigg to the Disney Ward to deliver the bear to his new home in time for Christmas.
The big teddy filled the entire space behind the front two seats in a hatchback.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO ALL BRIGG BLOG'S FOLLOWERS ACROSS THE WORLD

Brigg Blog sends its very best wishes for a happy Christmas to all our followers across the town and district, throughout North Lincolnshire, elsewhere in the British Isles and abroad, including the Far East, Australia and New Zealand.
While at home celebrating Christmas with family and friends, let's spare a thought for those people who undertake essential work, for whom it will be "business as usual" on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
They include the police, fire and ambulance services, care/residential home workers, on-call doctors and vets, those working in shops that are trading, and people in the hospitality sector who will be serving up festive fare and dispensing drinks.
Pictured above is a snowy scene in Brigg Market Place, taken from our active. Some years ago it was used, with our permission, on Christmas cards sent by the then Brigg Town Mayor.

CHRISTMAS GIG IN BRIGG BY THE DIRTY PITCHERS PROVES VERY POPULAR

Local band The Dirty Pitchers proved very popular when they performed a Christmas gig at a Brigg pub last night (Thursday, December 23).
The lads were at the Dying Gladiator and supplemented their Britpop playlist with some festive tunes including Slade's 1970s smash hit Merry Christmas Everybody.
Bar staff were kept very busy serving customers at the Bigby Street hostelry throughout and after this free-to-attend gig.
Tonight (Christmas Eve) will also see many people venturing out to visit bars across the town centre.
Local licensed premises which have opted to open at various times on Christmas Day will cater for customers having a drink before or after tucking into their traditional lunches.
Down at the Yarborough Hunt, on Bridge Street, Lincolnshire Craft Beers had locally-brewed seasonal Christmas ale on sale last night when we popped in, in addition to its traditional tipples and craft selections.

 

 

THE BIGGEST SANTA IN BRIGG THIS CHRISTMAS?

Brigg Blog suggests this might well be the biggest Santa on view in the town for Christmas 2021.
The real gift-delivering legend from the Arctic Circle has been calling at this property on Hawthorn Avenue since the sizeable housing development involving more than 80 homes was built for Brigg Urban District Council some 90 years ago.
But when Santa arrives later today aboard his sleigh, he is bound to be impressed by his huge likeness on the front of this Hawthorn house, close to Preston Drive.
It has proved a local talking point since being erected for the festive season.
Our thanks to to Simon Fisher for the images.
We had intended to photograph the huge Santa last week while making a tea-time visit to The Garden chippie, but the number of parked vehicles near the property, which adjoins a road junction, defeated our planned stop.
Thankfully, the Government has not introduced any further virus-related lockdown restrictions ahead of Christmas.
So as long as Santa wears a mandatory face-covering, he should be OK to call at ALL Brigg properties tonight as part of his global tour.
Once safely returned to his northerly HQ, he will be ready for a drink after all that effort to please kids and adults.
Some licensed premises in Brigg will be opening for limited periods on Christmas Day.
The Dying Gladiator (from 11am through lunchtime) and the Woolpack (from 5pm) have informed Brigg Blog that they will be catering for customers on the 25th. The Lord Nelson will be open through the afternoon. Some other 'locals' in our area will also be trading.
Having mentioned fast food earlier in this post, we've been informed that today (Friday, December 24) is likely to prove very busy for takeaways in the t.own.
People across the UK order 66 per cent more takeaways on Christmas Eve, according to research by Foodhub, one of the UK’s leading food ordering apps "as Brits look for a stress-free solution ahead of Christmas Day."
Foodhub tells us the busiest period for ordering takeaways on Christmas Eve is between 6.30pm and 7.30pm.
"So Brits are urged to use Foodhub’s pre-order tool to book ahead of the golden hour, to avoid any delays and disappointments," the firm adds.
It has also revealed that the UK’s "favourite takeaway of choice" on Christmas Eve is pizza, with Indian food and Chinese following in second and third place.
And finally... Santa's longest present-delivering stop-off in Brigg decades ago used to be at a house on Hawthorn Avenue, where the Dunderdale family lived. Mr and Mrs D. had 11 children.... all boys, born successively from the mid-1950s. Latterly, the council gave the Dundy clan part of next door's semi to use as additional space. Having two chimneys to use must have assisted Santa.
View more details about the Dunderdale family here...

RISE IN BRIGG CRIME OVER THE MONTH

Just ahead of Christmas 2021, the latest Brigg crime statistics have been published through www.police.uk
They show the number of incidents in the town that were reported to Humberside Police during November 2021.
That month saw 65 crimes logged - the first time this year that the average had exceeded two crimes per day.
There were 31 crimes in or near the town centre in November, a further 16 on the Springbank estate and eight others across the St Helens/Churchill Avenue housing area. There were four crimes recorded on Newlands.
In comparison, here are the totals for the other months this year (with December's still to come):
October 49, September 36, August 41, July 38, June 54, May 58, April 57, March 47, February 36, January 34.
That adds up to 515 total crimes over 11 months, giving a monthly average of 46.8 (approximately 1.5 crimes per day).
Crime stats graphic credit: Google Maps/Humberside Police/www.police.uk

CHRISTMAS EVE 2021 IN BRIGG: ENTERTAINMENT AT THE TOWN'S PUBS & CLUBS

 

Licensed premises in Brigg town centre have plenty to offer people wishing to venture out tomorrow, Christmas Eve (Friday, December 24). Some of the hostelries are offering free-to-attend music sessions in the evening.
Paul Stapleton will be singing at the Lord Nelson, Market Place. He performs songs "spanning the decades."
Brigg & District Servicemen's Club has the Hot Wheels Rockabilly Disco for its Christmas Eve party, with free admission on offer at the Coney Court venue.
The evening of the 24th will see karaoke & disco sessions at the Dying Gladiator, Bigby Street, and at the Woolpack, Market Place.
Singer Jacqui will be performing at Broughton Workingmen's Club on Friday night.

PICTURED ABOVE: The unique Dying Gladiator pub sculpture in Brigg wearing a Santa hat during a previous Christmas. Whether he will do so again this year remains to be seen; top right - the Gladiator after dark and the Black Bull, on Wrawby Street - this Christmas being its 201st since being established as a hostelry!

GUIDE TO BRIGG CHRISTMAS CHURCH SERVICES & CHANCE TO WATCH LINCOLN CATHEDRAL SERVICE ONLINE

People who are planning to attend church services in Brigg over the Christmas period should note the following information.
St John's Church, Bigby Street/Wrawby Street: Christmas Eve, Friday, December 24 - 6pm, Crib Service led by Keith Simpson, the Town Mayor's Chaplain; Sunday, December 26 - 9.30am, Holy Communion with Harry Smart, Scunthorpe Hospital Chaplain.
Methodist Church, Barnard Avenue/Wesley Road: Saturday, December 26 - 11am, Christmas Day Worship; Sunday, December 26 - 10.30am, Methodist Circuit Service (use the Zoom platform to log on).
St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Barnard Avenue: Christmas Eve, Friday, December 24 - 8.30pm, Christmas Mass; Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25 - 11am, Mass.
Brigg is currently without a Church of England vicar; Father Owain Mitchell conducted his last service at St John's on Sunday, December 29, 2019, prior to taking up an appointment at a parish in Derbyshire.
The Lincoln Diocese has yet to announce a successor to Father Owain, who also ministered to the spiritual needs of parishioners in Wrawby, Cadney & Howsham, Bonby, Worlaby and Saxby.

PICTURED ABOVE: Keith Simpson, the Brigg Town Mayor's Chaplain, and St John's Church during Father Owain's final service (images by Ken Harrison); St Mary's Roman Catholic Church (top right) and Brigg Methodist Church.

St Kath’s Brings Festive Cheer to Lincolnshire Care Community

People in care will be able to watch a special carol service in Lincoln Cathedral from the comfort of their own home thanks to an initiative by St Katherine’s Care.
‘Carols for Care’ is the brainchild of the homecare provider’s Managing Director Colin Webb, who also runs music production company Acoustic Nations.  
Colin and the team at Acoustic Nations have spent the past few weeks filming and producing a carol service featuring the world-class Lincoln Cathedral choir and an address by the Dean of Lincoln, the Very Revd Christine Wilson.
The service is available for people to watch for free via a link in an email. To ensure as many people as possible can enjoy it, St Katherine’s Care has teamed up with the Lincolnshire Care Association (LinCA) which will also be sending the email out to all its contacts.
“For many people a carol service at Christmas is one of the highlights of their year,” explained Colin.
“It’s the kind of tradition that sends a glow of warmth up your spine but unfortunately not everyone, especially those who live in a care home or are receiving care at home, can visit their local church or indeed cathedral.
“We want to give that experience back to our friends and family in care this Christmas and hope that it will provide a vital lifeline for them to the local community and the city’s magnificent cathedral.  
“We’re so grateful to the choir, the Dean and all the staff at the cathedral for helping us to bring Lincoln Cathedral and its world-famous choir into the homes of the people who might miss it the most – those in care!”
The Very Revd Christine Wilson, Dean of Lincoln, said she was delighted to be taking part in the project.
“Advent and Christmas is a very special time of year at Lincoln Cathedral, one when we join in hope and expectation of the light of Christ coming into the world,” she said.
“The past couple of years have been more challenging than most, so this year it feels more important than ever to look forward in hope. But we know that not everyone is able to come to the cathedral, or visit any other church, and it is wonderful to have the opportunity to share the Christmas story in this creative way.
“We very much hope that by sharing the wonderful music of our talented choir and reflecting on the birth of Christ and the many gifts he brought to the world, we will bring some comfort and joy into people’s lives and ensure that they still feel part of the wider community.”
St Katherine’s Care clients helped to choose the carols sung by the choir during the service by voting for their favourite. Those that topped the list were O Little Town of Bethlehem, I Saw Three Ships, In the Bleak Midwinter, O Come All Ye Faithful, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Good King Wenceslas.
A customer of St Katherine’s Care said: “It's a very festive production and a great thing to see; it will be perfect to sit down with a mince pie and enjoy over this festive season. When people are unable to meet with their families this Christmas, this initiative will hopefully spread a little Christmas joy.”
Carols for Care is available for anyone living in care or their families to watch free of charge. If you would like to receive the link, please email colin@stkatherinescare.com or emily@acousticnations.com  

Images below of The Very Rev Christine Wilson, Dean of Lincoln, and the cathedral choir are courtesy of Shooting Star. 

THIS FOOTAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO WATCH OVER CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR. 

You can also watch it NOW using this direct link to YouTube...

 

 

STORE OPENING TIMES IN BRIGG FOR CHRISTMAS 2021 & NEW YEAR - TESCO, ALDI, LIDL AND B&M

Many people in Brigg will be looking to visit the town's major grocery stores - Tesco, Aldi, Lidl and B&M - to stock up on items over the Christmas 2021 and New Year 2022 period. Here, in one post, are the festive period opening times and also the days when these outlets will be closed.

TESCO IN BRIGG
The Tesco store on Barnard Avenue will open on Christmas Eve (Friday, December 24) from 6am to 7pm.
It will be closed on Christmas Day (Saturday, December 25) and on Boxing Day (Sunday, December 26)
Normal trading hours will then resume during the week until...
New Year's Eve (Friday, December 31): 6am to 7pm.
The Brigg store will remain closed on New Year's Day (Saturday, January 1, 2022).

ALDI IN BRIGG
Aldi says its Brigg store on Bridge Street will be open as follows over the festive period.
Christmas Eve: 7am to 6pm.
Christmas Day & Boxing Day: Closed.
December 27, 28, 29 and 30: open 8am to 10pm.
New Year's Eve - Friday, December 31: 8am to 6pm.
New Year's Day - Saturday, January 1: Closed.

LIDL IN BRIGG
The Lidl store on Atherton Way, Brigg, will be open as follows over the festive period:
Christmas Eve: 7am to 6pm.
Christmas Day & Boxing Day (December 25 and 26): Closed.
December 27, 28, 29, 30: open 8am to 10pm.
New Year's Eve - Friday, December 31: 8am to 7pm.
New Year's Day - Saturday, January 1: Closed.

B&M IN BRIGG
The B&M store on Riverside/Springs Parade, Brigg, will be open as follows over the festive period:
Christmas Eve: 8am to 5pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Sunday, December 26: open 10am to 4pm.
December 27, 28, 29, 30: 8am to 8pm.
New Year's Eve - Friday, December 31: 8am to 5pm.
New Year's Day - Saturday, January 1: Closed.

BRIGG PUBS TO HOST PRE-CHRISTMAS MUSIC FROM THE DIRTY PITCHERS AND LIAM SULLIVAN

There's live, FREE music to enjoy on licensed premises in Brigg tomorrow evening (Thursday, December 23).
Local band The Dirty Pitchers, famed for their Britpop covers and alternative rock tunes, will be appearing in an Acoustic Christmas Singalong at the Dying Gladiator, on Bigby Street, starting at 8pm. Audience members are being asked to wear Christmas jumpers.
At the Black Bull, on Wrawby Street, Liam Sullivan will provide the entertainment from 8pm.
Some Brigg people who normally venture out on Saturday night might well opt to switch to Thursday, with Christmas Day falling on a Saturday and Christmas Eve likely to prove somewhat different to usual Friday evenings in Brigg due to the festivities.
Our picture shows The Dirty Pitchers playing a previous gig in Brigg.

Today (Wednesday, December 22) there's a Jingle Bingo Party Night at Brigg & District Servicemen's Club, Coney Court, from 7.30pm.

DETAILED PLANS TO BUILD UP TO 48 NEW HOMES IN THE BRIGG AREA REFUSED BY COUNCIL

An application setting out detailed particulars of a development creating up to 48 new homes in the Brigg area has been refused planning permission by North Lincolnshire Council.
Three years ago the local authority granted outline approval for new housing near the B1207, Station Road, Hibaldstow.
But a follow-up application setting out the access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of this development has now been refused.
It was considered by North Lincolnshire Council's Planning Committee at its December meeting.
The authority informed the applicant's agent: "Insufficient information has been submitted to determine that the proposed layout is acceptable in relation to the provision of an adequate surface water drainage scheme."
Anyone refused planning permission by a local council has the option to lodge an appeal, to be undertaken by a Government-appointed inspector.