PATH CLOSURES BRING BACK MEMORIES OF BRIGG PEDESTRIANISATION

When did Brigg last see a prolonged period when various footpaths were out of action?
Different companies have been busy installing cables and undertaking essential works below ground level.
For something similar we may have to go back to the first half of the 1990s when the re-routing of the A18 along Barnard Avenue was followed by the extensive town centre pedestrianisation scheme.

A footpath closed near East Park yesterday (March 30) with an apology from Anglian Water on display.

Earlier this week, utility company Anglian Water excavated part of a footpath adjoining East Park, close to the Monument roundabout.
Brigg Blog looked into this (literally!) and was informed by an Anglian spokesperson yesterday (Wednesday, March 30): “Our teams are currently working in Brigg to replacing a damaged asset in the area.
"This is not causing any issues to water supplies and is confined to the area contained in the footpath and will not be affecting any roads.”
Anglian Water's reference to roads will be welcomed by motorists who, only a few weeks ago, suffered delays when one lane of the A18 had to be taken out of use while the utility company dealt with the aftermath of a burst water main over a number of days.
In addition to the Anglian Water projects, various Brigg footpaths have been, or are being, affected by the installation of cables for full-fibre broadband and essential electricity supply work.
All the recent works affecting local footpaths have been accompanied by on-site notices apologising for any inconvenience.
During Brigg Town Council's latest meeting, Coun Rob Waltham made reference to a lot of infrastructure work being carried out in the town.
He indicated that "remedial work" had been asked for on some footpaths.
Older town residents may well remember what things were like in the 1990s while the town centre was being pedestrianised - a lengthy task affecting paths.
The inner-relief road's construction along Barnard Avenue included building the new Ancholme Way Bridge over the Old River Ancholme to carry the re-routed A18.

PICTURED AT THE TOP OF THIS POST - Main image - pedestrianisation well advanced on Wrawby Street in the mid-1990s, plus recent views of paths in Brigg. 

 

 

BRIGG TO GIVE A HELPING HAND TO BIRDS AND BATS

Nesting birds and roosting bats are to receive a helping hand from Brigg Town Council.
A box suitable for breeding owls has already been installed locally, Town Mayor Coun Brian Parker revealed during the latest meeting  (location not identified for obvious reasons).
Now, following a suggestion made by Coun Jane Kitching, consideration is to be given to nesting provision for swifts, swallows and house martins, whose numbers have been declining.
Bats are also to benefit, with trees at the Cemetery and the Recreation Ground already suggested as possible locations.
The bird species identified for assistance will require nesting sites on suitable buildings.
Many of the roof eaves once used, particularly by swifts, have been lost due to various alterations made to local properties.
However, Coun Carl Sherwood suggested the owners of some buildings might be put off due to the mess created by the birds.
The council agreed to provide 10 bat boxes, 10 for birds and to establish a working group of councillors to consider this project in depth.
An update on progress is anticipated at a future meeting.

Swallows and house martins will be returning to Brigg later this month after wintering in Africa; swifts will follow them in May.

PICTURED: Trees at Brigg Cemetery and the Recreation Ground, plus a swift - a species which is nowhere near as common as it once was in the town.

'SIGNIFICANT DEMAND' FOR INDUSTRIAL UNITS IN BRIGG & MORE NOW PLANNED

The fact that Brigg is popular for commercial developments has been demonstrated by plans to create additional industrial units.
Well-known locally, CLS Engineering Ltd is seeking approval to erect eight industrial units, with associated parking and landscaping, on land to the north of Atherton Way.
This site is opposite Brigg Primary School and close to the M180.
Brigg Town Council's Planning & Environment Committee has been consulted about the scheme as part of the planning process.
At the committee's latest meeting held in the Angel building, Town Mayor Coun Brian Parker said five units had previously been approved for this site. Now the intention was to add three more.
Information supplied to North Lincolnshire planners in support of the application says: "Since the development of the five industrial units to the rear of the site has commenced, the applicant has realised significant demand for these units which exceeds the capacity of the current proposal.
"The applicant therefore wishes to amend the current permission for the front of the site to remove the B1 office and A3 café uses and develop the whole site with B2 & B8 industrial units."
North Lincolnshire Council will make its ruling on this application in due course.

Atherton Way was named after Coun Terry Atherton, the Leader of Glanford Borough Council and also the district's Mayor. Terry, from Kirton Lindsey, championed industrial and commercial development in the latter decades of the 20th century, with the aim of attracting companies and creating local employment.
Following the town planning meeting, we went down to photograph the development site at the weekend from Atherton Way, looking towards the M180. 

 

 

BRIGG YOUNGSTERS TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL PLAY EQUIPMENT

Brigg Town Council has discussed providing new play equipment for very young children who are taken along to Bigby Park near Kings Avenue.
Coun Rob Waltham told the authority's latest meeting that although older children were well catered for, there was a need to supply equipment for those in the 'early years' category.
Councillors were shown colour pictures of a wide range of play equipment for the very young which is available on the market.
Items mentioned by councillors during the discussions included play panels, talking flowers, secret message senders and push balancers.
Quotes having been received, further details about this project are expected to be revealed at a future meeting.
In recent years the Town Council has provided football goalposts, a new slide and an outdoor table tennis table on the Davy Memorial Playing Field (Bigby Park).
This supplements equipment provided by North Lincolnshire Council which operates the recreational area.
There has long been a fenced off portion aimed at the under-12s, with a range of play equipment including swings.
A comment from Coun Carl Sherwood during the discussions struck a chord with Brigg Blog, as it will with readers of a certain age.
He recalled the 1960s when Brigg youngsters put down four jumpers to mark out the goals while playing football on grassy areas in the town.
'Bigby Swings' (as local kids then called the Davy Memorial Field) was better equipped then than some similar areas in Brigg, also having a tall slide which was very popular.
However, Brigg Urban District Council did not cut Bigby Park's grass as often in the 1960s as it gets trimmed in the modern era.
Once the new equipment has been installed, the park will cater for successive age groups from toddlers through to late teens.

PICTURED: The Davy Memorial Playing Field as it currently looks.

 

 

BRIGG COUNCIL SUPPORTS PLANS FOR NEW HOUSING

Brigg Town Council has been consulted about plans to erect two semi-detached dwellings on land adjacent to 9 Princes Street, which is near the town centre at DN20 8HG.
During it latest meeting, the town authority's Planning & Environment Committee discussed this application and decided to support it.
However, the committee noted "the inadequacies in parking in this area."
It wished to "ensure the highways recommendations and design statement are taken into consideration and enforced in the conditions."
Those views have now been passed on to North Lincolnshire Council, which will decide the application in due course.
Coun Ann Eardley told Brigg's planning session that she wondered where residents of the properties were going to park.
Coun Sharon Riggall supported extra housing in the town but said the car parking issue should be mentioned.
Coun Jane Kitching added: "It is a busy road."
At its latest meeting, Brigg Town Council's Planning & Environment Committee raised no objections to an application seeking approval for a single-storey ground floor extension to the rear, a porch to the front, and internal alterations at 5 Winston Way, DN20 8UA. This is a cul-de-sac off Churchill Avenue.
North Lincolnshire planners will decide this application at some future date.
Land adjacent o 9 Princes Street is pictured above.

PERMISSION REFUSED FOR NEW BUILD IN BRIGG

North Lincolnshire Council has refused plans put forward to build a new dwelling, including access and parking arrangement changes, at 3 Eastfield Road, Brigg, DN20 8DP.
An assessment report prepared by council staff said the proposal sought to sub-divide the "amenity area" of No 3 along the side of the existing dwelling to erect a separate single-storey detached property.
Council planners received three letters from the public expressing "concerns" about the application.
Outlining its reasons for refusal, the local planning authority said: "The layout, siting and design of the dwelling are not appropriate as the proposal would harm the setting and the street scene.
"The dwelling proposed would be out of keeping with the character of the area and would have an unacceptable impact on the amenity of the neighbouring properties."
Eastfield Road, a residential area, connects with Wrawby Road (the A18).
Anyone refused planning permission by a local authority may, if they wish, lodge an appeal to be carried out by an appointed inspector.
Meanwhile, planning permission is being sought to erect a detached bungalow on land at Kerrow Moar, Lidgett Close, Scawby, DN20 9AW (decision yet to be made by North Lincolnshire Council).
A decision is also awaited from West Lindsey District Council on a detailed application to erect one dwelling with garage on land off Smithy Lane, Bigby (outline approval having been granted in June 2021).

PLANS TO TRANSFORM LISTED BUILDINGS IN BRIGG INTO STUDIO FLATS

Plans have been announced to transform historic grade two listed buildings within Brigg town centre into living accommodation.
They include what is described as a former abattoir, once allied to Mundey's butchery business in the nearby Market Place.
The buildings are to the rear of the Market Place near the Lord Nelson pub & restaurant's beer garden and close to the row of new town houses beside the Angel's rear car park.
Planning permission and listed building consent are being sought to convert the former abattoir "lean-to" and outbuildings to provide two one-bedroom residential studio flats, including partial demolition of an unstable listed building to reinstate.
Information supplied in support of the application describes the former abattoir and outbuildings as empty "although the adjoining properties have been maintained, retaining the characteristics of the street scene."
The intention is to provide living accommodation to the rear of the applicant's property, Gracie’s Café.
Car parking provision is indicated on the site for three vehicles.
North Lincolnshire Council is now considering the application, and Brigg Town Council will be consulted as part of the process.
A public consultation period has been established and will end on April 21, 2022.
North Lincolnshire Council will announce its decision at some future date.
There is considerable demand for living accommodation in Brigg, particularly within the town centre with its range of amenities.

PICTURED: Above - the former abattoir and adjoining buildings (proposed for conversion). Below - the proprietor outside Mundey's in the Market Place (perhaps in the 1950s); note the sign saying 'established over 300 years'.

 

COUNCIL TAX REBATES ON THE WAY FOR MANY BRIGG HOUSEHOLDS

Many households in Brigg and district are to receive council tax rebates.
Brigg Town Council's latest meeting was informed about the scheme by Coun Rob Waltham.
It applies to properties in council tax bands A, B, C & D.
North Lincolnshire Council's leader, Coun Waltham outlined what's coming up as part of a report on behalf of himself and the other Brigg & Wolds Ward representatives, Couns Carl and Nigel Sherwood.
In many cases, local people will receive their refunds in May.
Some senior residents will also get a further £75 from North Lincolnshire Council, he explained.
For householders who do not make council tax payments by direct debit through their bank accounts, arrangements will be made to "raise cheques" for  rebates.


FROM NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

Tens of thousands of households across North Lincolnshire will be automatically paid £150 Government-funded council tax rebate.
Householders living in council tax bands A to D are eligible for the rebate as part of a £9bn package from Government to help spread the cost of rising energy bills.
It comes after North Lincolnshire Council agreed to ensure 1,200 pensioners across the area would be getting a £75 cash boost to help with the cost of living.
The first tranche of payments will go automatically to the circa 50,000 residents in North Lincolnshire who already pay their council tax by direct debit – with payments being paid into bank accounts from mid-May.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This timely rebate will assist some 70,000 households across North Lincolnshire.
“It is part of a number of measures which the Government is supporting us with which will build stronger communities as we emerge from the pandemic.
“It is important people get their cash as soon as possible, so signing up for a direct debit means we will have your bank details to hand ready for when the payments are made.”
The payments are being made in May after bank account details have been verified by direct debits having been made in April.
Anyone who does not pay by direct debit can sign up quickly and easily over the phone by calling 0300 3030164 (option 5).
Make sure you have your council tax account reference number from your bill and your bank account details to hand.
Alternatively, you can print out this form from our website and send it to the address on the form or email counciltax@northlincs.gov.uk
Once the direct debit has been set up and a first payment collected, the rebate can be made.
Anyone who continues to pay their council tax by other methods will be contacted with details of how they will receive the rebate. For more information, go to the energy rebate section of our website.

WEEKEND HOCKEY MATCH AT BRIGG REC BRINGS BACK MEMORIES

We enjoyed watching part of what turned out to be a high-scoring men's hockey match on the all-weather pitch at Brigg Recreation Ground over the weekend.
Brigg 4ths were beaten 5-2 by Grimsby 2nds in the Yorkshire and North East Men's Division 2 Wold in an afternoon game on Saturday (March 26, 2022).
As league hockey is played on a regional basis, this can be classed as a Lincolnshire local derby!
Brigg's players are pictured here in their green shirts on the 'Blue Astro' surface.
It set us thinking about memorable matches between Brigg and Grimsby decades ago, when we were still turning out for the local club.
In the late 1980s and long before Brigg had an all-weather pitch, the club's 4ths were due to play Grimsby (3rds or 4ths?) on grass at the Rec.
However, final preparations were being made for the town's communal Bonfire Night celebrations later in the day, so this Saturday fixture was switched to a grass pitch at Sir John Nelthorpe Lower School (also off Wrawby Road).
It was the only time in a lengthy career we played in a club match at the school venue.
Grimsby won but the Brigg team was just happy to get a game when it seemed the fixture might have to be cancelled due to the Rec being ruled out.
In the mid-1980s, Grimsby and Brigg contested a Sunday friendly on a grass pitch which was at/near Waltham's former RAF airfield, close to the east coast.
It was bitterly cold with snow on the pitch and Brigg had to defend for much of the match to secure a rather surprising 1-0 win, given the playing strengths of the teams involved.
Brigg's Sunday side at the time played most weeks and was a mix of players drawn from all four teams.
On this occasion there were far more than usual drawn from 'the lower ranks' - a fitting term in view of the venue's history!
When we retired from club hockey in 2004, all the Brigg men's teams were competing in various divisions of the Yorkshire League on all-weather surfaces.
Most of the club's 'home' fixtures were at Quibell Park, Scunthorpe.
In the era of grass hockey, Brigg played many fixtures against teams from mid-Lincolnshire and even the south of the county, as far as Long Sutton.
The subsequent switch to the Yorkshire League reduced the travelling time for many away fixtures, as the motorway network and the A1 could be used.
Brigg players driving to away games in the 1980s and 1990s did not have 'sat nav' or smartphones with access to Google Maps.
Team captains had access to a book of directions and passed on details of how to find that afternoon's venue.
If any cars from Brigg got lost in towns or cities, the drivers pulled in to the side of the road and asked passing pedestrians for guidance!

 

 

BRIGG BIKE NIGHT COMING UP

A Brigg Bike Night has been arranged, and it will feature music and refreshments.
The venue will be Brigg Town Football Club's EC Surfacing Stadium (Hawthorns) at DN20 8DT.
Bike owners and lovers of two-wheel transport who attend on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 from 5.30pm, will enjoy live music provided by the Common Faults band.
Pip's Kitchen will be open and making food available. The licensed Hawthorns bar will also be serving.
We recall this indie rock and covers band being booked to appear at Brigg's Britannia Inn in 2018 and at the Woolpack three years ago.
The football ground offers easy access for bikers via Wrawby Road (the A18) and the Recreation Ground.
Traditional Brigg Bike Night get-togethers on Bridge Street were ruled out by Covid emergency restrictions on sizeable gatherings over the past two of summers.
Bikers and spectators will be hoping things can get back to normal one Friday evening in July 2022.
We'll keep you posted about this. Or should that read 'wheel' keep you posted?

IMPORTANT BRIGG LIVE ARTS MEETING AHEAD

A meeting aimed at ensuring the continuing prosperity of the Brigg Live Arts group is to be held in the town this week.
It will take place at the Yarborough Hunt pub, Bridge Street, on Wednesday (March 30) from 7pm.
Brigg Live Arts has staged many enjoyable events in the past.
The group is now seeking local support and more people's active participation to develop an exciting future programme.
Robert Fulford, who was the founder and chair of Brigg Live Arts, passed away some months ago.
The existing team hopes this group "will not only survive but develop further within the local community as a lasting legacy to Roberta."
People who cannot make it to Wednesday's get-together but are being keen to help are being asked to call 07706 087340.
Since 2011, Brigg Live Arts has staged festivals and art exhibitions, offered music and plays, plus film, magic and puppet shows, .
As a reminder, here's a link to what was provided at a typical Brigg Live Arts Fest...

BRIGG'S OWN ROYAL COURT HAS SPECIAL REASON TO CELEBRATE THE QUEEN'S PLATINUM JUBILEE

When Brigg celebrates the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, the milestone will have added significance for one housing development in the town and its residents.
Elizabeth Court was constructed on the northern edge of the Springbank estate by Brigg Urban District Council in the 1950s - the decade when the Queen  became our reigning monarch and heralding the start of a second Elizabethan era.  
The UDC provided 20-or-so properties, some looking towards open fields and others round the corner facing homes on Northern Avenue.
After the UDC was abolished by local government re-organisation in 1973/4, the local housing stock passed to newly-created Glanford Borough Council.
North Lincolnshire Council took over social housing provision in 1996.
Landlord responsibilities for the district's housing stock following Right to Buy sell-offs to interested long-serving tenants, later passed to North Lincolnshire Homes and then to Ongo.

Brigg Blog recently visited Elizabeth Court to picture some of the properties and was pleased to see an original nameplate from the 1950s still in place and that Brigg Urban District Council's name (in its favoured Gothic script) is still legible 48 years after this authority was swept away.
Elizabeth Court residents' views of the Lincolnshire countryside to the north altered in 1977 when the M180 was constructed close by - this section being known locally as the Brigg By-pass. It took a great deal of heavy traffic off the A18 through Wrawby Road and town centre streets.

PROMOTION PLAY-OFFS AHEAD AS BRIGG TOWN RECORD ANOTHER HOME WIN

 

Before another 200-plus home crowd, Brigg Town Football Club marched on towards the end-of-season promotion play-offs with a comfortable 3-0 win over Yorkshire side Parkgate at the EC Surfacing Stadium (Hawthorns) yesterday (Saturday, March 26).
Josh Batty and Dayle Hutson put the Zebras ahead in the first half, with Dayle adding a second shortly after the interval.
Brigg Blog called in after half-time in the Briggensians v College game at the nearby Rec Ground and took some pictures from behind the visitors' goal.
With two games remaining, Brigg Town are third in Toolstation Northern Counties East Division One.
They can't catch leaders Hallam or second-placed North Ferriby, one of whom will be champions and gain automatic promotion.
But if they remain in third place, Town will have home advantage in the play-offs to decide who else goes up to the Premier.
The play-offs will involve the teams finishing second, third, fourth and fifth.
Harrogate Railway and Rossington Main currently occupy the places immediately below Brigg.
The Zebras and Harrogate both had 80 points but Brigg have a far superior goal difference.
Fifth-placed Rossington have 72pts and have three games remaining.

Pictured above: This Brigg shot produced a super save from the Parkgate keeper.

 

The home dugout during the second half when Brigg were 3-0 up.

 

A view from the stand, courtesy of Brigg spectator Simon Fisher, who was among the 216 crowd - by far the highest of the day in Division One yesterday.

Brigg Town Development lost 4-1 away to Lincoln United Development yesterday in the Balcan Lighting Supplies Lincolnshire League Premier.

SATURDAY FOOTBALL ACTION PICTURES FROM BRIGG REC AND BARNETBY

 

Fourteen goals were scored in the two games played at Brigg Recreation Ground and Barnetby's Silver Street in EC Surfacing Scunthorpe & District Football League Division One yesterday (Saturday, March 26).
Briggensians lost 3-0 to College Wanderers at the former, while Barnetby United enjoyed a 10-1 win over Manor Park.
On the mark for the Railwaymen were Brendan O’Callaghan (5), Callum Wilkins (2), Liam Jordan, Liam Davies and Euan Langton.
Lee Fielden has kindly supplied a report (see below) and pictures from this top flight fixture.
Brigg Blog called in at the Rec to watch and photograph some of the action either side of half-time.
Briggensians (in their black and white strip) played some neat football at times without being able to find the net against a title-chasing Scunthorpe team which has won all 10 of its Division One games so far this season.
We enjoyed a brief chat with long-serving Briggensians player and organiser, Craig Benson, prior to and during the interval.
Craig was on duty as assistant referee/linesman.
Sadly, Briggensians Reserves were unable to raise a team for their scheduled Division Three game in Scunthorpe against Appleby-Frodingham Reserves.

PICTURED ABOVE: Barnetby v Manor Park (left) and Briggensians v College. Pictured immediately below: Action pictures from Briggensians v College at Brigg Rec.

 

 

Craig Benson running the line.

 
RAILWAYMEN MAKE IT 5 FROM 5

Barnetby United recorded their 5th consecutive league win as they defeated a spirited Manor Park side 10-1 at Silver Street, writes Lee Fielden.
They raced in to a 2-0 lead inside 9 minutes as first O’Callaghan clipped home from a long Carolan throw and the same player made it 2-0 with an exquisite chip over the advancing Manor Park keeper having latched on to a Green through ball.
Ryan Jordan was replaced due to injury but moments later Finnis was bundled over in the box and O’Callaghan duly dispatched the resulting penalty to complete his hat trick.
Manor Park were not beaten though and on 43 minutes Lewis Underwood hit a stunning strike from 30 yards that gave keeper Jackson no chance.
3-1 ahead at the break, United made it 4-1 on 52 minutes when Liam Jordan scored his 1st Barnetby goal and what a goal it was too. He received the ball 30 yards out and hit vicious dipping effort that left the Manor Park keeper rooted to the spot.
Oliver Lloyd replaced captain Scott at centre half, as Barnetby struggled to find any rhythm to their play. Liam Davies was then upended in the area on 65 minutes and O’Callaghan notched his 2nd penalty and 4th of the afternoon to make it 5-1.
A minute later Davies collected the ball directly from a Manor Park goal kick and fed in O’Callaghan who coolly finished for his 5th of the game and 41st of the season for 6-1.
The Railwaymen were in their stride now and Davies notched his 6th goal in 4 games when his left wing crossed evaded everyone and found its way into the Manor Park net to make it 7-1.
Callum Wilkins replaced Finnis on the right hand side and with his first touch made it 8-1 when he tapped home a Davies cross.
Wilkins then made it 9-1 on 89 minutes following a flowing move that saw O’Callaghan send Langton clear who pulled it back for Wilkins to tap home his 2nd.
In injury time, Euan Langton got the goal his performance deserved as he tapped home to make it 10-1 and register his 1st goal for the club.
Seen below are Lee's action pictures from this match.

BRIGG WARMER THAN BENIDORM & SHOPPERS TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE

Perfect Spring weather boosted the attendance at the monthly Brigg Farmers' Market held yesterday (Saturday, March 26, 2022).
The temperature reached 17C (62.6C) with clear skies above the wide range of stalls forming the farmers' event and the adjoining general Saturday market, both organised by North Lincolnshire Council.
Shoppers were able to stock up on jam, bread, cheese, meat, bottled beer, cakes and much more.
Brigg's Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Group also occupied a stall, located near the Angel building.
The town's municipal car parks were full by mid-morning.
The good weather also greeted Brigg's annual Spring Clean, arranged by the Town Council on Saturday morning, which saw volunteer litter-pickers touring the town centre.
Pub beer gardens came into their own yesterday, including the Black Bull with its Spanish-style cabanas (huts) and palm trees (pictured here).
We mention this because an online check suggests the mercury only reached 15C in Benidorm on Saturday.