An interesting feature of Brigg area history which few people know about today is to feature in a presentation by an expert from the other side of the world.
Animal predators from our district were shipped down-under to catch rabbits which were badly affecting the economy by eating grass set aside for valuable wool-giving and meat-providing sheep.
A talk entitled Brigg's Historic Connections with New Zealand - The Why & How will be enjoyed at Brigg & District Servicemen's Club, Coney Court, on Tuesday, September 6, from 8pm.
It will be presented by Professor Carolyn King, of the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand, at the next meeting of Brigg Amateur Social Historians.
BASH founder Josie Webb tells us this is the story of local men Henry and Walter Albone, along with Fowler Metcalf, who took stoats and weasels down-under "to exterminate the large rabbit population in the 1880s."
Admission to this talk is free and there's no need to book places in advance; just turn up on the night. A raffle will be held. "All welcome," says BASH.
One sunny day in May 2016, Brigg Blog gave Prof King a short guided tour when she visited our town.
She was interested in North Lincolnshire's 18th and 19th century rabbit industry and we took her to look at Coney Court, whose historic name reflects this trade.
Subsequently, we were sent a courtesy copy of her research paper containing references to Brigg and district.
It included a photograph of a rabbit display in Brigg Heritage Centre "celebrating the importance of rabbits to the local economy during the 18th and 19th centuries."
Dr Frank Henthorn's book A History of 19th Century Brigg was among reference works used.
He lived on Westrum Lane and was a Brigg Grammar School history master (early 1930s to the late 1960s), retiring as deputy headmaster.
Unexpectedly, Brigg's Blog's very modest contribution to Prof King's research paper was recognised in its Acknowledgements section.
In a post in March 2018, we suggested: "This topic would certainly make an interesting subject for a future monthly meeting of BASH."
It's fitting that the talk will be delivered in Coney Court - once the centre of the town's rabbit fur trade, with resident glove-makers.
Coney Court's metal arches - fairly recent additions to the town centre - include rabbit emblems alongside the lettering.
BASH will be presenting further months meetings over the coming months. Details to follow, once confirmed.
PICTURED: Views of Coney Court, Brigg, including what is now the rear of the Servicemen's Club on the right.
