Wednesday, November 05, 2008

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES AND CHILDREN

The air really turned blue in Cary Lane the other night. The language from a group of youngsters near the bus stop was terrible. And their outbursts were loud. Very loud.
This would seem to back up the results of a national survey, revealed in the Scunthorpe Telegraph and other newspapers, which suggests 'hoodies' are viewed with suspicion by a surprisingly high proportion of adults in Yorkshire and Humberside.
Through its 3Bs project, Brigg Town Council is trying to offer something for youngsters to do, rather than roam the streets. That's a very worth aim, but it's not going to be an easy task.
It's several years now since bus companies stopped using Cary Lane after dark because of concerns about youngsters hanging about there.
Now you can't expect the police to be everywhere, every minute of the day. And the resources at the disposal of the good Insp Rutty are very limited. But it's a fact Brigg police station is only a good stone's throw from the bus stop in Cary Lane.
Still, if arrests were made, there's no reason to think the Crown Prosecution Service would take things to court. And, if cases did get that far, what sentences would be handed out?

NOT RIGHT PLACE


So North Lincolnshire Council has decided the three sites it put forward for consideration as possible gypsy traveller sites in Brigg are unsuitable - and has, instead, selected ones in Scunthorpe and Barton for further consideration.
The suggested sites in Brigg were all off Station Road, on the council's own land.
This will be seen by many as a victory for commonsense - and democracy - as lots of Brigg people voiced opposition to land near Station Road being used in this way.
To put a traveller site on The Paddock - the area of green space behind Hewson House - would have damaged an area renowned for its flora, fauna and wildlife.
To put a site behind the railway station, on what is now scrub land (see picture), would have been unfair to the travellers. Who would want to live in a metal caravan, just a few yards from a line which carries heavy, noisy, rumbling freight trains?
On safety grounds it would also have been a poor mix to have young children near to those fast-moving trains.
What do you think?

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

IT NEVER RAINS, IT POURS!


This morning's unpleasantly heavy drizzle highlighted a couple of issues with the bus shelter on Bridge Street, Brigg, opposite Peacock and Binnington's premises.
Firstly, the 'open' design means that although waiting passengers have a roof over their heads, there are no sides, or front, to the structure, which makes the public transport supporters very open to the elements.
Secondly, only one small pane of glass remains at the back of the shelter. Vandals have repeatedly smashed the glass, so no-one can really blame North Lincolnshire Council for not replacing the missing panes.
However, the design of these bus shelters - seemingly standard issue by the council - does not offer anything like as much protection as the 'all enclosed' type favoured by Network Rail at Barnetby railway station (see picture).
Now that's what I call a proper bus shelter - even if it is for train-users!

RALLYING CALL


Tomorrow (Wednesday) will see Brigg Town Council being asked to donate to a charity supporting injured soldiers and the families of those killed while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Major General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter says more cash is needed to help those in need. He has written to Brigg's Town Mayor and Mayoress, Coun Mike and Ann Campion. And the General's request for a donation will be considered by the town council's policy committee, meeting in the Angel Suite, off Market Place, from 7.30pm.
Other items of interest on the agenda include:
1) A report on the creation of a Brigg Emergency Plan, to help in times of trouble and strife.
2) A 'briefing' on the Beacon Town Forum and the 'initiatives currently being progressed'. This looks like involving Coun John Berry (pictured), one of the Brigg area's three representatives on North Lincolnshire Council.
The meeting is open to the public. See you there?

Monday, November 03, 2008

WELCOME TO TOWN

It's good to see United Carpets coming to town and taking over the former Spa showroom, adjoining The Monument.
The building has not been empty for long, and is currently being conveted for use by the carpet firm, which plans to open for business on Saturday.

PLAY YOUR PART

The Oxfam Bookshop in Brigg is today celebrating its fifth anniversary.
Mrs D.G.Darley (manager) says: "Come and buy a book, CD,DVD, videotape, audiotape, audiobook or sheet music on Monday, and try a sample of Fairtrade chocolate;
a wide range of Fairtrade food is available to purchase in the nearby Oxfam clothes shop. As a thank-you to all our kind customers and donors, we are having a sale all week (Monday,November 3 to Saturday, November 8). The shop is open from 8.45am until 4.45pm, Monday to Saturday."
New volunteers are always welcome. Please call in for an application form, or telephone 01652 659434.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

LET'S GET ON TRACK

The state of some Brigg footpaths continues to cause concern.
Coun Jenny Bell became the latest councillor to flag up the problem, saying there had been a report of someone slipping on the pavement near the old library, on Prince's Street.
Coun Ann Eardley said part of the pavement in Glebe Road was 'crumbling' - she thought near Nos 7 and 8.
Coun Ben Nobbs reported another 'pothole' in the road near The Monument.
The town council will bring all matters to the attention of North Lincolnshire Council, responsible for roads and footpaths.