Friday, May 08, 2009

LAST POST

Unfortunately this will be my final entry on Brigg Blog, as my post at the Scunthorpe Telegraph (production editor) will not exist after today.
The Blog has proved very popular and hopefully has proved interesting to you over the months it's been running.
Brigg Blog has been something I've really enjoyed doing, and I think we've covered a good range of topics - some old, some new.
Someone connected with the council once told me it was THE place to visit to find out what was going on in the town, which was a real compliment.
I haven't got any other work fixed up at present, so if you know someone, or some business, with an opening, please ring 01652 655134 or drop me an email to scoopfisher@aol.com
If you are a contact who is used to ringing me on the company mobile, please note you won't be able to do so after 5pm today, as I'll be handing it back.
All the best. And, as they say: Over and out!

CALLING ALL SILVER SURFERS

Members of Brigg’s older generation needing help with using computers, particularly to send and receive email to family and friends and to access the internet, can take advantage of a new initiative.
SilverSurfers is a new local group founded by James Martin and Andrew Carty (both 20).
It will meet on Fridays at Methodist Church Hall, on Barnard Avenue, 7pm-9pm.
The first instalment session will be on Friday , May 29.
Each evening there will be two one-hour sessions, specialising in different skill levels.
Each session will cost £15, and everyone will get one-to-one tuition from an experienced and skilled computer user.
Those attending can take along their own laptops, while a limited number of machines will be available to reserve for the evening.
James said: “Many people will benefit from these computer lessons by being able to keep in touch with family members via email and social networking, as well as being able to complete their family trees online, and find old school friends.
“The internet is also the worlds biggest resource of information and entertainment, so SilverSurfers hopes to get anybody who’s interested connected with the world and each other.”
The organises are confident they can teach a beginner to get onto the computer, and browse the internet within just one or two sessions.
Free refreshments will be provided throughout the evening.
For more information, call James Martin on 07906 250 464.

HORSES FOR COURSES



Thanks to Paul Butler, of the Nelthorpe Arms (Scanlon's), for these interesting pictures of miniature horses from the Phoenix Children's Foundation which were at Brigg market yesterday, assisting with a bucket collection for the charity.
Paul is a fine photographer, particularly of landscapes.

Thursday, May 07, 2009

SUCCESSFUL OR NOT?

THE Brigg Market Town Initiative (MTI), aimed at providing funding and facilities, is still regarded as a missed opportunity by a number of town councillors.
Sponsored by the Countryside Agency and Yorkshire Forward, its aim was to regenerate, revitalise and safeguard the future of Brigg and its hinterland.
But although its end-of-project report was issued almost four years ago, reference to the MTI continues to be made at meetings of Brigg Town Council, including the latest of the policy committee.
Projects included by the MTI in future developments, when it closed, included:

* Outdoor sports facilities at Brigg Recreation Ground. A feasibility study and business plan was undertaken ‘to provide the background details for future funding for the project’.

* An arts and community conference centre – originally including a 1,200-seat theatre, four-screen cinema and recording studio, but later reduced to a ‘multi-functional area which could accommodate 400 people in a variety of ways’.

Neither of these has got off the drawing board since the winding up of the MTI, prompting Coun Jenny Bell to suggest the initiative had proved a total waste of money.
“They made the project too big for the town,” she suggested. “They went over the top. It was pie in the sky.”
Town Mayor Coun Mike Campion said the end result had been disappointing, although the MTI had resulted in ‘a few nice shop signs around town’.
Coun Ben Nobbs pointed out help had been given to provide many Brigg firms with computers.
But town clerk Jeanette Woollard pointed out although £19,000 had been invested in a web portal, some of the information was now out of date, with no provision made for updating things.
The MTI’S end-of-project report lists funding provided for a range of projects and groups, including Brigg Bandstand, Ancholme Rowing Club, the Adventure Challenge, Brigg Farmers’ Market, various signs, Brigg Town Cricket Club, Brigg Men’s Hockey Club, fencing on the riverbank, Brigg Artists, Brigg Amateur Operatic Society, Brigg Lions’ bonfire and Brigg Bowls Club.
The report says: “Brigg was held up as a flagship town within the programme. It achieved more than some of the other towns.”

COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS

A new much larger venue has been announced for the annual four-day Brigg District Lions Beer Festival – one of the highlights of the town’s social calendar, attracting hundreds of visitors.
Next month’s charity event will be staged at John Reid Trucking’s new warehouse on Atherton Way – just off the A18.

The Lions say it will offer more space and improved facilities.

The festival will get under way at 7am on Thursday, May 14.

Other opening hours will be Friday, May 15 (7pm-11pm); Saturday, May 16 (11am-11pm); and Sunday, May 17 (noon-2pm).

Again the organisers are seeking to offer the widest possible range of cask-conditioned ales not normally available in the area.

Ciders, bottled beers and soft drinks will also be available.

About 50 businesses from the Brigg area, and beyond, are helping sponsor the event.

Proceeds will help the Lions assist many good causes.

Spokesman Mike Johnson said: “I have chosen the beer list, which, as usual, has beers of most styles from mild through bitter and IPA to porter, stout and wheat beer, and differing strengths from various locations representing England, Wales and Scotland.”

“We are currently preparing artwork for this year’s commemorative glass; we shall also have a small supply of the club’s 40th anniversary glass we commissioned last autumn.

“Finally, we have acquired some new tables to make our customers more comfortable.”


To find out more visit the special website www.briggbeerfestival.org.uk

ALL RIGHT, SAID CED

It was good to talk, if only briefly, to a character who will be familiar to many Brigg pub-goers of the past 25-plus years.
Cedric Hawkins engaged me in conversation while in Scunthorpe Precinct yesterday afternoon. Just like he did in various Brigg hostelries while he was living in the town at either Cormac House or Birch House (can't remember exactly which, but maybe Ken Harrison, or some other Blog regular, will be able to help!).
Cedric remembered nights spent in the Queen's Arms, on Wrawby Street, when Jean Cunningham was running the hostelry, later taken over by Bob and Sue Nicholson and then transformed into The Fish Inn, before finally becoming The Vines restaurant (under different ownership).
"You've changed a lot," said Cedric - in reference to a bit of middle-aged spread. Remember, back then, it was sometimes three games of sport a weekend - two hockey, one football!
We also used to encounter Cedric, from time to time, in other pubs, such as The Woolpack and The White Hart.

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

BIT OF A MYSTERY

Three police cars were parked on Bigby High Road about 8.30pm last night, not far from the level crossing, while officers talked to a member of the public on the footpath.
Two of the 'cop cars' sped into Brigg, along Bridge Street, on their way to assist with inquiries.
We gather it turned out to be nothing major. Police haven't yet revealed what was going on, but we are hoping to check with Insp Brett Rutty this morning to see whether he can add anything to our inquiries.
A handful of spectators - probably local residents - were taking an interest after hearing, and seeing, the arrival of the three police vehicles last night.