LAST POST FROM BRIGG BLOG AFTER 15 YEARS

This is the last post which will appear on Nigel Fisher's Brigg Blog.
Our website, with its daily updates, has finally reached the end of the line, to use a railway term.
As a former long-serving cricketer, we've decided to declare our innings closed and retire to the boundary's edge to raise a glass and reflect on our efforts.
Fittingly, the final event covered was the Brigg Town Cricket Club presentation of awards 'do' last night (Saturday) at the Black Bull.
Yesterday (October 8) marked Brigg Blog's 15th anniversary, following an initial post made back on October 8, 2007.
This milestone seems an appropriate time to retire, having spent 48 years in journalism in North Lincolnshire since 1974 (local newspapers, public relations and freelance spells).
However, we have no plans to remove Brigg Blog from the internet.
All content on our site will remain through the kind offices of our long-standing hosts at the blogger.com domain.
We are grateful to all the people who have followed Brigg Blog down the years, and to everyone who has supplied information for inclusion in posts on a very wide range of topics.
Correspondents range from those who have been in touch once or twice to others who have kindly forwarded content, and even images, on a regular basis.
Ken Harrison, of Brigg Matters magazine, has supplied more than anyone, going right back to Brigg Blog's early years.
Our thanks are also extended to Brigg Town Council for being supportive of our blog's efforts to provide community news and views, and to inform people about what's happening locally.
Brigg Blog has provided more than 15,600 posts. The first - discussing four local issues - can be viewed through this link...
A kind comment received on launch day 15 years ago said: "The blog is looking good, Nigel. A more personal view on the news in Brigg is interesting to read."
We've looked to provide personal views and reflections on Brigg life since then.
A lot of water has flowed under the County Bridge while the blog has been operating, and there have been many changes, arrivals, openings and closures, plus sporting successes and a few low spots.
We've been posting three items a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a years, for a considerable period.
Many hours a week are required to source, write and upload these, and the accompanying images.
The time taken is far greater than Brigg Blog followers might imagine.
We've done our best to keep people informed, but now is the time to take things easier. Especially as we passed normal retirement age many months ago.
Regular sources for posts have included planning applications and decisions, roadworks, speed camera locations, food hygiene ratings, meetings of Brigg Town Council (which we've always attended), any topics relating to local licensed premises and eateries, and sports matches and events.
Nigel Fisher's Brigg Blog being the site's full title, we won't be passing it on to others to continue posts in the future.
That's all folks!

PICTURED: Brigg's blogger in the town centre yesterday morning, on the website's 15th anniversary.

ITALIAN RESTAURANT & THREE NEW BARS COMING TO BRIGG

A plush Italian restaurant and three new bars are taking shape in Brigg town centre.
They will be welcome additions to the well-known Exchange hospitality venue located between Wrawby Street and Bigby Street.
The Hunt Group acquired local businessman Joe Mullen's mid-18th century complex some weeks ago.
Work to create these new additions, and other features, is well under way.
The Italian restaurant & bar - catering for local demand - will front Wrawby Street, following conversion of the former Exchange Tavern premises.
The eatery's name, and further details, will be released ahead of the opening next year.
Beyond the restaurant, and adjoining one of the rear car parking areas, will be Henry's, a large sports bar featuring big screen TVs so customers can enjoy coverage of major events across the world, and The Doghouse - a lounge-style facility.
A range of food, including snacks, will be on offer to bar visitors, with local sports teams receiving a warm welcome.
The Doghouse will become the first of the additions to open to the public next month (November). Henry's will follow early next year.
The Hunt Group has asked us to stress there will be three bars opening on the site.
"The Italian will be a bar and restaurant, so people may visit just for drinks, if they wish," the company says.
"Henry’s will be a sports bar and live entertainment venue. We hope to have bands and artists performing on weekends when there are no big sporting events."
The Exchange has 42 guest bedrooms - in its main building and the nearby courtyard - and a programme of refurbishment is under way.
Andy Carrington, who many local people will know from his years at the town's White Hart pub, has already taken up duties as manager of the Exchange bars.
Dating back to 1760, the Exchange is Brigg's only grade two* (star) listed building - a private school and a gentlemen's club for the well-to-do featuring among previous uses.
The area where The Doghouse is now taking shape was once occupied by Scruffy's theme bar, which many Brigg people will remember for its 'Emerald Isle' decor and supplies of Guinness.
However, the new addition will offer something very different for customers when it opens, with luxury seating.
The Exchange will be a 'free house' - not tied to one brewery -  and this will be reflected in a wide range of drinks being offered.
Some of those who enjoyed lengthy visits to Scruffy's more than 20 years ago will remember being in the proverbial Doghouse when they finally returned home!
Brigg Blog was invited down on Thursday afternoon (October 7) by the Hunt Group to view the project taking shape and hear about plans for the recently acquired venue.
It's good to see considerable investment being made in new features at the Exchange while retaining the historic fabric of one of the town's best-known and most distinctive landmarks.
The bedroom and actual bed at the Exchange used by Prime Minister Winston Churchill when he made a hush-hush war-time D-Day-related visit have been retained.
The same goes for the distinctive metal sculptures of local interest within the courtyard area.
With work progressing, it's too early to post pictures showing the new additions yet to be completed.
Seen above are views of the Exchange taken from Bigby Street and Wrawby Street, and some of the rooms in the courtyard.

BRIGG CRICKETERS RECEIVE AWARDS INCLUDING NEW TROPHY

Brigg Town Cricket Club players and supporters enjoyed the annual presentation evening at the Black Bull, on Wrawby Street, last night (Saturday, October 8).

The club didn't enjoy much playing success this season in Lincolnshire County League Division Three West, finishing at the foot of the table.
However, there were some good games during what was the hottest and driest summer for the sport since 1976.
Trophies were presented last night by popular captain Danny Bradley and by Steve Bell who is a keen supporter.
In his opening remarks, Danny said the team had played better than the league position indicated and had shown good spirit despite some adverse results.
He felt a Brigg Blog picture, taken after a heavy home defeat against Scunthorpe 3rds at the Rec, demonstrated this.
It showed Harry Cawkwell with a smile on his face at the end of a game in which Town had been skittled for only 23 runs.
A new award was presented last night - for the Most Valuable Player (MVP).
The captain noted individual contributions made by players in all matches during the season to decide the overall winner.
Veteran all-rounder Jack Richards got to his feet at the end of the presentations and led guests in "Three cheers for the skipper!"
Trophy winners are seen below in the order they received their awards and (at the top of this post) lined up together following the ceremony.

 

Nick Beacock (left), who claimed 23 wickets, receiving the bowler of the season trophy from captain Danny Bradley.

 

Danny Bradley being presented with the top batsman award by Steve Bell.

 

Owen Dunderdale receiving the fielder of the year trophy.

 

The new MPV Award for Nick Beacock from the club captain.

 

Noah Newbould receiving the most improved player of the season award.

 

Paul Neal - voted the players' player of the season.

 

Captain's player of the season - all-rounder Vijay Raju.

 

Some of the players and guests listening to Danny Bradley's review of the season.

Watching young Noah receiving his award last night reminded us of a 1975 season trophy we collected, as a teenager, at the Brigg Town presentation evening held only a year after the club had first taken to the field. This ticket-only "do" was in the Angel Hotel's Ballroom and included a buffet and a disco.
Many cricket club presentation nights since have been held at the Black Bull, with other venues including Brigg Town FC's Hawthorns, the old Queens Arms, the Ancholme Inn (now demolished) and Brigg Sugar Factory Sports & Social Club.

BRIGG TOWN DRAW BIG CROWD AS BARNETBY AND BRIGGENSIANS HIT THE GOAL TRAIL

Brigg Town Football Club's EC Surfacing Stadium saw the biggest crowd of the day in Toolstation Northern Counties East Division One yesterday (October 8).
The Zebras remain in fifth place following a 2-2 draw against Rossington Main, who stay second.
Following a goalless first half, Scott Phillips netted twice for Brigg who looked on course for victory until two very late goals by the visitors.
The official attendance was 315 - the next best being 225 for Selby v Worsbrough.
Brigg Town Development lost 4-1 away to Nettleham in the Balcan Lighting Supplies Lincolnshire League Premier.
In EC Surfacing Scunthorpe & District League Division One, Barnetby United enjoyed a notable and praiseworthy 5-0 home win over College Wanders (see match report below and accompanying action pictures from Lee Fielden)
Briggensians secured a fine 6-0 win at Scotter United Reserves in Division Two.
Neil Altoft netted four times and there was a goal apiece for Joe Stothard and Luke Boden.


Railwaymen celebrate 1,000th game in style

Barnetby United turned in one of their finest performances to beat reigning division 1 champions College Wanderers 5-0 to commemorate their 1000th game in the Scunthorpe League, writes Lee Fielden.
After 3 minutes, Liam Davies’ through ball sent Harry Finnis down the left wing; he muscled his way into the College box and fired his side 1-0 up for his 1st of the season.
On 20 minutes, Will Forrest brought the ball down on the halfway line and, upon looking up, saw keeper Harris well off his line. He struck the ball into the wind, which seemed to hang for an eternity in the air before nestling in the net to make it 2-0.
College came back with a succession of corners but Barnetby held firm.
On 30 minutes great work in midfield sent Euan Langton through and his first time finish from the edge of the box put the Railwaymen 3-0 up.
Just short of halftime, O’Callaghan’s free-kick was spilt and Connor Watson pounced on the rebound to slot home his first goal for Barnetby to make the score 4-0.
This quickly became five early in the second half as Forrest sprung the offside trap to bag his 2nd of the game.
Jake Parker replaced Ben Popple in midfield and Tom Tuplin in goal made a stunning save to maintain his clean sheet in the Barnetby goal behind a back 3 of Carter, Merrick and Jordan that were outstanding.
Finnis, on the left, was replaced by Alex Green.
O’Callaghan and Forrest who had led the line superbly tired were replaced by Callum Wilkins and Joe Scott.
The game finished 5-0 to The Railwaymen in what was one of finest performances in the club's 1,000 games.
Barnetby players are pictured in their familiar black and white kit.

Next Saturday (October 15) Barnetby host Limestone Rangers in Division One, while Briggensians are away to Santon in Nev Watson Nursing Cup round one.

 

 

SPEED CAMERAS OPERATING AT TWO LOCATIONS IN BRIGG AREA

Safer Roads Humber says safety cameras are used across the region as part of its overall strategy to make our roads safer. And they will be operating at two locations in the Brigg area over the coming days.
Mobile and fixed speed cameras detect speeding vehicles "at sites of risk."
Safer Roads Humber is able to deploy them at a range of locations.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10: 'Daily enforcement' will be carried out on the B1206, Scawby Road, Scawby Brook.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12: 'Daily enforcement' will be undertaken on the B1207, Station Road, Hibaldstow.

DRIVER ALERT: ROADWORKS AHEAD IN BRIGG

Two sets of roadworks are to be carried out on the busy A18 in Brigg.
Delays are likely to result on Wrawby Road, near the junction with Churchill Avenue, on Thursday, October 13.
North Lincolnshire Council, the local highway authority, will be carrying out drain maintenance - resulting in one lane of the carriageway being closed.
Anglian Water is to undertake repair and maintenance works on Wrawby Road between October 19 and 21 when temporary traffic controls will be in place.
Motorists are expected to encounter hold-ups at times while this project is underway.

TIMESCALE SUGGESTED FOR HEWSON HOUSE DEMOLITION IN BRIGG

A timescale has been suggested for the demolition of the Hewson House office complex in Brigg - declared redundant by North Lincolnshire Council and now disused.
February 27, 2023 is given as the estimated start date, with completion of on-site works off Station Road and Bigby Street by September 1 next year.
These dates are included in documentation which has been submitted to North Lincolnshire Council planners.
They are being asked to decide whether the local planning authority's prior approval is required for demolition.
If the subsequent ruling says prior approval is unnecessary, knocking down the buildings will be able to proceed to an agreed timescale.
If prior approval is considered necessary, a formal application to the planning authority is expected to follow.
Asked on the recently submitted application form to state the reasons why demolition needs to take place, the reply was: "Regeneration of site, uses to be determined."
'Applicant details - Company Name'  is North Lincolnshire Council, Church Square House, Scunthorpe High Street.
A public consultation date relating to this prior approval application is now under way and will conclude on October 18.
A very detailed 58-page Heritage Impact Assessment is among documentation accompanying the application.
Today's Hewson House complex comprises various buildings constructed over a number of decades since the 1960s, including during the eras of Brigg Rural District Council and Glanford Borough Council.
The North Lincolnshire authority took over in 1996 and soon named the complex Hewson House in honour of Coun George Hewson, of Brigg, who had been a long-serving councillor, authority chairman and mayor.
Extensions were added on both sides of a former detached residence which was converted to office use prior to the Second World War.
It is not a listed property, nor designated as a local heritage asset.
The Hewson House offices are located near the Brigg Conservation Area, and there are a number of grade two listed properties in this part of the town.

PICTURED: Above - Front, side and rear views of Hewson House, and a sign in the entrance stressing 'Building Closed'. Below - a close-up of the former detached property, once a family home, which was subsequently converted to local authority use as offices.