FISHING FOR COMPLIMENTS

A routine press release received about the hunt for the national fish and chip shop of the year set me thinking about Brigg chippies past and present. Especially as I paid a rare visit to Scalinis, in Wrawby Street, the other day and found the chips to be very good.
In recent years I’ve tended to divide my custom between the outlet in Coney Court, Den’s in Glebe Road, and the one next to the Ancholme in Grammar School Road, where Andy Pang forged his reputation.
Going back in time, Evy Wojak was a legendary frier of fine fish and chips in Glebe Road, before she moved on to Wrawby. And older Brigg residents will recall Morris’s, in Wrawby Street.
As a boy in the 1960s it was a very occasional Friday night treat to get a bag of chips and scraps from Jack Wattam’s, in Wrawby Street, where the premises were said to be haunted, with knives and folks flying about the place in the dead of night where no-one was there.
I’m not sure whether any of our current chippies will be nominated for the contest, which is celebrating its 21st year. Customers have until August 16 to vote, forms being available in shops across the country.
Celebrity chef Simon Rimmer, a big fan of fish and chips, kicked off the competition and is encouraging other fish and chip enthusiasts to visit their favourite shop and vote.
The TV star said: “Fish and chips have gone from strength to strength in recent years. This great British staple offers terrific value for money and a real feel good factor as you tuck in. Fans of fish and chips have really been spoilt by the choice and high standards of the UK’s best shops. I’m looking forward to getting out and sampling some of them.”
The current reigning champion of the east of England is from Lincolnshire – Blair Butler, owner of The Boundary, Market Deeping.
The people behind the contest reckon fish and chips contain 36 per cent less calories than a chicken korma and pilau rice, and 42 per cent less fat than a doner kebab with pitta and salad.
Andy Gray, project manager for the competition run by Seafish, said: “The best performing shops not only serve the highest quality fish and chips, but also offer the greatest choice in the best environment. Since 1984, the standards across the industry have risen significantly and the bar is raised every year. This year’s winner will have to prove they are the best of the best to pick up the title.”
Which of Brigg’s current chippies are your favourites, and why?

Our nostalgic illustration – by Stephen Hill – turns back the years to the Frugal ’50s and Ron Morris’s fish and chip emporium in Wrawby Street.