OVER THE FIRST HURDLE

Brigg Town Council has raised no objections to the building of a single-storey extension at 3 South View Avenue, on which North Lincolnshire planners will now make a final decision.

PAYING TWICE

A Brigg town councillor has admitted her surprise at a scheme being operated in North Lincolnshire which allows parish and town councils to hire 'flashing' signs to deter speeding motorists.
Coun Tom Glossop, chairman of the Brigg Neighbourhood Policing Panel, gave brief details at the town council's monthly meeting in the Angel Suite.
But that promoted Coun Jenny Bell to suggest Brigg people had already paid for the signs, through their council tax, and yet would now have to pay again 'to hire them back'.

THE ORGAN HAS LANDED

It's taken many weeks...even months...but the organ has finally arrived in Brigg's Angel Suite.
Finding a convenient time to pick it up from its previous home in Broughton has taxed a number of town councillors but, at last, the move has been completed.
It will now be available to add a musical note to events being staged by hirers of the town centre community facility.
We are hoping to fix up a photo of its official launch in due course.
Watch this space!

GREEN TOUCH

Have you seen the new addition to the decor in Wrawby Street?
Two shrubs in pots stand either side of Scalini's chippie. They look a bit like min-Christmas trees. Hopefully, both will be left alone as (certainly this morning) they had not been taken inside the shop, for safe-keeping, during opening hours.
They are much more attactive than the A-boards we so often see propped up on our pavements.

THE ONLY GAY IN THE...TOWN?

Today I spied with my little eye a nice-looking car negotiating The Monument carrying a personalised numberplate prefixed GAY...but couldn't see whether it was being driven by a man or a woman!

FIREMEN RISE TO CHALLENGE

There was shock of sorts during week eight of the Back’o’TheNet Brigg Five a-Side Football League as strugglers Brigg Fire Brigade stole a point from leaders The Aces in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Danny Wraith strengthened his grip on the Golden Boot award with another two goals taking his seasons tally to a whopping 16, Matthew Harrison added to this but the Fire Brigade showed steely determination - and goals from Francis, Barnett and Chris doubled the Brigade’s points total for the season.
With Brigg Alliance unable to compete due to other football commitments, the Fire Brigade had to endure another 24 minutes – this time against The Marras, but on this occasion tiredness took its toll as The Marras ran out comfortable 4-1 winners with a fine hat-trick from Gibbons and a sixth of the season for Phil Cole. Tom Francis hit Brigade’s consolation goal.
Grumpy Old Men’s charge up the table continued to gather pace as they impressively beat Benchwarmers 6-2. Kevin Turner and Darren Jordan managed a brace a piece and there were also goals from Steve Raynor and a fifth of the season for Stuart Tindall. Marley Davis scored twice for Benchwarmers, registering his third and fourth goals of the season.
Finally, Hardly Athletic rediscovered that winning feeling as they scraped a 1-0 victory against Dynamo Chicken Kiev. In a tense affair, a solitary strike from Fielding was enough to condemn Chicken to their sixth defeat of the season and keep Hardly sitting in mid table.
Surely now they will be looking for Darren Britcliffe to rediscover his amazing early season form in front of goal.

APRIL 22 SCORES

BENCHWARMERS 2 v 6 GRUMPY OLD MEN
THE ACES 3 v 3 BRIGG FIRE BRIGADE
THE MARRAS 4 v 1 BRIGG FIRE BRIGADE
HARDLY ATHLETIC 1 v 0 DYNAMO CHICKEN KIEV

TOMORROW'S FIXTURES

GRUMPY OLD MEN v THE MARRAS 18.30
BRIGG ALLIANCE v BRIGG FIRE BRIGADE 19.00
DYNAMO CHICKEN KIEV v BENCHWARMERS 19.30
HARDLY ATHLETIC v THE ACES 20.00

HOT SHOTS

DANNY WRAITH THE ACES 16
JAMIE RODGERS BRIGG ALLIANCE 10
CHRIS RIDLEY THE ACES 8
DARREN BRITCLIFFE HARDLY ATHLETIC 7
KEV GOODSON THE ACES 6
ANDREW MORRIS THE MARRAS 6
BEN STOTHARD BRIGG ALLIANCE 6
PHIL COLE THE MARRAS 6


HOW THEY STAND

THE ACES 9 7 1 1 45 15 +30 22
BRIGG ALLIANCE 8 6 1 1 44 17 +27 19
THE MARRAS 8 5 2 1 26 13 +13 17
GRUMPY OLD MEN 9 3 3 3 20 27 -7 12
HARDLY ATHLETIC 9 2 5 2 17 19 -2 11
BENCHWARMERS 8 2 3 3 16 25 -9 9
DYNAMO CHICKEN 9 1 1 6 16 47 -31 4
BRIGG FIRE BRIGADE 10 0 2 8 23 44 -21 2

PSYCHIC GUIDANCE

Brigg Town Council holds its monthly 'full council' meeting tonight in the Angel Suite (7.30pm), with members of the public very welcome to go along.
There's an unusual decision to be made - 'guidance' on whether the town council should be generating income towards the running costs of the Angel Suite by promoting a psychic evening in the venue.
You may have seen the report on this in the Scunthorpe Telegraph a couple of weeks ago.
The property and services committee (on which only a few councillors sit) declined to reach a firm decision on the psychic issue but passed the matter on to the full council.
The last item on tonight's agenda could also prove interesting, with representatives of the North Lincolnshire Council Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny Panel attending to hear Brigg Town Council's concerns about the Neighbourhood Action Teams (NATS) initiative in the Brigg and Wolds area, aimed at tackling crime.
The town council has been a stern critic of NATS, through which town and parish councillors from the Brigg area meet with police and other bodies, such as North Lincolnshire Homes and North Lincolnshire Council, to pinpoint areas of concern and agree action to be taken.
These NATS sessions are not public meetings, and there are worries about the effectiveness of the initiative and whether it merely duplicates much of what might be achieved by town and parish councils acting alone, or through the existing Neighbourhood Policing Panel meetings, held (in public) at the Angel Suite.
Prior to tonight's town council meeting, the planning and environment committee meets in the Angel Suite from 6.45pm - the first public airing for recent planning applications in Brigg lodged with North Lincolnshire Council planners.
See you there?

CLOSE ENCOUNTER

Playing their first game since regaining membership of the Lincolnshire League, Brigg Town Cricket Club narrowly lost a division four thriller at home to Alford 2nds, who scored the winning run with four balls to spare in the final over of the game played yesterday at the Recreation Ground, off Wrawby Road.
Brigg were in the driving seat in the early stages, skipper Lee Fielden making 53 and opening partner Dylan Hildreth 41. Mark Dunderdale, batting at four, added 31, and Willie McVey scored 17 not out, but Brigg had to be content with 206 for eight from their 45 overs.
Alford’s heartening reply of 212 for seven featured an undefeated 48 from Glen Richardson and 41 from opener Tom Stephenson.
On a day when the bat generally dominated the ball, Hildreth was Brigg’s best bowler with four for 56, McVey managed two for 49 and Ryan Musselwhite one for 40. Liam Simms took three for 16 for the visitors.
The sporting nature of this match was demonstrated by the Brigg captain going out to field as substitute for Alford hamstring injury victim Paul Nickson and holding a catch to dismiss his own number three batsman, Jack Richards, for 16.

Scores: Brigg 206 for eight (45 overs), Alford 2nds 212 for seven (44.2 overs).
Result: Alford 2nds (18pts) beat Brigg Town (8pts) by three wickets.
Brigg fielder of the match: Mark Dunderdale.
Brigg wicketkeeper: Lee Fielden.
Umpires: Jack Bowers (Bottesford) and Brian Creasey (Barton).

SEASON'S OPENER

Brigg Town Cricket Club opens a new season this afternoon at the Recreation Ground with a first team home fixture against Alford 2nds (2pm).
Brigg' top side has just regained a place in the Lincolnshire County Cricket League, and will be playing in the basement section, division four.
This season's first team squad will be a mixture of experience, like Gary Smith and Lee Fielden (pictured), plus some promising youngsters.

SAD PASSING

Warm tributes have been paid to a stalwart worker for the Scout Movement in the Brigg area. Ken Parratt died suddenly at his home on Scawby Road. He was 75 and leaves a widow, Mavis.
Ken and Mavis were married at St Hybald's Church, Scawby, on Easter Saturday, 1958. They soon began a lifelong association with the Scout movement nationally, as well as locally, through their association with 1st Brigg.
The couple had one son Alan, who died at the tragically young, aged 15.
While doing National Service, Ken went to Suez Canal area and Cyprus.
He had joined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1954 and one particularly proud moment was when he was chosen from the regiment to act as a wreath bearer in a ceremony at the memorial to victims of the Battle of El Alamein.
Back in the Brigg area, he become well-known as a lorry driver for Spring's, whose preserves factory, which closed in the 1970s, was beside the Old River Ancholme.
He later became a long distance driver and then a bus driver for Lincolnshire Road Car, where he was well-known for a ready smile and jokes shared with his passengers.
His interests saw him go to steam railway weekends and traction engine rallies.
But his involvement with the Scout movement will be where he is best remembered. Holding a warrant as a leader for many years, he was a regular helper at group and district camps and also at the Poacher County Camps. He helped with camp security and also drove coaches for Cub and Scout trips.
He led the St George’s Day Parade through Brigg and Barton. Less known is the fact he and Mavis were recruited to help with camps and jamborees in other areas of the country.
He travelled to Devon one year in the 1980s giving up his fortnight's holiday to act as a volunteer.
Harry Mortimor, local District Commissioner, said: “East Glanford will miss Ken very much. I personally knew Ken and he was a larger-than-life character who called a spade a spade, with a wonderful sense of humour. If you really listened to him he did talk a lot of sense and his commitment to Scouting will never be questioned. His loss will be felt personally and by East Glanford District, and we all join with Mavis at this difficult time to offer her our love and support."
Long-serving colleague at 1st Brigg Scouts, Denis Naylor, said: “Ken was a wonderful fellow who gave great support to the group. He was one of life’s characters and thousands of Cubs and Scouts have benefited through knowing Ken.”
The funeral service was conducted at St. Hybald's Church, Scawby, by the Rev Jeff Wilson, with cremation following at Woodlands Crematorium.

Brigg Blog's thanks go to Peter Thompson for supplying that fine tribute to Ken's life and work, and the super picture. On a personal level I first got to know Ken in the 1970s, mainly through his interest in football, notably the fortunes of Grimsby Town FC. Later, as Peter rightly says, those of us who used local bus services would enjoy a laugh with Ken when using the 136 or 114 service to and from Cary Lane. Only a few weeks ago he was in touch with helpful information about 1970 photos of Spring's factory the Scunthorpe Telegraph featured, which he found very interesting.

WOODBINE (BIKER) GROVERS

Turn the clock back 30, 40 or 50 years and this view would have been very different. For what's now the grassy park dividing South View Avenue and Hawthorn Avenue was once the site of a busy little housing estate comprising the Woodbine Avenue prefabs.
They were temporary homes hastily erected to help meet the post-war housing shortage/crisis.But many Brigg families enjoyed living there; the houses, although small, had a host of mod cons, including an indoor toilet in the bathroom, plus decent-sized gardens.
Some of the family names springing readily to mind from the late 1950s/1960s include: Quirke, Smith, Shaw, Stapleton, Kennedy, Bray, Parker, Howson, Whitehead and Fisher (yes, ours!).
The vehicular access - not that many families had cars - was off Preston Drive, the vantage point for this picture. The road ran down the centre of the estate, with the prefabs arranged off it in small clusters.
Unlike many Scunthorpe prefabs which have survived long enough to be celebrated in an exhibition at North Lincolnshire Museum later this year, ours did not. Nor did the other Brigg prefabs - down Cadney Road/Elwes Street.
Brigg Urban District Council, later to become part of Glanford Borough Council, had sufficient housing stock to be able to offer tenants alternative accommodation when the prefabs were demolished.
There was also talk the drains were an issue for the Woodbine Grove estate (this could be the case as a small brick-built pumping facility was tucked away in the corner, near the entrance, while the homes were lived in).
Few photos seem to have survived from the glory days of Brigg's Woodbine Grove prefabs, which is a shame...and the real purpose of this article.
For it would be great if Brigg Blog readers were able to forward a few examples so they could go into the communal archives - before it's too late. If you have any, please send your prints to Nigel Fisher, Scunthorpe Telegraph, 4/5 Park Square, Laneham Street, Scunthorpe, DN15 6JH. We will return them to you (undamaged) by post once scanned into our computer system. If you are 'into computers' please scan them in and email to nigel.fisher@gsmg.co.uk. We'd like to feature them on Brigg Blog and in a future issue of Nostalgia magazine.
In our family box of prints, many moons ago, I seem to recall seeing a 'Box Brownie' type one showing a group of young Woodbine Grovers, some with bikes, outside our house, No 16. Did that make us Woodbine Biker Grovers? (apologies to Ant and Dec for that one!)
We could have been heading off to Glebe Road School.
I'll see if my mother can dig it out for me, and will then be happy to share it with you. I think the late Tom Kennedy was on the picture (sadly no longer with us, of course).

On the extreme left of the above image you can just see the new homes being constructed by Lindum on what was the small area once covered by garages/used to store fairground rides, just off South View Avenue and behind Springbank. The new homes are coming along nicely and look out over the park towards the back of Hawthorn Avenue.

WISH I'D HAD MY CAMERA

Remember in those film and TV westerns when the cowboys used to ride into town and tether their horses to those arch-shaped wooden posts?
Well, outside Brigg's anglers' toilets, almost under the Ancholme Way A18 road bridge, is what appears to be a metal version of just such a post.
It would be much easier to explain using a photograph, but I didn't happen to have the faithful Fuji digital in my pocket at the time.
As water is available at this point, it would prove a good watering stop for thirsty steeds. But, as far as I know, it's decades since heavy horses used to trudge that way down the Ancholme towpath, pulling barges.
Anyone solve the mystery of the metal post?

We will look to upload a picture to Brigg Blog at a later date.

WHAT A PLACE TO BREAK DOWN

If you were one of the hundreds of motorists using the A18 about tea-time yesterday you would have seen the rather upmarket coach which had broken down on Barnard Avenue, just as it was looking to turn right into Cary Lane (coming from the direction of Tesco roundabout).
It was a tight squeeze for large vehicles looking to get round it on the inside lane, nearest the kerb.
This was a visiting tour coach - not a normal service bus belonging to Hornsby or Stagecoach.

CAN YOU SPARE A FEW HOURS?

Brigg's Oxfam shop, on Wrawby Street, is looking for a computer-literate volunteer to help with a project. Apply within if you can help the charitable organisation by donating some of your time.

LATE NIGHT DISTURBANCE

In the early hours of Saturday morning, Brigg police received a report suggesting three 'young males' were trying to break into a house on East Parade.
Officers attended within a couple of minutes and searched the area, but no-one was 'located'.
They visited the property and spoke to a young man who was baby-sitting, but there was no sign of a break-in, or damage.
The three young males were described as being 'of average build and height'.

COMING ALONG NICELY

A progress picture, taken at the weekend, of extension work under way at St Mary's Roman Catholic School, on Grammar School Road, involving a nursery unit and the school hall.
The project is costing £600,000 and you may recall the very successful raffle run late last year by the Friends of the School, when a brand new Fiat car was won as first prize. Proceeds from that event went towards paying for the extension.

QUIZ TIME

Quiz nights always prove popular at Brigg hostelries, and we note the newly re-opened White Horse, in Wrawby Street, is now running one every Sunday, from 9pm. Let's hope it proves a winner!

COMICAL OWN GOAL

The Aces continue to set the pace at the top of the Back’o’The Net Brigg Five-a-Side Football League following a thrilling 7-4 victory against Brigg Fire Brigade.
Danny Wraith did most of the damage for the leaders with an impressive five goals, taking his season’s tally to 14.
There was also a double for Ross O’Shea and a fourth goal of the season for Robert Dring.
Brigade replied through an impressive brace from Will Davidson – his fourth of the season – and solitary strikes from Tom Francis and Dave Jollands.
Brigg Alliance was also in devastating form in front of goal as they crashed eight past Dynamo Chicken Kiev.
Jamie Rodgers hit a brilliant five goals to move up into second place in the scoring charts taking his tally to 10, Michael Clements hit his fourth and fifth goals of the season with Dave Barraclough rounding off a good day’s work.
Kiev’s goals came via Thomas Parker (2) and a single strike from Hotchin.
Finally, draw specialists Hardly Athletic were at it again as they drew 2-2 with Grumpy Old Men.
Steve Raynor and Mark Cawkwell, with his third goal of the season, were on target for Grumpy, with Adam Fielding and a comical own goal ensuring yet another solitary point for Hardly.
The match between The Marras and Benchwarmers had to be postponed to a later date due to Marras not having enough available players.

APRIL 15 SCORES

BENCHWARMERS P v P THE MARRAS
BRIGG FIRE BRIGADE 4 v 7 THE ACES
GRUMPY OLD MEN 2 v 2 HARDLY ATHLETIC
BRIGG ALLIANCE 8 v 3 DYNAMO CHICKEN KIEV

HOT SHOTS

DANNY WRAITH THE ACES 14
JAMIE RODGERS BRIGG ALLIANCE 10
CHRIS RIDLEY THE ACES 8
DARREN BRITCLIFFE HARDLY ATHLETIC 7
KEV GOODSON THE ACES 6
ANDREW MORRIS THE MARRAS 6
BEN STOTHARD BRIGG ALLIANCE 6
KELVIN BROWN BRIGG ALLIANCE 5
MICHAEL CLEMENTS BRIGG ALLIANCE 5
PHIL COLE THE MARRAS 5

APRIL 22 FIXTURES

BENCHWARMERS v GRUMPY OLD MEN 18.30
THE ACES v BRIGG ALLIANCE 19.00
THE MARRAS v BRIGG FIRE BRIGADE 19.30
HARDLY ATHLETIC v DYNAMO CHICKEN KIEV 20.00


HOW THEY STAND


THE ACES 8 7 0 1 42 12 +30 21
BRIGG ALLIANCE 8 6 1 1 41 14 +27 19
THE MARRAS 7 4 2 1 22 12 +10 14
BENCHWARMERS 7 2 3 2 14 19 +5 9
GRUMPY OLD MEN 8 2 3 3 14 25 -11 9
HARDLY ATHLETIC 8 1 5 2 16 19 -3 8
DYNAMO CHICKEN 8 1 1 6 16 46 -30 4
BRIGG FIRE STATION 8 0 1 7 19 37 -18 1

OVERVIEW

Brigg railway station is one of the town's most under-used assets.
This unusual view, taken from the cast iron footbridge which has somehow survived the knocking down of just about everything else, shows the Stennett's auction shed and the area where the Thursday produce market is held.
Come August, it will be scene of Brigg Horse Fair, of course - North Lincolnshire Council permitting.

HOW'S IT GOING?

It's now a couple of weeks since Brigg police introduced the new dispersal area in the town centre, allowing them to exclude youngsters for up to 24 hours.
Signs have been put up round town, including this one alongside the Old River Ancholme, near Spring's Parade.
It's a bit early to get any meaningful feedback on how things are going - but doubtless Insp Brett Rutty will give a full update at the next Brigg Neighbourhood Policing Panel public meeting in the Angel Suite, in July.

GREAT RESEARCH MATERIAL

If you are an ex-pupil of Brigg Grammar, Brigg Girls' High or Sir John Nelthorpe schools you can take a free trip down memory lane though the archive material available on the Briggensians' Association website www.briggensians.net
Especially interesting to older 'old boys' will be the back issues of the Briggensian School Magazine, indexed 1914-1938, 1939-1963 and 1964-78.
As they have been scanned as Adobe PDFs there's a search facility available, allowing easy location of items of interest.
Relive those great days spent taking part in inter-school and inter-house sports and remember those societies (and masters!) of long ago. It's all there for us to enjoy.
You can also download The History of Brigg Grammar School by Dr Frank Henthorn (with Supplement) to 1969, scanned and converted to Adobe Reader format by Mike Spencer.
The file size is 12.4 MB - not too taxing with today's Broadband connections.
Also very readable are: Brigg Grammar School 1941-48 - A Memoir by John Rhodes (Adobe Reader - 163 kb); and BGS 1921-31 - A Memoir by the late David Riggall: web version Part One.
We will gloss over Sir John Nelthorpe's School in Brigg 1669-2003: A brief illustrated history by Nigel Fisher!
Briggensians' Newsletters for the past 12 years are also on the site.
Of the BGS Magazine, written by pupils and published from 1914-1978, the Briggensians' website rightly says: "It is a fascinating source of information about school life and life in general in past decades."

Our picture shows Adrian Gibbons (left), Brigg Grammar pupil of the 1960s and now a long-serving teacher at Sir John Nelthorpe School, viewing a picture from the past with fellow 'Old Boy' Keith Barnes.

VAL RETURNS

Word reaches us that well-known sportsman Val Jeffrey, now living in the far south-west, has returned to Brigg for a short spell, and that he was due to attend last night's annual dinner of Brocklesby Park Cricket Club.
Val hails from a very well-known Brigg family - I seem to recall they had a butcher's shop years ago.
Educated at Glebe Road School and Brigg Grammar, he was a very good hockey player with Brigg, and (during the summer months) a notable performer with the bat.
He was a teacher in Barton-Upon-Humber for many years, and lived at the junction of Bigby Road and Westrum Lane, Brigg, near the level crossing.

Our picture shows Val (left) with cricketing colleagues Josh White, John Brumby and Keith Smith during the Brocklesby Park Cricket Club dinner, held at Oliver's, in Bigby Stret, Brigg, in March, 1998.

TRAIN OF THOUGHT

The Bigby Road level crossing is closed AGAIN this morning, as more work is being carried out.
It's only a few weeks since a closure of several days was in operation, but this one should only last until early this afternoon.
Still, it's inconvenient for the many motorists using the busy A1084, and a nuisance for the many Brigg people living beyond the crossing, such as Westrum Lane and Bigby High Road.
It's a fair bet trade at Brigg Garden Centre will not benefit as a result of car-driving customers having to take the alternative route via Wrawby and Kettleby crossing.
Diversion signs are in operation today, but it is to be hoped Network Rail has now finished its improvements at the crossing.
Regular readers of Brigg Blog and the Brigg Extra page in the Scunthorpe Telegraph will be aware the railway line through Brigg has been extensively refurbished in the past year. And, during the summer, when line between Scunthorpe and Doncaster is being closed for repair work (in the Isle of Axholme), many freight trains will be diverted through Brigg.

I THOUGHT I SAW A....

Although certainly no bird-watcher, I thought I glimpsed my first house martin of the spring early this morning, very high in the sky over Cary Lane.
Given the cold, damp weather, the little bird must have been wishing it had stayed in Africa, rather than flying all the way over to Brigg.
Maybe Blog readers can confirm earlier 2009 sightings of swallows and martins.
The swifts - such summer favourites in the Central Square/East Parade area - usually arrive a few weeks after their close relatives.
Please post your sightings here, or email nigel.fisher@gsmg.co.uk

HOPES HIGH

A bright future for Brigg among all the economic gloom in the UK was forecast by the town’s first citizen in his annual report, which described it as a friendly and prosperous market town.
Coun Mike Campion (pictured) told the annual public meeting, held in the Angel Suite, the past year had been a good one for the town, which had faired much better than some others.
He pointed to several new businesses and relatively few closed shops.
The mayor said he was hopeful the Brigg summer fair could be revived this year by Brigg District Lions.
On the thorny topic of anti-social behaviour, Coun Campion said questions should be asked about not only about the youngsters concerned but also their parents.
He said the town council would continue to press for a great policing presence in Brigg and for the police station to be open for more hours.
Coun Nigel Sherwood, delivering his annual report on North Lincolnshire Council, said the past six months had been difficult. “The year ahead is going to be extremely challenging,” he added.

ACES HIGH

The Aces remain top of the Back’o’TheNet Five a-Side league - which, for two weeks, will be played the Glanford Leisure Centre rather than Vale of Ancholme sports hall - following a convincing 4-1 victory against under-strength The Marras.
Brigg Alliance kept up the heat and jumped into second place as they put Grumpy Old Men to the sword by hitting them for six, with Jamie Rodgers, Ben Stothard and Paul Neal all grabbing a brace apiece.
Hardly Athletic claimed their fourth draw of the season after an entertaining 3-3 encounter with Benchwarmers, and finally Dynamo Chicken Kiev recorded their first victory of the season as they saw off the Brigg Fire Brigade 7-5.

APRIL 8 SCORES

BRIGG ALLIANCE 6 v 0 GRUMPY OLD MEN
DYNAMO CHICKEN 7 v 5 BRIGG FIRE BRIGADE
THE MARRAS 1 v 4 THE ACES
HARDLY ATHLETIC 3 v 3 BENCHWARMERS

HOT SHOTS

DANNY WRAITH THE ACES 9
DARREN BRITCLIFFE HARDLY ATHLETIC 7
CHRIS RIDLEY THE ACES 7
ANDREW MORRIS THE MARRAS 6
KELVIN BROWN BRIGG ALLIANCE 5
PHIL COLE THE MARRAS 5
KEV GOODSON THE ACES 5


APRIL 15 FIXTURES

BENCHWARMERS v THE MARRAS 17.30
BRIGG FIRE STATION v THE ACES 18.00
GRUMPY OLD MEN v HARDLY ATHLETIC FC 18.30
BRIGG ALLIANCE v DYNAMO CHICKEN KIEV 19.00


STANDINGS

THE ACES 7 6 0 1 35 8 +27 18
BRIGG ALLIANCE 7 5 1 1 33 11 +22 16
THE MARRAS 7 4 2 1 22 12 +10 14
BENCHWARMERS 7 2 3 2 14 19 +5 9
GRUMPY OLD MEN 7 2 2 3 12 23 -11 8
HARDLY ATHLETIC 7 1 4 2 14 17 -3 7
DYNAMO CHICKEN 7 1 1 5 13 38 -25 4
BRIGG FIRE STATION 7 0 1 6 15 30 -15 1

LOOKING UP

Here's an interesting view of the tower at Pingley Camp, on the outskirts of Brigg, supplied by a reader from the Midlands.
The former Italian and German prisoner-of-war camp - derelict for years - is now being reveloped for industry and housing.

DIARY DATE

The next quarterly meeting of the Brigg Neighbourhood Policing Panel will be on Tuesday, July 7 in the town's Angel Suite.
The public meeting will start at 7.30pm, but from 6.30pm there will be the chance to discuss items in confidence with members of Insp Brett Rutty's neighbourhood policing team.
These meeting are chaired by Brigg's Coun Tom Glossop and offer members of the public a forum to raise matters of concern and ask questions of the police and road safety staff.

ORGAN MARATHON

Couns John Kitwood and Carl Sherwood are the latest Brigg town councillors attempting to transfer the 'free' organ from Broughton to the Angel Suite, where it will be available for use at events.
The saga of transporting the musical instrument has dragged on for many weeks, and the issue has been raised at several meetings.
Hopefully, one day soon, someone can manage to get it over to Brigg from its current resting place.

STILL ON TARGET

Veteran Col Mumby scored again for Briggensians FC in the Scunthorpe Saturday League but they lost 10-2 at home to Scunthonians.
Col's over 50...well over 50!

SECONDS NOT OUT

The first home game of the season for Brigg Town Cricket Club's 2nd X1 will be on Saturday, May 2 when they entertain Cherry Burton in an East Yorkshire Alliance division three fixture at the Recreation Ground.
Brigg 2nds then journey onto the North Bank to take on the interestingly named Hull Ionians Coal Exporters 3rds, on bank holiday Monday (May 4).
Brigg Town first teamers have regained their place in the Lincolnshire County Cricket Club, having passed a ground inspection, and will play this summer in division four.
Brigg 1sts spent the 2008 season in the East Yorkshire Alliance, having earlier played in the Lincoln League, following their departure from the Lincs League.
Brigg Blog hopes to bring you a complete fixture list for Brigg Town CC, including junior games.
Watch this space!

CHANGE OF HEART?

Further to our earlier posting about Tesco introducing Clubcard scanners at its Brigg store's checkouts, it now seems they have been removed.
Had there been many complaints about the new DIY system?

ASHES TO ASHES

A car driver was waiting in Cary Lane this morning for the traffic lights to change. He had a cigarette lit and the window open. Every few seconds his hand appeared through the window and he flicked the end off his 'fag'.
Directly behind his hand, just the other side of Barnard Avenue, was the sign for ASH Grove.
Very appropriate!

WINNERS AND LOSERS

Brigg is very well off for charity shops where you can take your unwanted items and help worthy causes raise a few bob (yes, I can still remember old money!).
Our household always tries to support the RSPCA outlet, but as it was shut this morning that resulted in a bonus donation of decent (but now unwanted) books for the Sue Ryder shop in nearby Spring's Parade.
Some decent railway books among them, as some might have guessed.

GOING FOR A SONG

A slice of Brigg retail history is up for grabs in a town centre charity shop.
It's a Decca label Vera Lynn record in the original cardboard sleave, first sold decades ago by Harold Green in his small shop at 51 Bridge Street.
You can snap up this gem for a tenner at the Lindsey Lodge Hospice shop, in Wrawby Street, where it takes pride of place in the window (near the door).
Veteran shopkeeper Harold had quite a few strings to his bow, if you'll pardon the pun, also repairing gramaphones, framing pictures, selling fine art and fancy goods, and stocking toys for Brigg youngsters to enjoy.

JOB WELL DONE

Many Brigg householders may be unaware North Lincolnshire Council offers a very good free collection service of bulky, unwanted household items.
Within a few days of posting a request, they sent someone round in a truck to pick up an unwanted armchair and a couple of old bikes for us.
Visit the council website for full details. You can book online, if you wish.

LOOKING GOOD

Take a look in the Nelthorpe Arms beer garden, if you are passing by on Bridge Street, to enjoy the tree planted in memory of former landlady Mary Scanlon. Now in full bloom, it looks really impressive.

JURY'S STILL OUT

Coun Tom Glossop still isn't convinced about taking no action to deter the parking of cars on Bigby Road, near the junction with St Helen's Road.
Tom, a member of Brigg Town Council, has raised this issue several times - but the folk in authority who control such things have now suggested the parking of cars in this spot actually helps slow down the flow of traffic!
Tom ought to know what he's talking about - he lives in St Helen's Road and so often uses this junction to try to access the often busy A1084.
There are no yellow lines on this stretch of road, not far from the Monument.

FASHION POLICE

Brigg's police chief found himself pressed into action as fashion spokesman for his force last night at the quarterly meeting of the Brigg Policing Panel, in the Angel Suite.
Insp Brett Rutty was asked to explain why police officers had switched to wearing black shirts, rather than the traditional white.
Brett said he thought it followed a decision taken nationally, rather than within the Humberside force.
He explained PCs, sergeants and inspectors were wearing black, with the more senior ranks still donning white shirts and ties.
He gave his own preference but asked us not to report that!

GREEN APPEAL

Tenants of Brigg's Grammar School Road allotments are asking the town council to consider improved security at the site.
Members of the council's property and services committee will consider the issue at a meeting tomorrow in the Angel Suite (7pm).
Tenants also say repairs are urgently needed to improve the central route through the site.

SENSATIONAL ACES

The Aces produced a quite sensational performance, crashing 13 goals past bottom club Dynamo Chicken Kiev to maintain the lead at the top of the Back’o’TheNet Brigg Indoor Football League, played on Wednesday evenings at Vale of Ancholme sports hall, Grammar School Road.
Chris Ridley added to last week’s hat-trick by smashing home four goals and produced a mesmerising display in the process.
Danny Wraith became the outright leader of the Golden Boot as he slammed in a hat-trick, there were braces each for Robert Dring & Lenny Leening with Kev Goodson and Tom Morwood completing a miserable twenty-four minutes for Kiev.
The Marras kept up the pressure after coming through a tense and nervy affair with Hardly Athletic. Andrew Morris took his season’s tally to six and grabbed the only goal of the game which sets up next weeks match with leaders The Aces perfectly. Brigg Alliance returned to winning ways by thumping Benchwarmers 6-0.
Kelvin Brown kept up his hot scoring streak with a double taking his total so far to five, Ben Stothard too added a brace and there were also goals from Jim Rodgers and Rob Cavill as Alliance remain just two points off the top.
Finally, Grumpy Old Men finally found their scoring boots as they came through 6-3 victors in an excellent match with Brigg Fire Brigade. The ‘Old Men’ lead 3-0 with Kevin Turner helping himself to an early brace, but The Fire Brigade fought back through Craig Dawson and Shane Pritchard. Grumpy then stepped up a gear with Stuart Tindall adding another goal to an impressive tally and both Mark Cawkwell and Darren Jordan both added solitary strikes effectively ending the game as a contest. Brigade’s Dan Good grabbed a late consolation leaving them just one place off the bottom.


APRIL 1 RESULTS

THE ACES 13 v 0 DYNAMO CHICKEN KIEV
HARDLY ATHLETIC 0 v 1 THE MARRAS
BENCHWARMERS 0 v 6 BRIGG ALLIANCE
BRIGG FIRE BRIGADE 3 v 6 GRUMPY OLD MEN


HOT SHOTS

DANNY WRAITH THE ACES 9
DARREN BRITCLIFFE HARDLY ATHLETIC 7
CHRIS RIDLEY THE ACES 7
ANDREW MORRIS THE MARRAS 6
KELVIN BROWN BRIGG ALLIANCE 5
PHIL COLE THE MARRAS 5
KEV GOODSON THE ACES 5


WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 FIXTURES

BRIGG ALLIANCE v GRUMPY OLD MEN 17.30
DYNAMO CHICKEN v BRIGG FIRE BRIGADE 18.00
THE MARRAS v THE ACES 18.30
HARDLY ATHLETIC v BENCHWARMERS 19.00



HOW THEY STAND

THE ACES 6 5 0 1 31 7 +24 15
THE MARRAS 6 4 2 0 21 8 +13 14
BRIGG ALLIANCE 6 4 1 1 27 11 +16 13
BENCHWARMERS 6 2 2 2 11 16 +5 8
GRUMPY OLD MEN 6 2 2 2 12 17 -5 8
HARDLY ATHLETIC 6 1 3 2 11 14 -3 6
BRIGG FIRE STATION 6 0 1 5 10 23 -13 1
DYNAMO CHICKEN 6 0 1 5 6 33 -27 1


Our action picture, courtesy of Mark Chapman, shows Aces' star Kevin Goodson on the ball against Dynamo Chicken Kiev. For further details about the league email MarkyChappy@aol.com

GOLDEN CHOICE

Ancholme Mews, on Bigby Street, Brigg, has seen the first people move into their new homes and settle in to the delights of the retirement living lifestyle.
Since opening its doors with a stunning ceremony in summer 2008, Ancholme Mews has become a popular and elegant place to retire in the sought after location of Brigg, Lincolnshire.
The first resident to make the move into the Golden Living retirement development is Mrs Hague who believes that the move has given her a new lease of life in retirement, "I love living here at Ancholme Mews, everyone is so friendly and there's so much going on. I moved from a traditional residential area where everyone went to work during the day so there were never many people around."
Companionship and activities are among the many attractions of a Golden Living apartment that residents find appealing and is certainly something that Mrs Hague can identify with, "I was the first person to move in but there are now quite a few of us and we have coffee mornings every Wednesday. I have also joined the local Women’s Institute, so I have quite a busy life here."
Many people have chosen to move into a Golden Living retirement apartment because of the excellent location. Brigg is a bustling and vibrant town, famous for its farmers’ markets, colourful summer events and gentle riverside walks.
The location and easy access to amenities near the development was a major factor in Mrs Hague's decision to move, "We had been looking at bungalows in Scunthorpe but the Golden Living apartments were much more appealing as they are so close to Brigg town centre. You can walk to the shops from the development and there are cafes to stop at. It is only a short walk to the doctors as well."
Mrs Hague was sure she wanted to move to Ancholme Mews from a very early stage: " My son and I came to look around the development when it was still being built. As I was on crutches we couldn’t look around the apartments properly but I chose the one I liked from the plans, I have a lovely 2 bedroom apartment.”
Perhaps one of the biggest contributory factors in people choosing a retirement apartment is the ability to downsize and take away the pressures of living in a large, high-maintenance home. Mrs Hague appreciates these difficulties, "My old house had a large garden and it is a blessing to not have to worry about that now. I used to have a gardener that came over every two weeks but the garden soon became overgrown."
Mrs Hague has also taken the time to carefully decorate the apartment to her taste and is pleased with the results of her new home, "I kept some furniture but my son and daughter told me I had to be quite strict with only taking things that I really needed. Mainly I wanted to bring a lot of my late husband’s books, so I have turned the second bedroom into a study and I have a big bookcase with all my favourite books and photographs on."
Ancholme Mews offers 39 one bedroom and 14 two bedroom apartments while also offering a residents' lounge and a comfortable guest suite for family and friends. Security is a top priority at Golden Living and safety features include CCTV, 24 hour Careline and a resident estate manager.
Landscaped gardens complete this delightful development that is now Mrs Hague's home and she is looking forward to more people joining her in the development, "I would love my friends to move in here with me. Some of them have been for a tour of the show apartments and are very impressed."
For further information or comment on Golden Living please contact Jenny Walkinshaw at And Partners. Tel: 0161 237 1573.

Our picture shows (left to right) Mrs Haigh, Golden Living ambassador and famous actress Wendy Craig, and Patricia Hulbert inside the Golden Living development last year.

SIGN OF THE TIMES

A public seat has been vandalised and a flowerbed distrubed right underneath one of the new signs put up on the River Ancholme towpath to advertise the get tough measures being taken against young troublemakers in Brigg.
Police now have now measures to make teens they believe are up to no good stay away from the town centre, and riverbank area, for up to 24 hours.
There's no saying youngsters were responsible for the damage to the seat and flowers, but it's ironic to say the least that the vandalism is right next to the warning sign.

HATS OFF TO THE WINNERS

How sad to see Matt Sparrow - former pupil of Brigg's Sir John Nelthorpe School - fourth man up the steps to collect his runners-up medal this afternoon after Scunthorpe United lost the thrilling Johnstone's Paint Trophy final at Wembley against Luton Town. Especially as he's the Iron's longest-serving player.
Scunny, from a higher division, were favourites to beat the Hatters, who look like dropping out of League Two after a whopping 30-point deduction. But it was not to be.
Great weather, great football from both sides, great goals and a great occasion.
Just a shame the Iron couldn't quite manage to secure the cup played for by sides in the lower two divisions. But they will bank plenty of cash from the cup run and can now concentrate on the league, to use that old football cliche.
Hopefully Nigel Adkins' men can now pick themselves up and to on to gain promotion through the play-offs.
Fingers crossed!

THE BOY DONE WELL

North Lincolnshire's amateur jockey, Simon Latchford, finished a very creditable third on Bright Sparky in the John Smith's People's Race at Aintree - part of yesterday's Grand National meeting.
Simon, from Ulceby, was originally a 25-1 to one rank outsider, meaning my money went on him to win, rather than be placed.
I've heard a couple of snippets suggesting people Brigg connected punters won some sizeable cash on yesterday's Grand National, in which Mon Mome triumphed at 100-1, the biggest-priced winner since Foinavon in 1967.

UP THE IRON!

Today will be an even quieter Sunday than normal in Brigg, in view of the number of townsfolk going down to Wembley to support Scunthorpe United in the cup final against Luton Town.
Like others in Brigg, I had to get up before the crack of dawn to take a couple of family members over to Glanford Park, where coaches were leaving at 6am on their way down to London.
On my return to Brigg, about 5.30am, two of TJs buses were just pulling out of Island Carr - and doubtless other local coach firms are involved in taking Iron fans on their big day out.
Incidentally, I seem to recall Brigg's Barry Horstead was in the Scunthorpe United team, in 1965, which thrashed Luton 8-1 - the Iron's biggest ever home win. Must have been a pretty quiet day in defence for our man!

LONG ODDS

Hopefully Brigg bookies will have taken plenty of bets for the horse being ridden by Ulceby trainee solicitor Simon Latchford in this afternoon's John Smith's People's Race at Aintree.
Riding before a 70,000 crowd at the Grand National meeting will be a huge thrill for Simon and the nine other amateur jockeys who won through a national competition to gain places in a special charity race, with £100,000 going to the winner's chosen worthy cause.
Simon and his colleagues are in flat race action and won't have to take on some of those fearsome jumps.

MUSIC TO OUR EARS

Sounds of the fiddle fest came early to Brigg town centre today, with a young lady busker in Wrawby Street playing classical tunes and collecting cash from passers-by to help fund volunteer work she plans to undertake in India.

SELF-SERVICE

As a somewhat infrequent shopper at Brigg's Tesco store it came as a surprise to learn you now have to scan your own points card on a machine near the till.
Previously, lazy folk like me who are not that interested in the points anyway, just plonked the card (attached to the keyring holding the car keys) down on top of our purchases and left it to the checkout person to do the rest.
No big hassle now we know about the need to scan, but I'm unsure how this fits in with the Every Little Helps policy.

NET FINALE

Brigg Town Mayor Coun Mike Campion has been asked to contribute one final podcast to the town council's My Space page on the internet before he ends his year of office in May.
For the benefit of the uninitiated, town council podcasts involve councillors chatting about topics of interest so interested residents, ex-Briggensians and visitors from around the world can hear what's going on and coming up.
When the council's policy committee undertook its monthly receive of podcasts, Coun Ben Nobbs questioned whether the podcasts needed to be so long, and in sections.
He pointed out 44 people had listened to the first segment available, eight to the second and seven to the third.
To find out what it's all about visit www.myspace.com/briggtowncouncil

OVER THE FIRST HURDLE

A number of schemes were considered by Brigg Town Council's planning and environment committee last night, and no objections raised, as the first stage in the process towards getting planning approval.
North Lincolnshire Council planners now have the final say on each:
Millford, Mill Lane: Erect two-story extension.
60-62 Wrawby Street: Retain use of two units to a cafe and change first floor to staff bedroom accommodation, plus listed building consent for removal of internal walls and associated alterations
23 Wrawby Street: Mixed use to allow craft activity, pottery, retail, refreshments, seminars, evening classes, workshops, cafe, children's parties to take place on the premises. This scheme was reported at length on the Brigg Extra page in the Scunthorpe Telegraph but has now been amended and resubmitted. See picture above.

ALL A BYTE SAD

It's good to see 57 Wrawby Street, Brigg, back in use as the new base for Hub Computers. But somewhat ironic.
For if computers had been installed at this address in the mid-1980s, it's a fair bet the old Lincolnshire Times newspaper, which was based there, would have stayed in circulation a good bit longer.
The weekly paper was largely written by journalists based in Brigg, where advertising staff were also based. However, all the production, including printing, was done at the Hull Daily Mail's Jameson Street premises.
When the paper was closed in July, 1985 it was largely due to high production costs. However, just a few years later the newspaper industry was revolutionised by the introduction of so-called new technology (computerisation) which greatly reduced costs and reduced the reliance on old-fashioned printing skills and practices.
For those of us who worked for the old Lincolnshire Times it's hard to believe next summer will see the 25th anniversary of the faithful old paper's demise.
Our illustration, by Stephen Hill, shows Bryan Robins, long-serving Lincolnshire Times photographer and councillor, outside 57 Wrawby Street, some time in the mid-1970s.

If you wish to contact Hub Computers the number is 07813448340.

OUT OF THE ASHES

In an unusual 'Phoenix from the Ashes' type project, a Brigg house is being demolished to be replaced by a brand new one on the same site.
5 St Helen's Road - a detached property - has now been reduced to a pile of bricks and rubble. In its place will go a brand new dwelling for owner Linden King and his family.
St Helen's Road is a very desirable address in Brigg, so this seems a good way of staying put while getting a modern home in which to live.