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.

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.

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.

WORK BEGINS

Work has now finally started on the cycle lane project along Bridge Street, Brigg, and Scawby Road, Scawby Brook.
North Lincolnshire Council, the highway authority, is carrying out the installation at night, in an effort to reduce the delays to motorists.
This project has taken a very long time to come to fruition, with one school of thought suggesting the cyclists would be better on the footpath, rather than on a lane running at the side of the very busy A18, which is what's going to happen.
Cyclists and pedestrians quite happily share the footpath between The Monument and Wrawby.
We'll just have to wait and see how things turn out.

WHEN THE KING ABDICATED

Former Brigg man Cliff Turner, of 16 Bernard Street, Hamilton, New Zealand, had happy childhood memories rekindled by an image in a recent issue of Nostalgia magazine, compiled by 'yours truly' for the Scunthorpe Telegraph.
He emails: "The picture of the Brigg Grammar School swimming bath in the March Nostalgia interested me as I learnt to swim in it in the summer of 1937. The bath was 15 yards long and five yards wide, three feet deep at one end and six feet at the other. Once I had learnt to swim my mother allowed me to swim in the river at Castlethorpe Bridge.
"The man in the picture is William Lamb, whose main job was teaching Latin. In my first term at the school in December, 1936 Mr Lamb was giving us a lesson in Form IIIA when a message arrived requiring our presence in the main assembly area. Headmaster Daughton then told us that King Edward VIII was to abdicate. We knew that Mr Lamb was a sick man but were nevertheless shocked when he died before the end of term.
"The picture of the suspension bridge at Horkstow came as a revelation. I spent my first 16 years in Brigg but never knew of its existence."


I also have memories of swimming at Brigg Grammar - but not such happy ones. The intense cold of the then unheated swimming pool in September, 1967 - our first week - put me off this particular summer activity for life.
We'd been playing football on the school field, returned to the changing rooms and were then ordered into the pool (by sportsmaster Gerry Longden).
Having enjoyed the warmth of the modern one at Glebe Road School, where steam would often rise from the surface of the water, this came as a terrible shock. Brrrr!
However, there was a plus side: Cricket came to dominate my summers - as it still does more than 40 years later.
Every cloud has a silver lining!

SIGN OF TIMES

Advertisement consent is being sought to retain a sign at the former Trent Foods Building, 2 Ancholme Way, Brigg, while permission to erect three linked houses on the site of the former County Primary School, off Glebe Road, is being requested by Keigar Homes.
North Lincolnshire planners will rule on both applications.

CALLING CLASS OF '93

A reunion is being held for the class of 1993 at Sir John Nelthorpe School, Brigg.
It will be on Saturday, May 16 at the Ancholme Inn, Grammar School Road, Brigg (7pm).
Those wanting to attend are asked to call Sharon Ladlow on 07845 898129, or email sharon.ladlow@talktalk.net
The cost is £5. Long-serving teacher John Hastings was head of year for the group, and all pupils and staff from that era will be welcome. Dozens of former Brigg school chums will meet up at others sports and social get-togethers throughout the year.
They are being organised by the Briggensians’ Association, representing former pupils and staff of Sir John Nelthorpe School, Brigg Sixth Form College, Brigg Grammar School and Brigg Girls’ High School.

Monday, June 15: Spring golf meeting at Elsham Golf Club (changed venue), 4.30 p.m. start

Friday, June 19: Summer sports reunion, Sir John Nelthorpe School, meet 6pm for 6.30pm start. Cricket and rounders - Youth v Experience, followed by social get-together at the Yarborough Hunt, Bridge Street, Brigg

Friday, July 10: Tennis, Sir John Nelthorpe School, further details to be announced

Wednesday, July 15: Match play golf, Past v Present, Elsham Golf Club, 4pm start


Sunday, October 18: Autumn golf meeting, Elsham Golf Club, first tee-off noon

Thursday, September 10: Winter sports, Sir John Nelthorpe School,
Meet 6pm for 6.30 pm start - football, male and female hockey, netball, followed by social get-together at the Yarborough Hunt, Bridge Street, Brigg


Sunday, December 27: Football, Sir John Nelthorpe School (10.30am start), followed by pub games.

For further details visit the website www.briggensians.net or email secretary@briggensians.net


Our picture shows John Hastings (left) discussing a point of interest with former Brigg Grammar School pupil Nev Miller during the Briggensians' annual dinner in March

DEWIE'S DELIGHT

Phil Dewfall turned in a sensational bowling performance yesterday as Brigg Town 2nds defeated Cherry Burton in East Yorkshire Cricket Alliance division three.
The left-arm seam bowler took six wickets at a cost of only two runs, in 10 overs. And the only runs he conceded were two wides. Not one of the Cherry batsmen managed a run from Phil's bowling.
Scores: Cherry Burton 58 (P Dewfall 6-2), Brigg 2nds 59 for three.

Brigg Town's first teamers did not have a Lincolnshire League division four fixture yesterday.

MASSIVE SHOCK FOR ACES

There was a massive shock during week 10 of the Back’o’TheNet Brigg Five-a-Side Football League when previous leaders The Aces came crashing back down to earth as they were thumped 4-0 by a Darren Britcliffe-inspired Hardly Athletic.
Britcliffe, who contested the early scoring charts with Danny Wraith, had gone through a lean spell in front of goal, but he hit all four against The Aces as Hardly leapfrogged Grumpy Old Men to move into fourth place.
Brigg Alliance took advantage of the Aces' slip-up as they beat a rapidly improving Brigg Fire Brigade 3-1.
Kelvin Brown was back amongst the goals for Alliance as he scored twice to take his season's tally to seven and Rob Cavil added the third to take his team back to the top of the table after a six week absence.
Craig Dawson smashed home Brigade’s consolation, leaving his side still searching for their first win of the season, but recent performances suggest that may not be far away.
And finally, The Marras came out on top of a tense affair with another hugely improved side in Grumpy Old Men. Phil Cole, Phil Davies and Joe Hastings did the damage for the Marras, but a double from Gammage made the title contenders sweat before finally seeing the game out.
The Marras now sit in third place, just two points off the top.

APRIL 29 RESULTS

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



MAY 6 FIXTURES

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

HOT SHOTS

DANNY WRAITH THE ACES 16
DARREN BRITCLIFFE HARDLY ATHLETIC 11
JAMIE RODGERS BRIGG ALLIANCE 10
CHRIS RIDLEY THE ACES 8
KELVIN BROWN BRIGG ALLIANCE 7
PHIL COLE THE MARRAS 7
KEV GOODSON THE ACES 6
ANDREW MORRIS THE MARRAS 6
BEN STOTHARD BRIGG ALLIANCE 6



HOW THEY STAND


BRIGG ALLIANCE 9 7 1 1 47 18 +29 22

THE ACES 10 7 1 2 45 19 +26 22

THE MARRAS 9 6 2 1 29 15 +14 20

HARDLY ATHLETIC 10 3 5 2 21 19 +2 14

GRUMPY OLD MEN 10 3 3 4 22 30 -8 12

BENCHWARMERS 8 2 3 3 16 25 -9 9

DYNAMO CHICKEN 9 1 1 7 16 47 -31 4

BRIGG FIRE BRIGADE 11 0 2 9 24 47 -23 2

SCHOOL OF THOUGHT

The controversial possibility of new secondary schools being built in Brigg and Broughton was raised by Brigg Town Mayor Coun Mike Campion.
North Lincolnshire Council, the education authority, is seeking views about the future of secondary education in the area, Brigg currently having both Sir John Nelthorpe School and Vale of Ancholme Technology College.
Coun Campion raised the issue at at Brigg Town Council meeting, and asked Coun Tom Glossop for his opinion.
A former chairman of governors at The Vale, Coun Glossop replied that although the idea of building two new schools in adjoining towns had ‘some credibility’ he did not think North Lincolnshire Council owned a suitable site in Broughton.