OLD PAPERS PROVE BIG HIT

It's for others to judge whether last night's talk to Brigg Amateur Social Historians (BASH) at the Servicemen's Club was a hit or not - but I enjoyed recounting the history of the Lincolnshire Times, from mid-Victorian times to 1985.
Ex-Times colleagues Penny Smith and Mike Hills are determined to see the 25th anniversary of the weekly paper's closure marked in some way next summer.
Great interest was created by the old copies of the Times from 1979-81, passed round for the audience to browse. Some found references to themselves, relatives and friends among the yellowing pages.
Rather than repeat the contents of the Lincs Times talk given to BASH six years ago - in the organisation's infancy - we tried to do something a bit different, with reference to the old copies. The adverts were enjoyed by many - featuring businesses long gone from Brigg streets, and a few which have survived to the present day.
Many people stayed on to look through further old copies, and the articles and photos brought back many memories.
BASH's Graham Austin took a picture, and we'll post that when it arrives, in due course. Plus details of forthcoming meetings.
Chairman Josie Webb has asked for another appearance next November, to talk about The History of the Scunthorpe Telegraph (1937-present day), or Railways of Lincolnshire. Probably the former. However, we'll leave it up to Josie to make the final decision.
Last night's estimated attendance was 60, a raffle was held and a fine buffet enjoyed. BASH has certainly stood the test of time, and gone from strength to strength, since its formation over a chat one Friday night at the White Horse, its first base. Credit for that goes to Josie and her team down the years. They put in a great deal of hard work, not only with the monthly meetings but also special events like the Brigg Ghost Walks.