SMALL PROPORTION FOR BRIGG

Brigg Town Council will need £117,027 in funding for the 'fiscal year' 2010/11 - compared with the current £97,650.
The proportion of each Brigg household's overall council tax bill which finds its way into the Town Council's coffers is always very small; the majority of what we pay (currently just over £1,000 to £3,000 depending on your home's banding) goes to North Lincolnshire Council (which oversees major services like education and refuse collection). We also contribute to policing and fire.
North Lincolnshire Council does the collecting, with just one bill being sent out.
The Town Council approved its 'prepept' for the next financial year at the January meeting in the Angel Suite, when Coun Jenny Bell (pictured) said: "We have tried our best to be as frugal as we can."
The Town Council manages the allotments in Redcombe Lane and Grammar School Road, oversees the Angel Suite community venue, supports local groups through small grants and also 'major events' such as the music and drama festival and communal bonfire (after considering requests). It also organises the town centre's Christmas lights.
Once all town and parish councils, plus police and fire, have decided how much they need, North Lincolnshire Council will include them with its own requirements and send out bills for the entire amount for 2010/11.
Only then will we find out how much Brigg households will have to pay. North Lincolnshire Council is what they call the precepting authority and is responsible for billing and collection. So we can't give you a figure for how much more Brigg Town Council will ask from each household in 2010/11 compared to the current financial year. But Paul Daniels' catchphrase "Not a lot" will apply, in terms of the overall payment.
The Scunthorpe Telegraph will report at length on the major figure everyone wants to know - North Lincolnshire Council's. All the charges for the various bands will then be set out in a neat chart and uploaded to the authority's website www.northlincs.gov.uk. Plus being advertised in the press.
Households will also get helpful leaflets in the post, with the annual bill.
Local government finance is a tedious topic, it's true, but a very important one for those who foot the bill, the councillors responsible for deciding how funds are going to be spent, and for the staff whose jobs are paid for out of the public purse.

BRIGG BITTER RETURNS IN STYLE

Hurry down to the Black Bull if you want to savour a pint or two of Brigg's brewing heritage. Just two barrels of Sergeant's Brigg Bitter are on tap - and it's selling very well.
Sergeant's Brigg Brewery - off Bridge Street - closed in autumn 1967 after well over a century slaking local thirsts. However, Fulstow Brewery's Phil Ellis has now rediscovered the old recipe and done his level best to create the taste of Sargent's, which at one time in the 1930s was declared champion ale of the entire UK at a contest in London.

Fulstow Brewery has supplied two barrels to the Bull and seven to other outlets in mid-Lincolnshire. The first pint at our Wrawby Street hostelry was pulled at 7.30pm last night by mine host Richard Smith (see picture above), and the brew was voted an immediate success by regulars and some who dropped by specially for the occasion.
Brigg Blog tried four during the evening - thorough research was called for! - and even some drinkers old enough to have sampled Sergeant's in the 1960s gave it the thumbs-up at £2 a pint (introductory price). Those oldies hoping to get a pint for an old shilling were sadly disappointed.
For real ale devotees, it's a light, refreshing brew (3.7 per cent), being aptly described by one supper last night as "a good session beer."
Among those in the Bull for the re-launch were well-known Brigg brothers Martin and Johnny North, whose father Jack was the last head brewer at Sergeant's before closure came due to 'rationalisation'.
Fulstow's Phil brought along a few old Sergeant's archive pictures he'd uncovered, one of which showed Jack North and wife Peggy enjoying a brewery social night with many of their colleagues.



Here we include a shot of son Johnny at the bar (that's him on the right) admiring the picture featuring mum and dad. Worry not, we've copied it for him!
We'll have to wait and see whether Brigg Bitter goes down well enough with the Lincolnshire public - not just those in our town - for Fulstow Brewery to do some more barrels, or even bottle some for home consumption.


Phil - seen above behind the bar with his his better half Dawn, and mine hosts Amber and Richard - obviously can't access the original Castlethorpe spring water available to Sergeant's decades ago, but many of us have raised a glass to him in appreciation of his efforts in recreating a taste of Brigg history.
We've asked Phil and Dawn to keep Brigg Blog fully informed about future developments, so keep watching for updates.
PS We are told by landlady Amber that Tony Sykes - ex-Brigg councillor, Town Mayor and long-serving Black Bull licensee - will be following this story with great interest from Portugal, where he now lives. Family best wishes, Tony, and likewise from some of your old customers and mates over here. We hope it's warmer where you are!

OLD OR NEW?

Refurbishing and reusing old school buildings in the Yorkshire and Humberside region makes environmental sense, English Heritage stressed in a major announcement this week.
But how many people would have wished to see Brigg's 1929-built Glebe Road School kept instead of building the new purpose-built facility on Atherton Way?
It's certainly worth reflecting on the point that, in North Lincolnshire, we keep knocking down these school buildings dating from the 1920s, like Brigg County Primary and the one at Ashby Turn. Many schools were built to the same distinctive design, with glass panels in the roofs and wooden-posted verandahs. They were fine examples of their period; one by one they are being demolished.
How many remain locally, now Glebe Road's has made way for housing (see picture above)?
Fortunately, the core of Sir John Nelthorpe School (constructed in the early 1670s) is grade one listed - so it's safe from the bulldozers. And it's good to see the Victorian ex-Brigg Preparatory School building has found a buyer engaged in the same line of work.
But we'll let English Heritage have their say on Yorkshire and Humberside's school buildings. You make up your own mind in terms of the relevance to Brigg and how we ought to approach things.

Refurbishing old school buildings in Yorkshire and the Humber is often the best use of resources and the most sustainable way of modernising them when schools and local authorities bid for investment from the Government’s multi-million pound schools building and renewal programme, English Heritage said.
A recent survey by English Heritage of 1,723 adults in England shows that two-thirds think that refurbishing and extending old schools is more environmentally friendly than demolishing them and building new ones.
The findings are particularly significant for Yorkshire and the Humber. The region was at the forefront of progressive attitudes to education in the late 19th century and a large number of architecturally interesting schools built in this period still survive today, most notably in Bradford, Leeds and Sheffield.
In the same survey, 83% of respondents felt that local councils should do more to find new uses for old, empty schools and almost half (47%) felt that schools with historic character provide a more inspiring educational environment than modern ones. Three in four say that historic schools contribute to the identity of a local area.
A new guidance document, Refurbishing Historic Schools Buildings, published today by English Heritage with the support of the Department of Children, Schools and Families, demonstrates the huge potential and flexibility of traditional school buildings. They can be adapted, made more energy efficient and expanded with new buildings alongside.
High Storrs Secondary in Sheffield is a prime example of a local authority opting for the greener approach of a successful, sustainable, refurbishment over rebuilding. The city council did not shy away from the possibility of including the Grade II listed 1930s school in its BSF programme. Instead, it identified and restored features and areas of significance, such as the school’s distinctive figure of eight layout and assembly hall. But at the same time it also addressed 21st century considerations such as accessibility, for example moving and replacing a badly sited lift. The overall result has been to breathe new life into the art-deco school and at the same time to preserve local heritage for the community.
Trevor Mitchell, English Heritage Regional Director for Planning and Development, said: “The Government’s investment programme is an excellent opportunity to ensure that the region’s school estate provides the best possible learning environment for many years to come. We want decision makers to actively consider whether refurbishment is the best way forward. Many of us have a deep attachment to the school buildings of our childhood and with thoughtful upgrading, we can retain the sense of character and identity they bring to neighbourhoods. Re-use also cuts down on waste and makes the best use of resources.”
Over 5,000 school buildings in England are listed for their special architectural and historical interest. Yorkshire and the Humber has 704 listed buildings, including 104 in Leeds, 70 in Bradford and 65 in Sheffield (note: regional figures are approximate as they may include buildings no longer used for educational purposes, or relate to school houses or vocational schools). Even those not meeting national designation criteria are often major local landmarks demonstrating an important element of social history.
A new book from English Heritage called England’s Schools, by Elain Harwood, also published today, provides a concise history of school buildings from medieval times to the 1980s. It highlights the remarkable architecture of many Victorian board schools in Yorkshire, including Lilycroft School, Bradford, one of the first board schools, built in 1872. The Pupil Teacher College in Leeds is hailed as a particularly handsome and prominent building, built in 1900 by WS Braithwaite, who was the last and perhaps finest of the city’s school board architects, while Scarcroft Road School in York, a 1896 Queen Anne style building, is described as a masterpiece.
Free copies of both documents are available either as downloads from www.english-heritage.org.uk/historicschools, or as hard copies via English Heritage Customer Services on 0870 333 1181 or email customers@english-heritage.org.uk

IN BRIEF

Brigg Town Council is to send a £500 grant in support of the Fiddle Fest, having studied the organisers' final accounts for the 2009 event.
Town councillors have also been informed that although Brigg District Lions intends to run a communal firework display again in 2010, they have not yet confirmed the venue (usually the Recreation Ground, off Wrawby Road).
Within the next month or two the Town Council is likely to give further consideration to plans to repair and improve the appearance of The Monument war memorial - something first suggested last year.
A decision has still not been made to release about £500 to fund a new gate onto Woodbine Park, off South View Avenue. But councillors have discussed the issue briefly and raised no objections. The gate will stop motor-cycles being ridden onto the children's facility.
Having received a letter from Brigg footpath warden Tony Parker to say the walkway between St Helen's Road and Churchill Avenue has been reopened to the public after re-surfacing by North Lincolnshire Council, Deputy Town Mayor Coun Ben Nobbs said it was a job well done (see picture).
The Town Council has engaged in further correspondence with North Lincolnshire Council about whether Market Lane is regarded as a public right of way, with more exchanges expected in the future.
Coun Tom Glossop has been made vice-chairman of the Town Council's planning and environment committee, filling a vacancy resulting from his wife Maureen resigning from the authority. Coun Nobbs chairs the planning meetings.

'SET IN STONE'

One resident of Redcombe Lane has objected to a planning application for an extension, with associated car parking, at the Carers' Centre.
Town councillors heard there were some concerns being expressed about possible loss of light and going beyond the existing building line.
Both these observations will be drawn to the attention of North Lincolnshire Council planners, who are to make the final decision.
Coun Julian Kidd drew some laughs - perhaps unintentionally - when he suggested: "Building lines used to be set in stone."
Thomas Bell and Sons' application for an extension to its Bigby Road premises, near the level crossing, prompted Coun Ann Eardley to tell this week's meeting of the Town Council's planning and environment committee: "It shows that the company's thriving."
Town councillors have no objection to 54 Bridge Street reverting from office to residential use. It housed the former offices of Grimley Smith Associates. Coun Jane Kitching stressed: "It's just going back to how it was."
Again, North Lincolnshire planners will decide whether to give the go-ahead.
The same applies to changes proposed for The Retreat, on Bigby Street, where permission is being sought to make an entire building residential at the rear of the former Preparatory School. NOT the main school building, but a white-painted one behind it. Councillors heard there were no plans to use the building as accommodation for pupils.
Ancholme Rowing Club (pictured) has now received permission to carry out pruning work to an ash tree near its boathouse, off Manley Gardens, situated in the conservation area.

REFERENDUM....PERHAPS

A referendum of Brigg households could be carried out through the newsletter Brigg Matters by our Town Council.
The idea is to gauge public opinion over improving the look of the County Bridge.
However, before that can happen the cost to Brigg will have to be worked out, after discussions with North Lincolnshire Council.
The matter will then be reconsidered at February's monthly meeting of Brigg Town Council before the very unusual referendum could take place.
A scheme of improvements to the bridge, including the removal of the ugly fenced-off walkway and replacement of the metal railings with stone balustrades, was drawn up some time ago.
However, an application for Heritage Lottery funding has been turned down, and with North Lincolnshire Council, as the highway authority, not planning to press ahead out of its own budget, Brigg Town Council is being asked to consider taking charge of the scheme (total cost £250,000 to £300,000).
Currently the Town Council's complete spend for a financial year is about £100,000, meaning there would need to be an extra charge levied on Brigg households, as happened in the 1990s to meet the cost of the Angel Suite community venue.
Coun Tom Glossop told January's Town Council meeting, held on Monday, that finance and grants might be possible from other sources. He also stressed it was possible for a Town Council to borrow money over 10 years, spreading the cost to charge-payers. At a very rough estimate he thought the extra cost to Brigg households could be 25p per week if the council sought £100,000. First, however, they would "need to get North Lincolnshire Council on-board."
Noting the efforts made over many years to press for improvements to the County Bridge, Deputy Town Mayor Coun Ben Nobbs said it would be "an absolute disaster to see all that hard work come to nothing."
Coun Glossop suggested businesses in the area might be interested in paying a few hundred pounds to, in effect, part-sponsor the bridge, such as an area of the stonework.
Coun Edward Arnott said the council needed to discover the cost of the scheme first and successfully suggested further consideration of the issue at the February meeting.
If you want to make your views public at this stage, you can post a comment here. Brigg Blog is read by town councillors so they will be able to note what you think ahead of D-Day next month.

DYING GLADIATOR HISTORY

From Ken Harrison

Brigg's pub sign was sculptured by William Clark and erected in 1863.
Clark was a friend of the Elwes family and owner of the pub.
Alleged that Clark got the idea from seeing the marble statue of the Dying Gaul, circa 230AD, in Rome.
However, the DG was one of the 'must see' sights for the European Grand Tour of the rich from the 18th C. Indeed, the poet, Lord Byron, on seeing the statue included a reference to it in his poem, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, circa 1815.

He leans upon his hand — his manly brow
Consents to death, but conquers agony,
And his drooped head sinks gradually low—
And through his side the last drops, ebbing slow

Numerous miniatures of the DG were made and stood on the shelves of the rich and famous.
A bronze-cast version is in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and there are several similar copies around the world.
At the time of sculpture, the Gauls, a tribe of Celts, were fighting the Romans in northern Italy...and the conflict was not resolved until about 200BC.
It was a common practice for Romans to display statutes, or reliefs of dying soldiers in a similar style. It was customary to show the fatally injured fighter with, or holding the tools of battle. The DG is actually sitting on his shield and a sword is laying close by. Sides of a tomb would display, in relief, the romantic image of a dying soldiers, particularly if he had been killed in battle.
It seems that this artistic image evolved from the Greeks, some centuries earlier.
The Dying Warrior, minus weapons, circa 500BC is on the display in Aegina in Greece.
The statues display quite distinctive hairstyles - DW = Greek; DG = Gaul (see also Asterix the Gaul cartoons with similar styles. Not certain about the DG - probably typical 1860 (like today) style.
Anyway, the DG appears to be sculptured in the 'style of', rather than being an exact copy.

COUNTDOWN TO FIRST PINT

Friday will see the first batch of Sergeants beer served over a bar in Brigg for more than 40 years. It will take place at the Black Bull, in Wrawby Street, at 7.30pm. Sergeants will then go on sale at £2 a pint, as it's a special promotion - so the advice will be to get there on the night, or not long after, if you want a taste of the past.
It's hoped Martin and Johnny North, both ex-publicans, will be there on Friday, as dad Jack was on Sergeants Brewery staff in Brigg when it closed in the late 1960s.
To whet our appetites, Phil Ellis, from Fulstow Brewery, has emailed through a pint of Sergeants he 'barrelled up' today, prior to delivery to the Bull.

MORE TO COME

Much was debated and decided at last night's Town Council and planning and environment committee meetings, including the parish precept for 2010/11. That's how much as a householder you will be asked to pay to keep Brigg Town Council functioning during the next financial year. Just a few pounds, I assure you. The majority, of course, goes to fund the much larger North Lincolnshire unitary authority. There's also an update on the new Queen Street residents' parking scheme.
Further posts to come over the next few days, as time permits...Please keep reading!

ONLY STOOLS AND HORSES...

Coun Nigel Sherwood suggested North Lincolnshire Council might be in a position to make use of some of the 'horse muck' generated from the travellers' site, off Atherton Way, by taking piles away to spread on flowerbeds.
One of Brigg's three representatives on the unitary authority, he told the Town Council's monthly meeting last night: "Horses are back on the Donkey Field."
Coun Sherwood's comments came as he gave an update on the travellers' camp and the steps being taken.
For the benefit of younger Brigg folk - and those who might have moved to the town in recent years - the Donkey Field was just that, decades ago, long before the upgrading of Barnard Avenue to become part of the main A18. Donkeys were kept there, and the name has lived on into the modern area, although the four-legged animals are now of a somewhat larger variety.

GLAD ALL OVER

Brigg Town Council is wasting no time in making contact with the new owner of the Dying Gladiator, who has bought it from a brewery chain. While the pub has been standing empty, and not functioning as a hostelry, town councillors have expressed concerns about the future of the building and particularly its unique statue.
Coun Penny Smith raised the issue of the pub's sale at last night's monthly meeting of the Town Council, saying of the famous Gladiator: "He really is in pretty dire straights."
However, councillors were pleased to see the Bigby Street watering hole being taken on by a new owner. Coun Tom Glossop joked: "The Gladiator is not dead, as previously rumoured!"

ECO TOWN BRIGG?

Brigg Town Council tonight agreed to send a letter in support of Link2Energy's Brigg Eco Project - something new planned for the area.
Councillors, meeting in the Angel Suite, heard of the Bigby Street-based firm's plans and how funds were being sought from Yorkshire Forward - not the council.
Malcolm Bailey, who delivered the presentation, specialises in energy and business development. He explained the intention was to turn one firm's waste, within a five-mile radius of Brigg, into another's raw material. Plastics, glass and textiles were three examples.
Coun Sue Nicholson could see the benefits. She pointed out many small businesses in Brigg were having to pay for the removal of small quantities of things like cardboard which might now be collected free on behalf of someone who could make use of it as a raw material.
Coun Mike Campion said, as a former headteacher, he knew how much waste material schools generated, the disposal of which could prove difficult. He wondered whether local schools could be included in the scheme.
Coun Penny Smith proposed supporting the Brigg firm's request for a letter of support, and fellow councillors readily agreed.
The firm is based at 1-3 Bigby Street and offers "Business Improvements Through Thinking." Tel 0845 3008025.

CLUB NIGHT AT HARRY'S

Brigg Town Cricket Club's annual Presentation Night will be at Harry Kar's Restaurant, Old Courts Road, Brigg, on Saturday, 6th February, from 6 pm.
Tickets are £23 and those club members attending are asked to take along a raffle prize.
Contact Jack Richards on 01652657613 or 07952823528 for further details.

FAMILY SHARED THE WATER

Brigg folk who lived in the alleyways and courtyards off Wrawby Street and the Market Place had to make do with baths infront of the fire. Several people, or even the entire family, would share the same water - topped up, perhaps, by fresh supplies from the kettle simmering on the grate.
The tin bath would be kept in the yard at the back of the house until getting its weekly call for service.
No bathrooms or inside toilets in those days. And the washing would be done the hard way with dolly tub, posher, mangle and lots of elbow grease.
It's all a far cry from today when you can nip down to Spencer Molloy's in Cary Lane and order the latest push-bottom washing machine that does the lot in a few minutes.

REFERENDUM ON BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS?

A possible referendum on paying for improvements to the County Bridge will be considered at Brigg Town Council's monthly meeting tomorrow in the Angel Suite (7.30pm).
This is open to the public and there will be a 15-minute period set aside for Public Question Time prior to the formal meeting.
The two main issues are at the end of the agenda.
Renovation of the County Bridge:
To consider whether:
A referendum of the residents of Brigg should be held to gauge whether they would support the cost of the aesthetic improvements required to restore the County Bridge, being funded in stages via the Parish Precept.
Renovation of the County Bridge could be incorporated into the River Ancholme Development Project, and the North Lincolnshire Council Highways Team invited to join the partnership with the aim of delivering a joint solution for the works required to repair and renovate the Brigg County Bridge.

Link2Energy –Brigg Eco Project
To receive a brief presentation from the Directors of Link2Energy Ltd, and consider their request for written support from the Town Council for the proposed Brigg Eco project.
Prior to tomorrow night's Town Council meeting, the planning and environment committee convenes at 6.45, in the Angel Suite, when a report will be considered on North Lincolnshire Council's proposed residents' parking trial scheme for the Queen Street area. The update comes from Coun Tom Glossop (pictured) and town clerk Jeanette Woollard.
Several planning application will be considered, although North Lincolnshire Council has the final say in deciding whether or not they gain approval.
Planning permission to retain a single storey side and rear timber-framed extension, 12 Birch Avenue, Brigg (further information was requested by Brigg councillors on this application).
Amended application - planning permission to retain five storage containers, Thomas Bell & Sons Ltd, Bigby Road, Brigg. Plus permission to erect an extension to existing building on the same site.
Planning permission for a change of use of offices to residential, 54 Bridge Street, Brigg.
Planning permission for a change of use of whole building to residential The Retreat, Bigby Street, Brigg.
Planning application for siting of 11 residential gypsy pitches with associated hard-standing and access, Kettleby Caravan Park, Kettleby Lane, Wrawby. (This application is of interest to Brigg but outside the parish boundary)

FANTASTIC EFFORT FOR HAITI

Yesterday's Red Cross Haiti Earthquake Appeal street collection during Brigg Farmers' Market raising the fantastic sum of £752.10p.
"Many thanks to everyone, including Brigg folk and shoppers who gave generosity to the appeal," says Ken Harrison, who was at the centre of fundraising efforts.

BULL GETTING FIRST BARREL

We can now reveal the Black Bull, in Wrawby Street, is getting the first batch of Sargents Brigg bitter to be tasted in the town for more than 40 years.
Mine host Rick Smith tells Brigg Blog he's expecting the ale to be delivered from the brewers in Fulstow next week, probably Thursday, with the first pints likely to be pulled on Friday, depending on the time it arrives.
Many Brigg folk will make their way to the Bull to sample Sargents for the first time or (for veteran drinkers) to compare it with how they remember the famous ale when it was brewed in the town, up to the late 1960s.

IMPROVEMENTS UNDER WAY

North Lincolnshire Homes is making improvements to Brigg's Horse Fair Paddock group dwelling for pensioners, built in 1979 in the old days of council ownership of such facilities.
The work is planned to finish at the end of this month, subject to doors arriving on schedule. The £31,000 scheme involves external flat windows and an external corridor, communal windows and doors. Internal improvements are planned for 2011/12.
We try to be positive in Brigg Blog, wherever possible, and welcome investment in the town's housing stock, but felt we had to ask North Lincolnshire Homes whether winter was really the best time of year to be replacing the windows.
"Our programmes have to run all year round," their spokesman explained.
More good news is on the horizon, with the organisation planning to carry out further work to dwellings at "various residential locations across Brigg" later this year and during 2011/12.
You can find out more about North Lincolnshire Homes, which now manages former council housing stock throughout the area, by calling 01724 279900, writing to their HQ at Meridian House, Normanby Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 8QZ (the former Lysaght's steelworks central labs block), or visit the website through this link NLH

LAST PIECE IN THE JIGSAW

The time of next month's important meeting about the future of Brigg Skatepark will start at 6.30pm in the Angel Suite Lounge (see earlier post).

VITAL FOR SKATE PARK

An important open meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 16 at the Angel Suite, Brigg, with the aim of generating a new committee to manage the skate park near Ancholme Leisure Centre, used by many young people from Brigg and district.
We haven't been given the time of start but will find that out and post the information as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, a joint meeting of the 3Bs Youth Project Committee will be held at the Angel Suite on Wednesday, January 27 at 6.30pm, involving members of Brigg Town Council, Barnetby-Le-Wold Parish Council and Broughton Town Council.

INTEREST BLOSSOMS

By Valerie Holland, Brigg Horticultural Society
Our first event of the winter season will take place on Thursday, 4th February, when we will be pleased to welcome back Doug Stewart, the popular presenter of Radio Humberside's Sunday morning gardening programme.
The subject of his illustrated talk will be "Grow Your Own." As usual the venue will be the Methodist Church Hall, at the corner of Wesley Road/Barnard Avenue, Brigg. It will commence at 7.30pm - members free, non-members £2, including tea and biscuits. There will be the customary raffle.
Doug is a very popular gardening expert and his talks are always humorous as well as informative.

FIRST SAMPLING OF BRIGG BITTER

Update today from Phil Ellis, Fulstow Brewery
Brewing Sergeants beer is something I've always been interested in doing but lacked any information, but after we recreated Hewitts I got to know a man who actually lives just round the corner from the brewery who was assistant brewer at Hewitts from 1952 till it shut.
After a conversation with him he went in his loft to get some old Hewitts brew logs out to give me some more Hewitts recipes as we only had one and amongst these was one Sergeants brew log.It gave the information of the grain and hops used but not in their respective ratios.
I did not know what colour the beer was or how bitter it was but talking to people who can remember drinking the beer have said it was amber in colour and slightly sweet which was enough information to recreate the beer so here we go.
It was brewed on 20/1/10 and will be racked into casks on 26/1/10.The beer has nearly finished fermenting as I write this and I've just had a sneaky taste. It seems to be OK.
NF adds: We all can't wait to taste it, Phil! I think Hewitts (Grimsby firm) took over Sergeants in the late 1960s. Then they became part of a bigger chain.
KEEP WATCHING BRIGG BLOG FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS FASCINATING STORY.

TASTE OF THE PAST - EXCLUSIVE

Brigg folk are in for a real treat - a taste of the past. For a Lincolnshire brewer has used an historic recipe to rebrew one of Sergeant's famous real ales of the past. And it will be on sale in a Brigg pub in a few weeks (keep watching this Blog for details).
Phil Ellis, from Fulstow Brewery, near Louth, used to live in Brigg and his wife Dawn Vessey was born in the town.
Phil reports: "Just a short note to say that after some research for information we have managed to rebrew one of Sergeants beers. We have brewed it today, 20/1/10."
Some of us who now like a drink at Brigg watering holes aren't old enough to have enjoyed a pint of Sergeant's top tipple before it all ended circa 1967.
We intend to run much, much more about this in the future. And, of course, to be there when the first pint of this brew for more than 40 years is handed over a Brigg bar.

HAITI HELP

Brigg Blog supporter Ken Harrison is organising a Red Cross Haitian Earthquake Appeal street collection in Brigg on Saturday, to coincide with the monthly Farmers' Market.
Permission has been given to use Red Cross buckets, and North Lincolnshire Council has pulled out all the stops over the necessary licensing.
Deputy Town Mayor Coun Ben Nobbs will be working with Ken on this worthwhile venture.
So, if you are in the town centre, near the Bandstand, on Saturday please give generously to this worthy cause.

NEARLY FORGOT...

Christmas officially ended in Brigg on Monday afternoon. While parked up in Springs Parade, near the shops, I spied Barrie Gray's men, with van, taking away small Christmas trees.

CHURCH SPREADS WORLDWIDE

An interesting email has come Brigg Blog's way from Australia, where former Sir John Nelthorpe School pupil Simon Church, the ex-Brigg Town batsman, suggests joining the Simon Church Fan Club on the Facebook social networking site.
Visit the said site and you discover it's about another well-known sporting star - Simon Church, the Wales footballer. And that our Simon Church has joined the network as a Friend. It looks like he's persuaded a few other mates in the Brigg area to join up, with names like Michael Kitchen and Billy Eaton appearing, along with our Simon's cousin Brian Markham (also a former Brigg cricketer).
Simon returned to Brigg for a visit last year, with his wife, and met up with a number of old mates during a cricket match at the Recreation Ground and a light drinking session (by old standards) at several hostelries afterwards.

CARING APPLICATION

Planning permission is now being sought from North Lincolnshire Council to erect an extension to the Carer Support Services offices, with associated car parking, at 11 Redcombe Lane, Brigg.

ANGEL SUITE LATEST

Brigg Town Council's Property & Services Committee meets tomorrow in the (downstairs) lounge of the Angel Suite at 7pm.
Updates will be given on the Redcombe Lane and Grammar School Road allotments sites, plus a report from Angel Suite manager Karen Deeley (pictured) regarding the marketing and promotion of the venue, and the programme of events held/to be held.
There will also be a review of the Christmas lights installation for 2009.
This meeting is open to the public, if you want to go along and listen to the discussions.

BRIGG PRAYERS FOR HAITI

By Alec Depledge

As part of the internationally observed Week of Prayer for Christian Unity,
a number of the Brigg & Area Churches are holding a Day To Pray on Saturday 23rd Jan. Between 10am & 3pm, St John's Church, Brigg, will be open for seasons of personal and corporate prayer. Times of 'led' prayer will occur on each half-hour, led by local laity and clergy.
In addition to the 'unity' emphasis there will no doubt be opportunity to pray for troubled areas of our world, including Haiti, of course.
We welcome anyone, of all denominations and non-denominations, to join us for as little or as long as they are able.

CASUAL VACANCY

Applications are invited from eligible residents who live within 3 miles of Brigg to fill three Casual Vacancies on Brigg Town Council.
The applications will be filled by co-option on Monday 25th January; and those persons who are interested in being considered for co-option are now invited to submit a brief ‘pen picture’ of themselves to the council, also outlining why they would like to be considered.
The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 22nd January. Forward your applications without delay to Mrs J M Woollard, Clerk, Brigg Town Council, Angel Suite, off Exchange Place, Brigg. You can email through this link BTC

PARTY TIME

Parties with a craft theme are offered for children and adults at a very newly-established Wrawby Street business in Brigg - Live, Love and Create. It's described as "a unique and exciting space for celebrating, promoting and encouraging greater participation in arts and craft for everyone."
I popped in on my way home from the pre-Christmas farmers' market and viewed one or two of their personalised plates which look interesting as special gifts for weddings and anniversaries. A bit out of my price range, although I see in the window they are now having a January sale.
Best of luck to another small business establishing itself in town. It's next to Brian's DIY and directly opposite Cross Street.
There's a detailed website if you want to know more LIVELOVE

RESIDENTS HAPPY - APPLICANT

Local residents are happy with a Brigg town centre planning application, according to information submitted by the applicant to North Lincolnshire Council.
The former Prep School on Bigby Street - now known as The Retreat - is the subject of a change of use application to alter the whole building to residential.
But it appears that doesn't mean the main ex-Prep School building, seen here.
An explanatory note on the application says: "The building is situated to the rear of Brigg Preparatory School – behind a building known as Ancholme Mews."
Demeter House Ltd adds: "The building is current a first floor flat and classroom space on the ground floor. We would like to apply for the whole building to become residential as it was originally a house before the owners of Brigg Preparatory bought it," .
For so long a feature of the town, Brigg Prep School closed in rather controversial circumstances, following which the site was put up for sale.
There is a Demeter House School in Scunthorpe.

BLOOD AND SAND!

It seems our household was not alone in the Brigg area in receiving an expensive-looking leaflet on Thursday, inside the Scunthorpe Target, asking us to give blood at Ancholme Leisure Centre.
Unfortunately, the session in question had taken place the previous day!
Those overseeing blood donation sessions are very welcome to send details in advance to Brigg Blog and we'll be happy to give them a free mention.

CHARITY BOOSTER

Brigg musician Adam Linsley is hoping Brigg Blog followers will buy copies of Smile - his CD to raise money for Lindsey Lodge Hospice.
He writes: "This is the latest link for the CD on eBay. This takes you straight to Lindsey Lodge Hospice's eBay shop. The CD is down in price for a limited period - please support the cause. Wishing you all the best for 2010."
ADAM'S CD
Adam has performed and recorded with many diverse artists including Michael Ball, Mungo Jerry, Shirley Bassey, Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Jack Jones, Matthew Herbert Big Band, Bjork, JC Bentley, Elvis (the concert), Petula Clarke, Lesley Garrett, Elaine Page, Jullian Lloyd Webber, Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Howie Casey All Stars, Joe Loss Orchestra, Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Back to Basie Big Band, Sigur Ros, Skandalous, Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band, Jamie Liddell, Dani Scilliano etc. He has recorded many film soundtrack and advertising Soundtracks; clients have included: Hugo Boss, Sensodine Toothpaste, Spa Mineral Water, Heineken Lager, Noel Gay Productions, West end shows include: Movin' Out, Starlight Express, Jolson, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Saturday Night Fever, Guys & Dolls.

Find out more about Adam's music through this link
ADAM'S WEBSITE

WHY THE DIVERSION?

For those wondering why Brigg has had yellow and black diversion signs on the roadside, near the Monument, for a number of days, they relate to works being carried out at Kettleby, making Bigby High Road, Bigby Road and Wrawby Road, Brigg, the alternative route for drivers coming from the Caistor direction and heading for Wrawby.

LIFE MEMBERSHIP JUST A FIVER

The Briggensians' Association will be holding a wide range of sporting reunions this year for ex-pupils.
Summer Sports: Sir John Nelthorpe School field - Tuesday, 15th June, 6.00 p.m. for 6.30 p.m., cricket and rounders, Youth v Experience, followed by a social get-together at the Yarborough Hunt, Bridge Street, Brigg.
Tennis: Friday, 9th July, Sir John Nelthorpe School.
Winter Sports: School field, Friday 17th September, 6.00 p.m. for 6.30 p.m., football, male and female hockey, netball (afterwards at the Yarborough Hunt).
Football and pub games: 27th December, 10.30am start, SJN field.

Briggensians' Golf Championships, Individual Stableford Rules
Spring meeting at Elsham Golf Club: Monday, 14th June, 4.30 p.m. start.
Autumn Meeting at Elsham Golf Club: Sunday, 24th October, 1st tee-off 12.00 noon.
Match Play: Past v Present, Monday, 12th July at Elsham Golf Club, 4.00 p.m. start.

Sir John Nelthorpe School's annual sports day: Friday, 9th July.

Membership of the Association is open to all former pupils of:
Brigg Grammar School
Brigg Girls’ High School
Brigg Sixth Form College
Sir John Nelthorpe School
And staff of these schools.
The life membership charge is £5 (It would be helpful if those living outside the UK could arrange to pay via a friend in the UK) and anyone wishing to join should contact: The Briggensians’ Association, c/o Sir John Nelthorpe School, Grammar School Road, Brigg, North Lincolnshire, DN20 8AA. Telephone: (01652) 656551, Fax: (01652) 658229.
View the website (well worth a look) via this Brigg Blog direct link: BRIGGENSIANS
The Association's secretary can be emailed through this link BARBARA KERNON

CAN YOU BE OF SERVICE MEN (AND WOMEN)?

Brigg & District Serviceman's Club Ltd, of Coney Court, is advertising for a part-time secretary.

DINNER ALWAYS POPULAR

The Briggensians' Association - representing former pupils and staff of Brigg Grammar School, Sir John Nelthorpe School, Brigg Girls' High School and Brigg Sixth Form College - is to hold its 33rd Annual Dinner at Elsham Golf Club on Saturday, 20th March (7pm for 7.30pm).
Bookings are now being invited. Tickets are £18 and the closing date to apply is March 8. Cheques should be made payable to The Briggensians Association and sent to Sir John Nelthorpe Upper School, Grammar School Road, Brigg.
Guest speaker will be Peter Laurence, who was a pupil at BGS from 1964 to 1971, travelling in from Scunthorpe every day on the 114 school bus. An enjoyable and too leisurely Sixth Form existence was rounded off by an uncharacteristic burst of intensive (re)vision, when he surprised himself - and his teachers; English (Ken Miles), French (Vernon Atkin) and History Nick Lyons and ‘Eddie’ Jackson; by doing well enough at A-Level to go on to study history at Warwick University.
A PGCE in Birmingham followed, and Peter had his first experience of comprehensive school teaching, loved it, but decided to work abroad before committing himself to a
teaching career in England. He was employed by The British Council as a peripatetic
teacher of English as a foreign language in Rauma, Finland, working with school pupils, shipyard and pulp-mill workers, bank staff and private students, travelling from lesson to lesson on a bicycle. Not much fun in -25C weather.
After returning from Finland in 1975 Peter taught History at Yarborough High School
in Lincoln and then worked in schools in Leeds and Calderdale - as Head of History,
Head of House, and as a Deputy Headteacher.
He has been Principal of Brigshaw High School and Language College since 1997.
Brigshaw is a large high school of more than 1400 students and 160 staff in outer East Leeds. There is a strong community dimension, and Brigshaw is part of a 'federation' with eight local primary schools.
Peter has been fortunate to have had opportunities beyond his own school over recent
years - for example as the Yorkshire and Humber regional adviser for school workforce reform between 2004 and 2006, and most recently as a consultant Headteacher working with Education Leeds in its leadership development and succession planning work, and in developing stronger 14-19 partnerships between High Schools, FE colleges and employers.
His wife Becky works as a senior careers consultant at The University of Leeds, and they have two boys, Will (having a 'gap' year between school and going on to study Geography at Newcastle) and Tom (in Year 11). Unlike their father, they are good sportsmen.
He says: “Although the world of education has changed enormously since I left BGS, good schools have timeless characteristics - places where young people are challenged, inspired and stimulated to achieve their potential, where they are valued and aren't afraid to take risks and make mistakes, and where staff provide role models which they can learn from and respect. I was very fortunate that I went to such a school as a boy, and hope that in my own work as a teacher and a school leader I have helped to create learning environments where my students can say the same thing.”

This always proves an enjoyable event, giving the chance for old schoolmates to meet up again. It's an event I try to support each year as an ex-pupil of BGS (1967-74). There will be a raffle to help Association funds and I've been persuaded to oversee that one again, as my very small contribution to the success of the evening, many others putting in a great deal of effort to ensure things run smoothly.

THIS ISN'T SNOW BY BRIGG STANDARDS

More interesting memories of Brigg life decades ago have come from Kath Smith (nee Sambrook), who is now 87 and has lived in the town since she was a child.
"By gum, it's very cold," she writes. "It reminds me of the times when I worked for Billy Lyon. He inherited his father's bakery on Market Lane. That winter was worse than this! I had to leave the old Morris van at Somerby and go across the fields to take bread to the Post Office-cum-shop at Searby, to several of the villagers, as the snowplough couldn't get up Bigby Hill. Four baskets of bread, eight loaves in each basket, each loaf weighing 2lbs, and costing fourpence ha'penny each. Those were the days...to me, anyway!"
She also recalls a women from Brigg's Newlands estate who used to walk to local streams, collect wild water cress, take it home for washing and then sell it to local fruit and veg shops, including Ken Hall's. This woman had a very tall son "who would drink until he wobbled."
Nice description, Kath!
Many interesting Brigg and Brigg district memories/illustrations appear in issues of the Scunthorpe Telegraph's monthly Nostalgia magazine (January's issue is now on sale for 75p) for which I supply the content on a freelance basis, and from time to time in my well-received weekly (Monday) column in the Scunthorpe Telegraph. If you are an ex-Briggensian (or, as Kath Smith prefers, an ex-Briggite) who now lives away from the area you can order copies by phoning the Scunthorpe Telegraph on 01724 273273. Or put a comment on this posting and I'll be happy to pass on your details to the relevant members of staff so they can contact you.

EXTENSION APPROVED

Mr and Mrs Andrew Kirk have been granted planning permission to erect an extension to 10 Woodbine Avenue, Brigg, by North Lincolnshire Council.
Meanwhile, permission is being sought to change 54 Bridge Street from offices to residential, the application coming from GSA Ltd, of 6 Market Place, who used to be based there before moving to the more central former Smith Parkinson premises.

STAY OFF THE PHONE

Don't be tempted to use your mobile phone while driving in the Brigg area.
Responding to a question at the Neighbourhood Policing Panel's quarterly meeting in the Angel Suite, Insp Brett Rutty made it clear that, where circumstances allowed, officers would stop and deal with drivers they saw using a phone while at the wheel.
Panel chairman, Brigg's Coun Tom Glossop (pictured), said of at-the-wheel phone use: "It's frightening - people have a total disregard."
Coun Nigel Sherwood, one of Brigg's representatives on North Lincolnshire Council, went on to ask how Brigg police vehicles had coped during the recent very bad and snowy weather. "Were four-wheel cars needed?" he asked Insp Rutty. "Would they have helped?"
The head of Brigg police replied: "These conditions are few and far between and come along every 20 or 30 years."
He praised the way his officers, and their vehicles, had coped - and went on to reveal a contingency agreement (fortunately not needed last week) under which the police would hire stand-by 4 x 4s - from an unnamed supplier - for use during severe weather.
Group Captain Paul Ryan, who administers these Brigg meetings for the Humberside Police Authority, and chairman Tom, have already confirmed the next will be at the Angel Suite on Tuesday, April 13. From 6.30pm members of the public will be able to talk, in confidence and private, to local police officers. The public forum will get under way from 7.30pm.

POLICE ON TOP IN CRIME FIGHT

A big reduction in domestic burglaries and incidents of anti-social behaviour are revealed in Humberside Police's quarterly update for the Brigg area. Plus information that action is being taken to tackle the problem of vehicles being in Brigg's town centre pedestrian area without lawful reason. Figures were revealed to members of the public, and councillors, attending the Brigg Neighbourhood Policing Panel's first meeting of 2010, held in the Angel Suite. They are for the last six months, July to December 2009, compared to the previous six months, January to June. Brigg Blog has highlighted some of the main topics to draw your attention to them.


By Insp Brett Rutty (head of rural policing for our area)

Burglary to people's homes has decreased by 31% over the last 6 months. This type of crime remains a priority for policing and residents can help us reduce the number of crimes by taking precautions such as fitting good quality door and window locks and looking out for each other, reporting any suspicious activity to the police.
10% of all burglaries to people's homes during 2009 were sneak-in offences where the opportunist offender has taken advantage of insecure premises. Although this is a much better picture than other team areas where as many as 45% of crimes fall into this category, please do ensure you keep your doors locked.
Thefts of Vehicle have decreased by 12% during the last 6 months but Thefts From Vehicle have increased by 7%. This is a reversal of the situated reported at our last meeting. Figures are relatively low, 22 thefts of vehicle and 30 thefts from vehicle over the last 6 months. This type of crime is still showing a downward trend but please remain vigilant, report any suspicious activity and do not leave items of value in your car.
The Neighbourhood Team continue to focus on and investigate Criminal Damage and during the last 6 months there has been a reduction of 2% in this type of crime.
Incidents of Anti-Social Behaviour cause concern to the community and to the Neighbourhood Team. A lot of effort is being put into identify the minority of teenagers who engage in anti-social behaviour, identifying hot spot locations by monitoring calls for service and through community contact and targeted police patrols to those locations.
We have seen a reduction in calls for service for Anti-Social Behaviour of 25% over the last 6 months, compared to the previous 6 months. This is very encouraging but we are aware there are so many factors influencing statistical information so Neighbourhood officers and PCSOs will continue to work with the community to tackle this issue.
Here in the Brigg and Wolds Neighbourhood, PC Jane Proud and PCSOs Lynsey, Lisa and Craig continue to work with local people and partners across the Neighbourhood.
Regular visits are being made to the Millennium Green, a priority location for the team.
Jane has also raised awareness of the issues with colleagues on the Incident Response teams who are supporting the Neighbourhood Team and the community by visiting the area late at night. There have been very few calls for service to this location recently and no issues apparent when officers have attended.
Issues around driving, parking and cycling in the pedestrian area of Brigg are being addressed. Retailers have been visited and the problems discussed with them and daily visits are being made to the area.
Motorist who have failed to heed warning letters or face to face advice have been issued with fixed penalty tickets.
The team has noticed an improvement, there are fewer cars being parked in the pedestrian area but patrols are continuing.
The Dispersal Order covering the centre of Brigg is being patrolled by the team particularly in the evening. Although 3 females under-16 recently had to be dispersed from the area and young people do still congregate together, officers have noticed a marked improvement their behaviour.
For me, a measure of success is the how the public feel about the area. A snapshot survey, carried out by Safer Neighbourhoods in March 2009 asked people on the streets of Brigg, how big a problem did they think ASB was in the Springs Parade area of the town? Of those questioned, 12 felt it was "a fairly big problem", 5 "a very big problem" and only one person thought it was "not a problem at all."
The same question was asked of passers-by in December 2009: 4 said it was "a fairly big problem", 3 a "very big problem" but 9 people felt it was "not a problem at all."
Although only small numbers were involved in the survey the results are an indicator of public perception.
The order remains in force until the end of March.
Two youths were recently dealt with for criminal damage offences committed in Brigg. One received a Police caution and the other has been summonsed to court.

STRICTLY MEN ONLY

Our good friend Ken Harrison has likened the 1980s picture of 'yours truly' in the Lincolnshire Times' Brigg car park, posted earlier this week, to the comedian/TV personality/DJ Kenny Everett.
The last time that comparison was made in public was at Brigg Town FC's Hawthorns clubhouse by the comedian who appeared at one of their popular Gentlemen's Evenings, where the audience including a number of Brigg sportsmen.
The comic didn't give a memorable performance, but the strippers...well, that's another matter!

PROOF BRIGG BLOG IS NOT ALL RUBBISH

Overheard part of a conversation yesterday from which it was obvious some Brigg householders remained unclear about which refuse bins/boxes to put out this week.
On this site we told you exactly which were being picked up by North Lincolnshire Council.
Clearly "Should have gone to Specsavers! should be rewritten as "Should have gone to Brigg Blog!"

THE BALLOON'S GONE UP

A couple of helium-filled balloons remain stuck to the ceiling in the main room at Brigg's Angel Suite, and a few more can be seen in a tree alongside the car park.
This points to the facility's popularity for functions, and it's good to be reminded of the party atmosphere which prevailed until a couple of weeks ago.
Roll on Christmas 2010!

THE MORE THE MERRIER

Coun Nigel Sherwood has alerted us to the fact he now has a Blog. We've provided a direct link here for you to take a look or (as Nigel suggests) just type in his name on your computer and do a Google search.
Nigel's Blog shows how much time he's putting into attending meetings in Brigg and district, as one of our area representatives on North Lincolnshire Council (the others being his brother Carl and Coun John Berry).
Local knowledge is a great thing whether you are reporting on Brigg issues or involved with council decision-making. The Sherwood brothers, of course, grew up in Brigg, attending local schools, with Nigel eventually succeeding his father in running the family cycle business in Bridge Street.
COUN NIGEL'S BLOG
Nigel has always been a great supporter of Brigg Blog, since day one, so we are happy to repay some of his kind comments with a 'plug' for his.

DEATH TOLL DOWN

Hot-off-the-press Brigg area road accident figures for 2009 show significant reductions in the number of deaths and incidents involving serious and less serious injuries to drivers/riders and passengers.
Provisional figures were released last night by Pete Scott, North Lincolnshire's head of safer roads, at Brigg's Angel Suite.
The top statistics: Not a single road accident fatality in our area last year, compared with three during 2008; last year saw 15 serious injuries, compared with 24 during 2008; slight injuries totalled 141, compared to 164 in 2008.
The powers-that-be use what is called the KSI rating (Killed and Seriously Injured) when reviewing road accidents, and the Brigg area's was 15 for 2009, compared with 27 the previous year.
Mr Scott, who lives locally, concluded: "This is good news for the Brigg area."
He described our district as having shown one of the best improvements in North Lincolnshire.
He reminded councillors present from Brigg and surrounding villages that they can hire those flashing signs (as seen on the approach to Wrawby) which show the speed of approaching vehicles. These are proving successful in getting drivers to kill their speed in problem areas.
Clearly there's never room for complacency over such an important thing as road safety, where lives are at risk. Let's all hope that, 12 months from now, Pete is able to report another year without any deaths on Brigg area roads. And that the number of injuries can be brought down even further.
Drive carefully, and safely!

Pictured above at the Angel Suite last night when the annual road safety figures were announced (left to right): Pete Scott, Brigg's Coun Tom Glossop, Insp Brett Rutty (head of policing in the rural area, including Brigg), Group Captain Paul Ryan (Humberside Police Authority administrator).

Footnote: The Brigg area quoted here refers to roads within North Lincolnshire - not including nearby parts of West Lindsey, which are over the border in Lincolnshire County Council's patch.

CHOPPER HELPS

Humberside Police's helicopter was summoned to help search for a "vulnerable person" who had gone missing. Many of us saw it circling over Brigg the other day and wondered why it was paying us a visit. Fortunately the missing youngster was located, with the 'eye in the sky' assisting.

NEW YEAR SING-SONG

By Pat Parkinson, Brigg and District Social Historians

The January 5 BASH meeting at Brigg & District Servicemen’s Club was “Sing to Win” with Elly Dolan, who sang patriotic songs that helped to win the war. They were interspersed with original radio broadcasts from that era and ended with a rip-roaring, flag-waving finale of Land of Hope and Glory. Despite the poor turn out because of the bad weather it was a really fun, enjoyable evening.

Pictured are, left to right: Val Holland, Elly Dolan, Brian Denison - as the
Andrews Sisters, singing Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree with Anyone Else
but Me.
The February BASH meeting will be The History of Iron & Steel Making in
Scunthorpe - an illustrated talk by Steve Cook, a retired Corus employee,
who will be looking back at how ironmaking began in the Scunthorpe area.

NEWS MILESTONE LOOMS LARGE

Thirty years ago this month a certain young reporter joined the weekly Lincolnshire and South Humberside Times newspaper and trudged his way along the snow-covered footpaths of Brigg to do his first day's work at 57 Wrawby Street.
It proved to be a long day, with a meeting of Brigg Town Council in the evening at which concerns were expressed over the Recreation Ground and the town's train service.
Back then (before the Angel Suite) the town council met in the handsome 'chamber' owned by the much grander Glanford Borough authority at what is now Hewson House - with its polished wooden panels and ornate, semi-circular stepped seating for councillors. A wonderful venue for debates.
Brigg town clerk was Joseph J Magrath - and still serving on the town council were other Brigg Urban District veterans like George Hewson, Herbert Forman, Les Watkinson, Bill Smart, Ivor Strudwick, Derek Lawtey and Ernie Taylor.
The major talking point in January 1980 was the on-going and bitter steelworks strike, which affected many families in Brigg and district. With mounting losses and growing foreign competition, the British Steel Corporation was being forced to cut back, and the workers were not prepared to accept what was taking place.
Thirty years ago, of course, through traffic was still using Wrawby Street (pre-pedestrianisation) and you often had a lengthy wait for a gap in the traffic to exit the Lincs Times car park through the brick archway which now leads through to Joe Mullen's Exchange Coach House Inn.
One of my first ordeals at the Lincolnshire Times was the company driving test. You had to motor down Bigby High Road in a big red Lincs Times van while your performance behind the wheel was checked by branch manager Cliff Hatley, from the passenger seat. He had to be confident you were OK to take charge of the firm's fleet and go on the insurance policy. I'd never driven a delivery van before but he must have found my driving satisfactory. Just as well, too, for we had to drive over to Barnetby railway station (evenings) and New Holland (lunch-times) to deliver carefully labelled packets containing our typed-up stories, and Bryan Robins' photos, which were taken over to head office, the Hull Daily Mail, via the Humber Ferry.
Other bread and butter duties included covering meetings of Glanford Borough Council (every Thursday) and attending Brigg Magistrates' court (Wednesdays and Fridays). Early morning visits were made to the police station, where Chief Insp Bill Horsfield was based, overseeing the Brigg and Barton Sub-Division. Often they would hand you the lever-arched file containing the most recent incidents attended, and let you copy down what information you wanted. The likeable Bill also prosecuted all the court cases - before the Crown Prosecution Service came on the scene. Magistrates included Lt Col Roger Nelthorpe and the Earl of Yarborough (father of the present title-holder), whose families had been dishing out summary justice locally for centuries.
Lightest shift of the week for a solitary member of the three-man Brigg editorial staff was definitely Saturday morning, when there was little to do other than type up some press releases - generally of a farming nature - and visit the 'cop shop'.
J J Magrath would arrive around 10am and had special permission to park his car behind No 57 - after which he would share a cuppa with us downstairs before going off to do some shopping.
Saturday's half-day finished at 12 or 12.30 but rather made a mess of the rest of your day - just as Saturday morning school had done at Brigg Grammar (until they wisely discountinued the old-fashioned practice).
In my archives I have a copy of the Lincs Times from that initial week, when I got a couple of decent pieces on the front page - one about the steel strike (which I knew a lot about) and another about a housing dispute in Caistor (my very first contact with West Lindsey District Council).
It really doesn't seem like 30 years ago. But a glance at the yellowing, somewhat creased back issues of the Lincs Times from 1980 is proof enough. This picture, by the way, was taken in the spacious Times car park at the back of 57 Wrawby Street.

ALMOST A FULL HOUSE

Brigg waste bin collection dates this week, just in case you were wondering which to put out for North Lincolnshire Council to collect:
Blue kerbside box - paper Tuesday 12/Jan/2010
General waste wheeled bin Tuesday 12/Jan/2010
Green kerbside box - cans, glass and aluminium foil Tuesday 12/Jan/2010
Salvation Army textile bag Tuesday 12/Jan/2010.

A NEW FIRST

Yesterday morning I was stopped from exiting Old Courts Road by a red light when no vehicles at all were in sight along Barnard Avenue (in either direction). Previously we've commented about being held up by a red light on Barnard Avenue with no cars visible on either Wesley Road or Old Courts Road.
Isn't it time these lights were looked at?

WRY SMILES

Tried a couple of major retailers in Brigg over the weekend seeking out a can or two of de-icer for the car, ahead of the the weekly trip to the Daily Hull Mail. Only knowing grins from staff questioned about supplies being available now or in the near future.
Panic buying helps no-one, but it's a fact of life. And you'll never change it. But a bit less scaremongering from various media outlets would help to calm the situation.
Just a thought: The Corus steelworks in Scunthorpe produces thousands of tonnes of blastfurnace slag (as a by-product) which you'd think would be just the thing to put on slippery roads and paths.

WEATHER TO BELIEVE THEM

Having been told last night in Brigg that weather forecasters were predicting up to six inches of snow, accompanied by high winds, it was a very pleasant surprise to discover no ice on the car this morning, much snow turned to slush round the town, Barnard Avenue completely clear, and even a few spots of rain falling rather than the white stuff.
Typical weather-latest quote this morning: "Forecasters said there was no significant early thaw in prospect."
Weathermen sometimes remind me of Dick Emery's comedy skinhead character, who used to admit in every episode: "I got it wrong again, dad!" Except, of course, the forecasters never do admit to being wrong. They use so-called weasel words like "probably" and "expected to". So they don't actually forecast what's going to happen, just give you an idea what weather might come along.
A piece of seeweed, or a pine cone hung outside the back door, would prove as accurate as some of these experts over the year.
And many of my fellow 'gentlemen of the press' are just as bad - if not worse. Staring up at us from the news-stand in Martin's this morning (and other Brigg shops) was a forecast from one major circulation Sunday newspaper that up to 60,000 Brits could perish in the bad weather. Many temperature comparisons were also being made with Siberia and the South Pole.
As the famous newspaper saying goes: "Never let the facts get in the way of a good story."
Geoff 'Shoddy' Jarvis - long-serving geography master at Brigg Grammar - used to teach a bit of weather forecasting as part of the O-level course. You had to look at the positioning of the warm and cold fronts (marked out by half-circles and triangular shapes) and forecast the correct weather for various points on the map.
On the fairly recently re-issued DVD of Brigg Grammar 1968/9 (produced to mark the 300th anniversary) there's some footage of boys on the school field (I could well have been one) having snowball fights during some pretty harsh winter weather. No doubt Geoff Jarvis would have known the blizzard was coming and alerted his colleagues in the staff room.
Brigg Grammar pupils living a long way from the school (eg Keelby and Bishop Norton) were often allowed home early during snowy weather, with buses arriving at dinner time or early afternoon. Yet those of us who lived in Brigg were never let off early. Even if only a handful of us remained the classes had to continue for Brigg residents (and members of the boarding house, of course). No fun for the masters, either, who I'm sure would have appreciated a few hours off to go home and shovel snow off their drives.
Our headmaster back then was H B Williams, who had his own house on the premises. Literally a stone's (or snowball's) throw from the main school buildings. The same DVD also shows 'H B' tending his garden in somewhat warmer weather.

LEGION NEEDS BRIGG SUPPORT

From Llew Gudgeon

Are you interested in supporting Serving and Ex-Serving Members of Her
Majesty's Armed Forces?
Brigg And District Branch of the Royal British Legion NEEDS YOU.
The Brigg And District Branch is due to re-form in the new year, and
is looking for new members.
You don't need to have served in the Armed Forces to become a member.

For more information
Tel: 01652 653339 (answer phone)
Email: RBL.Brigg@talktalk.net
Leave your contact details and we will get back to you.

MORE THAN JUST AN ANNUAL POPPY APPEAL

HOPE IT GOES AHEAD

The next public meeting of the Brigg Neighbourhood Policing Panel will be held on Tuesday (January 12) at 7.30pm in the Angel Suite, Brigg. From 6.30pm members of the public can go along and chat to police officers about issues they do not wish to discuss in public.
Coun Tom Glossop, from Brigg (pictured), chairs these quarterly meetings during which a report on the previous three months policing and local crime figures/trends will be given.
Hopefully, Tuesday's meeting will go ahead - despite the wintry weather.

FEED THE BIRDS

Wildlife is suffering with the Old River Ancholme being frozen over - a sure sign of just how cold it is at present (see picture below of the icicles on the County Bridge). Fortunately for the ducks a small area of open water remains underneath the bridge. Many people like to feed the ducks from the railings near Lidl, particularly on Sunday mornings, and our feathered friends could certainly do with a few crumbs of comfort. Things looked pretty bleak in the Market Place early this morning, too, with a few hardy stallholders setting up shop but no sign customers when Brigg Blog recorded the scene. Still, the Market Place Christmas tree should feel at home in their conditions!

LINK BUILDING APPROVED

Planning permission to erect a warehouse link building has been granted to Rocal Insultating Panels Ltd, Atherton Way, Brigg, by North Lincolnshire Council.

FAR FROM A SNOW-GO AREA

This is about as bad as it's got so far in Brigg - the middle of a late afternoon mini-blizzard, viewed from King's Avenue. Yet some drivers seem to be treating the main roads as though we are in Siberia, Norway or the Alps.
It really shouldn't take an hour to get from Brigg to Scunthorpe along the A18 when there have been neither accidents nor vehicles abandoned/broken down. But yesterday (Thursday) morning it took me that long to get from Bridge Street to the centre of Scunthorpe. It was also bad for drivers coming into Brigg.
I have a deserved reputation in our family for being a slow and ultra-cautious driver, having been in a minor five-car shunt on Mortal Ash Hill some years ago. But there seem to be some folk on our roads at the moment who make me look Formula One material.
Let's all drive with every care, especially on the minor routes. But on treated A-roads there's surely no need to crawl along in second gear for mile after mile.

'GYPSY PITCHES' PLANNED

Great interest will accompany a planning application lodged over the festive period with West Lindsey District Council for a site adjoining Kettleby level crossing. There has been much discussion in Brigg in recent years about the need for further pitches to serve the local traveller community. Now some have been earmarked - subject to planners' approval.
Appn Type: Full Planning Application
Proposal: Planning Application for siting of 11 residential gypsy pitches with associated hard-standing and access.
Location: Kettleby Caravan Park, Kettleby Lane, Wrawby, Brigg.
Applicant: Mr W Bibby, c/o Green Planning Solutions, 3a High Street, Much Wenlock, Shropshire, TF13 6AA.
Agent: Mr M Green, 3a High Street, Much Wenlock, Shropshire, TF13 6AA.
Appn Status: Public Consultation Period underway.

WHO YOU GONNA CALL?

It can't have been a mirage, in view of the current wintry weather, but I'm sure I saw the Ghostbusters vehicle parked in the car park outside Brigg's Riverside Surgery yesterday afternoon.
However, after I'd driven the length of Barnard Avenue, turned round at the Monument and returned to the surgery car park, with every intention of taking a picture of it, the vehicle had gone. And not even a steaming pile of ectoplasm in the snow to prove it had ever been there. Or any sign of a Dr Wenkman at the surgery.
A few weeks ago I received a tip-off about a Ghostbusters vehicle being seen on the road near Forest Pines but thought no more about it. Clearly a mistake!
I know we have successful BASH ghost walks around Brigg town centre but the proceeds are nowhere near enough to fund the purchase of a 'company car' like this, however apt a Ghostbusters estate car might be.
Can any Brigg Blog readers say who owns this carefully customised vehicle, and tell us the purpose behind it?
For the benefit of those who don't know, Ghostbusters was a very successful comedy film about a zany group saving New York from being possessed by evil spirits. There was an equally popular sequel. Ray Parker Jnr, the man behind the very catchy theme tune, is now appearing in a TV advert for a UK telephone directory service. Presumably there's no point in ringing that company and asking for the number of the Brigg area Ghostbusters.