CIVIC SERVICE

Brigg's Civic Service will be on Sunday, September 26th at 3 pm in the Brigg Methodist Church, we have been informed by Town Mayor Coun Ben Nobbs.

DONATIONS TO BE CONSIDERED

Brigg Town Council's policy committee meeting has been re-arranged for next Monday. It will be in the Angel Ballroom at 7pm.
Requests for donations will be considered from Brigg Bowling Club, Glanford Amateur Swimming Club and Glanford and Scunthorpe Canoe Club.

TWO UPDATES

Further to earlier posts...The skip on St Helen's Road has been taken away; the so-called town hall clock was soon adjusted to show the correct time again.

PARKING SHOCK

Humberside Police are to stop people from parking on a rough area of ground near their station in Brigg.
Accessed from Cary Lane, the sometimes muddy square of land between the large tree and the single-block council office is a favourite with Brigg drivers "in the know" and is often full of vehicles.
However, police have now decided enough is enough on their land and plan to erect bollards next month, having first left warning signs on vehicles' windows.
The plan was revealed to councillors in an email from the police, read out at last night's Brigg Town Council meeting. "Health and safety" appears to be the prime reason behind the decision.
I've got to admit this has long been my favourite location to park when visiting Wrawby Street shops and services. The same will apply to a number of other Brigg residents. It's not unusual to see a dozen cars parked on this piece of land which appears to have no intended purpose.
The police are, of course, free to do what they want with their own land, and you can't argue with their reasoning. But those of us who have long enjoyed this free parking concession now face the choice of either paying North Lincolnshire Council through the Old Courts Road meters for the benefit of shopping in Brigg town centre, or venturing a little further afield to Tesco or Lidl, seeking a space there, and walking a little further.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

This site adjoining the Angel Suite, behind Hardy's and backing onto Kettle's, used to be the location of John Draper's joinery workshop. It now has planning permission for housing. Here are the details if you fancy snapping up a location which could hardly be nearer to the town centre.

TASTY OFFERING

I bought a tray of chips from Scalini's, in Wrawby Street, last night while wandering through the Market Place. Very impressive indeed they were. Wish I'd gone for a bigger portion.
I was planning to sit and eat them on one of the wooden benches in the Market Place but it was in very poor shape. Not a good impression to give our visitors.
Those in high places who follow Brigg Blog, please note. It's near to Grimley Smith's premises and the Woolpack - not that they have anything to do with the seat.

TIME STANDS STILL

Just happened to glance up at Brigg's main clock - on top of the Buttercross - yesterday and saw it was stuck on 10.25. Has it been affected by the heat?

A GAME OF TWO HALVES

Most matches in the North Lindsey Cricket League tomorrow have been cancelled because players would rather watch England's World Cup clash with Germany on TV.
However, Brigg Town 3rds will enjoy the best of both worlds when they visit Hirst Priory, Crowle, to take on Outcasts 3rds. The start has been brought forward from 2pm to 12.30 when the first innings will begin. The cricketers will then break off to watch the football match, after which they will return to the field to complete their own game.
It's obviously going to be a bumper payday for Brigg pubs screening the match live.

QUESTION TIME

Brigg Town Council will hold its monthly meeting on Monday (June 28) in the Angel Suite (7.30pm). The usual 15-minute "Public Question Time" session has been pencilled in at the start for local people to go along and raise issues, if they wish.
Main item of interest will be the Town Council's official response to North Lincolnshire planners' draft Development Framework Core Strategy. Cutting through the jargon, that's the blueprint for future development (where house-building will be permitted). This is the final consultation on a very important topic, and York Road "field" is still on the list. We'll have to wait and see whether North Lincolnshire planners keep it in the final blueprint, or remove it.
Monday's meeting will also see town councillors considering the request from Brigg District Lions for financial support to resurrect the annual bonfire alongside the firework display. The Town Council classes this as a "major event" in its category for grant aid.

ELEMENTARY, MY DEAR WATSON!

Brigg Wheelbarrow Race promoter Ian Watson, Town Mayor Coun Ben Nobbs, Mayoress Mrs Barbara Morris, winners, runners-up (who all got medals), and others just along for the ride! Great to see the race round town centre hostelries re-introduced into the Brigg events calendar after a gap of some years. All in a good cause, too - Prostate Cancer Research, hence the T-shirts.

THE TIME IS A-CHANGING

From Alec Depledge

Due to England's World Cup game on Sunday afternoon, plans to move our worship service to a morning have been brought forward by two weeks! From Sunday, 27th June we will meet at 10am in the Demeter House School (formerly Brigg Prep. School). This service also includes KIDZONE, specially focussed on children's activities. You and your family are most welcome to join us.

60 BRIGG HOMES PLANNED

Outline planning permission to build 60 homes on land on Island Carr North (off Bridge Street) is being sought from North Lincolnshire Council by Kirmington-based Keigar Homes.
This is a major application and the first part of the consultation process will come on Monday night when Brigg Town Council's planning and environment committee considers the scheme at its meeting in the Angel Suite (6.45pm).
Any comments town representatives make will then be forwarded to North Lincolnshire planners for a final decision to be made.
As with all applications to develop in this particularly low-lying part of Brigg, flooding concerns will be examined carefully.
This is a resubmission, following an earlier planning application a couple of years ago. As this is only an outline scheme, details of the type of properties do not enter the equation.

MUNCHKINS COMING TO BRIGG

By Melissa Marris

We are opening a new day nursery, called Munchkins, behind Demeter House School, Bigby Street, Brigg.
We will be open for business from September, offering places for 0-5 year-olds, and will be open all year round (except Easter and Christmas) from 8am to 6pm.
We are committed to providing excellent care for every child and our staff are enthusiastic and dedicated. We can offer large outdoor areas, including sensory and wildlife gardens, as well as newly refurbished separate indoor rooms for different age groups, with a wide range of daily activities offered to enable children to develop new skills and take part in new experiences in a safe environment.
We are having an open day on July 10th, from 10am-4pm, for any prospective parents to come and have a look around and meet some of the staff. We will be offering light refreshments and activities for the children and giving out information about the nursery.
If you need any further information, email mel.marris@googlemail.com or ring 07729207323.
NF adds: Dementer House has taken over the old Preparatory School site.

FLAT APPLICATION

Planning permission is being sought from North Lincolnshire Council to change the use of 1st and 2nd floor storerooms into a residential flat at 13A Market Place, Brigg.

NATIONAL AWARDS FOR BRIGG STUDENTS

From Craig Cook

Local students from the Kumon Brigg Study Centre have gained recognition for their success and continued development studying on the Kumon maths and/or English programmes. The committed students will be presented with awards at a ceremony taking place at St Mary’s Church Hall on June 25th at 5.30pm to celebrate their achievement of mastering maths and English beyond their current school level.
Kumon is one of the leading after-school education providers in the UK and Ireland, offering both maths and English programmes for children of all ages and abilities. Kumon exists to provide as many children as possible with the opportunity to learn and aims to give them the best chance in life by offering a unique and individualised study programme that is tailored to the needs of each child.
Around twelve students and their parents will be attending the award ceremony. Mr Andrew Percy MP will be presenting the students with gold, silver and bronze certificates in recognition of their achievements.
Local Kumon Instructor Craig Cook says: “The Advanced Student Roll ceremonies take place once or twice a year and are a great incentive for all Kumon students. They offer a wonderful opportunity for parents, who play a key role in Kumon study, to see their children shine and it’s a fun day out for everyone.”

BRIGG BARROW RACE IN PICTURES

The Black Bull, in Wrawby Street, was one of the hostelries visited by those taking part in Sunday's Wheelbarrow Race. Mine host Richard Smith kindly nipped out from behind the bar for a minute or two to take these pictures he's now shared with Brigg Blog. Our own images will appear later in the week.

ARE YOU GOING TO BRIGG'S BIG TEA PARTY?

From Paul Marsden AIIRSM,
Marketing Co-ordinator, North Lincolnshire Care

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you about our Residents' Blooming Great Tea Party. This is taking place on Saturday, 26th June, from 11.00am to 4.00pm, at Riverside Mews Care Home. The Tea Party will be attended by the our new local MP Mr Andrew Percy and the Mayor.
The money we raise will immediately be put to good use. It will help Marie Curie Cancer Care to provide more nursing care to terminally ill people in our neighbourhood - giving patients the choice to be cared for in the comfort of their own homes or in one of the charity’s nine hospices.

BARROW OF LAUGHS

Perfect weather greeted competitors in this morning's Brigg Wheelbarrow Race round town centre hostelries. Town Mayor Coun Ben Nobbs and Mayoress Barbara Morris made the presentations in the Market Place after the welcome return of this charity fundraiser.
Brigg Blog has pictures of the event, to be posted later.

QUICK WORK

Acting on Brigg Blog's suggestion that there was a road safety issue to address on Bigby Road in Brigg, North Lincolnshire Council sent someone out to cut back the foliage which was obstructing the view of drivers "looking left" when trying to emerge from St Helen's Road.

FACEBOOK FANS

Town Mayor Coun Ben Nobbs described Brigg Town Council's page on social networking site Facebook as "excellent" during the monthly review of council websites.
"That's what the young people are using at the moment," he said of Facebook. "That's how they communicate."
Coun James Truepenny said he hoped to produce another of his town council podcasts.

SKATEPARK SAVED

Brigg Skatepark - just over the border in Scawby Brook, near the Leisure Centre - has been saved for another year. Funding from Brigg Town Council, individuals and other local parish councils helped to meet the latest insurance premium for the facility which is not council-controlled.
Town Mayor Coun Ben Nobbs (pictured) said there had been "a bit of a panic" until the necessary funding was obtained.
Members of Brigg Town Council's policy committee were pleased to hear the facility would continue to provide enjoyment for young people. The council gave £250 during the last financial year and the same amount for 2010/11.
However, committee chairman Coun Jenny Bell said she thought North Lincolnshire Council ought to be footing the bill. "It's not just Brigg's skatepark," she stressed.
Coun Ann Eardley agreed, saying: "It's an asset to North Lincolnshire."

CHASING HONOURS

Brigg will again be entered in the national best-kept village and town competition, the Town Council has decided. Independent judges will consider the attractiveness and tidiness of the town and visit other entrants before reaching their decision.
The Monument will be entered in the best-kept war memorial section, and newly-refurbished Woodbine Park in the best playground category.

GERMANY CALLING

Listening to the radio while driving into Brigg a few weeks ago - before the World Cup kicked off - I was surprised to hear repeated references to the little German striker whose clever back-header helped knock England out at the semi-final stage in Mexico in 1970. But it turned out the radio pundits were not talking about Uwe Zeeler's bitter blow dealt to our chances but some form of cheap and nasty, one-note plastic trumpet.
We've all been paying the penalty ever since!

CHOCKS AWAY FOR A CASH BOOST

A donation has been agreed by Brigg Town Council to the 2222 Squadron, Brigg Air Training Corps, which has its HQ in Bridge Street.
Town councillors serving on the policy committee - meeting in the Angel Suite on Wednesday night - accepted a proposal from Coun Jenny Bell to donate £250 after receiving a request for cash aid from the organisation and considering its balance sheet.
Town Clerk Jeanette Woollard explained that after "a massive fundraising drive" the group had managed to buy itself a brand new mini-bus, for which running costs would need to be met. She thought there were now in excess of 50 cadets on the strength.
Coun Chris Pope suggested such ATC groups got less assistance than had once been the case from the RAF. "It's very much more a youth organisation than it was," he added. "It seems to be thriving."

BARROW-LOAD OF LAUGHS

A well-known annual Brigg event will return on Sunday (June 20), the sponsored wheelbarrow race. The competing pairs in their chosen "chariots" will race round town centre hostelries, drinking half-a-pint in each. The fun starts at 11am, and spectators are very welcome.
The route takes in the Britannia, White Horse, Exchange, Servicemen's Club, Woolpack, White Hart, Yarborough Hunt, Nelthorpe Arms (Scanlon's), Lord Nelson and Dying Gladiator.
"All proceeds will go to Cancer Research," says the organiser at Sandwich Heaven in the Market Place, from where the event is being co-ordinated. "Please support the race in any way you can with either sponsorship of money or by donating any wheelbarrows to the teams participating."
We understand Brigg Town Mayor Coun Ben Nobbs will be in the Market Place, supporting the event, and making presentations.
Men and women will be competing in Sunday's event, which always proves a few laughs along the way.
Exactly when the Brigg wheelbarrow race started, and when the last one was run seems to have been become clouded in the midsts of time and the consumption of all that ale. We are pretty sure it was first run in the late 1970s; estimates on when the last was staged range from 1995 to seven years ago.
Sandwich Heaven has now been taken over by a well-known Brigg sportsman of the past, who is the driving force behind the return of the wheelbarrow race. We will bring you the full story in due course, once the race is over.

WELL, I'LL BE BLOWED?

Alec Depledge has drawn our attention to this well-known feature, with the comment: "Is this the original Vuvuzela, do you reckon?"
Expect another big turn-out in Brigg pubs tomorrow for England's next game in the World Cup. Some of the other "big teams" have done no better than we did, or even worse, in their opening fixtures.

REMEMBER WHERE YOU HEARD THIS

You didn't Hear This On The Grapevine...you heard it on Brigg Blog!
Karen Deeley, manager of Brigg's town centre Angel Suite venue, says she has booked a superb Motown duo to play there on October 1.
"Motown Night can be viewed on YouTube, should you wish to check them out, which I recommend," she told town councillors in her monthly report.
Brigg Blog will let you know further details in due course.

DONATION CONSIDERED

Brigg Town Council's policy committee will consider a request for a donation from the 2222 Squadron, Brigg ATC, when it meets tomorrow (Wednesday, June 16) in the Angel Suite Lounge (7.30pm).
The monthly review of the council's website, MySpace and Facebook pages will be also be carried out, and councillors will decide whether to enter the Best-Kept Village and Town Competition. The second draft of the Brigg Emergency Plan will also be received and considered.
This meeting is open to the public. See you there?

IT HAD TO BE GRAMMAR SCHOOL ROAD

There was some amusement when Brigg Town councillors were informed by North Lincolnshire planners of an application relating to Westmoor House, Vale of Ancholme Technical College, on the aptly-named Grammar School Road.
"Planning permission to site a temporary visually impaired classroom" was the cause of the mirth.
Brigg councillors raised no objections to the classroom, and the North Lincolnshire authority will now decide whether to approve the application.
North Lincolnshire Council's website still carries the same, incorrect wording; perhaps the structure of the sentence could be reworked by someone.
Nothing further from me in case I split an infinitive or dangle a participle. Can you still do that in Brigg?

WRAWBY ROAD ACCIDENT UPDATE

A Humberside Police spokeswoman told Brigg Blog: "Police were called at 18.21hrs to reports of a road traffic collision involving three vehicles on the A18 Wrawby Road in Brigg, close to the cemetery. A road closure was put in place for a short time to allow emergency services to access the scene. A Citroen Berlingo, a Ford Ka and a Ford Mondeo were involved. The three drivers of the vehicles sustained minor injuries and went to Scunthorpe General Hospital for treatment."

WRAWBY ROAD CLOSED OFF

8.00pm Monday: Police have closed Wrawby Road to traffic at the Monument and Churchill Avenue, due to an incident near to Sir John Nelthorpe Lower School. We think it's a traffic accident. No diversions are in place, meaning vehicles approaching from Wrawby are having to turn onto the Churchill Avenue/St Helen's housing estate with no idea where they are heading, unless they have a degree of local knowledge.
8.50pm: Ken Harrison reports that the road has been re-opened. Damaged vehicles close to the cemetery entrance. Brigg Blog has requested a police statement.

WORTH A LOOK

If you live in Brigg your household has probably already received a printed copy of the latest issue of the Brigg Matters newsletter. If you don't, or you haven't, then use this link to view the full colour version of June 2010's Issue 23...
BRIGG MATTERS

MATCH POSTPONED

Tomorrow's Briggensians v Sir John Nelthorpe School cricket match has now been postponed a couple of weeks. We will advise the new date when we get it.

MIND THE SKIP

Drivers should watch out for a skip on St Helen's Road, Brigg, close to the junction with Yarborough Road. It's near to the junction so watch out for approaching vehicles on the wrong side of the road.
On the same subject, North Lincolnshire Council again needs to take action about the foliage on a tree close to the junction between St Helen's Road and Bigby Road. It means drivers exiting St Helen's Road, and looking left, cannot see approaching traffic because the greenery is blocking their view.
We flagged this problem up last year and someone attended to it by cutting back the foliage near the base of the tree. Now it badly needs a repeat.

TRADITIONAL FIXTURE KEPT ALIVE

Tomorrow night (Tues) sees the traditional friendly cricket match between Sir John Nelthorpe School and a side representing the Briggensians' Association - the Old Boys of the current comprehensive and one or two of us who are old enough to have been educated at Brigg Grammar School, which disappeared in 1976. The match is at the school in Brigg and players are asked to meet there for 6pm.
This fixture is a survivor from the era when it was quite common to see Old Boys v School being played across Lincolnshire. We usually have the Brigg one on a Friday night but this year a change has been necessary.
The call to turn out for the Old Boys only reached me last night and I know little about the line-ups, other than to say that if you are a duly qualified Old Boy of Sir John Nelthorpe School, or Brigg Grammar, and you feel like playing, or just coming along to watch, please ring Lee Fielden on 07787715825.
As a Brigg Grammar pupil in the early 1970s I can recall playing against the Old Boys, which must have been 1971/2/3. However, the fixture dates back much further than that.
We also used to have a July game between a School X1 and the Staff, which was watched by the entire school and played as an afternoon/evening game during the final week of the school year. I played in a few of those, once making a decent score as we chased down a sizeable target - but by then all the spectators had climbed on their buses and gone home.

OLD BOYS IN ACTION

Tomorrow night (Tues) sees the traditional friendly between Sir John Nelthorpe School and a side representing the Briggensians' Association - the Old Boys of the current comprehensive and one or two of us who are old enough to have been educated at Brigg Grammar School, which disappeared in 1976. The match is at the school in Brigg and players are asked to meet there for 6pm.
This fixture is a survivor from the era when it was quite common to see Old Boys v School being played across Lincolnshire. We usually have the Brigg one on a Friday night but this year a change has been necessary.
The call to turn out for the Old Boys only reached me last night and I know little about the line-ups, other than to say that if you are a duly qualified Old Boy of Sir John Nelthorpe School, or Brigg Grammar, and you feel like playing, or just coming along to watch, please ring Lee Fielden on 07787715825.
As a Brigg Grammar pupil in the early 1970s I can recall playing against the Old Boys, which must have been 1971/2/3. However, the fixture dates back much further than that.
We also used to have a July game between a School X1 and the Staff, which was watched by the entire school and played as an afternoon/evening game during the final week of the school year. I played in a few of those, once making a decent score as we chased down a sizeable target - but by then all the spectators had climbed on their buses and gone home.

BASKET CASES?

By Andy Coleman
(Colemans on Queen Street, Brigg)

Since opening our restaurant some 18 months ago we make great efforts to keep our shop frontage clean, tidy and appealing by sweeping the footpath most days, picking up the vast quantities of sandwich packaging and sweet wrappers dropped by the kids having made their purchase at the corner shop, removing the numerous pizza boxes and pavement pizzas from our door on Saturday and Sunday mornings after the night before's revellers.
What I don't understand is the absolute determination the revellers of Brigg have with ensuring I do not have any hanging baskets outside. We are now on our 15th missing basket, not counting the ones we have swept up from the gutter and managed to replant. It seems each season I re-hang the brackets a bit higher to lessen the temptation, but to no avai. Still they get damaged or stolen. Ah, well, best get on and plant the new summer baskets.
Let's hope they get to the autumn before being 'rehomed'

BLUEPRINT VIEWED IN DETAIL

Brigg Town Council has established a special Working Party to study the Local Development Framework Core Strategy, which will outline where new building and industry is allowed in our town over the next couple of decades.
North Lincolnshire Council, whose staff are overseeing the development blueprint, has set July 5 as the deadline for comments.
The extensive grassed area on York Road - as we said in a recent post on Brigg Blog - is among sites being looked at for possible housing development.
When Humberside County Council was the education authority, it had this area of "public open space" listed as the site for the new primary school; subsequently, North Lincolnshire Council (its successor) decided to build the new facility on Atherton Way, making the York Road land surplus to requirements. It's long been an unofficial play area for youngsters and a popular place to "exercise the dog."
Brigg's Working Party - led by Town Mayor Coun Ben Nobbs - will study the Local Development Framework draft "in detail" before reporting back to fellow councillors. A decision will then be made on what official comments/views the Town Council puts forward.
NF adds: As we've said previously on Brigg Blog, this is a very important document. So it's good to see the Town Council establishing a Working Party to study things in much greater depth than is possible at a council meeting, where time is severely limited. Not many members of the public have commented during consultations held by North Lincolnshire Council, making the Town Council's input all the more important.

COULD BRIGG BENEFIT?

English Heritage is calling on local authorities in the Yorkshire and the Humber region to carry out more assessments of their historic areas to help them retain their character and distinctiveness.
New guidance has been published called Understanding Place: Historic Area Assessment - Principles and Practice, setting out in detail a method of gaining a rapid understanding of the heritage interest of fairly small areas or neighbourhoods. Such historic zones could include suburbs, villages, hamlets, town centres or small to medium size towns.
Issues facing the historic areas include infilling of vacant sites, new developments, “garden-grabbing” in residential suburbs, or redundant and derelict buildings. The aim is to enable planners, developers, local authorities, other professionals as well as the public to judge which parts of an area are most significant or valuable and which are most vulnerable to change.
Trevor Mitchell, Regional Director for English Heritage, said: “The diversity of styles and architecture within the region is mind boggling, with areas having their own feel and character. It is what’s so enriching about living in Yorkshire and the Humber. That’s why it’s important to understand the things that make a place unique and attractive for businesses, visitors and residents. Possible developments can then be viewed from an informed position, leading to better care of the historic environment without hindering positive change.”
The guidance says that historic area assessments are especially valuable:
• During the early planning stages of eco towns, regeneration schemes and housing growth areas;
• When an area faces large scale redevelopment including major infrastructure projects;
• When an area is put forward for designation as a conservation area;
• When restoration schemes of historic estates, parks and gardens are being proposed; during the formulation of Masterplans, Heritage Partnership Agreements and Area Action Plans.
The full version of Understanding Place: Historic Area Assessment - Principles and Practice, and a shorter version specifically aimed at local authorities and developers are available on www.helm.org.uk

WALL OF NOISE

Four youngsters just observed, and particularly heard, in Spring's Parade blowing hard on their plastic World Cup trumpets, presumably in support of England's efforts. Just wait till the tournament actually gets started!

KRASH SESSIONS

By Alec Depledge, New Life Church

KRASH (Kids Really Are Special Here) moves to a new venue for its next two sessions. This Saturday, 12th June, and on Saturday, 10th July the 2-hour sessions will be at the Demeter House School, Bigby Road (former Brigg Prep. School) starting at 10am.
Children from age 6 to year 6 (inclusive) are very welcome. It costs 50pence/session, and is a fast-moving programme of activities which keeps the children entertained, as well as introducing them to values of self-worth and co-operation.
Further details from 01652 652116.

BRYAN'S FUNERAL

The funeral service for Bryan Robins, ex-Town Mayor, former Town Councillor, retired Lincolnshire Times and Scunthorpe Telegraph photographer, will be held at Brigg Methodist Church, Barnard Avenue/Wesley Road, on Thursday (June 10) at 1.30pm, followed by private interment in Brigg Cemetery. No flowers - donations to Macmillan Cancer Support.

PLANNERS SEE THE POINT

Planning permission to change the use of 50 Wrawby Street, Brigg, from a retail shop to a tattoo and piercing studio has been granted by North Lincolnshire Council. The application was made by Andrew Brader.

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST...

Our earlier suggestions that the sun brings out scooter and motorbiking fans was supported by yesterday's damp and dismal weather. Four times I progressed along Bridge Street and Barnard Avenue - at different times - and there was not a Velocette or a Lambretta in sight...or earshot.
Topping up the tank with petrol at the garage in Bridge Street reminded me of the days when you called at W A Sass (Monument Works), on Wrawby Road/Bigby Street, and a helpful attendant would come out and fill your Mini's tank for you. Those were the days.
How many garages/petrol stations across the UK still offer this service?

IT'S SHOW TIME

Brigg Blog has been promised some Press tickets to attend the forthcoming Lincolnshire Show, from where we plan to bring a special report, with pictures. If you are a Brigg company attending, or just someone from the town who's going along for the fun of it, please post your contact details below so we can look you up - or call in at the Press tent for a chat. The event is held on the Showground, just north of Lincoln, over two days.

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

It's great that the Town Council, and others, are working to improve and develop the River Ancholme, in an effort to make the riverside more attractive to visitors - local and of the tourist variety. This is not a short-term thing and will take a great deal of time and effort.
However, once the river scheme is finished, we suggest the Recreation Ground as the next project for development and improvement. It's sadly under-used but with plenty of space available and bags of potential.
You only need drive over to Caistor's sportsground to see what can be achieved through a partnership.
When Brigg Urban District Council was wound up in the mid-1970s the Rec Ground should have passed to the newly-formed Town Council but didn't. Instead, along with the Corn Exchange, it went (almost by default) to the new Glanford Borough Council. That's the point when the slow decline started. No fault of Glanford; why should it have looked after Brigg Rec Ground when places like Wrawby, Barnetby and Broughton ran their own, at their own expense?
That's in the past, let's look to the future. Unfortunately, "the present" at Brigg Rec is none too impressive with that functional but ugly changing room block surrounded by a big metal stockade to keep the vandals out. Not the sort of thing to impress visiting sportsmen and women. Not that we see anywhere near the number of matches played at Brigg Rec as was once the case.

HOW TO ALLOT THE ALLOTMENTS

When Brigg Town Council's property and services committee meets in the Angel Suite next Wednesday (7.45pm) a review will be made of the waiting list for allotments.
Councillors will be asked to consider whether:
1) The list should now be closed to applicants who live outside the parish.
2) Applicants who are already on the waiting list but live outside Brigg should be removed from the list, and advised to contact their own Parish Council.
The Town Council oversees allotments off Grammar School Road and Redcombe Lane/Atherton Way. They are proving very popular indeed, in line with the national trend for people to grow their own food and eat more healthily.
Clearly, demand is exceeding supply in terms of our allotments, prompting the Town Council's review of the situation.
Food for thought ahead of Wednesday's meeting.

BRYAN WILL BE MISSED BY MANY

You may have seen from tonight's Scunthorpe Telegraph that Bryan Robins - former Brigg Town Mayor, ex-councillor and one of the town's best-known figures - has died, aged 77. It was a sad duty indeed on Wednesday night to ring and inform the current editor of Bryan's passing.
Bryan came to Brigg at the end of the 1950s and was staff photographer on the Lincolnshire Times, whose offices were at 57 Wrawby Street. He stayed there until the Times closed in 1985, moving on to the Scunthorpe Telegraph, from where he retired.
He was first elected to Brigg Urban District Council in the early 1960s and went on to serve with the Town Council until a few years ago when he stepped down. However, despite failing health, he continued to represent the authority as a Foundation Governor at Sir John Nelthorpe School.
Although working long and irregular hours (including almost all weekends) at the Lincs Times for which he took all the pictures, he still managed to support many organisations in the town, including the Operatic Society, Brigg Town Football Club, Brigg Town Cricket Club, Remedial Swimming and the Horticultural Society.
He was very proud to have been presented to Her Majesty The Queen during her visit to Brigg Recreation Ground in 1977, when he was Mayor, and to have won a national award for the top Children in Need picture of the year, which saw him meeting famous actress Joanna Lumley.
The majority of Bryan's pictures, though, were the mundane, everyday sort vital for a local newspaper. However, that never bothered Bryan. He always treated everyone he photographed with equal courtesy and respect, irrespective of age or background. His extensive and informative captions were legendary, and a great example to young colleagues. Quite often they became a story in their own right, without the need for a reporter to add a single word. Today, so-called photo-journalists are becoming increasingly common - but to Bryan it was just part and parcel of the job.
He greatly enjoyed the small office cameraderie of the Lincolnshire Times, where 10am and 3pm saw all staff - there weren't many - clustering around Bryan's desk to enjoy the tea ritual, overseen by his great friend, Cliff Hatley, the branch manager.
Before the digital era he was still developing his own films in the darkroom and producing black and white prints to be sent off (via the Humber Ferry) to Hull where the paper was printed. He always ran off a second print from each job to be placed in the front window of the Times office, which brought in much-needed income for the paper and found many welcome "viewers" among passers-by in Wrawby Street.
Bryan had a fund of interesting newspaper stories - some at his own expense. Once, venturing to the edge of his "patch" - in the Market Rasen direction - he was approached by the elderly proprietor/editor of a rival paper to cover a particular event he could not make himself. Bryan duly sent off the print and did not expect to get paid. However, much later, when he saw the same editor again, the old man said: "Ah, Robins, I appear to owe you a reproduction fee. Half-a-crown, wasn't it?" Bryan was never in journalism for the money!
For some years after the closure of the Lincs Times, he generously hosted a summer reunion at his Brigg home for ex-staff, who came from far and wide. He kept in touch with many long after they had moved on to bigger, and better jobs.
In retirement he enjoyed overseeing his garden and keeping up to date with town events.
Funeral arrangements will be posted on Brigg Blog as soon as they are made known. Expect a very large attendance.

BLUEPRINT EXTRA

Further to yesterday's posting about the importance of the Local Development Framework which will determine where North Lincolnshire Council says new housing belongs in Brigg, here's some useful information the planning authority has put in the public domain.

The Core Strategy DPD - Submission Draft has been published to allow representations to be made on its soundness. This is the most important document in the new Local Development Framework, which will be brought in over the next few years. It sets out the overall development strategy for North Lincolnshire up to 2026. This is the final opportunity for the community and important partners in the planning process to have their say before the document is submitted to the Government for an independent public examination. The development strategy set out in the Core Strategy DPD - Submission Draft is based on consultation carried at out at previously as well as the most up to date national and regional planning policy. It is also based on a comprehensive evidence base, which has been developed during the preparation of the Core Strategy.

The period for making representations runs from Monday, May 24 to Monday July 5, 2010. All representations should be submitted by 5pm on the final day. The Core Strategy DPD - Submission Draft and other associated documents can be viewed on the council's website or at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe, at "Local Links" (we think this includes Hewson House, Brigg) and branch libraries during normal opening hours.
For further details call Spatial Planning on 01724 297573/297577 or email
spatial.planning@northlincs.gov.uk

And finally...An initial public consultation by North Lincolnshire Council showed 68 objections to housing on the York Road field and only two people in favour. I made my own views known that IF, and I say IF, there has to be housing on the site - a convenience shop would be useful to those living in this area of town, me included. There is a column headed "Other" on the chart of responses I'm looking at. Perhaps my suggestion is the "1" listed here!

MORE ON THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC TO FOLLOW OVER THE NEXT WEEK.

FROM BRIGG TO BRID

Appleby's First Choice, 56 Wrawby Street, have issued details of a day trip to Bridlington on July 18, picking up in Brigg. It's £10 - further details from the shop or ring 01652 650409.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Observed on the A18, Barnard Avenue, tonight - a full bag of chips, wrapper and all, scattered halfway across the road. And only a few yards from the Pelican crossing.
We hope the purchaser is uninjured, if a shade hungry!

IMPORTANT HOUSING PROPOSALS

North Lincolnshire Council's Local Development Framework Core Strategy Submission Draft is up for discussion at Brigg Town Council's planning committee meeting next Wednesday in the Angel Suite (7am).
This might not seem of great, if any, interest - but actually it's very important.
For this Framework is going to form the blueprint showing how our town develops in terms of housing and industry for the next couple of decades. The public has already had the opportunity to put views to North Lincolnshire planners. But we understand York Road field remains on the list of official house-building sites. And that's despite the fact there's been much opposition from residents.
We've praised North Lincolnshire Council in the past for the clear way it puts planning applications/decisions online. However, the Local Development Framework Core Strategy Submission is not being dealt with in the same manner. It took me a long time to locate it - and I class myself as a frequent user of the website. That's disappointing as this is an important topic. At least in my humble opinion!
Brigg Blog will be there next Wednesday to report on Brigg Town Council's response to North Lincs' draft blueprint.

NEWLANDS MEMORIES

With the scheduled Brigg Town Council meetings at the Angel Suite re-arranged, I decided to pop into the Nelthorpe Arms (Scanlon's) for a pint last night. Much interest then centred on a folder of old black and white Brigg prints I happened to have with me.
They included children playing on an overgrown play area on the Newlands Estate in 1961 (we think we've identified one of them, still living in the town today); a view of the Market Place on a Thursday, again early 1960s, when two-way traffic was still permitted along Bigby Street and Wrawby Street; plus a couple of bird's eye views of the town centre, taken from a helicopter. One showed the stockmarket being built in Cary Lane (early 1960s). A couple of horse fair survivors were in the folder, too, with LAWS pop factory in the background. Plus some interesting ones of the sugar factory in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Keep watching the Scunthorpe Telegraph's Monday Nostalgia page and reading the monthly Nostalgia magazine. These images, and others from Brigg, are going re-appear in print for the first time in almost half-a-century. Some really crackers among them.

PS: Who remembers the old wooden youth club building? That's among the "finds" too.

BRIGG FOLK CAN SAVE LIVES

By Joanne Steel, NHS Blood and Transplant

As the summer months stretch ahead, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is reminding blood donors to find time to donate. As people enjoy barbeques, summer holidays and outdoor sports making time to donate can slip down the list of priorities. But with blood being in constant demand and hospitals being one hundred percent reliant on volunteers, donors are urged to come forward.
Blood donors can donate three times a year and the process of giving blood takes around an hour - with the actual donation taking about ten minutes. Booking an appointment in advance minimises your waiting time and allows you to select a location and time to donate that suits you.
Craig Taylor spokesperson from NHSBT, said: “It is important that both existing and new blood donors come forward and donate now and regularly. It isn’t an exaggeration to call them lifesavers, as without them vital supplies of blood wouldn’t be available for patients.”
To become a donor you need to be aged 17-65, weigh more than 50 kg (7 stone 12lbs) and be in general good health. There is no upper age limit for donors who have donated in the last two years. To book an appointment call the Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk
For further information please contact the press office on 0117 969 24 44 or pressoffice@nhsbt.nhs.uk

NF adds: Sessions are held for the Brigg area at Glanford Leisure Centre, Scawby Brook, and sometimes at the Angel Suite. Brigg Blog is happy, as always, to publicise these sessions.

PUMP BLESSING

By Graham Austin, Committee Member, Brigg Amateur Social Historians (BASH)

On the evening of Monday, June 14 the Grimsby Morris Men will present the blessing of the old water pumps of Brigg. The approximate timings will be:
8pm The pump near the Nelthorpe Arms, Bridge Street.
8.30pm The pump on Grammar School Road.

LAST CHANCE FOR COMMENTS

Tomorrow (June 2) is the closing date for comments to be made to North Lincolnshire Council planners over an application to erect industrial units, with associated external works and drainage, on land at Europa Way, Brigg.

CHANGE REQUESTED

Planning permission to vary a planning condition relating to the layout of a car park and boundary wall at the proposed Tennyson Close redevelopment, off Albert Street, Brigg, is being sought by Longhurst Group Ltd from North Lincolnshire Council.

HELP FOR HEROES

From David Brittain

Brigg Rotary Club President, Robert Horner, has decided to arrange a fund-raising event in support of his chosen charity, Help for Heroes.
It will take the form of a Charity Car Boot Sale, to be held on Saturday 26th June, running from 10am to 2pm, in the grounds of the Sir John Nelthorpe School.
People locally are able to secure pitches at a cost of £5 and entrance is £1 per person.
Anyone who would like to support this good cause and can provide anything saleable for the club's stall should contact Robert on 07970126311 or any member of the Rotary Club.
Briggensians Golf: The Briggensians have their summer meeting and competition at Elsham Golf Club on Monday, 4th June at 4.30pm. The Autumn Meeting is on Sunday, 24th October at noon.