WE CAN'T TAKE TO THOSE TESCO SELF-SERVICE TILLS IN BRIGG

We still can't take to the self-service shopping tills at the Tesco store in Brigg  - and every time we go in there's a vague hope that they might have been removed since our last visit.
You don't have to use them if you don't want to - there are plenty of staffed tills nearby. But somehow it seems to be a step in the wrong retailing direction. 
Contrast this with a visit to some of the small shops in Brigg where they help you find what you want, take your money and even wrap your purchases. Service with a smile, which you can't expect from a mechanised check-out. It's a matter of choice. And huge retailers like Tesco clearly know their business, as they turn over huge sums. 
But is it really the Brigg way?

NEWS JOBS ON OFFER IN BRIGG

Reed Rains Estate Agency  in Brigg is recruiting two members of staff.
Please apply in writing, with a CV, to  Martin Graham, Reeds Rains - The Estate Agent, 
71 Wrawby Street, Brigg, DN20 8JE. The closing date is Saturday, January 11.

ARE OUR MINCE PIES DECEIVING US WHEN IT COMES TO THE BRIGG BUTTERCROSS CHANDELIERS?

 

One of the chandeliers illuminated a few weeks ago during a meeting of the Brigg Town Business Partnership.

Like many folk in town we had a few drinks this Christmas, but Brigg Blog is wondering whether our old mine pies are deceiving us when it comes to the chandeliers in the Buttercross.

We’d like to know whether the ones currently in place in the refurbished upstairs function room are those purchased 30-or-so years ago during the tenure of Glanford Borough Council.

Or could it be that something less lavish is now hanging from the ceiling?

It would be interesting to know the answer, North Lincolnshire Council.

If the Glanford era chandeliers are still about, somewhere, perhaps the council could consider re-hanging them in the Buttercross, now it’s been revealed that civic wedding ceremonies are to operate from early 2014. Brides and grooms would surely be impressed to have a bit of added sparkle.

 

An older picture of the upstairs room at the Buttercross showing the chandeliers. Note the "drops" hanging down that do not appear to feature in the later picture above. Or are our old "mine pies" letting us down!

BRIGG CHRISTMAS CARD PHOTOGRAPHER THANKED BY TOWN MAYOR

As Brigg Blog explained in an early post,  Town Mayor Coun John Kitwood  used a photograph of  the Monument War Memorial on the front of his 2013 Christmas Card - dedicated to the armed forces.
Coun Kitwood later met Luke Broughton in the Market Place  to thank Luke for giving permission to use his photograph  for this purpose. 
(Our thanks go to Coun Ben Nobbs for the above picture of the two of them with the card featuring Luke's striking image.)

BRIGG CHRISTMAS SHOPS COMPETITION PRIZE PRESENTATIONS

2nd Place Presentation to Parkers Carpets - Malcolm Bailey (Brigg Town Business Partnership),  Rebecca Fresher, Louise Smith (Director), Andrew Percy MP, Town Mayor Coun John Kitwood.

A competition to recognise the top Christmas displays in Brigg shops was organised by the Brigg Town Business Partnership, with final judging by Andrew Percy MP and Town Mayor Coun John Kitwood. PICTURES COURTESY OF KEN HARRISON.

The winners were as follows:

Festive Interior: Boyes.

Best Dressed Window: 1st Design Orchard; 2nd Parker's Carpets, 3rd Brian's DIY

It was a difficult decision for the judges as they felt all the entrants who had been shortlisted were of a high standard.

Prior to the announcement during the December Farmer's Market, a box of groceries was presented by the Business Partnership to the Brigg Food Bank  and a donation made to Brigg Rotary.

The BTBP wishes to thank Andrew Percy, Coun John Kittwood, Ken Harrison (for the photographs) and Malcolm Bailey for giving up their Saturday afternoon.

This competition will be running again in 2014.

3rd Place - Brian's DIY: Malcolm Bailey, the Town Mayor, our MP, Josh Toyne, Cheryl Bell and Father Christmas.

Rewarding the winners - Left to right: Malcolm Bailey, Andrew Percy, Eleanor Ireland, Tina Chambers - Manager, and Town Mayor Coun John Kitwood.

LINCSQUAD ANNUAL MEETING COMING UP NEAR BRIGG

Renowned sports group Lincsquad will be holding its annual meeting on Thursday 9th January at Arties Mill,  Castlethorpe, near, Brigg, starting at 7:45pm.
Lincsquad holds events in and around Brigg during the warmer months.

BRIGG HOUSEHOLDS TAKE CAREFUL NOTE OF THIS WEEK’S BIN COLLECTIONS

Brigg homes should take careful note of which bins to put out for collection by North Lincolnshire Council this week.

On Tuesday  – the usual collection day for most of you reading this – the main green waste bin and the maroon plastics and cardboard bin will be emptied on December 31.

However, there will be NO  collection of your boxes containing glass, tins and paper.

Brown garden waste bin collections have been suspended for the time being.

Remember,  you can take many items to the recycling centres in Old Courts Road and the Tesco store car park.

Rubbish that cannot be recycled may be disposed of at the council skip site between Broughton and Wressle.

You can use this link to check your collection details over the next month

SEASON OF GOODWILL IN BRIGG REPORTED BY POLICE

Humberside Police sent out the following very heartening Twitter message on Christmas Eve that proves the season of goodwill was alive and well in Brigg this year:
"Have you lost your purse today in Brigg? We've had one handed in at Brigg police station."
Could be it was dropped by a visitor to our town who's not local. In which case, our police station is on Barnard Avenue, close to the main car park.

LONG AWAY TRIP FOR BRIGG TOWN FC TODAY

Now under new team management, Brigg Town FC ‏journey to Sutton Coldfield today (Saturday 28th December) for an Evo-Stik Football League Division One South game that kicks off at 3pm. Best of luck to the Zebras, and here's hoping for three welcome points....

BRIGG BLOG PROVES POPULAR ON CHRISTMAS DAY

Site visitors to Brigg Blog on Christmas Day were THREE TIMES the norm for a 24-hour period. This made us feel quite humble, as a good number would have been ex-pats living in other parts of the UK and abroad who were clearly feeling a touch nostalgic about Christmases past when they lived in our town. 
The site traffic will also have been swelled by those given tablets, laptops and mobile phones as presents who were keen to try them out. Others were Brigg people who are regular visitors to this Blog. 
Whichever category you fall into, many thanks for your valued support. It more than justified the time and trouble we went to in posting some content on Christmas Day for your festive entertainment.  
Some clearly considered Brigg Blog to be more interesting than the December 25 television content. You may feel  we did not have much to beat! 

HOW BRIGG WILL MARK THE CENTENARY OF THE OUTBREAK OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR

Like many communities across the UK, Brigg will be marking the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War during 2014.
A group of town councillors has been delegated to come up with ideas. And, like them, Brigg Blog has already turned its thoughts to the topic.
We think it would be good to have a parade through the town centre, similar to the one that's held annually on Remembrance Day. Somewhere in the archives there are pictures of brave troops from Brigg marching through the town centre on their way to the railway station to catch trains on the first leg of their journey to The Front. We can recall one notable image taken in Queen Street.
It might also be fitting to include some businesses still around today who were trading in 1914. Immediately we think of Wallhead's, Thomas Bell and Peacock and Binnington. We know they were all going strong a century ago. Maybe Dunham's and Barnard's were, too. That will have to be checked with the current owners.
Going from memory, we think the proclamation of war may have been read in Brigg a century ago. Perhaps in the Market Place or outside the then police station in Wrawby Street. Again there will need to be a check of the archives for confirmation.
An exhibition of family photographs showing Brigg during the First World War might also be staged in the Heritage Centre or the Angel Suite. These could be scanned and reprinted, with the owners' permission, as some people may be uneasy about loaning treasured images. 
We are sure Brigg Town Council will welcome suggestions from you, the people of Brigg. Please post a comment here if you have ideas you'd like considering during 2014 and we can pass on the information. Or contact the Town Clerk at her office in the Angel complex. Jeanette Woollard's email is enquiries@briggmarkettown.co.uk
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LINDSEY LODGE HOSPICE WOULD WELCOME CHRISTMAS DONATIONS FROM BRIGG

If you've got a bit of cash to spare there are different ways in which you can help  Lindsey Lodge Hospice in addition to making purchases at the Brigg shop in Wrawby Street. Click here for details

EXTENSION PLANNED IN BRIGG

Planning permission to erect an extension at Cherry Tree Farm, Mill Lane, Brigg, is being sought from North Lincolnshire Council.

JUDGING THE BRIGG CHRISTMAS WINDOW COMPETITION

Brigg and Goole MP Andrew Percy and Brigg Town Mayor Coun John Kitwood judging shop window displays in the annual Christmas competition organised by the Brigg Town Business Partnership. PICTURES BY KEN HARRISON.

The Town Mayor in the Market Place, announcing the results. John K announcing the winners - 1st  Design Orchard; 2nd  Parkers Carpets;  3rd e Brian's DIY.     Winner of the Internal Decoration - Boyes.

BRIGG MPs AND MAYORS - PAST AND PRESENT - AND A TOWN COUNCILLOR

A happy band beside the bandstand in Brigg Market Place on Saturday, photographed by Ken Harrison. Left to right: Andrew Percy, MP for Brigg and Goole; Town Mayor, Coun John Kitwood; former Town Mayor, Coun James Truepenny; former MP, Ian Cawsey; and Coun Andrew Markham.

BRIGG TOWN MAYOR SURVEYING THE TOWN

A charming picture by Ken Harrison showing Brigg Town Mayor Coun John Kitwood on the balcony of the Angel building - looking down on the Christmas farmers' market. 

ALL CHANGE AT THE TOP AT THE VALE ACADEMY IN BRIGG

The Principal of the Vale Academy in Brigg has received a well-earned promotion - and we send her our congratulations. 
Read the story and find out who's lined up to take charge through this link

NEW WEATHER STATION INSTALLED NOT FAR FROM BRIGG

Lincolnshire County Council is to install a weather station in Caistor - about eight miles from Brigg - to provide more reliable forecasts to the Met Office. This should interest the many Brigg Blog followers who follow the weather with interest.
Normanby Top, just outside Caistor, is  the highest point in Lincolnshire at 168m (551ft) above sea level.
The council currently operates nine stations across the county that monitor the weather. At £20,000 each, they don’t just measure the wind direction, they collate a huge range of information ranging from the level of grip on the road surface, to the temperature at which dew will form on the road.
The county is so large that it’s broken down into eight climatic ‘domains’ that each have their own unique characteristics. These include the; Trent valley; Lincoln ridge; the Wolds; the east coast; Grantham; Fenland; and Wisbech.
The data that’s collected by the weather stations is transmitted to the Met Office’s headquarters in Exeter. There, it’s fed into computer models that provide the national forecast, as well as a more detailed forecast for Lincolnshire. The Met Office provides a daily forecast to the county council for each domain and also individual forecasts for each of the 43 gritting routes. This information is then used to make decisions about whether to go gritting or not.
Richard Fenwick, winter maintenance engineer at Lincolnshire County Council, says: “Caistor is one of the highest points in the county and over the last few years the local road network has been badly affected by snow and ice. It seems to have a micro climate of its own and so we’re going to install a weather station there. With a better understanding of the local weather conditions, we can provide a more tailored gritting service.”
Lincolnshire County Council has 43 gritting trucks and treats all A and B roads - a third of the county’s roads. In a single night they cover 1,869 miles of road - the equivalent of driving from Lincoln to Moscow.

DESIGN ORCHARD RECEIVING COVETED BRIGG CHRISTMAS TROPHY

Andrew Percy MP, left, and Town Mayor Coun John Kitwood, presenting the winners' cup in the Brigg Christmas windows competition to  Design Orchard. PICTURE BY KEN HARRISON. 

BRIGG CHRISTMAS HAMPER WINNER

Winner of the Gladrags @ Bags Christmas Hamper Raffle in Brigg was  customer Coun Jane Kitching (left). Cath Boulton presents the prize in this picture by KEN HARRISON.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM BRIGG BLOG

Brigg Blog wishes all its followers across the world a very merry Christmas and thanks you for your support.
Our followers over the past four weeks, are ranked as follows (by country):
1) United Kingdom
2) United States
3) Russia
4) Germany
5) China
6) France
7) Malaysia
8) Ukraine
9) Australia
10) Canada

A MESSAGE FOR CHRISTMAS FROM THE DEPUTY TOWN MAYOR OF BRIGG

Coun The Rev Alec Depledge - Deputy Town Mayor and Mayor's Chaplain of Brigg - has penned a festive message in this season of goodwill to all. Read what he has to say through this link

WHAT OUR BRIGG MP GOT FOR CHRISTMAS

Andrew Percy MP treated himself to a Christmas lollipop from Natalie Sankey's sweet shop in Wrawby Street when he visited the town centre on Saturday. PICTURE BY KEN HARRISON.

DOES THIS MEAN THERE'S MORE CHANCE OF BRIGG HAVING A WHITE CHRISTMAS?

North Lincolnshire Council Highways posted the following Twitter social network message this afternoon: Gritting: 24 Dec - We anticipate gritting later today as temperatures are forecast below zero. Further advice on timings later. Drive carefully.
Good advice, as ever, from the gritting team - among the many vital services expected to work over Christmas to keep things going as much of the UK grinds to a halt to celebrate Christmas.
Brigg Blog doffs the old Santa's hat to them and our police, fire  and ambulance services, care home workers, and medics of all types. Plus volunteers like LIVES.
Hopefully none of us will need to call on their expertise in Brigg during the next few days, but it's reassuring to know they are standing by.

REPAIR WORK IN BRIGG AFTER LAST NIGHT'S STRONG WINDS?

Garden Street in Brigg was closed temporarily today (Christmas Eve) at its junction with Cross Street.  We observed workmen carrying out repairs to wiring at the top of a telegraph pole about 1.30pm. 
Are we right to assume it was related to the strong winds and bad weather overnight?

THREE WISE MEN TAKE CHARGE OF BRIGG TOWN FC AT CHRISTMAS

The committee at Brigg Town FC has  filled the vacant team manager's position just ahead of Christmas. Follow this link to find out who has succeeded Mick Gray.

DESIGN ORCHARD - THE BRIGG BUSINESS WITH THE BEST CHRISTMAS WINDOW

Brigg Blog thanks Ken Harrison for this picture of Design Orchard - overlooking the main Old Courts Road car park - whose Christmas window display has been declared the best in town.

CHANGES COMING IN CARY LANE, BRIGG

Around the middle of January, work will be carried out in Cary Lane, Brigg, involving bollards and a pedestrian barrier - close to the turning circle, near the taxi office. 

BRIGG CHRISTMAS CARD 2013 DEDICATED TO THOSE WHO SERVE AND HAVE SERVED

The Brigg Town Council Christmas card this year is particularly praiseworthy.
Signed by the Town Mayor, Coun John Kitwood, it features the Monument war memorial.
The card is dedicated to all those who have served, and who continue to serve, their country - in defence of our freedom and peace.
The striking picture comes courtesy of Luke Broughton, of Brigg, who is also to be congratulated.
The Town Mayor is a retired army major, and 2014 will see events across the UK to mark centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. 

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM BRIGG AND GOOLE MP ANDREW PERCY

FROM ANDREW PERCY MP TO HIS BRIGG AND GOOLE CONSTITUENTS

Andrew Percy MP outside his office in Bigby Street, Brigg

I'd like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We end 2013 with unemployment locally much lower than at the start of the year. Hopefully this is the start of better things to come for our area.
I'll be spending my Christmas with my family, but I'll be back at it in the New Year working for our local communities and standing up for our area in Parliament. I hope you and yours have a peaceful and restful Christmas. Now, all I have left to do is to start my Christmas shopping. 

BRIGG CHRISTMAS FARMERS’ MARKET VISIT BY BRIAN LAWS – FORMER SCUNTHORPE UNITED AND GRIMSBY TOWN MANAGER

Having done plenty of deals in the football transfer market and secured a few bargains in his time, Brian Laws popped up at the Christmas Brigg Farmers’ Market on Saturday, when more good offers were available.

A former top flight footballer with Nottingham Forest, Brian was the Scunthorpe United manager until recently and was once in charge of team matters at Grimsby Town.

Ken Harrison, camera in hand, caught up with him at the market.

A SMALL MATTER OF THE BRIGG TOWN CENTRE CHRISTMAS TREE

The 2014 Christmas tree with the Buttercross as a backdrop.

There's been some adverse comment about the size of the Christmas tree in Brigg Market Place this year. It even became the topic of discussion at a Brigg Town Council committee meeting.
Brigg Blog wonders whether word may be passed on about having a slightly larger tree for the town centre in 2014. 
The current tree may be smaller than some that have graced the Market Place but it's a very welcome sight. Many towns and villages in the UK have long since given up having a tree. It's good that Brigg is keeping up the old tradition. 
We've dipped into our archives to find some pix taken in previous years, by way of comparison

The 2014 tree with the NatWest Bank and Pastimes shop beyond.

Christmas Past - pictured by Ken Harrison

Christmas Past

CHRISTMAS TIPS FOR BRIGG PAPER BOYS AND GIRLS

This notice in Martin's shop window in Brigg town centre reminded us of the good work done down the decades by youngsters delivering newspapers in this locality.
The sign announcing that this Wrawby Street shop now delivers papers in the village of Wrawby reminded us of Christmases Past when a certain paper boy from Richardson's, who shall remain nameless, delivered morning papers to addresses in Glebe Road, Woodbine Avenue, Hawthorn Avenue, Preston Drive and Wrawby Road, as far as St Helen's - right on the Wrawby border. It was a difficult pedal up the long drive to the imposing detached house, in its extensive grounds, set back from the A18. One year in the late 1960s we recall receiving a very generous tip from the owner. 

LOOKS LIKE SOME BRIGG FOLK WILL BE CAUGHT OUT THIS CHRISTMAS

We've travelled down a good selection of Brigg streets today but seen relatively few bins and boxes put out for tomorrow's earlier-than-normal Christmas collection. We posted a story yesterday, Saturday, reminding households that the bin collectors will be down your way a day early. If you are usually collected on Tuesday, they will be coming on Monday.
We are also making a Christmas wish that whoever is in charge of the recycling bins in the Tesco store car park and Old Courts Road (pictured) gets them emptied ahead of December 25. We recall a few years ago that one centre soon had full containers over the festive period, to the disappointment of many of us who then had to trek over to the Broughton skip site. 
This is a key time of year for recycling, and North Lincolnshire Council has a good record. So let's all play our part over Christmas and New Year!

DID SANTA POP INTO BRIGG FOR A QUICK ONE LAST NIGHT?

We spotted Santa's hat near a tree in East Park early this morning, just a few yards from the front door of the Britannia pub. That set us wondering whether Santa had parked the sleigh near the Tintabs last night and popped in for a well-earned pint - in readiness for Christmas when he'll be rushed off his feet. The hat was still there this afternoon (Sunday).

EXCITING WIN FOR BRIGG TOWN FC OVER GRESLEY AT THE HAWTHORNS IN EVO-STIK LEAGUE DIVISION ONE SOUTH

Brigg Town  2   Gresley FC  1 -  MATCH REPORT BY BOB TAYLOR

Brigg secured all three points with two late goals from substitute Eliot Broughton after the visitors had dominated the play for the first hour of the game and missed enough chances to win comfortably With Ollie Fisher unavailable, William Peers returned after a lengthy injury  lay- off to start the game in the back line  and after a slow start, he gradually re-gained in confidence to control the attacking danger of Paolo Piliero on the visitors’ left wing.. 
The visitors started the game confidently and after five minutes, Paolo Piliero's cross from the left found Robert Spencer  striking a shot against the cross bar, rebounding to safety. Brigg responded with an attack down the left wing but Phil Jackman was unable to get any power into his over-head shot in front of goal, allowing Mats Morch to pick the ball up easily. Then with a slick  Gresley movement down the right wing, Robert Spencer played the ball in for Eric Graves to hit a fierce shot over the top of Jake Turner’s  goal. Scott Hellewell had to concede a corner kick on the left. Jack Langston’s cross was played  too deep but was knocked back into the penalty area for Paolo Piliero to fire into the side netting. Paul Grimes was being closely marked with little protection from the officials but found space to set up a chance for the hard working Paul Ashton to deliver a cross along the face of the Gresley goal. Then from a free kick, Mats Morch had to make a late save low down at the foot of his upright post. Danny Buttle started to get more possession and slipped the ball forward for Liam Dickens to strike a shot over the bar from twenty yards out. When Gresley counter-attacked with pace down the right wing, a flowing move between Matthew Roome and Eric Graves ended with Robert Spencer wildly firing another shot over Jake Turner’s goal. The opening  goal came after twenty five minutes of play from a quick break down the middle of the pitch with Paolo Piliero laying the ball off  with some fortune through William Peers’ legs to LUCAS HARRISON  on the left wing to beat Jake Turner with a shot into the far bottom corner of the net.
This  goal started a period of dominance by the away team up to half time to create clear openings to increase the lead. Jack Langston struck another shot wide of the upright and one from Kieran O'Connell was deflected off William Peers for a corner kick. From the corner kick, Jack Langston took a return pass from Paolo Piliero to hit a fierce shot at goal,  which Jake Turner tipped over the cross bar. Robert  Spencer’s shot from Alex Steadman’s lay- off struck the cross bar again after a purple patch of attacking play by Gresley and as half time approached, Paolo Piliero struck another shot wide from a good position on the left but leaving the visitors just a single goal ahead at the break..
The second half began with a free kick awarded to Gresley being played into  the goal area by Jack Langston but comfortably held by Jake Turner. Brigg began to win much more of the ball and Danny Buttle created their first real opportunity when he went past his marker on the left wing and delivered a telling cross along the face of the goal but there was no touch available to finish off the move. Anthony Bowsley and Jordan Thewliss replaced Danny Buttle and Phil Jackman ten minutes into the half and signs of weakness in the Gresley defence became apparent as goalkeeper Mats Morch flapped away a high cross but at the other end, Jake Turner had to be alert to race out to clear on two separate occasions. Midway through the half, Paul Ashton struck a dipping shot, which struck the top of Mats Morch’s cross bar. Brigg suddenly began to look more threatening as Eliot Broughton replaced Liam Dickens fifteen minutes from time. Paul Grimes was constantly tackled from behind but still got free to send a fierce drive over the cross bar. Then after eighty five minutes of play, Brigg were at last awarded a free kick in a central position twenty- eight yards from goal. Paul Grimes struck a low shot against the defensive wall but the ball broke free to the alert ELIOT BROUGHTON , who beat Mats Morch with a low drive into the corner of the net.
Brigg were naturally spurred on by this success and suddenly looked capable of getting something from the game. As the match moved into added time, a Gresley attack on the Brigg goal was cleared and the ball played up the pitch down the left wing for ELIOT BROUGHTON to outpace the visitors’ sluggish defence and race on to send a great shot into the far corner of the net with Mats Morch well beaten. The timing could not have been better with the final whistle blown shortly afterwards.
BRIGG TOWN:  Turner, Peers, Matthews, Dickens, Hellewell, Jacklin, Ashton, Zuerner, Grimes, Jackman, Buttle. Substitutes;  Broughton (77), Bowsley (52) and Thewlis (52) for Dickens, Buttle and Jackman(Forrester and Zand  not  used).
Attendance:   105.
Brigg travel to play at Lincoln United on Boxing Day afternoon and then follow this up with a long journey to Sutton Coldfield next Saturday.

AMBITIOUS BRIGG PLANS REVEALED: NEW HOUSING ESTATE AND SCHOOL OFF WRAWBY ROAD

The view across the A18, Wrawby Road, towards the Springbank estate, taken from  the Churchill Avenue junction. The Recreation Ground is just off picture, on the left. 

Plans have been announced to build a school and housing estate off Wrawby Road in Brigg  and to create a new access road that should deal with much of the traffic congestion suffered on the Springbank estate.
Brief details can be found within the latest edition of the In Touch newsletter from local Conservatives.
There are proposals to relocate the current Vale Academy to Wrawby Road and to create a new relief road from Wrawby Road right round to Atherton Way.
The long-planned Brigg North development zone would then have "relocated" sites for new housing "to the north of the new school and near Brickyard Lane" (in Wrawby).
The Conservatives - North Lincolnshire Council cabinet members Couns Carl Sherwood,  Nigel Sherwood and Rob Waltham - say it is important to know what local people think about this, which is why residents will shortly be consulted on the proposals.
They conclude: "Nothing has been agreed yet, but this is being looked at as an option and we wanted to let residents know. A formal consultation will take place shortly."
This is an outline plan and the fine detail has yet to be revealed. 
For example: Where, and at how many places, will the new relief road from Wrawby Road connect to the Springbank estate? 
This will be very important  to people living on the estate who would then have an alternative to using  heavily congested Grammar School Road. They should get a direct route to the A18 - greatly cutting journey times.
Relocating the Vale Academy will also reduce the amount of traffic - parents' cars and buses - using Grammar School Road.
Copies of the latest issue of In Touch are currently being distributed to households in Brigg and district. It contains much of interest to residents, including a good deal about our MP, Andrew Percy.

AMENDED BRIGG REFUSE COLLECTION OVER CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR - DON'T BE CAUGHT OUT

If you live in Brigg and usually get your bins collected on Tuesday, note that North Lincolnshire Council will be calling at your property on MONDAY next week because of Christmas.
The teams will be picking up blue and green boxes, emptying the main green bins and picking up textile bags.

HERE ARE THE FULL DETAILS SUPPLIED BY NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL, WITH SEARCH FACILITY. JUST KEY IN YOUR ADDRESS AFTER USING THE HANDY LINK.


North Lincolnshire Council is reminding people that bin collections will change over the Christmas period and brown bin collections will be stopped temporarily.
You  will receive an extra collection of your general waste to help with the increase in rubbish over the festive period. 
To enable us to carry out the extra general waste collection, brown bin collections will be stopped from 21 December. Collections will start again from Monday 6 January 2014.
Burgundy bins will continue to be collected but check your calendar for changes to the collection dates. 
To find out when your bins will be collected check your collection calendar. If you don’t have a calendar 
you can check your collection dates online at 
www.northlincs.gov.uk/bins-waste-recycling/recycle-at-home/collection-dates/ 
Alternatively you can request a collection calendar from the Customer Helpline on 01724 297000 or email wastemanagement@northlincs.gov.uk 
More than half of the rubbish created over this busy time can be recycled. Make sure you use your recycling boxes, bins and bag collections or take it to your nearest recycling bank.  
Winter opening times are now in place at all of the eight Household Recycling Centres across North Lincolnshire.
The site at Cottage Beck Road in Scunthorpe is open from 8am to 4pm, seven days a week. All other sites - including the one at Broughton, serving the Brigg area - are open from 10am to 4pm, Friday to Tuesday. 
All eight sites will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. 
For more information on Household Recycling Centres, please visit the recycling pages on the council’s website, www.northlincs.gov.uk/bins-waste-recycling/household-recycling-centres/ or call the Customer Helpline on 01724 297000. 

WINNER OF THE BEST CHRISTMAS WINDOW DECORATION COMPETITION IN BRIGG

The winner of Brigg Christmas Window competition is Design Orchard.
The final judging was undertaken today - Saturday 21st Dec - by Andrew Percy MP and Brigg Town Mayor Coun John Kittwood.

Shortlisted were Bridge Street Interiors, The Steel Rooms, the White Horse pub, Pickering's, Design Orchard, Honeybee, Grandad's Shed, Brian's DIY, Parkers of Brigg.

Shortlisted in the "interiors" section were W Boyes and Café Courtyard. 

More to follow on this Brigg Town Business Partnership initiative.

TIN TABERNACLES ON THE ONE SHOW - HOW MANY BRIGG FOLK SAW IT ON TV?

We've been informed by former Scunthorpe Telegraph sub-editor Gavin Powers that a very popular BBC TV show featured something of interest to Brigg folk.
Gav sent us a Tweet to say: "Item about tin tabernacles on the one show. Immediately thought of you!"
For those who may not know, the Tin Tabernacle is the covered seating near the Monument war memorial, close to the A18.
Sadly, we missed the programme. Did you see it?

10,000 NEW JOBS COMING BUT HOW DO YOU GET FROM BRIGG TO EAST HALTON BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT?

Everyone is delighted that thousands of new jobs will be created in North Lincolnshire now the Able UK development near East Halton and Killingholme has been approved. But what if you are an unemployed Brigg man, or woman, without a car? How will you get to the far north-eastern corner of our area?
We are told that work on this very welcome initiative will start next month, with the development of the quay beginning in June 2014, and that the site will be finished for 2016.
So shouldn't the powers-that-be  begin the New Year by bringing about improving public transport? Could they get bus companies to alter their routes, or create new ones, so people from the Brigg area can get to where the jobs are?
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Robert Goodwill, this week  announced the go-ahead for the £450m Able Marine Energy Park - the biggest offshore wind manufacturing facility in Europe, creating around 4,000 local jobs.
Together with the Able Logistics Park, which has already been given planning consent, this will represent a total investment of £550m and the creation of almost 10,000 jobs.
The Able Marine Energy Park  will manufacture and supply turbines to huge offshore wind farms.
Coun Liz Redfern, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: "Able UK and others have worked incredibly hard to bring about today’s result. This is fantastic news and a great opportunity which will unlock the economic potential of the Humber estuary. The go-ahead today signifies a real turning point in the manufacturing and engineering industry and brings a significant 
boost to local industry and jobs.  This is, without doubt, the biggest enterprise zone in the UK.  It will totally transform the Northern Lincolnshire economy and wider region. North Lincolnshire Council and the area's MPs have pressed for the Able Marine Energy Park (AMEP) to be a top priority and it has paid off. The development could require around one million tonnes of steel each year, which will be a massive boost to local steelworks Tata and presents a fantastic opportunity for the company to kick-start the economic recovery of steel – particularly for steel plate and long products.
“We have worked closely with Able UK from the start and are very excited about what we are about to see take shape.  We will have the biggest offshore wind farm in Europe – and it is here right on our doorstep. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Humber.”
Peter Stephenson, Able founder and Executive Chairman, said: “The Able Marine Energy Park’s significance has been compared to the impact of the Nissan development in the North East and I do not believe this is an exaggeration. The Humber is ideally placed in close proximity to the proposed world’s largest offshore wind farms and, coupled with the scale of the site and inherent strengths of local people and businesses, we have the very best package to offer the emerging wind sector. We are indebted to North Lincolnshire Council with whom we have worked throughout the development of our plans for Able Humber Port and the Able Marine Energy Park.  Their support and guidance has been invaluable."

INDIAN OR ENGLISH? BRIGG BLOG SPOILT FOR CHOICE

Will it be a takeaway from the Diya Spice in Brigg or fish and chips from Den's in Glebe Road?  And do we venture out to Brigg pubs tonight or stay in? Tough decisions to be made shortly.

BRIGG WILL MARK 100th ANNIVERSARY OF 'THE WAR TO END ALL WARS'

A working group of Brigg councillors will look at  the organisation of events in the town during 2014 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War.
They will report their suggestions to Brigg Town Council in the New Year.
The working group will include Couns Ben Nobbs, Sheila Boughey, Carl Sherwood and Rob Waltham, who have all volunteered for duty.

FOLLOWING THE CHAIN OF BRIGG HERITAGE BACK DOWN THE DECADES

One of the lasting links with Brigg Urban District Council is earmarked to go on display in the newly extended Heritage Centre in the Angel building, near the Market Place.
Brigg Town Council is to have the old Brigg UDC Chain of Office cleaned and mounted for  presentation (on loan) to the centre.
Urban district councils came into being in the 1890s and disappeared in 1974 when local government was re-organised.
Brigg Urban District Council did not have a mayor, but its chairman wore a chain of office.
Our UDC managed the town's council housing and dealt with dustbin collection and street cleaning, but major services like education were provided by Lindsey County Council.
In 1974, Brigg Town Council came into being. But refuse collection, planning, council housing and other major services became the responsibility of newly-formed Glanford Borough Council - above which was Humberside County Council, responsible for highways and education.
Today we are back to a two-tier system, with North Lincolnshire Council - "a unitary authority" - and Brigg Town Council. The borough council -  based at what's now Hewson House, off Station Road -  disappeared in 1996 when further reorganisation of local government took place. 
Coun Rob Waltham, chairman of the heritage centre, described the UDC chain as being part of Brigg's history. 

BRIGG, PERCY GRAINGER, DELIUS AND THE MISLAID THESIS

Correspondence between Brigg and Australia has followed the discovery that the local copy of Volume I of the Percy Grainger Thesis, which refers to his visit to Brigg, appears to have been mislaid. Steps are underway to try and secure a replacement.
For the benefit of those who may not know, Percy was an Aussie-born composer, pianist and arranger - perhaps best known for English Country Garden. 
He came to Brigg early in the 20th century to collect folk songs and heard the traditional air Brigg Fair being performed. (It was later turned into a popular classical piece by fellow composer Delius).
Brigg Town Council's December meeting heard that Tom Glossop, Freeman of Brigg, who is well known for singing Brigg Fair at various events, has been in touch with Melbourne University, which holds the original thesis.
It is now understood that North Lincolnshire Council will "take it on" and endeavour to secure a replacement. 

MESSAGE RECEIVED ABOUT BRIGG COUNCILLORS' EMAILS

Coun Ben Nobbs raised the "guidance" about emails.

An unusual subject was discussed by Brigg Town Council: Whether councillors should set up additional email addresses to keep their work as elected representatives away from their personal messages.
Councillors considered a recommendation from Coun Ben Nobbs that they should consider the recent guidance issued by ERNLLCA - the East Riding and North Lincolnshire Local Councils Association - that those members who receive information via email should set up, and provide, a dedicated email address for council business.
Invited by Town Mayor Coun John Kitwood to begin the discussion, Coun Nobbs said that with so much spam email circulating, things could get mixed up.
Coun Nobbs said councillors having dedicated email addresses seemed to work for ward councillors on the North Lincolnshire authority.
The Town Mayor, who was chairing the meeting, then invited other councillors to have their say.
Some, like Coun Penny Smith, Coun Lesley Whitehand and Coun Jackie Brock, seemed quite content to have just one email account. 
Coun Chris Dyson made it clear he had no intention at all of setting up another one.
Coun Donald Campbell thought what Coun Nobbs was suggesting to be a good idea, while Coun James Truepenny thought it  a very safe thing to do from a legal point of view. He considered the suggestion to be a sensible one.
With plenty of free email accounts available, there was no mention of any additional expense being incurred. Individual councillors will now have to decide whether they wish to act on ERNLLCA's "guidance" and keep council business and personal messages apart.

Coun Donald Campbell thought it "a good idea."

BRIGG SCHOOL LANDS GRANT TO HELP WITH FIRST WORLD WAR RESEARCH

Brigg Blog has made previous reference to the great work done by students at Sir John Nelthorpe School in finding out about some of the servicemen from the town who fought during the 1914-18 war.
The group is being led by teacher David Waite, who attended a meeting of Brigg Town Council some months ago to explain about the research and what they aimed to achieve.
At their December meeting on Monday in the Angel Suite, town councillors were told that SJN had been successful in its application for a grant. 
Subsequently, Brigg and Goole MP, Andrew Percy, has Tweeted: "Great news that @heritagelottery have awarded Sir John Nelthorpe £16,400 to research Brigg men & women lost in WWI. Pleased to support this."

ALL'S GOING SMIMMINGLY ON BRIGG POOL REPAIRS

Repair work on the swimming pool at the Ancholme Leisure Centre - serving Brigg and district - is "on time" so the facility can reopen to the public on January 2, as planned.
Coun Carl Sherwood, a member of the Cabinet at North Lincolnshire Council which runs the centre, gave the reassuring news at the December meeting of Brigg Town Council, held in the Angel Suite.

BRIGG DONATION GRATEFULLY RECEIVED

Brigg Town Council has received a thank-you letter after granting £500 to the Volunteer Car Service, which transports people in need to doctors' and dentists' surgeries and other locations.

WALL NEAR WHITE HART PUB BEER GARDEN IN BRIGG TO BE IMPROVED

The authorities are now focusing on improving a section of the riverside in Brigg town centre.
"We are looking at pointing up the White Hart wall," said Coun Rob Waltham, who is a member of the Cabinet that oversees North Lincolnshire Council.
The wall near the popular pub, beside the Old River Ancholme, is close to the grade two listed County Bridge and is a very visible feature.
A long stretch of wall to the right of this view was replaced some months ago.
Coun Waltham delivered the welcome news to Brigg Town Council at its December meeting, held on Monday in the Angel Suite.

BRIGG HERITAGE CENTRE PROVING POPULAR

The Brigg Heritage Centre visitor total has risen to 6,400.
Coun Rob Waltham, its chairman, gave the update during Monday night's meeting of Brigg Town Council, in the Angel Suite.
Phase Two of the centre, in the Angel complex, near the Market Place, was recently opened by Andrew Percy, the Brigg and Goole MP.
There are now many more items of local interest for people to view - see picture above.
Have you been for a look round?

AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS SEEKING PLANNING PERMISSION IN BRIGG

Planning permission to carry out the sale, repair, maintenance and display of agricultural machinery is being sought in Brigg on land at the junction of Atherton Way and Europa Way.
Eastern Harvesters are seeking permission from North Lincolnshire Council.

MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO PLANNED FOR BRIGG

Planning permission to change the use of business unit  into a martial arts school is being sought in Brigg at 22 Island Carr Road, off Bridge Street, by Koku-Ryu Martial Arts.
North Lincolnshire Council will consider the application.

NEW YEAR MEETING TO DISCUSS BRIGG TRAFFIC CONGESTION

A meeting is planned in the New Year to try and overcome traffic congestion in Brigg - along Grammar School Road.
Coun Ben Nobbs told last night's monthly meeting of Brigg Town Council that he had been in theis area one evening recently when it was so bad that vehicles were being driven onto the footpath to try and find a way through.
Coun Nobbs described the situation as "absolute Bedlam". He added: "We really must get a meeting set up."
It is anticipated that North Lincolnshire Council, the highway authority, will meet representatives of Brigg Town Council.

BRIGG RACEGOERS' BOXING DAY GUIDE TO LINCOLNSHIRE'S OWN MEETING

Going to the races on Boxing Day is a seasonal tradition for a good many people in the Brigg area.
Visiting Market Rasen Racecourse is as much a part of Christmas as turkey, mulled wine and crackers.  It’s described as Lincolnshire’s big day out at Christmas time. And, with up to 10,000 people descending on the market town from all over the region, it’s one of the most popular sporting events and family days out in Lincolnshire during the whole year.
Visitors have every incentive to buy their Boxing Day tickets in advance and get along early to the racecourse.  Prices on the day start at just £12 for adults – with savings available for advance purchase.  All accompanied under 18s are admitted free of charge.
The gates of the racecourse will open at 10am for a first race time of 12.25pm.  The feature event during the afternoon is the Clugston Lincolnshire National.
Among other attractions are:

• Personal appearances by Fireman Sam
• Father Christmas making a special overtime visit
• Free kids lunches and a lucky dip to win valuable prizes.

The visitor judged to be wearing the best Christmas jumper will win a table for four in the Brocklesbury Suite at a fixture in the New Year.
Pip Kirkby, General Manager, Market Rasen Racecourse, tells us: “We’re all geared up for a great family Christmas day out in Lincolnshire with our Boxing Day racing fixture.
“It is always among our most popular racing days of the year, with crowds since the turn of the millennium averaging 10,000.
“With all accompanied children admitted free and admission for adults starting at just £12, Boxing Day at Market Rasen Racecourse is also a very affordable Christmas day out for families.”

So, what should visitors know before they set out and as they arrive at the racecourse?

Set off early: Gates will be open from 10am.  The sooner people arrive, the less time they’ll spend in traffic.  Visitors should take heed of the well-established Boxing Day traffic management plan:

From the Brigg direction, A46: Follow signs on to the B1225 (Caistor High Street), and the yellow signage via North Willingham and Sixhills.

What to wear: Dress for the weather.  The County Enclosure does require smarter dress – no ripped denim for example – but otherwise there are no restrictions.  Warm is best!  People move around the racecourse quite a bit, so comfortable shoes are advisable.

How much does it cost? The great news is that all accompanied under 18s get into the racecourse free of charge.  A report this month from the Deloitte business group found that racing provided the most affordable family day out of any sport.
Tickets for Boxing Day can be booked online at www.marketrasenraces.co.uk or by calling 0844 579 3009 – with advance purchases qualifying for up to 25% discount.  Details of special admission packages – to make the day extra special – are online too.

On-the-day adult prices on Boxing Day: Family Enclosure £12; Tattersalls £18; County Enclosure £25.  Students and senior citizens save up to £4 off admission, excluding Premier Enclosure.

Parking: General parking – with the exception of the picnic car park - is free.  Preferential parking areas are provided near the entrances for disabled visitors who are holders of the Blue Badge parking label. 

Food and drink: Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic into the car parks or into the Family Enclosure, but food and drink may not be brought into any other areas of the racecourse.  There are numerous places to eat, including Mama J’s Italian restaurant.


The race programme: The official programme is invaluable.  The silks worn by the jockeys are displayed in colour.  The programme shows the recent record of each horse running, the weight the horse will carry in the race, and the name of the jockey and trainer.

Betting: People put their money on with the bookmakers who stand in front of the grandstands or with the Tote.  They ‘take a price’ with a bookmaker at the time when they put your money on, whereas with the Tote the bet goes into a pool, with the winnings decided after the race.

Choosing a horse to back: Visitors can watch the horses in both the pre-parade ring, where the horses are saddled, and the parade ring itself.  They can read the form – or just choose their favourite jockey or a horse whose name they like or whose rider is wearing their favourite colour.  After all, it’s just a bit of fun.


The races: Now watch the races from the grandstands and cheer the winners as they come back into the winners’ enclosure.  The highlight of the racing during the afternoon is the Clugston Lincolnshire National, a steeplechase run over three and a half miles.

Online: More information can be found at www.marketrasenraces.co.uk or by calling the racecourse on 01673 843434.

A big team of racecourse staff, from caterers, ground staff through to the general office and management are involved in organising Boxing Day racing.
For Clerk of the Course Jane Hedley it’s her first Boxing Day meeting.  She’s responsible for providing the very best possible racing conditions for the horses.
Her focus on Boxing Day started as soon as the racecourse’s last meeting ended on 5 December.  The turf is repaired and running rails moved.  And the long-term weather forecasts begin to the monitored.
Jane’s role becomes intense in the days leading up to Boxing Day.
Christmas Day is a day off, but she’ll still be monitoring conditions remotely from where she’s staying in the Scottish Borders and will arrive back in Lincolnshire at 9pm.
With luck there won’t be the challenges of some previous years with frost and snow!  The weather forecast for over Christmas is currently favourable. 
Jane is in constant touch by telephone and text message with racehorse trainers intending to run horses because they want to know the exact ‘going’.  She uses a special, hi-tech GoingStick to provide readings which create a ‘going map’ of the racecourse.
Jane will be at the racecourse from very early on the day of the races to assess any change in the conditions.
Satisfaction will come when all the racehorse owners and trainers are happy.  “When the races are run, I’m happiest when all the horses safely return to their saddling boxes.  That’s the main thing,” says Jane.
Market Rasen Racecourse will stage 21 jump racing meetings in 2014 and is a leading conference and events centre in the East Midlands.  More information is available at www.marketrasenraces.co.uk

Market Rasen Racecourse is part of The Jockey Club, which has been at the heart of British racing for more than 260 years. Today the largest commercial group in the sport, The Jockey Club runs the largest racecourse group in the UK by turnover (2012: £142.1m), courses (15) including those at Aintree, Cheltenham, Epsom Downs and Newmarket, attendances (2012: 1.8m), total prize money (2012: £35.3m), contribution to prize money (2012: £16.5m) and quality racing (Group and Graded races); more than 3,000 acres of world-class training grounds in Newmarket and Lambourn; The National Stud breeding enterprise and education provider; and the charity for racing's people in need, Racing Welfare. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny The Jockey Club makes it puts back into British racing. More information is available at www.thejockeyclub.co.uk