BRIGG SUNDAY CRICKET ALWAYS ENJOYABLE

We very much hope that Brigg Town Cricket Club will be able to re-establish a Sunday team at some point in the future.
Based at Brigg Rec and occasionally the Sugar Factory ground, we enjoyed many cracking Sunday games in the North Lindsey League, over many years.
Currently, though, Brigg only play in the Lincolnshire County Cricket League - a Saturday competition.
Brigg cricketers have seen their fair share of variable weather this season.
But down at Grantham today, where Lincolnshire are playing Cumberland in a Minor Counties  match, bad light was a factor for a time on a Sunday afternoon in July!
As a former long-serving Brigg Town player, it's always sad to pass the former Sugar Factory ground in Scawby Brook and see it overgrown and still out of use as a sports venue after more than 20 years (pictured above). 
There used to be cricket, football, bowls and tennis (outdoors), plus darts and table tennis within the clubhouse/pavilion.
British Sugar operated a wonderful sports and leisure facility until the nearby factory was closed in the 1990s.
Brigg Sugar had its own Lincolnshire League cricket team for many years but after it closed in the late 1970s the venue was used by Brigg Town. 
The square was quite small. So while playing at the factory, Brigg also used Sir John Nelthorpe School and Brigg Rec for many of its matches. 
That was at a time when the cricket club had two Saturday teams, one on a Sunday, a midweek side and junior teams for various age groups.

BRIGG ANGEL'S CREATOR RETURNING TO TOWN

O.H. Boyd, from Barton, who carved the gilded Angel which currently looks down on Brigg Market Place, is delighted to be exhibiting at Brigg Arts Festival next month (August).
View full details of the Exhibition and Sale of Art 26th–29th August here...
Picture of the landmark Angel building at night taken by Ken Harrison.

BRIGG EXPECTS EVERY DOG OWNER TO 'DOO' HIS OR HER DUTY

Someone has taken irresponsible dog owners to task by pinning this stark home-made notice on a Brigg public footpath sign midway between the long-established River Ancholme towpath (below left) and the new Ancholme Way footpath/cycleway (below right). 

No-one wants to put their foot in it, so to speak. Dog owners should therefore clean up after their pets while exercising them alongside the Ancholme.

Most of those who keep dogs as pets do what they need to do with the doggie doo... but clearly there are some exceptions.

BRIGG REFURBISHMENT CONTINUES

A busy scene at St John's Church Hall, on Bigby Street, Brigg, where improvements are taking place inside and out.

This building is certainly not one of the town's architectural gems, but it does fulfil a very useful function as a venue for events of various kinds. 

Brigg Town Council gave a grant towards the installation of a new cooker some months ago.

It has a kitchen from which many a good cuppa and tasty biscuit has been dispensed at events we've attended over the years.

BRIGG HOUSING ESTATE LOOKING GOOD AFTER REFURBISHMENT

Improvement of road surfacing and drainage on the Newlands housing estate in Brigg has been carried out on behalf of North Lincolnshire Council over many months and here are a few pictures to show how it is now (above) and how things were (below).

The old concrete roads - long past their sell-by date - have been brought up to modern standard by Clugston, including Birch Avenue, viewed here from the junction with Almond Grove. 

We support the idea of an official opening to mark this significant project which benefits many Brigg people. 

Newlands was constructed in the late 1930s by Brigg Urban District Council and many of the original residents moved there from cottages in the old town centre courtyards.

The land for Newlands was acquired from a large national brewery, and we are surprised that no-one built a pub on the new estate.  You'd think the demand would have been there.

Contrast that with the Ancholme Inn, created on Grammar School Road in 1960 to meet the needs of folk living on the expanding Springbank estate.

SURPRISE IN STORE FOR BRIGG BLOG

Peacock & Binnington is a very long-established Brigg businesses.
But even a company whose history goes back to the 1890s can still spring a surprise on some of us who've lived in the town for many years.
As we walked along Bridge Street and turned onto Ancholme Way yesterday afternoon, our eye was caught by this sign fastened to a fence, not far from the path.
P & B Country Stores...not just for farmers! Open to all!
The fact there's a store at this location was news to us. And we though it might be news to quite a few Brigg Blog followers with an interest in shopping.
Toys, gifts, accessories, garden machinery and clothing are available from the renowned agricultural machinery firm. 
Call in at the stores off Bridge Street/Kiln Lane/Foundry Lane, or visit http://www.peacock.co.uk/shop

PLAIN SAILING FOR 'ON THE UP' BRIGG

It's often been said - and rightly so - that the River Ancholme has long been an under-utilised Brigg asset.
However, things are changing and our rivers - Old and New - are very much in the news at the moment.
Ken Harrison's recent feature for Brigg Blog about farmers' market boat trips being established from the White Hart pub jetty was soon followed by Ancholme Rowing Club getting a grant from the Town Council towards the purchase of a new boat for members to use.
The return of boat trips around The Island, as we call it, means that the boat emblem included on the Welcome to Brigg signs (see picture at the bottom of this post) is a correct indicator of what the town has to offer.
Meanwhile, we are hearing many complimentary comments about the refurbished towpath, starting from the steps near the County Bridge.

Glanford Boat Club, based on Island Carr and with its own clubhouse, has "memberships available" if you are interested in joining. Call 01652 653412 or visit www.glanfordboatclub.org
And last, but by no means least, there are development plans for Brigg Marina alongside the Old River - best viewed from across the water on Cadney Road, although it is located off Mill Lane.
Ken has just taken the top picture for us, showing berthing jetties.
Permission for all-year-round holiday useage is currently being sought from North Lincolnshire Council planners, with log cabins already approved for the site.
Brigg & Goole MP Andrew Percy, now a government minister, went online recently to stress ours is a town on the up. These few examples, we feel, help to support his view. 

CENTURY POSTED FOR BRIGG TOWN CRICKET CLUB

A century was scored for promotion-chasing Brigg Town Cricket Club yesterday (Saturday, July 30).
Matthew Bell hit an undefeated 104 in the home victory over Keelby 2nds in division four of the Lincolnshire County Cricket League (sponsored by Readers).
Brigg posted 209 for seven in their permitted 45 overs and then dismissed the visitors for 79 inside 34 overs, with Paul Neal taking five for 23.
Brigg Town, who are now second in the table, are playing all homes games at Brocklesby Park during refurbishment of Brigg Rec.
Brigg's next game is on Saturday, August 6 when they visit Louth 3rds, who play their home fixtures at the Linden Homes ground in Grimsby.

BRIGG REMEMBERS ENGLAND'S WORLD CUP WINNERS OF 1966 & WHEN NOBBY MET HARRY

Fifty years ago we can remember sitting infront of the TV in our Brigg family home on Central Square and watching England beat West Germany 4-2 in the final of the World Cup, to lift the coveted Jules Rimet Trophy.
Back in July 1966, aged 10, we were so disappointed when one of the German half-backs (Webber?) slid home a very late equaliser to make it 2-2 and force extra time. But all's well that ends well, as they say. 
It must have been quite a night in Brigg pubs as locals celebrated England's win.
We played a small trawl-the-archives part in a two-page nostalgic feature by Nick Cole  which appears in this week's Scunthorpe Telegraph. 
Our task - an enjoyable one -  was to find pictures of England stars from the World Cup winning team who later visited North Lincolnshire to attend various functions, matches and events.
One we found shows midfielder Nobby Stiles alongside Harry Wu, proprietor of the Kar Restaurant (since transformed into the Mumbai Lounge, on Old Courts Road).
You can view an online version of the in-paper feature here...

BIKEABILITY TRAINING WOULD BE USEFUL FOR YOUNG BRIGG CYCLISTS

Brigg could certainly benefit from Bikeability.
Lincolnshire County Council, whose border touch Bigby High Road and Westrum Lane, is working with the Bikeability initiative to offer free courses this summer to help 11 to 16 year-olds "learn vital skills, helping them to keep safe while cycling on the road."
A cycling officer from Bikeability rightly says: "The summer holidays are a great time to get out exploring on your bike, but it's important to have the skills to be confident on the road."
Could North Lincolnshire Council - the highway authority for our area -  operate something similar with Bikeability in Brigg?
We received a Twitter alert today from Lincolnshire County Council which said: "Free Bikeability training will help your child be aware of how to cycle in busy traffic."
Brigg is fortunate to have some praiseworthy cycle lanes provided by North Lincolnshire Council, notably between the town and Wrawby, which means that youngsters can keep off the busy A18 and use a marked-off section of the footpath instead. But children still have to cycle on many other streets in our town.
Roads are a good deal busier in 2016 than they were in the late 1960s when we did cycling proficiency training with Brigg police in the playground at Glebe Road School. And that's despite the fact that we had no M180 in those days and the A18 came straight through Brigg town centre, prior to pedestrianisation.
Read about Lincolnshire County Council's Bikeability courses through this link...

CHRISTMAS 2016 WILL SEE TREE OF LIGHT RETURN TO BRIGG TOWN CENTRE

FROM COUN JANE KITCHING, BRIGG TOWN BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP

Brigg Town Business Partnership is once again organising a Tree of Light or a Remembrance Tree.  
This tree will be stand proudly in Chapel Court (just off the Old Courts car park); it will be lit from Monday, November 21st until Friday 6th January 2017. 
Hopefully this will be seen as a symbol of hope and comfort for the many people who find Christmas a sad and lonely time.
This provides an opportunity for all members of the community to place a memory card on the tree in remembrance of departed loved ones.  
The cards will be available from Monday, 21st November and will be found at Design Orchard, Rosa, Carers’ Support Centre, St John’s Church, Brigg, Brigg Methodist Church, the Deli Diner, Co-op Funeral Directors, Naylor’s Funeral Directors. More locations will be notified nearer the time.
There will also be the opportunity to buy the memory cards from a market stall on Thursday 24th November and Thursday December 1st and at the Brigg Charity Christmas Market 0n Friday, 2nd December.  
We will also be holding a raffle and tickets will be available to buy from November 24th on the market stall, other locations will be notified later on.  
The Co-op have donated a brilliant prize – a suit worn by one of the crew of the Red Arrows and signed by all the pilots.
All monies raised will be donated to the Carers’ Support Centre in Brigg they touch the lives of many local individuals and families through difficult times and beyond and to the Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy Fight, a charity run by Rosa in Brigg.  This charity helps children suffering from a serious muscle-wasting condition and supports local families.
An informal dedication service taken by Father Owain will take place on Monday, 21st November at 4.00pm.  Pupils from the Vale of Ancholme Band will be playing at this informal dedication service.  This will be followed by a final service when the tree lights are switched off on Friday 6th January at 4.00pm.  All are very welcome.
Visit our website at www.briggisbest@gmail.com to keep up to date and for further information regarding future Christmas events.
The Brigg Town Business Partnership would like to give special thanks to Andrew Percy MP, Michael Angel from the Co-op Funeral Directors and Andrew Holliday of Naylor’s Undertakers for sponsoring this event.  We would also like to thank Shay Ward for very kindly agreeing to put up and take down the tree at no cost, St John’s Church and Brigg Methodist Church, Rita of Design Orchard for buying the tree lights and Mr. Rowbottom for allowing this event to take place in Chapel Court and also Roger of the Hub who has agreed to help put out and take in the “A” frame!

BRIGG HORSE FAIR 2016 - PREVIEW OF A FREE SPECTACLE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO ENJOY

Brigg Horse Fair 2016 will be held on Friday, August 5. 
Above and below we offer some horse fair pictures from the recent past to give a flavour of this historic spectacle. 
Friday's free-to-attend 2016 event is expected to start around 9.30am on Station Road, near the town's railway station, postcode DN20 8XB, and will run for three or four hours, perhaps longer, depending on the number of steeds on display.
The fair is organised by the gypsy-traveller community and is NOT an "official event" run by a local group or authority. Hence the failure to appear in some of Events Listings, which is a shame. 
Travellers, in their caravans, come from a very wide area of the north east and midlands. 
Spectators can watch horses being "trotted" and then, if they are lucky, observe  buyers and sellers trying to agree a price. It's a very traditional way of doing business and something not often seen these days.

Barriers are generally put up on either side of Station Road but the horses, often attached to traps or buggies, travel at speed while being shown off for the benefit of prospective buyers. So please take care at all times to watch out for approaching steeds.
We've also seen horses at some past fairs being displayed on the grassy, tree-lined area adjoining Station Road. We used to call this The Paddock, but today it's officially designed a Village Green. It could be that access issues may prohibit this happening again.
Recent years have seen a growing number of pitches at Brigg Horse Fair, selling brasses, lace trinkets and other items from stands near caravans and trailers (see top picture). 

Britain used to have many annual horse fairs - even in some big cities - but now very few remain. Appleby Horse Fair, in Cumbria (not Lincolnshire), is the best-known of the survivors.
Brigg's almost died out one year during the early 1990s when only two horses were shown. However, interest picked up again from that worrying low point.  In recent years the turn-out has been healthy. However, as a spectator event held in the open air, the Great British Weather always has a say on Brigg Horse Fair's total attendance.
For many years the horse fair was staged close to the White Horse pub, in Wrawby Street, on the A18. Yes, the main road through town before we had the M180! 
The old venue's name lives on through Horse Fair Paddock - grouped dwellings built in this part of town during the reign (no pun intended!) of Glanford Borough Council, then our social landlord (today it's Ongo).
If you are coming to the 2016 horse fair by car, please note there is no provision for parking at the venue. You are best advised to use the town's main Old Courts Road car park, off  the A18, or the smaller facility behind the Angel, off Elwes Street. Then walk to the horse fair venue, which is on Station Road, off Bigby Street. Look out for the Hewson House council offices, which are at the top of Station Road. 

BRIGG MAN RECALLS GERMAN SURRENDER & CELEBRATING VE DAY

Former Brigg resident Cliff Turner, now 91 and living in  New Zealand, was serving with the Navy when the Germans surrendered in 1945. Here the ex-Brigg Grammar School pupils recalls VE Day and later VJ Day after Japan had also been defeated, bringing the Second World War to an end...


It was while I was in Roedean that the German surrender took place and 8 May was designated VE Day. We were given the day off and with Stan Redwood and Sammy Mills, from Londonderry in Northern Ireland, I went by train to London to join in the general rejoicing.
I have only a jumbled kaleidoscopic recollection of that day. I am almost certain we went to stand in front of Buckingham Palace for a while and I certainly recall sitting in the back of an army lorry in Trafalgar Square. We also partook of liquid refreshment during the day and somehow ended up sleeping on benches in Hyde Park. In the cold light of dawn three scruffy footsore young men walked to Hyde Park Corner, past Buckingham Palace and on to Victoria Station to catch the train for Brighton.
Soon after VE Day I saw an ATS girl in a services canteen and thought I recognised her as Jill Chuter who came from Greetwell Cross Roads near Brigg and on asking her that proved to be true. We had a few dates in Brighton and when I was moved to Eastbourne she came for a symphony concert conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham (1879-1961), a very flamboyant character who spent much of his own fortune promoting music in Britain. The fortune came from his father who invented Beecham's pills, widely regarded as a panacea. The programme included Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Delius' Walk to the Paradise Garden from A Village Romeo and Juliet.
After the concert we walked to Beachy Head and then went for a genteel tea which was totally unsatisfying so I asked Jill if she would like to go to Jax Snax, a rather rough cafe which served egg and chips for a very reasonable one shilling and ninepence. This turned out to be the last time I saw her as she wrote soon afterwards saying that she did not wish to continue our chaste friendship.
It was during this time at Eastbourne that one of our number, “Nellie” Wallis, came into the mess room and said he had just heard on the radio that the Americans had dropped a new kind of bomb on Japan. Within days the Japanese had, as their Emperor put it, “to endure the unendurable” and surrender unconditionally on 15 August 1945.
Some of the time near Brighton was spent a short distance from Roedean at St Dunstan's Home for the Blind which had also been requisitioned by the navy. This was closer to Rottingdean, an attractive village in which Rudyard Kipling lived for a while.
Later we returned to HMS Vernon in Portsmouth for a course on torpedoes which then came under the electrical branch. During this time I tried to get out of the navy without success and in the autumn of 1945 I was drafted to HMS Birmingham which was in Portsmouth Dockyard. The Birmingham was a six-inch gun cruiser built in about 1936. She had been damaged by a torpedo in the Mediterranean and went to the Norfolk, Virginia, naval dockyard in America for repairs. Many of my new mess-mates had been on her when she was damaged; three of them were ex-Torpoint boys who I had known earlier although they were all ahead of me.
Although I was still only a leading rate, the mess I was put into, called the Artisans Mess, also had people who were petty officers and we all got our rum ration neat instead of the two parts water to one part rum to which I had until then been accustomed.
The Chief Electrical Artificer was not a very nice man, but fortunately his 12 year engagement expired a few weeks later and he elected to leave the navy. His replacement was Ron Botterill who took a shine to me and he was still with the Birmingham when I left her more than three years later, when I had become the "oldest inhabitant".
My first ocean going trip was of short duration - from Portsmouth to Portland Harbour in Dorset. I found it exhilarating. Portland Harbour was the base for the Home Fleet; there were no jetties, all the ships were anchored out in the harbour and a trip ashore to Weymouth meant a trip in a liberty boat. I know I went ashore a few times but remember absolutely nothing about the place; I cannot remember even one street or pub name. Soon after arriving there I went on a month's "end of war" leave which was given to all servicemen who were not "hostilities only" personnel.
A month's leave in November was not a very exciting prospect but despite my protest I had no option but to take it and I spent most, if not all, of it in Brigg. My chief recollections of the leave are of finding a vast quantity of mushrooms in a field at the bottom of Westrum Lane and putting a hand on a live electric fence in the same field.
We had occasional days at sea doing gunnery practice but it was soon time for Christmas or New Year leave. Half the ship's company had two weeks’ leave over Christmas and the other half had leave which embraced the New Year. Scottish crew members preferred New Year or, as they called it, "Hogmanay".
I received an undeserved Christmas present from King Christian of Denmark. The Birmingham was the first Allied warship to enter Copenhagen harbour after the German surrender. The king arranged for a parcel of Danish butter, bacon and cheese to be delivered to the homes of the ship’s crew. I had not been on the ship at that time but was included in the bounty.

More memories from Cliff to come on Brigg Blog...

BRIGG STORE DEMOLITION STILL ON HOLD

Back in January, North Lincolnshire Council granted planning permission for demolition of a  single storey brick building within the Brigg Conservation Area, used to store the town's general and farmers' market stalls.

A council report described the structure between Cary Lane and Coney Court as "dilapidated."
We were expecting it to come down fairly quickly after approval was granted. However, six months later the building is still there.
We have asked North Lincolnshire Council, which owns the property, whether it will reveal the timetable for demolition.
We'll keep you informed if a suggested date becomes clear.
When the planning application was submitted late last year, very small print on one of the drawings mentioned the erection of  wooden fencing on the site once demolition  had taken place.
A council heritage report back then said: "The building is a lock-up type store and over time its condition has  deteriorated to such an extent that it has reached the end of its usable life. 
"It is of brick construction with a pitched roof covered in asbestos cement sheeting." 

HAVE YOU GOT A BRIGG QUESTION FOR NEW HUMBERSIDE POLICE & CRIME COMMISSIONER

FROM NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

At the next Humberside Police and Crime Panel meeting on Wednesday 3 August, they will question Keith Hunter, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Humberside.
The panel will discuss with Keith Hunter his plans for the area and find out what his hopes, aspirations and key priorities are for his four years as Police and Crime Commissioner.
As well as the Police and Crime Commissioner's future plans, the panel will speak to Keith Hunter about some comments he made during his election campaign.
With representatives from all four Humber councils the Police and Crime Panel (PCP) for the Humberside Police area has been set up to scrutinise, support and challenge the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Coun Jon Evison, Chair of the Humberside Police and Crime Panel, said: “We are keen to speak to Keith Hunter about his future plans and put forward any questions to ensure residents’ needs from across the Humber region are being met. The Police and Crime Commissioner should be held to account, and we will ensure that we do this and contribute towards the development of any plans.”

N.F. ADDS:  Next Wednesday morning's meeting will be in Hull. Mr Hunter was elected recently and has taken over the role previously occupied by Matthew Grove as Police and Crime Commissioner for the Humberside Police area, which includes Brigg. Panel chairman Coun Jon Evision is from Barton. North Lincolnshire Council says the Police and Crime Panel (PCP)  for the Humberside Police area has been set up to scrutinise, support and challenge the Police and Crime Commissioner. Read more about its role here...
If you would like to submit a question from the Brigg area to a panel member to ask in a meeting, email policeandcrimepanel@northlincs.gov.uk or call North Lincolnshire Council Democratic Services on 01724 296014.

BRIGG LIFESTYLE ADVICE & TIPS ON HOW TO BE FIT & HEALTHY

FROM KIRSTY WESTFIELD, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

The council is encouraging people to live healthy lives and keep active as this can more than double your chances of staying healthy aged 70 and beyond.
To stay healthy it is recommended you do at least 150 minutes of moderate activity every week alongside a healthy diet. This can easily be broken down into five sessions of 30 minutes of aerobic activity such as cycling or fast walking.
It’s also important to do strength exercises on two days of the week that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms).
A great way to start is to download the ‘Couch to 5k’ app. It has been designed to get you off the couch and running in just nine weeks. Go on, grab your trainers and follow the step-by-step instructions.
Being active is really good for your body, mind and health. And there are lots of easy ways you and your family can get moving.
If you don’t do enough exercise, you increase your risk of getting heart disease and some types of cancer. Getting some exercise each day can also help prevent depression and dementia.
Start small and build up gradually, for example using the stairs instead of the lift at work.
You can get lots of useful information on how to be more active through the ‘One You’ campaign, visit www.northlincs.gov.uk/people-health-and-care/health-and-healthy-lifestyle/public-health-campaigns/one-you/
The council’s Active Together programme offers wide range of free physical activities sessions for families to get involved in. Take a look at the timetable at www.northlincs.gov.uk/activetogether
For older people looking to exercise, the Active Ageing programme has a variety of activities available such as walking football and chair-based exercise. Take a look at the timetable at www.northlincs.gov.uk/activetogether 
If you would like to sign up to a council leisure centre to keep active, why not take advantage of the shape up for summer pass that is on offer at a discounted price of £35 for 30 days – saving you £23! To find out more, contact your local leisure centre www.northlincs.gov.uk/leisurecentres
In the UK it is estimated that physical inactivity caused 17 per cent of premature deaths from various causes including coronary heart disease, some cancers and Type 2 Diabetes.
The council is attending the Health Matters event organised by North Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) on Wednesday 10 August from 12.30pm to 3.30pm at The House, Brumby Wood Lane, Scunthorpe.
At the event the council will offer functional fitness MOTs to adults aged 50 and above. The MOT uses simple physical exercises including hand grip strength test to give an idea of how their fitness compares to their peers. There will also be the opportunity to find out about what physical activities are offered in the area. 
For more information about the event, visit: www.northlincolnshireccg.nhs.uk/news/?post=your-health-matters-n-tell-us-what-you-think

Coun Carl Sherwood, from Brigg, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing (pictured above when he was Town Mayor), said: “It is never too late to lead a healthy lifestyle and take part in physical activity. Whether that is moderate or vigorous exercise – it all makes a difference.
“There is plenty of support available to help people start exercising. We provide a number of programmes for families, older people and children. No matter what your age, exercise is extremely important. Visit www.northlincs.gov.uk/activetogether to find out what activities you can get involved in.
“The key message is: to help you stay healthy later in life, exercise regularly and have a balanced healthy diet.”

About the One You campaign: The ‘One You’ campaigned launched in 2016 by Public Health England to encourage adults, particularly those between 40 and 60 to make small lifestyle changes in order to improve health and increase the chances of staying healthy into old age. For more information on the One You campaign and the benefits of exercise during midlife, visit www.northlincs.gov.uk/people-health-and-care/health-and-healthy-lifestyle/public-health-campaigns/one-you/

TOP PICTURE: "Go on, grab your trainers and follow the step-by-step instructions," says North Lincolnshire Council. Our picture shows an inspirational competitor on Bridge Street during the running section of the  Brigg Bomber event.

SIGN UP FOR BRIGG CYCLE RIDE ON SUNDAY

The next Brigg Breeze Cycle Sky Ride for women will take place on Sunday, July 31.
As we pen this post, seven places remain for interested ladies.
The "relaxed ride at a leisurely speed" will start at 10am from the Angel car park, off Elwes Street, and include a refreshment stop at the Pink Pig farm park at Holme, near Scunthorpe.
Full details here, including how to sign up....

HOLIDAY IN BRIGG ALL YEAR ROUND

 

Brigg as a  holiday destination is the subject of a very interesting planning application now under consideration. 
North Lincolnshire Council planners are being asked "to permit year-round holiday use of the site" - land at Brigg Marina, off Mill Lane.
Strangely, this is actually located within the parish of Scawby, although the Marina is only a few yards from the Old River Ancholme.
Best views of the site (from the opposite bank - see picture above) can be gained by driving down Cadney Road, out of Brigg, beyond the railway bridge.
The application to vary a planning condition for the site to permit year-round holiday use comes from Brigg Marina Ltd, through an agent.
Anyone wishing to comment on the application can email planning@northlincs.gov.uk
Earlier this year a successful development certificate application was made relating to 27 log cabins at the Marina.

BRIGG TESCO STORE WORKER'S IDEA GAINS NATIONAL RECOGNITION

A healthy eating initiative suggested by a Tesco employee at the Brigg store, off Barnard Avenue, is taking off big time at national level, a national media report reveals today.
The aim is to hand out free fruit to shoppers' children.
We spotted a Twitter message today from Dan Portus in which he says he's proud to work for Tesco, adding a "Well done Maria at Brigg Store" for her idea. 
The Guardian is running the story online today - here's a link...

VERY APT 'APP' CONSIDERING CURRENT BRIGG WEATHER

The Met Office today announced that half-a-million folk have now downloaded its Weather "app" so they can get the latest updates on their mobile phones. 
Brigg folk will be among those who have done so.
'Changeable' might be an apt term for the weather in Brigg over the past few days - heavy showers, brighter spells and a bit of sun from time to time. 
We got a bit of a soaking last night while walking home from the bus station in Cary Lane.
Hands up who can remember being given the honour of checking the temperature and rainfall collected by the Stevenson Screen at Brigg County Primary School years ago?
This was a job for trusted pupils, the screen having pride of place in the centre of the courtyard at the front, facing onto Glebe Road, with classrooms on three sides.
Link to Met Office news release about the 500,000th download of its 'app'...
This may be the age of the weather "app" but Stevenson Screens are still going strong, having been invented in the 19th century by the father of rewnowned author Robert Louis Stevenson.
Link to read more on this....

OFSTED REPORT WELCOMED BY BRIGG COUNCILLOR

FROM CHRIS O'ROURKE, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

North Lincolnshire Council’s Adult Community Learning service has been rated as ‘good’ in their latest Ofsted report.
The report from Ofsted praises Adult Community Learning for supporting learners from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in North Lincolnshire to succeed and make a positive contribution to their local community. The report also highlights how tutors tailor support for their learners and create an inclusive atmosphere that celebrates diversity and supports equal opportunities.
It’s good news for the service’s learners, too. Most of our learners achieve their qualifications and many then progress from entry level to higher qualifications. The majority of learners who take GCSEs in maths and English succeed in achieving a grade between A* and C.
The service has maintained its ‘good’ rating despite a rigorous new inspection process being implemented by Ofsted, showing that the service has adapted well to the changes.

Coun Rob Waltham, from Brigg, Deputy Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, (pictured above) said: “Our Adult Community Learning service is vital in supporting North Lincolnshire’s economic development by responding to the learning and skills needs of local people. It’s fantastic to see that the service has maintained its ‘good’ rating from Ofsted and that the inspectors recognised the good work that our tutors do to support their learners.
“Having good qualifications improves access to better paid jobs. We receive a large Government grant every year to support our residents to secure better qualifications.  It is never too late to further your education and our teams can work with you to improve your prospects.”
Are you interested in what courses Adult Community Learning has to offer? Visit www.northlincs.gov.uk/adulteducation or contact the team on adultcommunitylearning.enquiries@northlincs.gov.uk or call 01724 862217.
The Ofsted inspection on North Lincolnshire Council’s Adult Community Learning service was carried out from 14 to 17 June and the report was published on 22 July 2016.

BRIGG CYCLING TEAM ALL SET FOR MAJOR CHARITY RIDE THIS WEEKEND

BY ANDREW MAJOR, MANAGING DIRECTOR, THOMAS BELL & SONS LTD, BRIGG

Wednesday saw the team our on our last training ride. Thankfully we managed to enjoy the last of the nice weather!
Before we depart to London on Saturday, I wanted to personally thank you all for your very generous support. 
To date, you have helped raise nearly £5,550 for Pancreatic Cancer. 
Pancreatic Cancer is the fifth deadliest cancer in the UK and every day 24 people lose their battle with the disease. Raising awareness and supporting the fight for a treatment is vital to driver earlier diagnosis and increase a patient’s choice of survival.
6am on Sunday morning, whilst you are putting on the kettle, have a thought for us as we take the roads in London to ride 100 miles.
If you have been meaning to pledge sponsorship but haven’t got round to it, here is the online link....
On behalf of the team, thank you.

NATIONAL TREND TOWARDS ONLINE SHOPPING BUT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A PLACE FOR BRIGG SPECIALITY BUSINESSES

One of the main attractions of Brigg is its wide range of speciality shops.
You can visit a traditional sweet shop and call at premises selling a wide range of food, clothes, gifts and items of great variety.
However, nationally there's a major change in shopping habits underway.
We are talking about online shopping, where customers order and pay from their mobile phones, tablets and home computers without ever visiting retail premises.
The Office for National Statistics has kindly sent us the latest figures.
They show that during 2008 just 5p of every £1 spent in UK shops was done online.
By 2015 this had risen to 13p, says the ONS.
"Looking at physical shops that also have an online presence, only 4p of every pound spent in shops mainly selling food was spent online, whereas 12p of every pound spent in clothing stores was spent online and 11p of every pound spent in department stores," says the report.
View the full story from the ONS here, including "So what does this mean for British shopkeepers"....
Looking at physical shops that also have an online presence, only 4p of every pound spent in shops mainly selling food was spent online, whereas 12p of every pound spent in clothing stores was spent online and 11p of every pound spent in department stores.
A good many Brigg shops promote themselves online, and some do online sales. 
However, for many, many customers it's the enjoyable shopping experience that counts - coming to Brigg, parking for free (at certain times of the week), touring the varied shops and probably stopping midway for a bite to eat or a drink in one of our many outlets.

ABOVE: Natalie Sankey in her traditional sweet shop on Wrawby Street, Brigg. Picture by Ken Harrison.

BELOW: Richard Wallhead inside the family menswear business, on Wrawby Street, Brigg, which was founded in the 1890s.

ENJOY FREE MEMBERSHIP OF GROUP SERVING BRIGG

BY PAUL JOHNSON

The newly-named Gainsborough, Retford and Brigg Bus and Rail Group (GRaB), which now incorporates what was The Friends of the Brigg & Lincoln Lines rail group, is looking for new members to join the group.
GRaB are in the process of forming a Community Rail Partnership which will include the Brigg Line.
Membership is free and members will be kept up-to date with the latest issues on the Brigg Line.
Meetings are held every 3/4 months but it is up-to individuals if they wish to attend.
If anyone is interested joining then please send your details including name, address and contact details i.e email address to:   grab@eavb.co.uk 
and the words "GRaB Membership" in the title bar
The Gainsborough, Retford and Brigg webpage link is below.
http://grab.eavb.co.uk/

SIX POSITIVES FOR BRIGG

North Lincolnshire Council's three Brigg & Wolds representatives on Brigg Town Council - Coun Nigel Sherwood, Coun Rob Waltham and Coun Carl Sherwood - presented this report  to Monday night's meeting in the Angel Suite.

• The river path from the stepped area (near the County Bridge)  is now complete and we have received positive feedback. New benches and bins are being delivered and installed over the next few weeks.
• We are working with Andrew Percy MP in discussions with B&M to arrange for their car park to be cleaned up and for improved maintenance.
• The Call Connect bus service is continuing to go from strength to strength. A special £1 offer has been introduced for young people up to 19 to assist them to access activities throughout the summer.
• Summer free swimming for children started at the Ancholme Leisure Centre today (Monday, July 25).
• A consultation is to commence in September regarding the adoption of Atherton Way. Proposals will include new Traffic Regulation Orders and a beefed up school safety zone. The Town Council will be a statutory consultee.
• The skate park at the Ancholme Leisure Centre has been closed for a while for maintenance. It reopened last week in time for the school holidays.

HANDS UP WHO'D LIKE TO SEE A MCDONALD'S OR SUBWAY IN BRIGG?

Rumours about McDonald's opening an outlet in Brigg stretch back for well over a decade but have never proved to hold any substance.
The rumour-mill's sales turn, from time to time, after the fast food giant has announced plans to create new jobs in the UK and/or expand the number of outlets.
There are national media stories at the moment suggesting 5,000 additional McDonald's posts by the end of next year.
It would be seen by many as a very welcome development if Brigg could one day attract a McDonald's franchise or perhaps a Subway.
Having a McD's and Subway in your town centre, along with a Costa outlet, is seen as a benchmark  by many business analysts and even some local authorities.
So one out of three for Brigg, which does now have a Costa, on Wrawby Street.
Finding suitable local locations for a McDonald's or a Subway wouldn't seem difficult. The closer to the A18, the better? But you do find such outlets in many pedestrianised town centres.
The first rumours to do the rounds about McDonald's in Brigg, many years ago, pointed to the old lorry wash site at the top of Atherton Way, near the roundabout. 
You can tick that off your list, though, as it's now occupied by the new Lidl store!

NOMINATE YOUR COMMUNITY CHAMPION

FROM KIRSTY WESTFIELD, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

Plans for the fifth Community Champion Awards on Thursday 24 November at The Baths Hall, Scunthorpe, are well underway and we are encouraging people to nominate their Community Champions who should be recognised for their achievements.
The awards are for the community and bring people together for their dedication.
Do you know an individual or group deserving an award?

• For the time they have dedicated to volunteering?
• For their contribution to the health and wellbeing of the community?
• To recognise their personal achievements in overcoming barriers or excelling in a sport or the arts?
• For their work in the local community?
• For being a true inspiration to others?

There are 22 awards that you can nominate individuals or groups for. For more information or to make a nomination visit: www.northlincs.gov.uk/champion . 
For a nomination form call the Sport, Leisure and Culture Team on 01724 297270 or email community.recreation@northlincs.gov.uk
The closing date for nominations is 18 September 2016.
Winners will receive a trophy and certificate, and runners-up will receive a certificate.
There are four main sponsors of the awards and sponsors for the individual awards. 

The main sponsors are:

• Scunthorpe Telegraph
• Kapil Care Homes
• Jotun Paints
• North Lincolnshire Council.

Michelle Lalor, Editor of the Scunthorpe Telegraph: “The Scunthorpe Telegraph is delighted to be a part of the Community Champion Awards once more. At the heart of any local community is a local newspaper and its website, which help to inform people of what is going on around them, as well as help highlight the issues that are important to them. It is also our job to champion those within the area who go over and above to make North Lincolnshire a better place in which to live and work.”

Sunil Kapil, Managing Director of Kapil Care Homes: “We are really pleased to be involved with the Community Champion Awards once again this year. The awards are a great way of highlighting the impressive achievements, and the often unsung contributions that people make to our local community. We would urge anyone who knows a 'community champion', to nominate them for one of these awards.”

Amy Wolstenholme, HR Manager (UK and Ireland) at Jotun Paints: “The Community Champion Awards is an amazing initiative which we are privileged to be a part of. They are a chance to say thank you to certain individuals who have made tremendous contributions to the local community.  We would encourage people to nominate their 'community champion' for a chance for them to get the recognition that they deserve.”

Coun John Briggs, Cabinet Member for Commercial Enterprise at North Lincolnshire Council: “The plans are all coming together now for this year’s Community Champion Awards. Now in its fifth year, we still get just as excited about the awards as it is always wonderful to hear the truly inspiring stories of what people and groups do in our communities.
“The awards are about the community, but without our brilliant sponsors: Kapil Care Homes, Scunthorpe Telegraph, Jotun Paints, and all our other sponsors, the awards would not be possible. Thank you for your ongoing support.
“The nominations have started to come in but I would encourage people to continue to nominate people or groups they believe deserve to be recognised. If you are unsure of what award to nominate people for, please get in touch with the team and they will be happy to help.
 “Please make sure you nominate if you know someone who deserves to be awarded. Whether it’s for a personal achievement, inspiration to others, work they have done to help their local community or volunteered their services for a good cause. There are some extremely selfless people out there who should be recognised.”

The awards you can nominate people for are:

Volunteer category 
Young Volunteer of the Year
Adult Male Volunteer of the Year
Adult Female Volunteer of the Year
Achievement category

Anti-bullying Champion
Personal Courage
Sports Achiever of the Year
Young Sports Achiever of the Year 
Young Arts Heritage Achiever of the Year
Outstanding Achievement Young
Outstanding Achievement Adult 

Community Category
Community Champion of the Year
Outstanding Contribution to a Safe Community
Outstanding Contribution to a Learning Community
Outstanding Contribution to a Stronger Community
Community Contribution to Crime Reduction
Community Project of the Year
Community Sports Team of the Year

Inspiration category
Young Carer of the Year
Adult Carer of the Year
Services to School Governance
Lifetime Achievement Award