BRIGG MAYOR PRAISES RAIL CAMPAIGNERS & ALL WHO ORGANISE EVENTS 'IN OUR LOVELY TOWN'

Brigg Town Mayor Coun Ann Eardley has praised the campaigners who are working hard to promote greater passenger train use along the railway  line serving our town and bringing in more people to use the shops and enjoy a wide range of local attractions, events and facilities.
She also expressed a hope that more trains can be added to serve the town's station.
In her report delivered during the Annual Town Meeting, held in the Angel Suite on Monday evening, she said the Brigg line had seen an increase in passengers.
"Thank you, the Friends of the Brigg Line," she said.
"I was honoured to be elected as your Town Mayor.  Over the past 30 years as a Town Councillor I have seen many changes, some of which have been controversial.
"I think, overall, these have been beneficial to both residents and visitors.
"We have the best Tourist Information Centre, award-winning Garden Centre and Farmers' Market.
"The Town has 175 small businesses and the Business Partnership if working very hard to promote the town's events, such as the Blessing of the Pumps. Brigg came second in the Best British High Street competition.
"There are other events in the town - the annual Horse Fair, Christmas Lights switch-on, as well as events organised by Brigg Live Arts, all of which attract visitors to our lovely town.
"I would like to thank all the volunteers who make these events possible.
"The Brigg Heritage Centre is also thriving with support from volunteers.
"The River Ancholme Trail goes as far as Broughton Bridge and improvements made from Water's Edge now reach Castlethorpe Bridge.
"It is used by many families for walking, dog-walking, cycling and jogging. I would also like to thank Mr Tony Parker for the work he does as the Footpath Warden.
"The Brigg Bomber Quadrathlon and Triathlon and Ancholme Head Race also bring people into Brigg from afar - even Europe.
"The Scunthorpe & District Angling Club have replaced the fishing stands and again this attracts anglers from all over.
"North Lincolnshire Council has accessed grants for new seating and litter bins and these will be enhanced by the new planting scheme to be introduced by the Brigg in Bloom group.
"This is an excliting project led by my good friend and fellow councillor, Deputy Town Mayor Councillor Sharon Riggall (full report to come on Brigg Blog - NF).
"The Newlands Estate has benefited from new roads and drainage, with the footpath levelled out. It is hoped that these last another 70 years, just like the old ones!
"It is 36 years since the residents of the Newlands Estate signed petitions to save the Donkey Field Play Area on Almond Grove.
"I am pleased to hear that the improvement work is nearing completion. The Ward Councillors have been liaising with different departments at North Lincolnshire Council to sort out the drainage issues. I am looking forward to knowing the completition date and then a celebration can be organised.
"We now have excellent sports facilities at Brigg Recreation Ground and I would like to thank the Ward Councillors and the persistence of the various sports groups that have helped this come to fruition. There is a community room for hire and the whole site is protected from Wrawby Road by CCTV.
"The Millennium Green lease is to be transferred to Brigg Town Council, once the legalities have been agreed upon. It is hoped that a new Holocaust Memorial will be sited there."

NF ADDS: The Ward Councillors for Brigg & Wolds are Couns Rob Waltham, Nigel Sherwood and Carl Sherwood. Further reports from the lengthy Annual Town Meeting will appear later on Brigg Blog, including some interesting contributions by members of the public on a wide range of topics. Coun Eardley still has a couple of months remaining in her year as Town Mayor and is continuing to raise funds for her Appeal Fund to help worthy causes.