BRIGG BEER FESTIVAL 2018 - FULL DETAILS & LIST OF REAL ALES & CIDERS ON OFFER

FROM FIONA REID, BRIGG DISTRICT LIONS

The Brigg District Lions Beer Festival is set to return from 10th to 12th May 2018 in the Barns at the Nelthorpe Arms, Bridge Street.
The opening times are Thursday 10th and Friday 11th May, 7pm to 11.30pm; and Saturday 12th, 12 noon to 11.30pm. 
There will again be a souvenir glass, this year celebrating Brigg District Lions' 50th anniversary of serving the local community. 
Entry is £2, glasses £1 and beer £1.80 per half pint. 
We have a provisional beer and cider list as follows:

BEERS
Adnams Freewheel
Lincs Brewing Yeast Coast Blonde
Turning Point Avalon
Yeovil Hpokandi
Woodfordes Wherry
Charnwood Salvation
Ferry Ales Just Jane
Black Sheep Baa baa
Dancing Duck Back, Sack & Quack
Moles Elmos Fire
Dark Star Partridge Best Bitter
Navigation Black IPA
Skinners Cornish Knocker
Wadworth Horizon
Wily Fox Azacca
Bedlam Porter
Castle Rock Screech Owl
Exmoor Gold
Fyne Ales Vitral Spark
York Guzzler

CIDERS
Bottle Kicking Scrummage
Broadoak Moonshine
Burnards Oaky Dokey
Orchard Pig  Navel Gazer
Snails Bank Appley Dapply
Westond Old Rose
Lilley’s Strawberry
Lyme Bay Rhubarb and Raspberry
 
BOTTLED BEERS
Lindemans Kriek
Lindemans Framboise
Lindemans Cassis

Soft drinks and wine will be available.
All profits raised are in aid of charities.
The event is the 28th  of its kind and is popular within the Brigg Calendar, organised fully by volunteers of Brigg District Lions Club. 
To enable the event to go ahead, we do rely on sponsorship from local businesses for which we are grateful.  
To whet your appetite or to inform those who have yet to attend a Brigg Beer Festival, here's a link to some of our extensive coverage of th 2017 event at the Nelthorpe Arms Barns.... 

PICTURE ABOVE: Lions Lin King, left, and Mike Johnson behind the Brigg Beer Festival bar in May 2017, getting ready to serve Brigg Blog with another tasty pint!

 

BRIGG TOWN FC HOSTS SHOWPIECE FINAL AT THE HAWTHORNS

Brigg Town Football Club hosted the EC Surfacing Ltd Challenge Cup Final, organised by the EC Surfacing Scunthorpe & Distict Football League.
EC Surfacing is a Brigg firm and the trophy was presented after the match at The Hawthorns by Elise Huxford (pictured above) of the sponsors and Brigg Town FC.

PICTURE AND REPORT FROM PAUL BIRKITT, FIXTURE SECRETARY, EC SURFACING LEAGUE

Thursday saw the final cup final of the season take place as Crowle Town Colts beat The Butchers Arms 2 – 0 to win the EC Surfacing Ltd Challenge Cup.
Crowle took the lead in the 22nd minute when Richard Girling headed in from a corner.
Thomas Finnigan scored on the stroke of half-time to give Crowle Town Colts a 2-0 lead.
Despite further efforts from both teams in the second half, no further goals were forthcoming, leaving Crowle Town Colts winners 2-0.

BRIGG GARDENING QUIZ TO ENJOY

FROM JILL DAWSON, SECRETARY, BRIGG & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB

The next meeting of Brigg and District Gardening Club will take place on Thursday 3rd May at 7.30pm in the Methodist Church Hall, Brigg.
We will be holding a lighthearted gardening quiz hosted by our very own Judy.
There will also be an exchange/sale of plants and other gardening-related items.
Everyone is welcome to what promises to be a fun evening with a voucher for the winners.
Admission is free to members, guests £2 each.
For more information contact 01652 656681.
N.F. ADDS: The Methodist Church Hall is alongside the A18 Barnard Avenue.

BRIGG BLOG PLAYS A PART IN GETTING PROBLEMS RESOLVED

During Brigg Town Council' latest monthly meeting in the Angel Suite, reference was made to Brigg Blog alerting the authorities to a problem in the town centre.
Coun Nigel Sherwood, pictured above, was delivering an update on North Lincolnshire Council issues affecting Brigg.
He said thousands of potholes had been tackled across the local authority's area, including two on the A18 Monument roundabout, as highlighted on our Blog.
We quickly added that Coun Rob Waltham had also reported the potholes in question, pictured below prior to being filled in, around the same time we flagged them up as needing attention.
Brigg Blog also logged a number of faulty street lights which were duly replaced with new LED bulbs - a programme also touched upon by Coun Nigel in his update. 

 

SELBY 4 BRIGG TOWN FC 2 - MATCH REPORT & PICTURES BY PAUL JOHNSON

 

Now that all my railway commitments are gone, I'm going back to my first love - non-league football, writes Paul Johnson.
On Saturday 28th April myself and the family went to watch Selby Town v Brigg Town.
The best thing about non-league football is you get value for money watching honest football; none of the Premiership stuff where players spend most of the time on the floor or play the diving game.
Including the admission price, a programme and a pint I still had change from £10.
Having drawn at Worsbrough Bridge in midweek, Brigg Town needed to win to avoid relegation;  sadly they got of to the worst of starts and were 2-0 down after just only 3 minutes with some very nervous defending.
Luckily the team rallied and got a goal back just a few minutes later; this was followed by an equaliser on 25 minutes.
Unfortunately the defensive frailties struck again and Brigg Town conceded two more goal before half-time.
The second half was mostly Brigg Town attacking but sadly the damage was already done.
Brigg Town will now play in step 7 of the non-league.  This is a crying shame for a football club that should be playing much higher.
The teams that Brigg will be playing next season will be clubs like Retford United, Retford FC, Dinnington Town, Lincoln Moorlands Rail and Collingham.

BARNETBY FC RAILWAYMEN EDGE IT IN 7-GOAL THRILLER AT SILVER STREET

REPORT AND PICTURES FROM LEE FIELDEN

Barnetby came out on top in a must win game at Silver Street to keep their hopes of keeping out of the bottom two alive in the EC Surfacing Ltd Scunthorpe & District Football League First Division.
With 7 changes from Wednesday's match, Barnetby took their time getting used to an old-fashioned 4-4-2 and it was Scunthonians who had the better of the opening exchanges.
35 minutes in and a crisp move saw Hunsley pull a ball back from the by-line for Ryan Lidgett to put the Railwaymen 1-0 up.
Moments later, captain Andy Bradley created space for himself and let fly from 30 yards to make it 2-0 with a thunderous strike.
A game that lacked action saw its 3rd goal in two minutes as Scunthonians hit back straight away to make it 2-1.
On the stroke of half time a short corner and early ball into the box was met by Rick Carter who restored Barnetby's 2-goal advantage.
Scunthonians came out far stronger in the 2nd half and reduced the deficit with an hour gone.
The Barnetby goal was living a charmed life by this point but fortune favoured the brave as each attack they made was backed up by post, cross bar and keeper Thirkell and his back 4 at the other.
Lidgett ghosted in at the far post to put Barnetby 4-2 up but Scunthonians wouldn’t lie down and again came back as a pile-driver of a goal made it 4-3.
The Railwaymen held firm though to collect a massive 3 points.

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES AT SILVER STREET
Monday 30th April - K.O. 6-45pm
Division Two: Barnetby United Reserves v Epworth Colts Blues.

THURSDAY, 3rd May - K.O. 6-45pm
Division One: Barnetby United v Scotter United

BARNETBY ARE THE TEAM IN THE BLACK AND WHITE STRIPED SHIRTS

SAD DAY AS BRIGG TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB IS RELEGATED

Today is a sad one for local sport as we have to report that Brigg Town Football Club is facing relegation from the Tool Station Northern Counties East First Division.
The Zebras lost their final match of the season 4-2 at Selby Town yesterday (Saturday, April 28) and have finished second from bottom, with only Retford United below them.
Both Brigg goals yesterday came in the first half - from Jack Tierney and Matthew Steeper.
The Zebras battled hard against relegation and saw some improved results in recent months.
However, they were just too far adrift to claw their way to safety as games came thick and fast in the closing weeks of the campaign.
So where will Brigg be playing next season? It come be some time before that's confirmed.
But perhaps the Zebras might secure a place in the Central Midlands League North Division?
Clubs in this competition include Scunthorpe's Appleby-Frodingham and Lincoln Moorlands Railway.
There are a number of other teams  taking part from South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.

PICTURES FROM THE 2018 ADRIAN GIBBONS CHARITY FOOTBALL MATCH AT BRIGG TOWN FC

 

The annual fundraising football match was played in memory of  Adrian Gibbons - teacher, devoted family man and footballer with various  local clubs over many years.
The venue for the game on Saturday afternoon (April 28, 2018) was Brigg Town Football Club's Hawthorns ground.
In addition to those who paid to play, there was a raffle - all proceeds going to the British Heart Foundation.
Two teams of local players faced each other for The Gibb Cup, in memory of Adrian who died in March  2014.
There was a minute's applause prior to kick-off at 3pm.

DOUBT OVER FUTURE OF HISTORIC BRIGG PUB AS OWNERS POINT TO 'LACK OF INTEREST IN ITS PRESENT FORMAT'

 

The future of an historic Brigg pub and restaurant has been thrown into further doubt.
Information submitted to North Lincolnshire Council planners in support of an application for permission to convert the Nelthorpe Arms into three houses reveals that the current tenants have given notice effective from May 31, when they will vacate the Bridge Street premises.
That is likely to be before the council decides the planning application, as comments from interested members of the public are being accepted up to May 17.
So will the pub continue to trade - under different management - in June and beyond?
Or will it serve its last pint at the end of this month?
Brigg-based Harriton Beracha Ltd, which is seeking 'change of use' planning permission and listed building consent, says its proposal for housing is "sympathetic to the building."
It has told council planners that without a change of use to housing, the building runs the risk of falling into disrepair "due to lack of interest in its present format."
The applicant says housing was the original use of this building within the Conservation Area, which is grade two listed.

PICTURED: Recent views of the Nelthorpe Arms taken by Brigg Blog, including the beer garden.

ON THE RIGHT LINES: LISTED BUILDING IN BRIGG AREA TO SEE IMPROVEMENTS

North Lincolnshire Council's many and varied duties include, as the local planning authority, keeping an eye on listed buildings in the Brigg area and beyond.
These are not only 18th and 19th century brick-built properties within our town centre but structures like the County Bridge and even some railway relics.
In the latter category is the wooden signal box beside Elsham level crossing.
In the April/May issue of the Brigg & Wolds Ward Newsletter In Touch from Conservative MP Andrew Percy, Coun Rob Waltham and Couns Nigel & Carl Sherwood, the following appears under the heading Elsham Signal Box Improvements:
"Following contact from local residents, your local team have managed to secure improvements to the listed property that sites within Wrawby parish. Work is set to start shortly and will be funded by Network Rail who actually own the site."
Some traditional signal boxes were taken out of use a few years ago with Network Rail instead controlling trains from a signalling centre in York.
Those shut included the 137-lever Wrawby Junction box - also grade two listed - which was just a few months short of reaching 100 years' faithful service.
Elsham signal box was listed in 1986. It had been erected in 1885 for the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway and is on the line between Barnetby and Scunthorpe.
Nearby Elsham railway station was closed to passengers during the early 1990s.
Read more about the box and why it was listed through this link...
Also  made surplus to requirements by the new signalling system was the sizeable Barnetby East box, off Kings Road - not far from the village railway station.
One suggestion was it might be dismantled and moved to one of the popular heritage lines.
But it's still in the spot it has occupied since the early 20th century.
The signal box beside Appleby level crossing is also listed but Brigg's - on Bigby High Road - is not. They are of similar design.
One in Hibaldstow parish - Kirton Lime Sidings, off Gainsthorpe Road - is also has grade two status. It's a very tall box, of rare design.
The last time we took a close up look at Elsham signal box was in June 2016 while waiting, with many other people from the Brigg area, for world famous loco Flying Scotsman to steam by at the head of a special train. More through this link...
Here are a few pictures featuring Elsham box and station down the years.

Inside Elsham signal box during the early 1970s.

TRIATHLON TO WATCH IN BRIGG ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29

There's a triathlon contest to watch in Brigg on Sunday, April 29.
The Family Autos Early Brigg Sprint Triathlon will be centred on Ancholme Leisure Centre, Scawby Brook, and on roads in and around Brigg.
Competitors will be swimming 400m in the centre pool from 8am,  cycling 20k and doing a 5k run taking in Bridge Street and Cadney Road.
This is a Sunday morning event organised by FastFWDSports.
It is expected to end about 11am, with presentations taking place shortly after that.

NEW STRATEGY OUTLINED FOR BRIGG SCHOOL

An interesting, unusual and perhaps unexpected strategy has been drawn up for the oldest part of Sir John Nelthorpe School in Brigg.
Back in the late 17th century when the town's first school opened wide the doors of learning's mystic temple to every devotee** staff and pupils walked to and from the premises, although the occasional horse may have appeared.
During the second half of the 20th century, cars became an increasingly popular way of getting to school for teachers, some sixth formers and visitors to the Grammar School Road site, which became part of the new Sir John Nelthorpe comprehensive in 1976.
However, no "parking strategy" was put in place - until now.
A planning application has just been submitted, seeking to "formalise" three parking areas to serve the school, including the marking out of parking bays.
These will be opposite the old school entrance on Grammar School Road, adjoining the school field and alongside the original drive off Grammar School Road.
The latter is the most interesting as it is only a few yards from the original 17th century school room (grade one listed), latterly converted into a library.
A report prepared by North Lincolnshire Council, the local education authority, stresses neither trees nor the listed part of the premises will be affected by the car park set aside for visitors.
The proposal "removes the ad hoc car parking arrangements and regularises how parking is provided within the school grounds."
The report adds: "The proposed solution is to regularise two existing areas by laying asphalt and marking the areas out with suitable car parking spaces.
"A third area, providing an additional seven individual spaces primarily for visitors, is to be created by the school's access and exit driveways.
"Due to the location of the proposed visitors' car park being in close proximity the Library, during the construction process the asset will need to be protected.
"This will be done by erecting temporary solid hoarding in front of the asset, local to where the work is being carried out.
"This will protect the building from any debris that may occur during the construction process. In addition, Banksmen will be engaged, using a system of hand signals or a radio link to ensure any mechanical, driven equipment does not enter into a pre-set no go area."
The report stresses that "no mature trees will be affected during the construction and usage of the proposed spaces."
By "regularising the car park provision" 64 spaces and two disabled parking bays will be created.
The planning application is now under consideration.
Brigg Blog expects this topic to bring back memories for many ex-pupils.
In the 1960s and 1970s the area now earmarked for the visitors' car park was close to the Headmaster's House, where H B Williams and his wife lived.
This was on the side of the then boarding house, where dozens of boys lived during term time.
The headmaster could often be seen tending to flowers and veg in the garden near his house.
** The phrase used in a verse from the old Brigg Grammar School song, Fortitudine - still sung every Spring during the annual dinner of the Briggensians' Association, representing former pupils and staff.

PICTURED: A Brigg Grammar School picture montage from the late 1960s, including Headmaster H B Williams, top right, doing a spot of gardening.

RAISING A GLASS TO WELL-KNOWN BRIGG PUB

Long-serving Lincolnshire Times journalist Edward Dodd's acclaimed book called Brigg - published in 1974 - was a very thorough examination of the town as it then was.
But Ted made no apologies for dipping into Brigg's rich history, which he stressed was necessary to put things in context.
He quoted many landmark dates, including February 1968 when the Yarborough Hunt pub, on Bridge Street, closed without much notice being given to regulars.
No beer was served for many years until the premises were restored and reopened relatively recently. Today it remains a popular watering hole for many Brigg folk.
The original Yarborough Hunt - much smaller than the current premises - was managed by Sid Bell for 40 years until he retired.
Ted reveals that this happened a few years before the brewery owners closed it to the public.
Through an agreement with Brigg Urban District Council, which was abolished in 1974 by local government re-organisation, a copy of Ted's Brigg book was distributed to every local household.
We've just re-read our treasured copy for the umpteenth time.
Some years later, Ted, who lived on St Helen's Road, updated things with a second Brigg book.
It was a particularly sad day for him in 1985 when the Lincolnshire & South Humberside Times printed its last issue before closure.
There was a farewell get-together involving staff - past and present - in the office at 57 Wrawby Street.
We'd left by then to join the sports department at the Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph but left the steel town early on that Friday afternoon to attend the get-together.

BIOMASS SCHEME WITHIN BRIGG AREA APPROVED

 

North Lincolnshire Council's planning committee has approved two applications relating to villages in the Brigg area.
The Marjara Care Group can erect a building to house two biomass boilers and a pellet storage area to provide energy for use by Rathside Care Home at 41 Gainsborough Lane, Scawby.
The parish council raised a number of concerns, suggesting there would be a reduction in off-street parking spaces and the development would result in additional vehicles being parked along Gainsborough Lane.
The planning committee also approved an outline application to erect a detached dwelling at the former Sargents ice cream factory site, to the rear of Wheelgates, Brigg Road, Hibaldstow.

CLEAR ROAD FOR RE-DEVELOPMENT ON OLD BRIGG SUGAR FACTORY SITE

A vacant area of the former Brigg Sugar Factory site at Scawby Brook, which closed in the early 1990s, can now be re-developed.
This follows North Lincolnshire Council's planning committee  granting an application to construct a new access road.
Property Recycling Group plc, which acquired the site 16 years ago,  is in active discussion with potential purchasers of land near the  power stations, the council was told.
This area is designated for employment use in the North Lincolnshire Development Plan, adopted in 2016.
In order to free up the site's development potential, there is a need to extend the existing access road, planners were informed.
This will serve "future, as yet undefined, re-development schemes" to be the subject of detailed planning applications, in due course, from "others."
Drawings submitted in support of the access road application show a Future Development Site/Future Development Land.
Brigg Sugar Factory, which opened in the late 1920s, was our area's largest employer by the mid-1960s with 380 permanent and casual workers.
Following closure, many of the factory buildings had been demolished by the end of the 1990s.
The planning committee granted permission although Scawby Parish Council  objected to the application, having concerns about construction traffic following "an agreed and acceptable route to the site to cause minimal disturbance to the area."
The parish council also felt a strategy should be in place to alleviate further HGV traffic associated with future planned development of the area.
In granting permission, North Lincolnshire Council  attached a number of conditions.
One of these stipulates that no development shall take place until a construction phase traffic management plan showing details of traffic movements to and from the site has been submitted and approved by the council.

PICTURE FROM THE 1970s: The landmark silos which were a feature of Brigg Sugar Factory.

BRIGG BLOG'S SPORTS PREVIEW FOR SATURDAY, APRIL 28

The cricket season is now well under way for many clubs but Brigg Town are an exception and have yet to start their fixtures in the Lincolnshire County Cricket League (sponsored by  Kookaburra Reader).
However, this has given the club a little more time to devote to the refurbished Recreation Ground playing strip and outfield.
Tomorrow (Saturday, April 28) Broughton first teamers have a division one home game against Market Rasen 2nds.
In division two, Hibaldstow head south along the A15 to take on Old Lincolnians in the county capital.
Both these games start at 1.30pm.
Just a reminder for football fans that the annual Adrian Gibbons memorial football match will be played on Saturday, April 28  at the Hawthorns - courtesy of Brigg Town Football Club.
The game - involving local players who knew him well - will kick-off at 3pm, and all  money raised on the day will go to the British Heart Foundation.

 
 

HOW PEOPLE IN BRIGG & DISTRICT CAN HELP THE HOSPICE THIS WEEKEND

Many people living in Brigg and surrounding communities support the good work of Scunthope's Lindsey Lodge Hospice in a variety of ways, including use of the charity's shop on Wrawby Street.
And there's a chance to contribute more cash this weekend when the hospice holds its annual Art Exhibition and Sale, featuring renowned local artist Dennis Nash.
This will take place on Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29, at Scawby Village Hall.
Saturday opening will be 10am to 5pm, and you are welcome to pop along between 10am and 3pm on Sunday.
Find out more about the hospice and its good work by visiting www.lindseylodgehospice.org.uk

BRIGG TOWN FC HOSTING CUP FINAL TONIGHT AT THE HAWTHORNS

There's a showpiece football cup final to watch in Brigg tonight (Thursday, April 26).
It is being played at The Hawthorns by kind permission of Brigg Town FC.
The EC Surfacing Ltd Challenge Cup final between Crowle Town Colts and The Butchers Arms will kick off at 7.30pm.
The referee will be A Barber, assisted by K Booth and M Snee, with  D Booth the fourth official.
Spectators are welcome.

PLANS TO EXTEND BRIGG HOME APPROVED

A household extension can go ahead in Brigg.
Planning permission to convert a garage, erect a first floor side extension and make internal alterations has been granted by North Lincolnshire Council for 12 St James Road.
In Scawby Brook,  permission is being applied for to erect a two storey rear extension at 147 Scawby Road.
In Wrawby, outline planning permission for four semi-detached dwellings is being requested for Hillborn House, on Brigg Road. Another application is seeking approval  for the erection of a single storey rear extension, removal of conservatory, construction of a pitched roof and the blocking up of a  window opening to the front elevation at Old Post Office Row, Vicarage Road.
In Barnetby,  permission is sought to erect a two storey extension to the rear of Westfield House, 31 Railway Street.
These four are now being considered by council planners.