BRIGG BLOG'S REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2018 - HIGHLIGHTS AND A FEW LOW POINTS

Brigg Blog brought its valued readers almost 1,400 posts during 2018 - our 11th year providing news and views about the historic market town and communities nearby.
Our aim is three new items of content daily, as regular followers will be aware.
Four stories in 2018 proved so popular that they made it into our all-time top 10 most viewed posts.
They were one in May about local roadworks, and another in June confirming Aldi's commitment to build a new Brigg store.
Our feature about the Brigg Marina holiday complex taking shape and another about the new menu on offer at the Exchange Coach House in August, also made it into the top rankings.
All-time page views passed the 1.5 million mark during 2018.
July proved to be the most productive month of the year for posts with 141 - reflecting just how much was going on locally.
The new X4 (express) Brigg-Scunthorpe bus service was introduced by Ashby-based Hornsbys midway through the year, while people enjoyed summer favourites like Brigg Horse Fair and Brigg Bike Night.
Throughout the year we continued to press for Brigg to see an improved passenger train service, but without success.

In October we joined other campaigners on Brigg station to record the 25th anniversary of our town losing its Monday to Friday passenger service - cut back in 1993 to Saturdays only, and still like that today!
However, we particularly enjoyed making our first bus ride since the 1960s from Brigg to Lincoln - courtesy of Dent's Fridays-only service, which took us through many villages close to the A15, including Snitterby, Waddingham and Glentham. There some interesting views from the top of the double-decker as it negotiated rural Lincolnshire's leafy lanes.
Sadly, late spring saw last orders called for the last time at our historic Nelthorpe Arms pub, on Bridge Street. But - on the plus side - the Lord Nelson Hotel, in the Market Place, completed its refurbishment programme, while the new Stables Bar opened in the former restaurant building adjoining The Dying Gladiator.
The Black Bull, on Wrawby Street, reopened in April under new owners.
We've reported on Brigg Town Council meetings throughout the year - always a major source of news - but continue to be surprised that more members of the public do not attend sessions, details always being given in advance on this site.
On the sporting front we've been delighted to report on-the-field success for Brigg Town Cricket Club and (since September) Brigg Town Football Club, and to see Ancholme Rowing Club, based on Manley Gardens, celebrate its 150th anniversary.
Brigg Hockey Club and the cricketers have made good use of the Recreation Ground, off Wrawby Road, lavishly refurbished by North Lincolnshire Council.
Sportsmen and women in Brigg can now take real pride in welcoming visiting teams to these facilities, with the community room and changing accommodation being among the best to be found anywhere in the region.
We have diligently publicised all the monthly Brigg farmers' markets organised by North Lincolnshire Council during the year, hoping that online publicity will help attract more people to visit our town.
Brigg can feel proud of the dignified way in which it marked the 100th anniversary of the guns falling silent in the First World War.
The Monument war memorial was refurbished, a poppy cascade was created on the Angel building and Brigg folk of all ages turned out in numbers on Remembrance Sunday to remember The Fallen.
November 30 saw the town's best-attended spectator event - the switch-on of the Christmas lights, accompanied by Brigg District Lions' festive fair and late night shopping.
December saw the Princess Royal (Princess Anne) officially open the Vale Academy's new building, off Atherton Way.
Go-ahead Brigg Town Business Partnership's varied events arranged to promote the town have been covered in detail throughout 2018.
Brigg Blog would like to end the year by passing on sincere thanks to all the people who have contributed news, views and images to our site during 2018.
Particular thanks must go to Ken Harrison, of Brigg Matters Magazine, for coverage of events we couldn't get to, and the Town Council for valued support throughout the year - plus the many licensees whose premises we have visited and tried our best to help with publicity during 2018.
Neil Stapleton's unusual bird's eye views of Brigg - examples here - continue to be well received.
Last but by no means least, Brigg Blog also wishes to thank all the people, locally and across the world, who continue to visit our site.
We hope that 2019 proves to be a good one for you and look forward to bringing you more news about Brigg next year.