BRIGG BLOG TAKES A NEW YEAR LOOK AT WHAT THE TOWN CAN EXPECT IN 2019

Major interest in Brigg is being shown in the proposed new Aldi store as we enter 2019.
The international discount retailer is looking to build close to the A18, off Bridge Street.
Planning permission was granted in 2016 without building work getting under way, and Aldi has now submitted plans for slightly larger premises.
The amended application is now being considered by North Lincolnshire Council, the local planning authority.
Many shoppers in Brigg are really looking forward to Aldi coming to town and will be keeping a close eye on developments, as will Brigg Blog.
Later this month will see the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Tesco store in Brigg - built on the former stockmarket site.
Brigg Marina, off Mill Lane, with its range of impressive new lodges, is expected to get into full swing once the warmer weather arrives. There are also plans to add a clubhouse on the extensive site.
Hopefully, the White Hart pub, on Bridge Street, which has been closed for some months, will reopen in the near future following refurbishment by the new owners.
Having lost the Nelthorpe Arms in 2018 when it was converted into purely residential use, many Brigg folk will be hoping that all our remaining licensed premises enjoy good trade in 2019 and continue to serve the community.
There be particular interest in Brigg Horse Fair 2019. Permission has been granted to build apartments on part of the site used by the fair, but so far there's no sign of building work beginning. If that project does start before August 5, where will that leave the historic fair?
Sadly, Brigg railway station is at a low ebb, and there's little hope of extra passenger trains being added when the new six-monthly timetable is announced in spring 2019.
New housing schemes expected to progress this year include developing the former Falcon Cycles and Corah's site, near Bridge Street, to provide dozens of new properties. Local firm CLS gained planning permission for this development.
Sir John Nelthorpe School will be marking major milestones in 2019 - 350 years since the oldest part of the premises were funded in the founder's will in 1669 and 100 years since Brigg Girls' High School was established. SJN was formed in 1976, as a comprehensive, using premises formerly occupied by the grammar and high schools.
Sir John Nelthorpe School has launched a project which includes new uses for the 17th century grade one listed area and re-purposing the drama hall for community use.
After some lean years that have involved a number of relegations, Brigg Town Football Club has found success on the field in recent months, and fans of the Zebras are hoping the team can go on to secure the Balcan Lighting Supplies Lincolnshire League Premier championship in the spring.
Brigg Town Cricket Club's fortunes have also improved and May will see the players in a higher division of the Lincolnshire League, having gained promotion as champions of division four in 2018.
It is to be hoped that 2019 will see some more adult football teams formed in Brigg and using the Recreation Ground, off Wrawby Road, for matches in the Scunthorpe Saturday and Sunday leagues. There has been a steady reduction since the 1980s when Brigg Amateurs alone operated three teams.
However, Brigg Hockey Club (founded in 1920) is still going strong, playing men's and ladies' home games at The Rec on the floodlit 'Blue Astro' surface provided by North Lincolnshire Council. The men's club alone has FOUR sides in the Yorkshire League!
Brigg Town Council - created in 1974 - will see the number of councillors reduced from 19 to nine later this year, following the review of numbers carried out at a higher level. However, its responsibilities will be unchanged.
There will be elections held for North Lincolnshire Council and Brigg Town Council this year.
Vying with Brigg Town Council's Christmas lights switch-on and Brigg District Lions' festive fair as the town's biggest spectator event of the year is the summer's Brigg Bike Night, latterly organised from the Yarborough Hunt, on Bridge Street.
Both these major events draw big crowds to the town.
Brigg Blog, and others, hope 2019 will finally see prolonged and successful action taken by the authorities to deal with those drivers and cyclists who ignore the restrictions and continue to enter the pedestrian area in the Market Place and Wrawby Street, where shoppers on foot should not have to step aside.
This may seem trivial but there's public safety to consider. And what's the point of having rules in place if wrong-doers aren't made to pay the penalty?
Further CCTV cameras are expected to appear in Brigg in the coming months, with the Millennium Green one of the locations, having seen anti-social behaviour and vandalism.
However, overall crime in Brigg - averaged out over 12 months - sees only a couple of incidents reported a day.
We are confident that the very popular monthly Brigg Farmers' Market will continue to go from strength to strength in 2019, but the Thursday and Saturday general markets need to have more stalls. It is concerning to see just a couple of them, and a fish van, in the Market Place on Saturdays.
Brigg having been granted its historic market charter early in the 13th century, could something be done this year to encourage more people to take stalls?
The town would welcome new uses for the prominent former HSBC and NatWest Bank buildings - currently on the market following closure.
Banking services in the town remain a major talking point as we enter 2019.
Lloyd's, on Wrawby Street, is now "counter free" following recent changes, leaving Barclays, in the Market Place, as the only major high street bank still providing a traditional range of services in Brigg.
There's also a need to fill the premises on Wrawby Street left vacant 14 months ago when national food retailer Greggs closed its Brigg shop.
Summer 2019 will see the 100th anniversary of a heroes' dinner that was held at the Angel, in honour of local men who served during the First World War and survived (not always unscathed) and returned to live in the town.
Brigg Blog thinks is would be fitting to hold a meal-related event in 2019 to mark this centenary - perhaps on the same day and at the same venue, the Angel Suite previously being the Angel Hotel ballroom.
An exhibition honouring Brigg's WW1 survivors would also be welcome. When it comes to remembering The Fallen, Brigg does this very well at The Monument every November. But let's also spare a thought for those who served in the forces without paying the ultimate price.
Brigg Buttercross will be 200 years old this year. North Lincolnshire Council, the current owner and operator, has just refurbished the landmark but has yet to announce exactly how, and when, the double century will be celebrated in 2019.
A new allotment site on part of Woodbine Park is being suggested - replacing those plots on Grammar School Road that are needed for a new road connecting with Atherton Way. However, the timescale for this switch has yet to be made public. A planning application - expected later this month - may indicate whether this is intended to happen in 2019.
The Ancholme Valley Way cycle and footpath between Brigg and South Ferriby should be completed later this year, running close to the river for its entire length.
Our many small businesses - represented by the active Brigg Town Business Partnership - contribute a great deal to the community and attract shoppers from far and wide.
Some like Wallhead's, Peacock & Binnington, Dunham's and Thomas Bell were founded during Queen Victoria's reign, but others come and go.
In 2019 we hope that few, if any, will close and that many more will arrive and set up shop in Brigg.
Compared to many market towns across the UK which are dotted with 'for sale' and 'to let' signs, Brigg bucks the gloomy trend.
Brigg Blog wishes all its followers a prosperous New Year and hopes you will continue to visit our site throughout 2019.

PICTURED: Brigg town centre from above. Image by Neil Stapleton.