BRIGG CIVIC REGALIA TO BE REFURBISHED

Brigg Town Council is to set to spend more than £1,000 to repair and refurbish the Town Mayor's chain of office which he, or she, wears while undertaking official duties.
Every year since 1974 when it was created by local government re-organisation, Brigg Town Council has elected a Town Mayor to chair its monthly meetings and represent the council and the town at a wide range of events and functions - mostly in Brigg or the surrounding distict but sometimes further afield.
The chain of office is tarnished and chipped, while some names of past first citizens that appear on the regalia have worn off down the years and can no longer be read.
Coun Mike Storey told the Town Council's latest meeting that he felt uneasy about spending such a sum on the chain.
However, Coun Ann Eardley stressed this was not an annual cost but a one-off payment.
Pointing out the chain's current not very good condition, she urged refurbishment.
"We should be proud of our regalia," she added.
Another former Town Mayor, Coun Mike Campion, said the chain "should reflect pride in the town."
If it was going to cost £1,000 this year, he felt the council should pay.
Coun Tina Campbell said that while attending functions, the Town Mayor represented not only Brigg Town Council but also the town itself.
Current Deputy Town Mayor, Coun Brian Parker, felt it important to ensure all the names of past Town Mayors were visible on the chain - out of respect for what these people had done for Brigg.