TWO LANCS COMING TO BRIGG

Lancaster heavy bombers had close connections with the Brigg area during the Second World War, many of them flying from the bases at Elsham and Kirmington, with their crews relaxing at pubs in Brigg, Barnetby and Kirmington between raids.
There have also been occasional flypasts over Brigg in recent years by the surviving, iconic Lancaster from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire.
Now Brigg Women's Institute is to hold an open meeting called A Tale of Two Lancs.
Flt Lt (retired) Mike Chatterton, of the BBMF, will speak about his experiences and also those of his father who flew Lancasters during WW2.
The pilot's talk is coming up on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at St John's Church Hall, Bigby Street, from 10am.
The cost is £3.50p, including tea/coffee, and interested people can pay on the door on the day. Brigg WI is making it clear that men are welcome to attend.
Find out more by emailing briggmorningwi@gmail.com or call Kate on 01652 655232.
WW2 Lancaster crews liked to drink in the Black Bull and the Dying Gladiator, Brigg, the latter being nicknamed the Dying Navigator, with a touch of dark war-time humour.
Locally based crews called the Marrowbone & Cleaver at Kirmington The Chopper.
It is said that crews' frequent trips to some pubs in the Brigg area ensured that beer was always on tap, despite war-time shortages!
Use this link to access YouTube footage in which Flt Lt Chatterton talks about 40 years' service in the RAF and his time as Captain flying a surviving Lancaster...
The fine picture above was taken in 2014 by Ken Harrison, of Brigg Matters magazine - someone else with RAF connections.