LAMENTING THE LOSS OF BRIGG CHARITY MARKET

Some people in Brigg still miss the annual charity markets which attracted lots of bargain-hunting shoppers. Stalls used to be erected in the Market Place and along Cary Lane.
The charity market held in mid-July 1985 - a typical example - had more than SEVENTY stalls. They featured craft items, bric-a-brac, second-hand clothing and much more.
Local groups and organisations hired stalls to sell donated items donated by members and raise much-needed funds.
Brigg Chamber of Trade - a forerunner of today's Business Partnership - organised the charity markets, describing them as "bring the family" events.
On the same day the charity market was held in 1985, a large antique collectors' fair was held in Brigg Corn Exchange, from 10am to 5pm, with refreshments available.
Clearly this was arranged to take advantage of the influx of people visiting the town centre for the charity market.
Today we still have something similar organised by Brigg District Lions - the Christmas Fair that accompanies the switching on of the town centre's illuminations. There are also stalls in the Angel Suite.
This year's fair will be on Friday, November 29, from 4.30pm, and the Lions have been taking stall bookings for some time.
However, we wonder whether reintroducing a summer charity market, using the old format, might prove a winner.
The age-old Brigg question arises, of course: Who is prepared to organise it?
The town also has far more charity shops these days, relying on donations of items that used to be on offer at Brigg Charity Market.
But would one day a year, in June or July, really make a significant difference?
Perhaps Brigg Town Business Partnership might take our charity market suggestion on board and give it some thought for a summer Sunday in 2020.
In comparison with the 1980s, Brigg no longer has A18 through traffic using the Market Place.
PICTURED: A relatively recent scene giving a hint how the charity market would look if it was re-established.