HAPPY ANNIVERSARY DRAWING NEAR FOR BRIGG PUB

One of the most historic pubs in Brigg was being given a new lease of life 10 years ago.
Refurbishment work was under way inside and outside the Dying Gladiator, on Bigby Street, which had changed hands after being closed for some time and boarded up.
We attended Brigg Town Council's January 2010 meeting and reported that the council had wasted no time in making contact with the new owner of the building, who had bought it from a brewery chain.
"While the pub has been standing empty and not functioning as a hostelry, town councillors have expressed concerns about the future of the building and particularly its unique statue," we noted 10 years ago.
Coun Penny Smith raised the issue of the pub's sale, saying of the famous Gladiator statue: "He really is in pretty dire straights."
However, councillors were pleased to see the Bigby Street watering hole being taken on by a new owner.
Coun Tom Glossop joked: "The Gladiator is not dead, as previously rumoured!"
Following its refurb, the Glad reopened on March 3, 2010 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the front entrance, beneath the distinctive statue of the Roman fighter. View details here...
It was a proud moment for Brigg Blog when the new proprietor invited us to step into the doorway and declare the historic pub well and truly reopen.
"Much refurbishment has taken place under the direction of Robert Borrill, but the character of the historic Bigby Street hostelry has been retained," we explained.
Under general manager Eugene Irwin, The Glad is still proving popular today with some welcome new additions to this familiar favourite within the Conservation Area.
It now has a Stables Bar at the back, in a converted former outbuilding, and a mobile snack bar in the beer garden, launched recently by local man Andy Devai.
Dating back to the mid-18th century, the Dying Gladiator building enjoys grade two status.
It was listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 for its special architectural or historic interest.
PICTURED: The Dying Gladiator's reopening night in 2010.