COUNCIL TAX: HOW MUCH EACH BRIGG HOUSEHOLD WILL PAY FOR TOWN SERVICES

Brigg Blog today outlines how much each household in the town will pay for the local services provided by the Town Council during the new financial year beginning in early April 2021.
Whenever posting about council tax we always explain and stress that the total paid by households is made up of varying amounts which go to North Lincolnshire Council, Humberside Fire & Rescue Service, Humberside Police, 'adult social care' and the Town Council.
During its latest meeting, Brigg Town Council agreed to its budget for 2021/22 - covering Christmas lights, allotments, street tidying, benches and seats, bins, litter collection, grants to local organisations and grass cutting.
Set out below is a table showing how much each household will be required to pay Brigg Town Council in the eight different council tax bands, A-H (these being based on property values).
The payments for 2021/22 will range from £46 to £139 for the entire financial YEAR, which works out at 89p to £2.67p WEEKLY.
Over the coming weeks, the other 'precepting' authorities will decide how much they require for 2021/22.
North Lincolnshire Council will send combined bills to every household in its district during the spring (probably late April/early May) and collect the tax in various ways, taking its share and distributed funds accordingly to the others, including the Brigg authority.
Many local households now settle their council tax bills by paying 10 or 12 instalments through transfers to North Lincolnshire Council from their bank accounts.
Our thanks go to Brigg Town Clerk Kerry McGrath who responded to our request for a local breakdown of payments for each council tax band. 

FROM BRIGG TOWN COUNCIL - SUNDAY, JANUARY 31
"Just to clarify we haven’t frozen the budget, in fact we have increased it with more exciting projects for the Town, but with careful financial management of our reserves we’ve been able to do this all whilst freezing our precept requirement."

 

BRIGG TOWN COUNCIL TOTALS - 2021/22 FINANCIAL YEAR

BRIGG 'TOURISM HUB' REFURBISHMENT NEARS COMPLETION

Brigg's landmark Buttercross is being refurbished as a tourism hub, with decoration and fitting out of the ground floor being undertaken.
Coun Carl Sherwood told Brigg Town Council's latest meeting that the refurbishment was nearing completion.  The building belongs to North Lincolnshire Council, of which he is a cabinet member.
Some months ago there were suggestions that Lindsey Lodge Hospice would be establishing a charity shop within the Buttercross after closing its outlet on Wrawby Street, but this did not proceed.
Brigg's award-winning Tourist Information Centre became established in the Buttercross during the 1990s.

Amid lockdown, news is awaited from the council about when the tourism hub will be in a position to provide a service to the public.

PICTURED: A recent view of the Buttercross while refurbishment work was under way on the ground floor.

BRIGG SEEKS FUNDING FOR FLORAL DISPLAYS

Brigg Town Council has submitted an application for funding as part of a local Spring in Bloom initiative.
North Lincolnshire Council has made £25,000 available to town and parish councils and community groups across its area and invited applications to help get winter planting off to a flying start.
The unitary authority says cash can be used for planters, flowers and shrubs that will enhance the local area and improve the environment.
Part of the North Lincolnshire in Bloom initiative which was launched three years ago, the scheme also promotes volunteering and community pride, as well as making our area even more attractive.
It will also help communities taking part in contests such as the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) Best Kept Village and Towns competitions. Recent winners have included Worlaby, Goxhill and Broughton.
Coun Rob Waltham, from Brigg, as the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, encouraged applications and stressed: "We had a lot of success last year and I know we can go one better this year.
“Gardening counts as outdoor exercise, and is proven to help mental health – as long as people follow the current guidelines and keep everyone safe; we can look forward to some stunning displays this summer.”
Brigg's Coun Carl Sherwood, as North Lincolnshire's cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, rural, said: “We have a strong track record of investing in communities to support enhancing the environment and the natural habitats. This creates space which allows wildlife to flourish and more pleasant places for residents to be.
“We’ve invested thousands in things such as community buildings, play equipment, paths and cycle routes. This funding is additional to that and will enable people to get involved and make a difference to their communities.”
Groups had until January 25 to apply, and Brigg Town Council's bid for funding was confirmed during the latest monthly meeting.
North Lincolnshire Council will announce the recipients and the sums allocated in due course.

PICTURED: Colourful flowers on the County Bridge railings in 2017.

'HERITAGE COLOURS' SUGGESTED FOR BRIGG TIN TAB SHELTER

One of the best-known features in Brigg may be given a new look -  perhaps being seen as more in keeping with the conservation area.
The four-sided Tin Tab (Tin Tabernacle) seating shelter on East Park, near the A18 Monument roundabout, is scheduled to be repainted by Brigg Town Council which has already removed sprouting greenery from the roof.
A recent check has confirmed that planning permission will not be required for the paint job. But advice received suggests that the current green might be replaced by suitable 'heritage colours' - perhaps light blue or cream - although no decision has yet been made and there may be other options.
Plaques situated within the shelter were 'heavily painted over' many years ago, but the council's handyman service intends to strip off all the layers to reveal the original inscriptions beneath.
Some or all of the lettering is thought to refer to Tabernacle in the biblical sense.
The Tin Tab was donated to Brigg in the 1930s by a generous town resident, David Lambert Andrew, who was a retired senior police officer and a member of Brigg Urban District Council. He also owned Andrew's Ponds which were popular with local anglers.

REOPENING OF TESCO PETROL STATION IN BRIGG 'STARS' AS WE TURN BACK THE CLOCK

 

It was good to see drivers filling up their vehicles at the Tesco petrol station in Brigg yesterday afternoon (see picture above).
The much-used facility, off Barnard Avenue, closed temporarily from January 18 go while "maintenance and renovation" was carried out. Tesco told us at the start of the project:  "It will be back open within two weeks."
Although the work has now been completed, we were a shade surprised yesterday that Tesco had not erected a banner nearby to get across the 'Now Open Again' message. It could have occupied the same position as the one (since removed) which announced that the station was shutting for renovation.
Getting the 'Now Open Again' message across was not helped yesterday by the presence of barriers stacked up on the forecourt and featuring our picture. Having seen the barriers still present, some drivers might have drawn the wrong conclusions, we feared. Unless, like us, they saw other motorists filling tanks at the pumps.
The Esso petrol station, on Bridge Street - also adjoining the busy A18 - closed on Wednesday, January 20 - also for refurbishment.
This only took one day to complete but meant that - for a short period - Brigg was without a single outlet where drivers could top up.
In years to come, this hopefully unique occurrence might be worthy of inclusion in a local quiz question.
And while on this topic: Which business offered the first petrol provision in Brigg?
We've seen a picture taken circa 1900-1910 showing a pump outside E. H. Smith's garage... surrounded by historic cobbles in the Market Place. This building is now occupied by Brown & Co, land and property agents.
George Layne - one of North Lincolnshire's earliest car dealers and motorists - established premises on Bigby Street in 1914, having started in business selling cycles and then motorcycles.
W. A. Sass established the Monument Garage in 1924, while Bridge Street later offered different places to top up on either side of the main road.
Layne's garage closed in 1971 - the showroom later being re-purposed as Brigg Snooker Club. Town houses occupy the site today.
Sass's (car sales, servicing and petrol station) continued near the Monument roundabout until the early 1980s. We had a nippy Mini at the time - a vehicle designed to run on cheap two star fuel, but we didn't risk it and opted to top up with three star.
Refuelling continued for many years after Sass's - under different operators. The forecourt is now the base of Brigg Hand Car Wash.
Listing the names of famous petrol brands which have appeared down the decades on the Bridge Street petrol station's frontage would merit another local quiz question. There have been quite a few. Texaco, with its world famous emblem, was one of the star names to offer four star!
Layne's must have sold Esso, as we recall calling at the showroom, off Bigby Street, as a child in the 1960s, to pick up some free tigers' tails (made from fabric) which were being given away in a promotion featuring Tony the Tiger - the company's slogan being: "Put a Tiger in your tank.
Green Shield Stamps were later linked to petrol sales and became big business; books filled with these gummed give-aways could be cashed in by Brigg motorists for a range of consumer goods.
Returning to our original topic in this post, Tesco was one of the first grocery concerns to offer Green Shield Stamps.

REFURBISHED BRIGG SURGERY WINS AWARD

The annual Civic Building Award made by Brigg Town Council for 2020 goes to the Riverside Surgery refurbishment scheme.
The council selected the winner during its January meeting held earlier this week.
Coun Rob Waltham suggested the recent work would turn the surgery into "a cottage hospital."
Coun Carl Sherwood said the surgery had recently administered thousands of vaccinations.
In due course the surgery, on Barnard Avenue, will receive a handsome circular plaque to display on, or within, the building.

PICTURED: A recent view taken from the top of the Ancholme Way Bridge, showing on-site work continuing.

FULL LIST OF BRIGG TOWN COUNCIL CIVIC AWARD WINNERS
 
1984    Kettles of Brigg and also the Nelthorpe Arms.
1985    College Yard.
1986    Shops on Elwes Street.
1987    No Award
1988    Shops rear of No.2 Market Place and also Raffles Club (The Exchange).
1989    Riverside Surgery.
1990    Conversion of the Congregational Chapel, Wrawby Street, and also Housing Development, Manley Gardens.
1991    School Court & Cottages on Chapel Yard.
1992    No Award
1993    Barnes the Jewellers, Wrawby Street. (Certificate of Merit)
1994    Premises previously known as Instones, Wrawby Street.
1995    Pickerings Shoe Shop, Wrawby Street.
1996    Brians D.I.Y., Wrawby Street.
1997    Cottage adjacent to Brigg Snooker Club, Bigby Street.
1998    St John’s Church Courtyard, Wrawby Street (Certificate of Merit).
1999    Way In, Market Place.
2000    Elsham House, Elwes Street  (formerly The Alcoves).
2001    The Lord Nelson, Market Place.
2002    No Award
2003    The Yarborough Hunt, Bridge Street.
2004    The Cottages, Queen Street.
2005    Old Courts Veterinary Centre, Old Courts Road.
2006    No Award
2007    No Award
2008    G.S.A. House, Market Place (Grimley-Smith).
2009    Cooplands, Wrawby Street.
2010    Eastfield, Bigby Street.
2011    Brigg Children’s Centre, Grammar School Road.
2012    Byrom & Steel, 1-5 Springs Parade.
2013    Lidl, Atherton Way
2014    No Award
2015    No Award
2016    Brown & Co, Market Place.
2017    No Award
2018    Graham Wilson for the DDM, Teasdales and Age Concern shops on Wrawby Street & also the Lord Nelson (Old Mill Brewery) refurb.
2019    Guy Whitney Goldsmith, Market Place.
2020    Riverside Surgery, Barnard Avenue.

CASH EARMARKED TO SUPPORT BRIGG SHOPPERS' BUS SERVICE

Brigg Town Council has earmarked funds in its budget to continue to support the town bus service during the next financial year beginning in April.
Also backed by North Lincolnshire Council, this long-established service tours town housing estates taking people to and from the shops. It is of particular use to elderly people and those with mobility issues.
A periodic review of the service is to be undertaken during the next few months.
The Town Council has also earmarked money for development of the Millennium Green, off Elwes Street. In addition to erecting a metal beacon (previously agreed) there are plans for fencing and wild flower planting.
The Town Council will continue to pay North Lincolnshire Council to open the Cary Lane toilets to the public on Sundays and bank holidays - something the town authority has funded for many years.
Money has been set aside to pay for further refurbishment/replacement of public seating in the town at various locations, with some more bins to be installed.
A wreath-holder will be purchased to contain the poppy tributes at the base of the Monument war memorial following Remembrance Sunday.

PICTURED: The shoppers' bus heading for the town centre along St Helens Road a few weeks ago.

MORE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TO BE ADDED IN BRIGG FOR 2021 DISPLAY

Additional Christmas lights in Brigg town centre are to be provided by the Town Council ahead of the next display scheduled for the end of this year.
The authority replaced the previous illuminations with new ones ahead of the recent festive period, adding some lighting features to some lamp-posts for the first time.
It has now budgeted to provide more lights along Bridge Street and within the town centre for late 2021.
Hopefully, the Coronavirus emergency will be over by then and the public can once again attend and enjoy the traditional Christmas lights switch-on ceremony from a stage in the Market Place, accompanied by the Lions' festive fair with indoor and outdoor stalls, plus sideshows and children's rides.
The Town Council's January meeting, held on Tuesday night, heard that the taking down of the Christmas lights was about to be undertaken, having been delayed because of the unexpected unavailability of a 'cherry picker' vehicle required for this task.
Town Mayor Coun Sharon Riggall lit the lights on her own in late November 2020 - footage of the ceremony being 'live streamed' over the internet by the council. The usual mass gathering was ruled out by the Covid-related restrictions and the festive fair had to be cancelled for the same reason.

'GREEN' INITIATIVES PLANNED IN BRIGG

Brigg Town Council is planning some new 'green' initiatives to help the environment this year.
Funds have been allocated in the budget for the 2021/22 financial year to make these possible.
Provision of 'Shop Local' hessian bags is planned with the aim of making Brigg a 'plastic-free town'.
It is also planned to create a Water Refill Centre within the town centre where people will be able to top up their refreshment bottles. This will also help to tackle the use of plastic containers.
Healthy walks outdoors will be encouraged by 'finger posts' indicating various town walking routes.
Floral displays are planned to add a touch of colour to the town, with provision made for these blooms to be watered on a regular basis.

Picture of Brigg town centre with greenery in the foreground courtesy of Neil Stapleton.

GOOD NEWS FOR BRIGG HOUSEHOLDS: TOWN COUNCIL 'FREEZES' ITS BUDGET

Brigg households are not facing a rise in the amount they will be required to pay to help fund the Town Council during the next financial year beginning in early April. Having now drawn up its spending needs for the 2021/22 financial year, the authority has 'frozen' the budget at the current level.
It needs to be stressed that what householders contribute to Brigg Town Council only forms a small part of the overall council tax bill - the remainder of the annual charge going to help fund North Lincolnshire Council, the Humberside fire and police services and 'adult social care'.
Coun Rob Waltham made it clear during the January meeting of the town authority, held on Tuesday, that he was pleased to propose freezing the 2021/22 town budget at its present level.
The Town Council will be again be asking the community for a collective total of £118,319 to cover the 2021/22 period.
North Lincolnshire Council is what's known as a precepting authority - sending out council tax bills to households each spring and then collecting the money on behalf of itself and others.  These bills will indicate how much households need to pay in total and give a breakdown of the amount payable to each authority.
Brigg Town Council is the first serving our town to set its council tax requirement for the next financial year.
Coun Carl Sherwood told Tuesday night's meeting that no increase by Brigg Town Council would please residents, and added that spending money wisely was what the community wanted.
In future posts, Brigg Blog will take a look at some of the projects Brigg Town Council has included in its budget for 2021/22.
Long-established Town Council services include providing grants to needy local groups and organisations, managing the allotments, providing the town centre's Christmas lights, cutting some of the town's grassy areas, cleaning up the streets and tackling litter (the latter two in conjunction with the North Lincolnshire authority).

PLANS TO PROVIDE MORE BRIGG PLAY EQUIPMENT ON THE TABLE

Brigg Town Council has reacted to a request from young residents and put money in its budget for the 2021/22 financial year to provide more play equipment on one of our local parks.
An outdoor table tennis table is being suggested for the Davy Memorial Field between Bigby Road and Kings Avenue (features of which are pictured above).
Coun Rob Waltham told Tuesday night's budget-setting session that 10 youngsters had requested the installation of a table. He pointed out that not all young people were interested in playing football.
The table will be of a sturdy all-weather design and suitable for outdoor use.
Councillors are expected to discuss this project in detail at a future meeting.
The Town Council recently paid for, and installed, a replacement set of football goalposts on the Davy field, while North Lincolnshire Council provided a new slide last September.
Also placed in the 2021/22 Town Council budget is a grant towards the provision of a new Brigg 3G all-weather sports pitch to be sited at Sir John Nelthorpe School. It will be available for community use. Discussions are expected to be held with the Football Association also involved.
Also included in Brigg's town budget for the next financial year is provision of outdoor gym equipment near the riverbank and on the Millennium Green.

BRIGG TOWN VOLUNTARY SERVICE AWARD WINNER CHOSEN

Brigg's coveted annual award for public voluntary service during 2020 goes to Keith Simpson.
A local lay reader, Keith will receive the Joseph J. Magrath Trophy - named after a long-serving former Town Clerk.
Brigg has been without a vicar for 12 months since Father Owain Mitchell left St John's Church to take up a new appointment in the Peak District.
Keith continues to assist the parish in many ways and was central to the Remembrance Sunday commemorations in November at the Monument war memorial and at last weekend's Holocaust Memorial Service.
Keith was selected for this honour by Brigg Town Council during its January meeting held on Tuesday night, having been nominated by Coun Rob Waltham.
Couns Sharon Riggall and Penny Smith said he had helped them as chaplain during their years as Town Mayor.

Picture above courtesy of Ken Harrison, Brigg Matters magazine.

BESPOKE NAMES SUGGESTED BY COUNCIL FOR THREE NEWEST BRIGG STREETS

Brigg Town Council is keen to see TWO former factories which employed hundreds of local people honoured in new street names on a large housing development.
During their January meeting held last night (Tuesday, January 26) councillors agreed to call on Keigar - the local house-building company - to change two of the three street names it's proposing for an estate of more than 60 properties off Bridge Street.
Keen to remember cycle-making on this site in past decades, Keigar suggested Elswick Close, Falcon Way and Coventry Eagle Mews... and consulted the town council about these choices.
However, it was pointed out during last night's discussion that the development will also include land once occupied by the Corah clothing factory, as well as by Falcon Cycles.
It was stressed that Elswick AND Hopper were both concerned with cycle manufacture.
So Brigg Town Council's alternative suggestions are Elswick-Hopper Close and Corah Mews (plus Falcon Way as already proposed by Keigar).
Deputy Town Mayor, Coun Brian Parker, outlined Fred Hopper's contribution to cycle manufacture.
Coun Penny Smith highlighted Corah being a major employer of mainly female labour at its factory.
Town Clerk Kerry McGrath suggested the Town Council was a fairly late consultee in the naming process. However, Coun Rob Waltham stressed the authority should still pass on its list of preferred street names to Keigar's management. And this course of action was agreed.
Although dates were not mentioned during last night's debate, Corah came to Brigg in the late 1940s and continued to make garments in the town until the mid-1970s.
The Falcon Cycles factory was later visited by Lady Diana, The Princess of Wales, who was given small bikes as gifts for her then young sons.

PICTURED: An archive view to the entrance to the Falcon Cycles factory, and a recent image showing part of the site which will provide more than 60 new homes in Brigg.

50 YEARS SINCE BRIGG SCHOOL CLOSED: ANNIVERSARY COMING UP

A Brigg planning application currently awaiting a decision from North Lincolnshire Council prompted us to delve into the history and uses of a well-know building within the town centre's conservation area (pictured above as it is today and as it was in the early 1970s).
Dating back to the 18th century, it is a grade two listed property.
Approval is now being sought to make internal alterations and replace a rear bay window with bifold doors at 2 Manor House Convent, Bigby Street, which forms part of the former Brigg Manor House and Convent School.
This closed in July 1971 on instructions from the religious Order which ran it.
The grand former Manor House, occupied by the Elwes family, was given to the Rosminian Nuns, rent free, when Gervase Elwes and his wife moved to live at Billing Hall, Northamptonshire. The nuns later obtained the freehold of the building for a nominal sum.
Following closure of the Convent half-a-century ago, the property was converted to provide residential accommodation while the St Clares Walk cul-de-sac development occupied some of the manor house's extensive grounds.
Various reunions of former Convent School pupils have been held in Brigg over the years.
With the 50th anniversary of its closure coming up this summer, perhaps there will be another this summer (Coronavirus emergency permitting)?
Our former Lincolnshire Times colleague, Edward Dodd, devoted a page to the Convent in 19734 when he wrote his acclaimed Brigg book, marking the end of the Brigg Urban District Council era which stretched back to the 1890s.

BRIGG TO FLY THE FLAG FOR LINCOLNSHIRE - OUR GREAT COUNTY

Brigg is to fly the flag for historic Lincolnshire, as a tribute to our great county.
The Town Council has allocated funds in its budget for the 2021/22 financial year, beginning in April, to erect new flagpoles on the Buttercross and the Angel building - both in the Market Place.
These additions will permit the Lincolnshire and Union Jack flags to be flown when appropriate.
Coun Rob Waltham suggested these new poles during the council's budget-setting session held last night (Tuesday, January 26).
Brigg Blog has previously pointed out, or even flagged up, the fact that relatively little is done in the north of the historic county to mark Lincolnshire Day on October 1 - when compared with Lincoln and more southerly communities, large and small
So we are very pleased to see that the county flag may well be prominent in the town centre this autumn.
Hopefully, this will result in many more local people buying and eating Lincolnshire food like sausages, haslet and plum bread to celebrate our county day.
Local schools might also take up this theme to ensure the young generation knows about Lincolnshire's rich history as England's second largest county.
Read more about Lincolnshire Day and Brigg here...

PICTURED: The Lincolnshire flag being displayed at private property in Brigg.

'SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC INTEREST' IN TWO BRIGG & WOLDS PROPOSALS

Two Brigg & Wolds Ward applications will be considered by North Lincolnshire Council's Planning Committee when it meets online tomorrow (Wednesday, January 27) from 2pm.
Permission to erect an agricultural building for general purpose use is being sought for land to the south-east of Railway Street, Barnetby. This application is considered to be of significant public interest, which is why it has been referred to the committee comprising elected councillors, rather than being delegated to officers to decide. The barn's proposed location in an area classed as open countryside. However, the suggested site is directly adjacent to the development boundary of the village.
Another application of 'significant public interest' will also go before the committee tomorrow.
Planning permission is being sought to replace all the windows and external doors at Camasstraddan, 41 Main Street, Saxby-All-Saints. This is a 1970s property within the village's Conservation Area which contains a number of historic buildings.
Tomorrow's meeting will consider eight other applications from across the district, including the Isle of Axholme and Ulceby, but none from Brigg on this occasion although there are a number in the town awaiting decisions from planners.
Among the latest applications now under consideration by North Lincolnshire Council is one seeking approval to replace a side conservatory at the Old Pumphouse, Cadney Road, Howsham. A decision on this will be made in due course.
Gainsborough-based West Lindsey District Council must now decide whether to grant an application for conversion of barns to one dwelling at Little London Farm, North Kelsey.

BRIGG COUNCILLOR'S STRESSES THIS IS A 'CRITICAL STAGE' IN TACKLING COVID

Brigg's Coun Rob Waltham stresses "we cannot afford, at this critical stage, to take our foot off the pedal" during the Coronavirus emergency. Coun Waltham is the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, and our district has now received a six-figure sum to help fight Covid.

FROM JOEL FRANCIS, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

North Lincolnshire Council has received almost £400,000 to expand its work to support those most at risk from Covid-19 and boost vaccine take up.
The money will be used to expand the council’s Community Champions scheme to protect those most at risk – building trust, communicating accurate health information and ultimately helping to save lives.
It will enable the council to reach groups such as older people, disabled people, and people from ethnic minority backgrounds. The council has developed a plan to improve communications with these groups.
The Community Champions will tap into their local networks to provide advice about Covid-19 and the vaccines. Champions will also work with the council to identify barriers to accessing accurate information and to provide tailored support, such as phone calls for people who are digitally excluded, helplines, and linking to GP surgeries.
The funding will also support areas to tackle misinformation and encourage take-up as the vaccination programme expands across the country.
Communities Secretary, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, said: “It is vital that everyone has access to accurate and up to date information about Covid-19. False information about Covid-19 vaccines could cost lives. Today’s funding will help councils and community groups expand some of the excellent work already underway and reach out to their communities to ensure they have the information they need and get their questions answered. Ultimately this funding will help save lives.”
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, said: “Throughout the pandemic, our priority has been to protect the most vulnerable.
“It is vital higher-risk groups are able to access the advice and information they need whether it’s about testing, accessing the NHS or the benefits of a lifesaving vaccine.
“I’m delighted to see further funding going to local areas to support their communities during this challenging time, and I’m thankful for the continued expertise and dedication of community leaders in spreading the word about our historic vaccination rollout programme across the country.”
Vaccine Deployment Minister, Nadhim Zahawi said: “We want all communities to take up the offer of a free vaccine and I have been working closely with faith and community leaders to ensure those who may be at higher risk of harm from this virus know how they can benefit from a vaccine.
“The expansion of the Community Champions scheme will help everyone get the advice and information they need about COVID-19 vaccines.”
Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “While North Lincolnshire has been congratulated for the speed in which our most vulnerable residents have received the vaccine, we cannot afford, at this critical stage, to take our foot off the pedal.
“This new injection of Government cash will be carefully targeted to encourage those that are eligible to get the vaccine, which we know is so important to reduce transmissions, protect the NHS and save lives.
“The vaccination programme how shown us the route out of this pandemic. We need everyone who is eligible, across our whole community, to come forward. This is the only way that we will be able to get back to some normality.”

PICTURED: Coun Waltham in Brigg, and a view of the town centre from above by Neil Stapleton.

UNUSUAL BRIGG PUBLIC FOOTPATH PROVES POPULAR DURING LOCKDOWN 3

Lockdown 3 is seeing many Brigg people getting out and about on foot to enjoy the daily exercise period permitted by the government under the Coronavirus regulations and also to exercise their dogs, in a few cases.
Proving popular, and rather surprisingly so in winter, is Clothes Hedge Footpath. Pictured above, it's a narrow walkway which runs from the end of St Helen's Road to Churchill Avenue, where it connects with the meandering route running between fields to the A18 at Tongs Farm, Wrawby. In terms of location and appearance, Clothes Hedge Footpath is a rather unusual designated right of way.
The only vistas on view are tall wooden fences bordering the back gardens of properties on St James Road and O'Hanlon Avenue and their rooftops. Not having an all-weather surface, the path can also get a bit spongy underfoot following periods of rain.
However, its borders were kept trimmed by council contractors until the end of the last plant growing season.
This public footpath gets its name from a time (long ago) when housewives used to hang their washing out to dry on hedges in this area - then in open countryside and before housing development was undertaken.
Some years ago an attempt was made to close this footpath as a right of way - the argument being that St James Road and O'Hanlon Avenue were available as alternatives on either side.
However, a government inspector ruled that this public footpath should be retained - a decision vindicated by the use being made of the path during lockdown.

PICTURED: Clothes Hedge footpath at the weekend. Two walkers in suitable footwear had just used it to access St Helens Road from the Wrawby end of the track.

BRIGG'S NEWEST SHOPPING ARCHES REFLECT COURTYARDS' HISTORY

Another phase of the Brigg shopping arches project is now evident within the town centre.
Metal frames with suitable motifs have been erected at the entrances to Coney Court, Chapel Court and Cressey Yard.
The aim is to direct shoppers through these courtyards to (and from) the main Old Courts Road car park, and also reflect the history of these walkways.
Coney Court was once the local base for rabbit skin processing - the fur being supplied to businesses elsewhere which made hats and garments.
Cressey Yard has historic links with printing, stationery and the Victorian postal service.
Chapel Court/Yard remembers the Congregational place of worship (premises now occupied by the Lovelle estate agency).
Phase one of the project - also instigated by Brigg Town Council - included College Yard, which was once owned by an educational institution of note.

 

Coney Court is located a few yards to the right  for people approaching from Brigg's main bus stop on Cary Lane.

 

 

BRIGG PUB'S PICTURE GALLERY KEEPS GROWING

The Black Bull pub in Brigg town centre has filled more of its front windows with colourful pictures of local people.
Since we first posted about a couple of panes overlooking Wrawby Street being packed with pix, mine hosts at this hostelry have extended their ‘Sea of Faces' montage.
But this is not the end of the story by any means; more Brigg folk are being invited to submit pictures of themselves for future inclusion. The message is: "Keep 'em coming!"
Contributions should be emailed to blackbullbrigg@outlook.com
We noted a family group, including youngsters, stopping to admire the pictures at the weekend. 

The Bull - in keeping with all other local bars - is currently closed during Lockdown 3.
Someone (not us) has alerted BBC Look North about the growing gallery. So perhaps its presenter, Peter Levy, might consider sending an autographed 'snap' of himself for the Bull's gallery. 

 

The Black Bull frontage pictured at the weekend, with more window space available for additional pictures.

 

SALT OF THE EARTH: BRIGG IS PREPARED FOR WINTER SNOW & ICE

Chilly spells of late prompt Brigg Blog to remind townsfolk that help is at hand to keep some paths free from snow and ice if the weather turns nasty.
Some years ago the council provided street-side boxes containing salt/grit which can be spread where it's needed by spade or shovel. These are generally located near slopes - examples being on Churchill Avenue and near the inclined access road leading to the Newlands estate from Atherton Way to Almond Grove/Birch Avenue.
Back in the 1960s and 1970s it was commonplace for Brigg residents to 'salt' paths outside their front doors - at their own expense. Many town centre shopkeepers did likewise as a matter of course.
Clearing accumulated snow outside properties was also a task undertaken by many householders and shop staff.

 

Ice alongside the Old River Ancholme in Brigg yesterday, viewed from the top of the A18 bridge.

If the weather becomes particularly wintry, Brigg Town Council has a snow warden on stand-by to help co-ordinate measures to clear snow and ice, working in conjunction with the North Lincolnshire authority.
North Lincs is responsible for gritting major roads and also deploys lorries to some suburban routes.
In December 2018 we reported that, in the run up to winter, North Lincolnshire Council was supporting town and parish councils to get ready for wintry weather.
"The council runs a Snow Warden scheme, allowing appointed people to be the eyes and ears of their parish in bad weather and advise the council on the state of the roads and footpaths," we revealed.
"The council also has a dedicated budget, made available to town and parish councils in adverse weather conditions, to help them fund snow and ice clearance in their towns and villages."
Brigg's Coun Rob Waltham, as Leader of the unitary authority, met local snow wardens. He said: “The Snow Warden scheme is way we can use local knowledge to keep North Lincolnshire moving when bad weather hits. This volunteer role is vital to helping us keep main routes clear and I want to thank them for the work they do as our eyes and ears in their communities.
“Residents know their towns and villages best, so by making this special winter budget available in bad weather to our town and parish councils, they can make sure the resources are where they need to be to effectively deal with ice and snow.”
Brigg Blog added a footnote: "North Lincolnshire Council has already made it clear that Brigg town centre will be a priority area when it comes to clearing ice and snow and putting down salt to make life easier for pedestrians and traders. Hopefully, the teams of workers won't be called upon too often between now and next April. But you never know."

PICTURED: A well-stocked salt bin on the edge of the Newlands estate yesterday (Sunday, January 24); heavy snow falling on King's Avenue during a spell of particularly wintry weather in January 2012; council workers dealing with snow and ice in the Market Place some years ago; and a volunteer removing snow with a shovel outside Wetherspoon's White Horse pub in 2018.

BOB WELTON: PEOPLE FROM BRIGG AREA TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS AT HIS FUNERAL

A funeral service for long-serving cricket league official Bob Welton, who was very well known in Brigg, will be held on Friday (January 29) at Woodlands, Scunthorpe, at 10am.
Due to current emergency restrictions, the number of people who can attend in person to pay their respects is strictly limited. However, the service will be streamed online. Email admin@jnaylor-funerals.co.uk for the login details.
Bob (72), who lived locally, was chairman of the Lincolnshire County Cricket League in which Brigg Town, Broughton and Hibaldstow have teams.
Donations in his memory may be made to St Andrew’s Hospice, Grimsby, via J Naylor Funeral Directors, Comforts Avenue, Scunthorpe DN15 6PN; telephone 01724 280082.
We will be attending Bob's funeral, as will other people from our area with sporting connections.

CAN YOU HELP AS BRIGG FOOD BANK EXPANDS TO MEET RISING DEMAND?

Brigg Food Bank tells us it would really appreciate YOUR help as it continues to assist needy people living in the town and the surrounding area. The number of food parcels issued can be 'upward of 50 a week' while more than 100 Christmas hampers recently helped households. People can donate items and/or contribute to a new fund to help with the infrastructure (full details appear below). Brigg Food Bank is faced with rising demand for its services.


FROM HANNAH DOBSON, BRIGG FOOD BANK

The Brigg Food Bank, which is run in conjunction by Oikos Brigg (registered charity 1184594) and the local mutual aid group, has had the need to expand during 2020/21 due to the increased demand seen across the area and also the growing need of the support for the families helped by Brigg Children’s Centre which relies on donated food from the people of Brigg in order to supply their food parcels.
The number of parcels going out to families, couples and single people varies week on week depending on individual situations but some weeks this can be upward of 50 food parcels in one week, and we cover a large area surrounding Brigg, too. Over Christmas, we sent over 100 hampers to households to support over the Christmas period. The need also increases over school holidays, too.
Due to this increased demand, a need for a place to store the food was required and thanks to the kind support of DFDS Seaways Immingham who have donated a 45 foot storage container for us to store the food in, we are some way there in achieving this goal.
Thanks also to Nick Du Val, owner of Fun Forest Brigg, who has let us utilise his land for us to keep this container on.
Thanks also to UK Container Repairs who made sure the container was fully fit for use and arranged transport via Hansard Haulage; and, finally, Adam and the team at Countryside Services who kindly cleared the area for us to put the container on.
We are now in a position where the container requires kitting out in order to insulate it and ensure it is fit for use.
We have already been donated the fitting of the electrics and all the relevant materials by Jamie Moss at JTM Electrical, together with the labour offered by Jack Quirke (J Quirke Drylining & Building Services LTD) and Mark Dawson (Wrawby Handyman Services). 

There has been a generous donation of wood by Bennetts Timber, Brigg.
We are unable to start the work on the container until we have the required materials (insulation, ply and lats) which we currently have a crowdfunding for.
We are looking to raise at least £1,500 to help with the purchase of the materials and we also have the hope that one (or a few) of the local wood yards may have materials they can donate or provide to us at a discount.
If you’d like to discuss materials, you can contact Hannah Dobson on hannah.rebecchi@gmail.com and you can donate to the crowdfunding appeal at the following link
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/brigg-food-bank
The support the Food Bank has received this year is incredible; we have a reasonable supply of donations currently and this is thanks to the generous people of Brigg and surrounding area.
You are able to drop off items at...

• Tesco in Brigg.
• Brian’s DIY, Wrawby Street.
• One Stop Shop, Atkinson Avenue.
• Barclays Bank, Market Place.
• Ecigworld, Wrawby Street
• And there are also private residences in Broughton and Wrawby, too.

Thank you for any support you can provide on getting the container up and running; this is such a big project and the support of the community is paramount in enabling us to achieve it.

PICTURED: DFDS Seaways has donated a storage container on a site provided by Fun Forest, Brigg. Countryside Services cleared the area where it  is located.

STREET NAMES SUGGESTED FOR NEW BRIGG HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

Brigg Town Council is to discuss suggested street names received from Keigar Homes for a housing development to be built off Bridge Street.
The suggested names will be considered and discussed during the authority's first meeting of 2021, to be held online via the Zoom platform on Tuesday (January 26) from 7.15pm.
There will also be updates about the Tin Tab seating shelter refurbishment and the town's allotments. Councillors will discuss inviting nominations for the annual Civic Award (for buildings) and the Joseph J. Magrath Award for public voluntary service.
An update on North Lincolnshire Council matters affecting/involving Brigg will be given on behalf of the local ward councillors - Coun Rob Waltham and Couns Carl & Nigel Sherwood.  

Public Question time appears early on the agenda (see below).
Following the conclusion of the monthly council meeting, the Planning & Environment Committee will convene and consider two Brigg planning applications for outline permission, submitted recently:

• Erect up to nine dwellings, land at Westrum Lane.
• Residential development, Car Sales and Storage Area, Engine Street.

The committee's views will be forwarded to North Lincolnshire Council which will decide both applications in due course.
Anyone wishing to watch online or listen by phone to Tuesday's meetings needs to email the Town Council in advance - enquiries@briggmarkettown.co.uk - so arrangements can be made to admit them to the session on the night.

BRIGG HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL SERVICE TODAY

Brigg will be remembering victims of the Holocaust today (Sunday, January 24) with its annual Memorial Service, starting at 4pm.
This cannot take place at the special memorial (pictured) on the Millennium Green, off Elwes Street, due to Coronavirus emergency restrictions on public gatherings.
However, Brigg Town Council has arranged a 'virtual' service on the internet, using the Zoom platform, to which many people have signed in recent days.
The service will be conducted by local lay reader Keith Simpson.

'QUOD' BIKER RAISES AMAZING £4,137 FOR BRIGG CHARITY

 

More than £4,000 has been raised for the Brigg and District Breast Cancer Support Group by one man's marathon efforts.
Jo Goulby has contacted Brigg Blog about her husband Royce, who raised this whopping total for the local charity. Many Brigg people also know him as 'Quod'.
Jo says: "In 2020 he pledged to ride his bike for 5,200 miles it return for donations for the Brigg and District Breast Cancer Support Group. His aim was to raise £2,000. He battled all weathers; he was poorly for a short time, suffered a shoulder injury but he kept battling on as this charity meant a lot to him and he was doing it to show his support to a very special Auntie.
"Every Tuesday he would update his followers on Facebook of the miles he had achieved that week and share the link to his Just Giving page. The outcome is outstanding; he has raised a whopping £4,137."
Jo rightly says this is an amazing achievement. The money will be presented to the support group at the end of this month.
Well-known Brigg couple Phil and Dawn Clipson (ex-Britannia Inn) kindly informed Brigg Blog about this marathon fundraising effort some weeks ago and suggested we should feature it in due course.

PICTURED: 'Quod' finishing his marathon effort.

APPROVED: BRIGG PROPERTY EXTENSIONS & PRUNING OF PROTECTED TREE

North Lincolnshire Council has approved property extensions in Brigg and also given consent to the pruning of a protected tree.
The local authority has granted planning permission to erect a single-storey rear extension and single-storey side garage extension at 73 Churchill Avenue (a property not far from Wrawby Road).
A council planning assessment report concluded that neither extension would raise an issue of overshadowing and overbearing to the adjacent properties.
A standard condition applies; work must start within three years.
Consent has also been given to prune a large Sequoia tree protected by the Tree Preservation (Brigg) Order 1971. Pictured above, it is located in the front garden of 17 St Clares Walk.
A council planning report said: "The request for pruning of the tree appears to be to reduce the potential risk that it may pose and this will enable the tree to be retained here to continue to give visual amenity to the location."

BRIGG FARMERS' MARKET & THE WEATHER

Just a reminder that Brigg Farmers' Market is going ahead as planned today (Saturday, January 23) for what organiser North Lincolnshire Council calls "essential shopping." The Saturday general market will also operate.
Please comply with social distancing guidelines while browsing the market stalls, queueing and paying for produce this morning or early this afternoon.
The weather is always an important factor for open air markets in Brigg, and the Met Office says: "The colder conditions following Storm Christoph will remain until early next week, when conditions are due to become more unsettled once more." The forecasters say it will be "remaining cold."

NEW HOMES PLANNED IN BRIGG NEAR COUNTY BORDER

Outline planning permission is being sought to build up to nine new houses in Brigg.

The properties are earmarked for agricultural land on Westrum Lane  - not far from the West Lindsey district and Lincolnshire county border.
A statement sent to North Lincolnshire Council in support of the planning application which has been submitted by a couple living in Barton, says: "There is sufficient land available to achieve good size dwellings with amenity space, parking and turning and as not to result in any loss of amenity to neighbouring properties."
Although the design of the properties will be outlined at a future date if outline approval is granted, the dwellings "will not be out of keeping or have an adverse impact on the character of the area," the statement stresses.
"Considered to be of low biodiversity value" this land is described as an arable field.
"Whilst it is accepted that the site is outside of the defined settlement boundary for Brigg and is in the open countryside, it is at the edge of the settlement with built form extending beyond the application site to the north and south," the supporting statement adds.
The site suggested for development covers 0.49 hectares (1.21 acres).
North Lincolnshire Council is now considering this application, and Brigg Town Council will be consulted as part of the planning process.

FISH FANS SEEKING BRIGG TAKEAWAYS CAN ALWAYS USE THE 'POSTCOD'

When it comes to locating places in Brigg, an increasing number of people use their mobile smartphones allied to postcodes. But modern methods only go so far, and a bit of local knowledge still has its place (or plaice?) in some circumstances.
We were stopped on Cary Lane the other day by a pedestrian, smartphone in hand, who was trying to find the Hungry Fisherman on Coney Court. She got as far as the Cary Lane taxi office without spotting the takeaway. We showed her the nearby shortcut into Coney Court, behind the Servicemen's Club, and her intended destination, DN20 8EX.
A few days earlier we saw a male pedestrian and takeaway-seeker in the Market Place, smartphone in hand. He spotted Scalinis, but sadly had a wasted trip. This being a Sunday afternoon, it was closed. The Scalinis postcode is DN20 8JE.
There's also a fish & chip takeaway, The Garden, located on Grammar School Road, near Preston Drive, which is easy enough to find. However, just in case, key in DN20 8AY.

FOOD HYGIENE: TESCO STORE IN BRIGG & LOCAL SHOPS STAR RATED

North Lincolnshire Council continues to carry out routine food hygiene inspections and has recently rated two businesses in Brigg - including Tesco - two in Broughton, one in Hibaldstow and another in Elsham.
The highest possible grading - five stars, "very good" - has been awarded to Brigg's Nisa Local convenience shop on Queen Street, the Co-op stores in Hibaldstow and Broughton, and to the BP Barnetby Service Station at Barnetby Top (which is within Elsham parish).
The council has given four stars - "good" - gradings to the Tesco store on Barnard Avenue, Brigg, and to the Todays Local shop on Broughton High Street.

BOTH BRIGG PETROL STATIONS BEING REFURBISHED AT THE SAME TIME

Drivers in Brigg wishing to top up with fuel yesterday (Wednesday, January 20) found temporary no entry barriers present at entrances to both the town's petrol stations, which were closed temporarily to motorists.
Tesco had shut its facility off Barnard Avenue for improvements on Monday, and yesterday the Esso station on Bridge Street followed suit. We took this picture of the latter, known as the Brigg Service Station, early on Wednesday afternoon.
Normal service appeared to have resumed at the Bridge Street facility when we passed by on the A18 very early this morning (Thursday) but the barriers were still in place at Tesco's fuel stop.
A Tesco spokesperson told us on Monday this week: “The petrol station at our Brigg Superstore is undergoing maintenance and renovation to ensure a better experience for all our customers. We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused but it will be back open within two weeks."
North Lincolnshire Council granted planning permission to the Motor Fuel Group to raise the existing canopy over the Bridge Street petrol station, including associated works. Approval was given in November 2019 with a condition that work must start within three years.

JANUARY 2021 BRIGG FARMERS' MARKET GOING AHEAD 'FOR ESSENTIAL SHOPPING'

Brigg Farmers' Market is going ahead this weekend, North Lincolnshire Council has confirmed. The monthly event is to continue during the latest Coronavirus emergency lockdown and will be held on Saturday (January 23) from 9am into the afternoon.
Brigg Blog thought it best to double check in view of previous lockdown cancellations, and a spokesman for the local authority has now informed us: "The farmers' market is still going ahead for essential shopping."
Stalls forming the Saturday general market will also be in place on Saturday.
Shoppers visiting the Market Place will need to comply with social distancing, and many will elect to don masks although the event is being held in the open air (hopefully not too chilly!).
The farmers' markets were suspended for a spell during the initial lockdown last year.
However, we reported at the beginning of June 2020 that the council had restored Brigg's Thursday and Saturday general markets with immediate effect and also given the go ahead for the farmers' market to resume on Saturday, June 27 (see picture above we took that morning).
Free car parking will be available in the town this Saturday - a long-established concession from the council.

BRIGG AGENTS SUPPORT NEW HOMES PLANNED FOR 'BROWNFIELD' SITE

Well-known Brigg agents Brown & Co have submitted a detailed report supporting plans to build new houses on a local 'brownfield' site.
Outline planning permission is being sought for three new dwellings, including the demolition of existing commercial buildings, on land adjacent to Little London Farm, Cemetery Lane, North Kelsey.
This proposal is now being considered by West Lindsey District Council, with Brown & Co, of Market Place, Brigg, being agents for the applicant.
A planning support statement from Brown & Co accompanying this application, says: "Each dwelling would likely have a garage and a substantial garden area.
"The site was originally used as a farmyard and then was used as a haulage yard. There is evidence of use that the buildings have more recently been used for storage and as workshops."
The statement says the proposed development on a brownfield site "would provide additional housing to the village and support local services."
More new homes are being proposed locally...
North Kelsey: An application is now under consideration by the West Lindsey authority which proposes the erection of one dwelling and double garage, including the conversion and extension of an existing double garage to an annexe, on land to the rear of the Poplars, South Street.
North Kelsey Moor: Approval is being sought for the erection of a replacement dwelling at Station Lane Farm, Station Road (also in West Lindsey).
The Gainsborough-based authority has now granted outline planning permission  to build one dwelling on land at Berkley House, 23 Station Road, Grasby.
North Lincolnshire Council has approved an application to erect a two-storey side extension at 12 Mill View Gardens, Wrawby.

UPDATE ON TUESDAY'S 'MISSED' BROWN BIN COLLECTIONS IN BRIGG & DISTRICT

North Lincolnshire Council resumed brown bin (garden waste) collections yesterday (Tuesday, January 19) after a break of some weeks, but a number of vehicle breakdowns arose affecting many Brigg properties and others in nearby villages.
As a result of the difficulties, some households in parts of our town, Worlaby, Elsham and Wrawby did not have their bins emptied as planned.
The council is intending to return to these properties today, providing sufficent vehicles are available.
The authority says it will be checking this morning (Wednesday) before confirming when all the 'missed collections' will be completed.
Burgundy (cardboard and plastic) bins in our area appear to have been emptied as planned yesterday.
Mid-afternoon update: The council returned and emptied many bins in Brigg on Wednesday.

FIVE-STAR BRIGG FAVOURITE VOTED AMONG 3 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE

An attraction in Brigg has been voted among the 3 Best Places to Visit in North Lincolnshire for 2021 (lockdown permitting).
To gain this recognition and FIVE STARS as a rating from the Three Best Rated forum, Brigg Heritage Centre - located in the Angel building - faced a rigorous 50-point inspection which included local reviews, history, business standards, ratings, satisfaction, trust, price, and trading excellence.
Three Best Rated says: "Brigg Heritage Centre provides education, with children crafts, temporary exhibitions, talks and events. There is always something new."
North Lincolnshire Museum in Scunthorpe and Messingham Zoo also made the district's top three.
View full details of what Three Best Rated says about Brigg Heritage Centre, the zoo and museum here...