LEADING LIGHTS IN BRIGG MEET AT NEW VENUE FOR COUNCIL'S ANNUAL MEETING

Brigg Town Council has now added a new name to the shortlist of venues in which it has held monthly meetings down the decades.
Founded in 1974 as part of local government reorganisation, it met in what is now Hewson House, off Station Road, in the late 1970s with a few sessions in the Corn Exchange (since demolished) during the early 1980s while the old wood-panelled Glanford debating chamber was being refurbished.
The Town Council relocated to the Angel Suite when this venue was established in the mid-1990s, using the main function room and the smaller Lounge at various times.
But on Tuesday this week a fourth joined the list - Brigg Methodist Church, on Wesley Road.
It's in order for town and parish councils to meet in churches or church halls, though not on licensed premises while they are open.
Having attended Tuesday evening's session at the Methodist Church, we've been on the press bench at all the venues used by Brigg Town Council.
It remains to be seen which will be used for the next council meeting in late June.
However, the Methodist Church proved to be very acceptable and of ideal size, with decent acoustics for those who are hard of hearing.
For many years while using the main room at the Angel Suite the council had 19 members; this has since been reduced to nine. So the converted former ballroom is on the large size for this purpose.
The downstairs Lounge at the Angel, however, was a bit on the small size, especially if members of the public opted to attend.
Brigg also has the first floor room at the Buttercross, meeting facilities adjoining the Heritage Centre and St John's Church Hall.

PICTURED: Let there by light, and there was light (Genesis 1:1)... A view of Tuesday night's council meeting at the Methodist Church. From left to right, Coun Jane Gibbons, Town Clerk Kerry McGrath, Coun Rob Waltham, Town Mayor Coun Brian Parker addressing his colleagues, Coun Ann Eardley (nearest the camera) and Coun Sharon Riggall. Out of shot to the right were Deputy Town Mayor Coun Carl Sherwood and Coun Jane Kitching. Some members of the public also attended, together with the Mayor's Chaplain, Keith Simpson.