NEW BRIGG MUSEUM SUGGESTED DURING PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Showcasing items from our town's rich history, Brigg Heritage Centre has proved a very welcome and popular addition to the town ever since it opened in the Angel building.
Ten years ago a public consultation session led to calls for something to be created along these lines.
Brigg Blog reported on June 13, 2011 that Brigg deserved to have its own museum - this being one of the suggestions to arise from this public meeting.
Fifty community-minded Brigg people gave two hours of their time to help in a long-term project designed to establish a blueprint for future development of the town.
They attended an open forum organised by the team drawing up Brigg's first Community-Led Plan, overseen by Brigg Town Council with funding obtained through the North Lincolnshire unitary authority.
We explained: "The museum idea was relayed to be meeting at Demeter House School, on Bigby Street, by Coun Andrew 'Sass' Markham, who said he thought this would be an excellent move, given Brigg's interesting history."
Noting that Barton alreay had a museum, he said: “There's a lot of history in Brigg. It would be great if we could get it done.”
Tom Glossop, who was continuing to work on this project despite retiring from the Town Council, outlined the aim of the Community-Led Plan - part of a government initiative for small communities.
"It will form the blueprint for our future," he explained.
Tom told the audience that they, and other residents, now had the opportunity to be part of shaping the development of the place in which they lived.
"I am absolutely delighted to see so many of you here tonight," he added. "We want you to come up with your ideas."
Tom said they needed people's opinions about what was felt to be good, bad or missing in Brigg. And also to hear what members of the public wanted developed in the future.
In a lengthy session, organisers of the Community-Led Plan then took note of people's views and chatted to them about their aspirations for Brigg.
Some of these suggestions were then outlined to the audience, promoting a number of questions and comments.
A huge amount of information was recorded on many topics, ranging from a wish to see the recreation ground improved to developing river use and getting an improved train service.
There was support for improving traffic flows along the A18, cutting down abuses of the pedestrian area and improving parking and even reducing the speed limit between Brigg and Wrawby to 30mph.
"The comments received will be added to those already gleaned from presentations made to small groups in Brigg, of which more will soon be undertaken," we reported 10 years ago.
Team leaders from the Community-Led Plan who addressed the public forum were Ken Harrison, Brigg town councillors Lesley Whitehand, Sheila Boughey, Andrew Markham, Jane Kitching and Jackie Brock. Other councillors were offering support, including Ann Eardley and the Rev Alec Depledge.
An extensive selection of Ken's 2011 pictures of Brigg streets, buildings and places of interest were projected onto a large screen throughout the meeting - on a continuous loop.
Ten years later, it's interesting to note that some of the topics raised during this public consultation session have been achieved, including the revamp of the Rec Ground by North Lincolnshire Council.
Others mentioned, including abuses of the pedestrian area by some motorists and achieving an improved passenger train service are still talking points today but remain unresolved.
The Community Led Plan was completed and duly adopted to form part of the local planning framework relating to developments.
The Heritage Centre launched on June 1, 2012. May 2013 saw the famous prehistoric Brigg Raft - also known as the Bronze Age Brigg Boat - put back on show to the public. The second phase of Brigg Heritage Centre opened in November 2013.
In November 2010, Brigg Blog suggested our town deserved "its own little museum to help entertain and inform tourists and day visitors."
We had visited Oban, Scotland (population about 8,000) for a short break holiday (by coach from Cary Lane, Brigg) and enjoyed visiting its "wonderful museum, staffed by volunteers. No entry charge - visitors make a donation if they wish."
We explained: "It offers many interesting photos, newspaper cuttings, old military uniforms, items of memorabilia, etc, showing the history of Oban and district."
Real similarities there, of course, with today's Brigg Heritage Centre!
Tom Glossop was made the first Freeman of Brigg in 2011 to mark his lengthy and valued service to the community.

PICTURED: A busy market day in Brigg more than 100 years ago.