Tuesday, November 30, 2021

CRIMES RECORDED IN BRIGG MONTH BY MONTH DURING 2021


How many crimes have been recorded in Brigg so far this year? And what's the daily average? We've been doing the maths, having studied the statistics.
The latest crime figures from Humberside Police have been released through www.police.uk and show 49 crimes in a range of categories reported across the town during October 2021.
There were 20 in/near the town centre in October (six involving shoplifting) and eight crimes on the Springbank estate.
In comparison to October's 49 crimes, there were 36 in September, 41 in August, 38 in July, 54 in June, 58 in May, 57 in April, 47 in March, 36 in February and 34 in January 2021.
Brigg Blog tots that up as 450 crimes so far this year, with a monthly average of 45 which represents 1.5 crimes per day recorded by the police.

From today (Tuesday, November 30) the law requires shoppers to wear masks again on retail premises (excluding hospitality venues). Face coverings must also be used on public transport. These are anti-Covid measures introduced by the Government.

BRIGG TRIBUTES TO ROBERTA FULFORD


Brigg Town Council observed a period of silence at its latest meeting in memory of Roberta Fulford, who has died aged 65.
Town Mayor Coun Brian Parker spoke of her contribution to our community.
She undertook a great deal of organisational work for Brigg Live Arts events and was active in the folk music scene.
Roberta kindly supplied Brigg Blog with many previews and reports relating to Brigg Live Arts over the years, including its enjoyable town centre festivals.
A celebration of her life will take place at Scunthorpe's Woodlands Crematorium on Friday, December 3, from 2pm. Those attending are asked to wear cheerful attire.


BRIGG PROJECT EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED NEXT YEAR


Plans to plant an extensive hedge on the boundary of the main car park in Brigg are growing to fruition.
It will replace the current rather patchy shrubs (pictured) and look more attractive than what is currently seen by visitors and shoppers who park their vehicles.
Brigg Town Council is pressing ahead with the scheme on Old Courts Road and will be liaising with the North Lincolnshire authority which operates the car park.
Coun Rob Waltham told Tuesday night's Town Council meeting that an appropriate type of hedging needed to be chosen. He suggested they might budget up to £1,000, with planting to be undertaken next year.
Coun Waltham's idea of a small working group of councillors to look at this project in detail was agreed.
It will comprise Town Mayor Coun Brian Parker, Coun Sharon Riggall and Coun Jane Kitching.
The council is also looking to buy and install another large three-tier flower-filled planter within the pedestrian area.

Monday, November 29, 2021

14 PICTURES & REPORT: BRIGG GROUP PROVIDES FREE CHRISTMAS TEA FOR DOZENS OF GUESTS


Dozens of people were invited along to the Angel Suite in Brigg by a local group to enjoy an early Christmas tea, with entertainment, on Saturday (November 27).
The community event pictured here was hosted by members of the Brigg Angels WI (Women's Institute) who gave up their time to organise a get-together which went ahead despite the bad weather caused by Storm Arwen.
In addition to drinks and the festive fare served up by volunteers, visitors enjoyed free games of bingo (the caller being Brigg's Coun Rob Waltham), performances by the Musilova Dance School and entertainment provided by WI members.
The guests each received a Christmas gift to take home with them.
WI president Donna Dobbs has asked Brigg Blog to thank all the volunteers for giving up so much of their time.
In September we reported that Brigg Town Council had agreed a generous grant to support this function.
Ken Harrison, of Brigg Matters Magazine, attended on Saturday afternoon with his camera and has kindly shared these pictures from the event during which there was cheering in support of the NHS.
Ken said the Angels WI formed eight years ago and this was their sixth Christmas 'do' - 'Covid lockdown' having resulted in a gap in their community events until Saturday's resumption.







Coun Rob Waltham, who helped with the bingo.









BRIGG TOWN FC HAVE MIDWEEK LEAGUE GAME COMING UP


Brigg Town Football Club first teamers are scheduled to be back in action in the ToolsStation Northern Counties East Division One tomorrow night (Tuesday, November 30).
Weather permitting, the Zebras will take to the field at Worsborough Bridge Athletic for a 7.45pm kick-off.
Brigg Town are second in the table, while Worsborough (near Barnsley) are ninth.
This is a game in hand the Zebras have on leaders North Ferriby, and victory will put Brigg three points adrift of top spot.
Brigg did not have a league fixture last Saturday (November 27) and won their replacement County Cup tie on a walk-over without taking to the field.

Brigg Town Veterans' away game in the Hull League yesterday (Sunday) was called off due to the icy weather.

BRIGG IS DRAWING UP THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE QUEEN'S PLATINUM JUBILEE ARCH


Various options are being explored by Brigg Town Council for a temporary archway to be erected on the County Bridge, pictured above.
This will form the centrepiece of local celebrations to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June 2022 when there will be an extended four-day bank holiday weekend across the UK.
Options include an illuminated gantry/arch or an inflatable structure of some kind.
Town Clerk Kerry McGrath will be investigating what's available and report back to councillors in the New Year.
The Brigg Town Business Partnership is organising a range of Saturday events to mark Her Majesty's 70th anniversary as monarch, with the Town Council co-ordinating Sunday's programme. More local events will follow on the Monday.

CHRISTMAS WREATH-MAKING DEMONSTRATION AHEAD IN BRIGG


The next meeting of Brigg and District Gardening Club will take place on Thursday (December 2) at 7.30pm in the town's Methodist Church Hall, Wesley Road/Barnard Avenue.
The club will be holding a short AGM followed by a Christmas wreath-making demonstration by Lily & Moss.
"We look forward to welcoming friends old and new," the club says.
Entry is free for members and £3 for guests, including refreshments.
For more information contact the secretary on 07545 781013.

Sunday, November 28, 2021

UNUSUALLY EARLY SNOW IN BRIGG BUT WE'VE EXPERIENCED HEAVIER FALLS AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR


Brigg has experienced its first snow of late autumn 2021 this weekend... in late November as Storm Arwen hit the UK. But these are not the earliest falls the town has seen at this time of the year.
A shower of the white stuff lasting about an hour on Friday evening (November 26) did not settle, but more showers over several hours after dark last night did produce snow that lingered due to lower temperatures.
This morning (November 28) folk drew back their curtains to see a dusting on roads, pavements, buildings and gardens.
Significant wind chill made conditions feel much more unpleasant for those who decided to venture out last night (Saturday) but pubs we visited were still busy.
The earliest snowfall Brigg Blog can recall fell on November 19, 1971 and continued the following day. There were some prolonged periods. It failed to halt a Friday afternoon football match we were playing in at Brigg Grammar School.
November 2010 proved to be unusually cold. The initial snowfall came on November 24; however, November 30 saw heavy and prolonged spells of the white stuff. M180 traffic was diverted through Brigg for some hours following weather-related accidents on the motorway.

The Met Office currently has a weather alert in place for ice affecting Lincolnshire and lasting until 10am tomorrow (Monday).

The pictures seen above were taken about 11.30pm last night and at 9am today. Below - to support our comments about heavier snow falling in November - is the scene in Brigg Market Place on November 30, 2010.




BRIGG BLOG'S FOOTBALL ROUND-UP: 13-GOAL DERBY GOES DOWN A STORM


The local football derby between Barnetby United and Brigg team Briggensians proved to be a real goal fest yesterday (Saturday, November 27) as Storm Arwen hit the area.
Played at the railway village's Silver Street venue, it saw Barnetby triumph 9-4 in the EC Surfacing Scunthorpe & District League's Johnsons Transport Hospital Cup Group B. One of the Barnetby players scored a double hat-trick.
The report below and accompanying action pictures come courtesy of Barnetby's Lee Fielden, whose team are wearing the black and white strip.
At Brigg Recreation Ground, Briggensians Reserves went down 4-2 to Gunness & Burringham in Nev Watson Nursing Cup Group B. Charlie Bradley and Owen Dunderdale scored for the Brigg team.
Barnetby Reserves won 7-0 at New Holland Villa in Tortank Barton Brotherhood Cup Group B. Jake Crossland hit a hat-trick, there was a brace from Liam Davies and one goal each for Ben Clarke and Jake Parker.
Brigg Town had a match-free Saturday afternoon, the first team having already won their Lincolnshire Senior Cup quarter-final at the EC Surfacing Stadium (Hawthorns) by way of a walk-over.
Brigg Town Development's game at Wyberton in the Balcan Lighting Supplies Lincolnshire League Premier was postponed.



GOALS GALORE AT WINDSWEPT SILVER STREET

Barnetby and Briggensians shared 13 goals in Group B of the Hospital Cup in an entertaining encounter which battled the weather from start to finish.
Both sides were down to bare bones, Barnetby with just 11 and manager Fielden as the sole substitute and Briggensians a bare 11 with manager Craig Benson donning the gloves.
Barnetby kicked into the wind towards the railway lines and were 3-0 inside 24 minutes as Brendan O’Callaghan helped himself to a hat trick, twice fed in by superb 1st time balls from the newly wed and now 40-year-old Daniel Greaves.
Briggensians hit back with a superb strike from the edge of the box which gave Jackson in the goal no chance on 30 minutes.
38 minutes in and a quick throw from O’Callaghan saw Scott flick on a first time pass and Ryan Jordan dispatched home from 16 yards out to make the score 4-1.
Moments later Briggensians clipped a ball into the Barnetby box which was unfortunately turned into his own net Steve Jordan.
There was still time for O’Callaghan to add his 4th before the half time whistle to make the score 5-2.
In the opening 5 minutes of the restart O’Callaghan and Jordan both scored again before Liam Jordan was replaced by Fielden.
Briggensians reduced the score to 7-3 before O’Callaghan made it 8-3 with his 6th.
Ryan Jordan then clinically finished low into the bottom corner to bag his hat trick and become the first 16 year old since Will Hartley in March 2002 to perform the feat for Barnetby.
Briggensians still had time to notch a penalty to make the final score 9-4. Credit should go to Craig Benson in The Briggensians goal who pulled off some remarkable saves.











CALL FOR ACTION OVER LAND EARMARKED FOR NEW HOUSING NEAR BRIGG RAILWAY STATION


A call for improvements to be made to a large area of undeveloped land near Brigg railway station was made at a Town Council meeting. A development involving 40 apartments was granted planning permission four years ago but this scheme has failed to proceed.
Brigg man Phill Hewson, a committed supporter of rail transport and the local station, went along in person to raise his "grouse about the station area" with the Town Council when it met in the Buttercross.
He hoped the town authority would now press to get things moving.
Phill said he understood North Lincolnshire Council had acquired this land back in 1997. However, it appeared that the cost of upgrading Station Road as an access for vehicles was putting off potential housing developers.
One way around this was for the council to buy a vacant former car lot nearby, close ro the site, and create a new access from Bigby Road.
He had put this suggestion to the council some time ago "but nothing has happened."
Meanwhile, passengers using Brigg station were getting a poor impression due to the state of the area.
Development would turn this land "into a jewel in the crown for this town." But currently it was "a Cinderella."
He suggested a pressing need to "see what it takes to make it saleable." And he added: Let's get moving!"
Coun Rob Waltham, who is the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council as well as being a member of the town authority, gave an immediate response to the points raised.
He acknowledged the need to upgrade Station Road for future development and revealed that a North Lincolnshire Council review of this and other land was currently being undertaken. It would be some weeks before this concluded.
The authority wanted to see older people's accommodation on a site well located near the town centre and local services.
Coun Waltham pointed out that the amount of fly-tipping on the land was not helping its appearance.
With regard to the suggested new access from Bigby Road, he explained that the former car lot had been placed on the leasing market rather than being offered for sale.

PICTURED: Above - Phill Hewson listening to the discussions during the Brigg Town Council meeting, plus some of the vacant land near the railway station he wants to see improved.


STORM ARWEN FAILS TO HALT THE MONTHLY BRIGG FARMERS' MARKET


Storm Arwen failed to put a damper on the monthly Brigg Farmers' Market or the accompanying Saturday general market yesterday (Saturday, November 27).
However, those shoppers who braved the bad weather to attend had to contend with chilly conditions, sharp showers and a strong wind.
Some of the town centre stalls erected in advance for North Lincolnshire Council stood empty.
Those traders who did take up their pitches wrapped up well, and the bad weather discouraged many would-be shoppers from venturing out.
Some other outdoor events planned across North Lincolnshire yesterday were cancelled by their organisers due to the onset of the latest low pressure weather system (all given names these days).
On our way back from visiting the market, one of the shoppers' buses which picks up people across Brigg came down St Helens Road without a single passenger aboard. Normally, we would expect to see many folk heading for the town centre.
Our mid-morning picture gives an indication of the conditions that prevailed yesterday in the Market Place for the farmers' market. Other Saturday stalls were open for business on Wrawby Street.
We had intended to buy some items from one of the farmers' stalls but it proved to be one of those that went unmanned.
Hopefully, this stall, and others, will be back in business on Saturday, December 18 when the pre-Christmas event will take place - weather permitting!

Yesterday morning's weather may have been chilly, but the actual temperature had risen slightly when compared to Friday night (November 26) .

Humberside Fire & Rescue Service attended a chimney fire at a property in Melton Ross on Friday night (November 26) and used a water spray to clear embers.

Saturday, November 27, 2021

GUY MARTIN BUYS BRIGG CAR AND IT FEATURES IN HIS NEW TV SERIES GUY'S GARAGE


Guy Martin bought an old Volvo car in Brigg and it featured in the first programme in his new TV series.
Guy's Garage sees the professional motor-cycle racer turned popular TV presenter transforming old vehicles into ones he can race.
Educated in Brigg at the Vale, Guy (above left) made a four-mile trip from his home in our area to buy the Volvo which was seen in Monday night's show on Channel 4.
It was good to see Brigg getting a mention on national TV, with footage screened of the deal being done.
Guy and a good friend, colleague and fellow mechanic then went back to their local garage and combined the car purchased in Brigg with parts from other old Volvos they had sourced.
The resulting hybrid was raced by Guy in three heats on a testing off-road track in Sweden.
Guy's entertaining new series will continue on Channel 4 next Monday at 9pm.
The copyrighted images seen here come courtesy of Channel 4 and are posted with permission.



BRIGG TOWN FC 'VETS' IN TOP-OF-THE-TABLE CLASH


Player Shaun Roper has been in touch so we can update football fans about Brigg Town FC's most senior side.
The club is fielding a team in Hull & District Veterans' League Division Four this season.
Tomorrow (Sunday, November 28) Shaun and the boys (?) have a scheduled trip over the Humber Bridge to take on Hull side Springhead Highway in their next fixture, kicking off at 2pm.
This is a vital game. Brigg currently top the table with four wins and a draw from six games, while Springhead are second. Only 'goals scored' divides the teams; they have 13 points apiece and identical goal differences, although unbeaten Springhead have a game in hand.
Brigg's last league encounter was on November 14 when they won 6-3 at home to Priory A (from Anlaby).
The EC Surfacing Stadium (Hawthorns) is the Vets' home base.
Shaun Roper and Mark Smith are the team contacts, and Brigg are the only south bank team in Division Four.
This impressive veterans' league was established 20 years ago.
Find out more about it through this link...
In Division Three of the Paul Fox Scunthorpe Sunday League tomorrow, Black Bull will meet Duffs Dynamos at Brigg Recreation Ground, while Barnetby United visit Winterton Rovers.

Picture of the Brigg Town Veterans team kindly supplied by Gavin Duncan.

BRIGG MATTERS TO OUR LOCAL MAGAZINE TEAM


We've been asked to mention that FREE copies of the latest issue of Brigg Matters magazine are now being distributed in the town and some nearby settlements.
Brigg Matters - a not-for-profit quarterly publication - is produced by a team of volunteers.
Community-minded helpers also carry out the distribution, and chairman Ken Harrison himself was busy delivering copies across Brigg town centre when we spotted him the other morning.
Contributors to the Winter 2021 issue include Josie Webb, writing about the town's past; Jim Copson, on Ancholme Rowing Club, Paul Hildreth, business and retail developments; Roy Sheppard, Brigg Town Football Club; Vicky Hammond, Brigg Community Cafe; Sian Sargent, Brigg Town Business Partnership; and Carole Johnson, Men in Sheds. There are many more.
Please be patient if your copy has yet to be delivered.
Volunteers are required to help with this task. If you can assist, email sharon_worth@yahoo.com

BRIGG BLOG ENCOUNTERS TRAIN TRIP SURPRISES

 

Worthy efforts continue to persuade more local people to use the Saturdays-only passenger trains which call at Brigg railway station - three towards Grimsby and Cleethorpes and three heading for Kirton Lindsey, Retford and Sheffield.
Brigg Blog decided to do our bit last Saturday (November 20, 2021) by boarding at the town's station to change trains at Barnetby for one heading towards Nottinghamshire.
It proved to be a very interesting day out with a difference, with some surprises, including an unexpected 'replacement bus'.
The Independent Brigg Line Rail Group (IBLRG) has long campaigned to raise public awareness of what is a Northern company service along the iconic local line. More modern diesel units are now evident, having replaced the 'bus on wheels' Pacers which offered faithful, if basic, travel for so many years.
We joined three other Brigg residents on Platform 1 to board the first train of the morning (and week!) towards the east coast.
The Class 150 unit was a couple of minutes late arriving at 9.15am, having traversed part of the original mid-19th century Manchester Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway mainline from the steel city via Gainsborough Central and Kirton's lengthy tunnel.
We bought a day ticket to Newark from the guard/conductor and enjoyed the ride past Brigg signalbox, the Bigby Road barrier crossing and through Kettleby.
A signal stop at Wrawby Junction permitted a good view of the landmark 137-lever brick-built signalbox, dating from the early 20th century. Although taken out of service some years ago, it's still standing - being grade two listed. This was once the biggest 'box' on the Great Central Railway.
We alighted at Barnetby station but faced a lengthy wait (until 10.58) to board the next East Midlands service towards our destination.
Until quite recently, the first Brigg train of the morning arrived a few minutes before a connecting Newark-bound unit. However, this is no longer the case. 

 



The weather being dry and mild for November, we walked from the station to take a look at the disused Barnetby East signalbox, close to which a new Co-op company store is now being built, and also new housing.
 


Having read an article in that morning's Daily Star highlighting the discomfort caused by the closure of many railway station toilets across the UK, we walked past the Barnetby village conveniences on the station approach road. They were open, clean and in good order, with hand-washing, soap dispensers and hot air dryers all operating. We tested them.
 


Barnetby station is unstaffed and does not have toilets for passengers to use. However, we failed to find any indication on the platforms to inform customers there is a block of WCs (cared for by North Lincolnshire Council) only a few yards away.
The addition of new signs on the platforms and/or messages on the visual display screens might bring welcome relief to some waiting customers who are 'caught short'.
This is North Lincolnshire's main railway junction, where many people change trains. So not all passengers will have local knowledge about the village WCs being close by.
 

 

Obviously, the adjacent Whistle & Flute pub/restaurant (originally the Station Hotel) has toilets available to paying customers, but the hostelry is not open at all times when trains are running.
Pay-and-display car parking is available close to the station. The meters do not take cash but contactless card payments can be made.
 


Built more than 100 years ago, Barnetby station's former booking office (now long closed) provides office accommodation only and is known as Stothard House - a former railway manager-related name.
 


After returning to the station in good time to await our connection, we were interested to hear periodic public address notices urging waiting passengers to wear masks in crowded places, including this station. At the time we were the only person on any of the four platforms, where the only enclosed structures are a few small waiting shelters. Elsewhere, things are al fresco!
Earlier, though, we had met someone we knew who was boarding a TransPennine Express train towards Doncaster (pictured at the top of this post). Others joined him, but then things became quiet again.
A very lengthy freight train full of biomass imported through Immingham rumbled through on its way to Drax power station in Yorkshire, ahead of our unit arriving.
 


Some of Barnetby station's nearby sidings are overgrown with trees and bushes which, if cleared, might perhaps help generate more electricity for the nation at Drax (or another similar facility) and potentially address the railway's traditional 'leaves on the line' autumn wheelslip issues,
Bang on time our connecting train arrived in Platform 3 and we boarded a two-car Class 170 - a comfortable successor to the older DMUs that operated last time we used this service.
However, when two train staff arrived to check our ticket, they told us this train was not going through to Newark; it would be terminating at Lincoln due to engineering work being undertaken on the route beyond. We didn't think to check in advance.
Helpful staff at Central station ensured that train passengers knew where the replacement buses were waiting for them and the times of departure.
However, the meandering route meant progress was going to be slow. There was a sightseeing tour of some of the city's historic streets and buildings (at no extra charge!). The replacement bus called at Hykeham station (bordering Lincoln) and then others on either side of the Lincs/Notts border.
This rural ride through the countryside proved interesting and enjoyable, but eventually we reached the historic Civil War town and its Newark Castle station, which we hadn't seen close up for more than 50 years, although we have made many visits to mainline Northgate.
Newark Castle station has impressive architecture and staff were present - something Brigg station hasn't enjoyed since the late 1960s!
It had taken 3¾ hours to get there  - a journey that could have been undertaken by car in 45-50 minutes.
Newark's impressive Real Ale Store being nearby offered a golden opportunity to stock up with a few tasty bottled beers from its extensive selection - for later consumption.
Newark Sugar Factory is engaged in a beet processing campaign at this time of the year. The earthy aroma brought back memories of decades when Brigg's own sugar-making facility was still going strong prior to being closed on the grounds of economy.
The Brigg factory (actually in Scawby) had connecting links with the Brigg railway line and even its own shunting locos (steam and later diesel) to sort wagons in the factory sidings.
We decided to pen these Saturday railway journey reflections following the high number of page views gained by a recent post about Brigg man Adrian Broome's Saturday visit to Sheffield. He even provided us with a headline: A Trip Down Memory Line.
Please note if you are planning to use the Saturdays-only passenger train service from Brigg that timetable changes are ahead. View details here...



Barnetby East signalbox (now disused) viewed from the top of the village railway station's footbridge - November 2021 - with the Lincolnshire Wolds beyond.

Friday, November 26, 2021

PICTURES FROM THE BRIGG CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH-ON & FESTIVE FAIR 2021


There was a big attendance from people of all ages for the Brigg Christmas Lights 2021 switch-on last night (Thursday, November 25). It was accompanied by a festive fair with stalls, plus late night shopping.
The weather stayed fine, which helped the turn-out, but it did prove to be chilly - a fact reflected in the number of people clamouring for hot food.
Pictured here are examples of the many illuminations which now extend from East Park through the town centre to where Bridge Street joins the A18.
The displays, which will continue after dark over the coming weeks, have been provided by Brigg Town Council.
Talking points last night included the snowflake patterns (pictured here) which were projected onto the front of the Buttercross and the colourful tinges added to this historic building's clockfaces. Music was played from the Bandstand in the Market Place which formed a central point for proceedings.