WEEK-LONG ROADWORKS IN BRIGG FROM TODAY

 

Roadworks affecting two well-used streets in Brigg are scheduled to start today (Monday, January 31) and will continue for the remainder of the week through to Saturday (February 5).
Drivers using a section of the A1084 Bigby High Road and Westrum Lane (a cul-de-sac) can expect delays resulting from temporary traffic lights.
North Lincolnshire Council, our local highway authority, will be replacing the road surface.
Work on Bigby High Road is scheduled to be carried out during daylight hours; the potholed top part of Westrum Lane (near the signalbox) will be dealt with after 6pm.
The council informs us that access to properties and businesses in this part of the town will be maintained.
It is apologising for any inconvenience resulting from the roadworks.
These pictures - showing roadside signs advising motorists about the forthcoming roadworks - were taken over the weekend.

 

 

BRIGG FOOTBALLERS THROUGH TO CUP SEMI-FINALS

Brigg Sunday footballers secured themselves a knockout cup semi-final place yesterday (Sunday, January 30).
Black Bull defeated Duffs Dynamoes 4-2 (after extra time) at Brigg Recreation Ground in a Bob Bedford Memorial Cup quarter-final tie. The score was 2-2 after 90 minutes.
Black Bull FC is allied to the pub & sports bar on Wrawby Street, Brigg (pictured above).
Two local sides played games in Division Three of the Paul Fox Scunthorpe & District Sunday League yesterday.
Barnetby United won 3-2 at Winterton Rovers, while Hibaldstow's home game with Blyborough ended 3-3.
FC Recoveries, who play their Division Four home games in Hibaldstow, were away yesterday and lost 6-0 at Ashby Mill Road.

BRIGG CRIME TOTAL FOR THE YEAR REVEALED

The latest Humberside Police monthly crime statistics for Brigg have been revealed through www.police.uk
The figures show that 37 crimes in various categories were recorded in the town during December 2021.
Eighteen of these incidents took place in/near the town centre, with six on the Springbank housing estate and four in/near Newlands.
The total for December (37) shows a significant reduction on November when 65 Brigg crimes were logged.
The other monthly figures for 2021 were October 49, September 36, August 41, July 38, June 54, May 58, April 57, March 47, February 36, January 34.
Brigg Blog has totted up the crime total for 2021.
It was 552, giving a monthly average of 46 - fewer than 1½ crimes per day being reported to the force.
Crime stats graphic credit: Google Maps/Humberside Police/www.police.uk

PROPOSED ARCH OF LIGHTS IN BRIGG FOR QUEEN'S PLATINUM JUBILEE TOO COSTLY

Brigg Town Council has decided not to proceed with a proposed scheme for a temporary Arch of Lights over the County Bridge to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June.
However, although this plan was too costly, it appears the idea of having an illuminated display of some kind near the River Ancholme is not dead in the water if an acceptably priced scheme can be agreed.
When councillors held their latest meeting, Coun Carl Sherwood looked at a five-figure projected cost and proposed the authority did not proceed with what was being proposed. However, he felt the idea was wonderful, in principal.
Coun Rob Waltham agreed, saying he did not think anyone in the town would be in favour of the level of expenditure being proposed.
However, although this scheme was not considered viable, he stressed there was a need to "keep the option."
The January session in the Buttercross received an update on what is going to be staged in Brigg to mark Her Majesty's 70 years as monarch.
Town Mayor Coun Brian Parker said the Jubilee Committee had met recently.
Events will include a St John's flower festival in which Brigg Town Council will be taking part, a beacon, a Last Night of the Proms event featuring Barnetby Silver Band, and a special market.
Events will be held over a number of days.
The Jubilee Committee will be meeting again in March.

HAT-TRICK NETTED FOR BRIGG TOWN FC IN ANOTHER HIGH SCORING GAME

Brigg Town Football Club dropped points in their quest to gain promotion but were involved in another high scoring game, with the Zebras' leading marksman netting a hat-trick.
Brigg, who have netted more goals this season than any side in the league, drew 4-4 with Shirebrook at the EC Surfacing Stadium (Hawthorns) yesterday (Saturday, January 29).
The visitors netted two late goals to level the scores and share the points.
Brigg Town remain third in Toolstation Northern Counties East Division One; second-placed North Ferriby also drew yesterday, but leaders Hallam won to extend their lead.
Watched by another sizeable crowd (258) the Zebras led 3-1 at the interval, but Shirebrook hit back in the second half and netted their fourth in the 90th minute.
Brigg's scorers were Scott Phillips (3) and Jon Oglesby.
The top side in Division One at the end of the season will gain automatic promotion. The four teams below them with then play off to see who accompanies them into the Premier for 2022/23.

PICTURED: Top left - the Brigg v Shirebrook pre-watch warm-up yesterday viewed from the stands by Town supporter Simon Fisher.

BRIGG BLOG'S SATURDAY FOOTBALL ROUND-UP: GOOD WINS FOR BARNETBY & BRIGGENSIANS

Brigg Blog congratulates Barnetby United for making it through to the final of a league cup competition yesterday (Saturday, January 29) while Briggensians also won their game at Brigg Recreation Ground.
In the EC Surfacing Ltd Scunthorpe & District League's Johnsons Hospital Cup Group B, Barnetby won 6-1 at Baltic Boys. See match report below and action pictures here from Lee Fielden.
At Brigg Rec, Briggensians beat Manor Park 2-1 in the same group - Justin Walker and Luke Jollands being the local side's scorers.
Barnetby United Reserves drew 0-0 when hosting Crosby Colts in Barton Brotherhood Cup Group B.
Briggensians Reserves were not in league action yesterday.

RAILWAYMEN BOOK IN TO HOSPITAL CUP FINAL

Barnetby United sealed their place in the 2021-22 Hospital Cup Final following a 6-1 away win at Baltic Boys that saw them claim 15 points in group B with a game to go.
Down the slope, with the wind to their backs Barnetby flew out of the traps. Harry Finnis slotted home the opening goal on 4 minutes and a minute later captain Joe Scott headed home his 9th of the season following a sumptuous Greaves cross.
The Baltic Boys keeper pulled off 2 outstanding saves to keep his side in the game and his heroics were rewarded at the other end after 25 minutes as Baltic Boys  were awarded a penalty, that was duly dispatched by Csaba-Attila Portik.
2-1 at the interval, The Railwaymen restored their 2 goal lead on 49 minutes when Brendan O’Callaghan  battled his way through the Baltic box to riffle home his 50th goal for club.
He rounded out his hat trick with the 4th and 5th  goal before Tom Watson added the 6th.
Liam Jordan Popple and Greaves were a solid line and backed up by Steve Jordan,
Scott, Stothard and Green in defence with Gunn in goal.

 

League tables seen here are courtesy of the EC Surfacing Ltd Scunthorpe & District Football League.

NEW USE PLANNED ABOVE COSTA COFFEE IN BRIGG TOWN CENTRE

A new use is being proposed for the floor above the popular Costa Coffee outlet in Brigg town centre.
A London-based company wants to create four self-contained first floor flats at 9 Wrawby Street.
An application seeking approval for change of use for this part of the building has been submitted to North Lincolnshire Council, our local planning authority.
The first floor is described as 'largely vacant'. Alterations to the frontage are proposed, together with the formation of new window openings and the installation of roof lights.
It is also intended to erect a steel external access staircase to the rear of the building which is within the Brigg Conservation Area but not a listed structure.
A statement submitted in support of the application says "elements of the building externally are to be repaired and replaced on a like-for-like basis."
This will further enhance the property and the existing town centre, the statement adds.
A public consultation period has been assigned by the local authority and will end on February 16. North Lincolnshire Council will then make its decision at a future date. Brigg Town Council will be consulted.
Costa's outlet, on the ground floor, does not form part of the proposed scheme.
Our pictures, taken yesterday, show the front and rear of this long and narrow building, viewed from Wrawby Street and Old Courts Road.
There is considerable demand for flats in Brigg, and 9 Wrawby Street is among a number of properties within the town centre which have unused space on one or more upper floors.

FIRE SERVICE CALLED TO INCIDENT ON BRIGG ROAD

With Storm Malik bringing strong winds across the UK there was a call-out in the Brigg area for the Humberside Fire & Rescue Service late yesterday morning (Saturday, January 29, 2022).
It reported that the large bough of a tree had snapped and was resting across power lines on Brigg Road, Wressle.
The fire & rescue service "stood by" until the arrival of Northern Power Grid.

IMPORTANT PIECE OF BRIGG HISTORY COMING BACK TO THE TOWN

The first person to be made a Freeman of Brigg - a very high local honour - made a surprise appearance at the Town Council's latest monthly in the Buttercross to deliver good news about the return of an important historic item to be displayed in the town.
Tom Glossop, who served as a town councillor for 32 years until his retirement in 2011, visited the Buttercross to address present day councillors during the public forum at the start of the meeting.
Retired youth worker Tom said he had good news; an historic thesis about Brigg had finally been located.
It relates to a famous figure from the world of music who once had links with the town.
Brigg Blog can recall the first part of this long-running saga coming to light during a council meeting held in the Angel Suite nine years ago.
We reported in 2013 that correspondence between Brigg and Australia had followed the discovery that the local copy of Volume I of the Percy Grainger Thesis, with reference to his visit to Brigg, appeared to have been mislaid.
Percy was an Aussie-born composer, pianist and arranger - perhaps best known for the tune English Country Garden.
He came to Brigg early in the 20th century to collect folk songs and heard the traditional 'air' Brigg Fair being performed. It was later turned into a popular classical work by fellow composer Frederick Delius.
The meeting nine years ago heard that Tom - well known for singing Brigg Fair at various events - had been in touch with a university in Australia (holder of the original thesis).
Meanwhile, North Lincolnshire Council was to take on the task of tracking down the local document, it was suggested at that time.
Fast-forwarding to the present, Tom informed councillors on Tuesday that a version of the thesis was currently in Scunthorpe, but in his opinion should be housed in Brigg. He was in touch with library staff (at North Lincolnshire Council) to get the work returned to the town.
"That's my good news," Tom told councillors. "We've got it back."
Brigg Blog thinks many local people will be interested in viewing this historic document in the Angel building, in due course. This is the location of the Library and Brigg Heritage Centre.
The Angel was still a thriving hotel when Brigg Fair was performed by Joseph Taylor, of Saxby-All-Saints, at the Music Festival in 1900. This was a key moment in bringing the traditional folk song into the public domain and raising its profile.
Frederick Delius's Brigg Fair 'English rhapsody' (composed in 1907) remains a popular choice at classical music concerts and featured in The Last Night of the Proms 2021, broadcast by the BBC.
Located very close to the Angel, Brigg Corn Exchange hosted the music & drama festival for decades but was demolished by Glanford Borough Council in 1994, two years after its closure as a major venue.

 

PICTURED: The Corn Exchange prior to demolition and Tom Glossop with the coveted Freeman of Brigg scroll he received in 2011 - the first person to get this honour in the town. In the background, applauding, is Ian Cawsey, who would later become a Freeman of Brigg himself, together with seven others. View details here...

WINNERS OF TWO MAJOR BRIGG ANNUAL AWARDS CHOSEN

The winners of two major Brigg Town Council awards were chosen at the authority's latest monthly meeting, held this week in the Buttercross.
Julie Taylor receives the Joseph J. Magrath Trophy for public voluntary service to the community.
The Town Council's Building Award goes to the Kennedi Boutique for its refurbished premises on Wrawby Street - Aimee Waudby's well-established fashion business having relocated from the Market Place.
The Town Council says Julie is being rewarded for her efforts as a volunteer, especially for all the voluntary hours she gave as "a key partner in the successful Covid Vaccination roll-out programme in Brigg."
Kennedi's award is "to recognise its commitment to Brigg in the refurbishment of the shop on Wrawby Street, enhancing the area."
These trophies will be presented during Town Mayor Coun Brian Parker's Charity Civic Dinner on Saturday, March 5.
In keeping with a council and press agreement going back many years, Brigg Blog delayed announcing the award winners for some days to ensure those chosen had been officially notified.
The voluntary service award is in memory of Joseph J. Magrath, the long-serving Clerk to Brigg Urban District Council and (from the mid-1970s into the 1980s when he retired) Brigg Town Council's first Clerk. His connections with local government in the town began in the 1930s, and he was the proud recipient of the OBE.
The Civic Building Award was introduced in 1984 "in recognition of a feature which is best considered to have improved the appearance of the town during the previous year."  The winner receives a circular plaque to be displayed on the premises.

 

PICTURED: Julie Taylor (top left), Aimee Waudby and the Kennedie premises on Wrawby Street, Brigg. Aimee is seen celebrating her Brigg business's 10th anniversary in May 2017.

BLOOMING BIG GRANTS FOR BRIGG & BROUGHTON

Streets in Brigg and Broughton and seven local villages will feature colourful flowers following the award of grants by North Lincolnshire Council as part of the unitary authority's Spring in Bloom 2022 initiative.
Brigg Town Council's latest meeting, held earlier this week, heard that £1,413 had been earmarked for local use.
An application had been submitted for hanging baskets and planters in Brigg.
Other local grants very recently agreed by North Lincolnshire Council include:
Broughton Town Council: planters & plants, £1,196.
Elsham Parish Council: bulbs, plants and path edging, £186.
Hibaldstow Parish Council: trees & wildflower seeds, £192.
Kirmington & Croxton Parish Council: plants, £222.
Saxby All Saints Parish Council: bulbs, £174.
Scawby Parish Council: new flowerbed, £185.
Worlaby Parish Council: trees & wildlflower seeds, £186.
Wrawby Parish Council: plants, £296.
Various other 'In Bloom' grants were made to towns and villages in other parts of North Lincolnshire.

In addition, a £4,369 community grant has also been earmarked by North Lincolnshire Council for Kirmington and Croxton Parish Council to replace two noticeboards and three benches and to provide football nets and a line-marker.

 

PICTURED: Planters and hanging baskets in Brigg town centre, and Broughton Village Hall.

BRIGG SUNDAY FOOTBALLERS IN CUP-TIE ACTION AT THE REC GROUND

Brigg football team Black Bull have a Paul Fox Scunthorpe Sunday League game coming up tomorrow (January 30) with Barnetby United and Hibaldstow also in action.
Black Bull, whose HQ is the pub on Wrawby Street, will be at home to Duffs Dynamos at Brigg Recreation Ground, off Wrawby Road, in the second round of the Bob Bedford Memorial Cup (sponsored by The Crown Inn, Messingham), kicking off at 10.30am.
The same start time applies to Hibaldstow's Division Three home game against Blyborough and to Barnetby United's visit to Winterton Rovers in the same section.
FC Recoveries, who play their home games in Hibaldstow, travel to the Co-op ground in Scunthorpe tomorrow for a Division Four match against Ashby Mill Road.
Bob Bedford was a very well-known local league and Lincolnshire FA official, as well as being a leading referee.
Brigg Town FC Veterans do not have a fixture in the Hull & District League this Sunday.
Their next Division Four game will be against Lord Nelson at the EC Surfacing Stadium (Hawthorns) on Sunday, February 6 (2pm).
Broughton WMC (Division One) are also without a game in the Paul Fox competition tomorrow.

THE SMOKING GOAT OPENING IN BRIGG TODAY AND ITS WEBSITE IS NOW UP AND RUNNING

New Brigg fast food outlet The Smoking Goat will be launching at 4pm today (Friday, January 28).
It is located on Glebe Road - not far from Grammar School Road - at DN20 8QG. Opening hours are 4pm to 10.30pm.
Welcoming customers to "The Smoking Goat Brigg Restaurant" on its newly-launched website, the outlet says it offers "a fun, friendly and lively atmosphere."
Here's a link to the website...
Items on the menu include The Goat Burger, The Triple Stacker and a Chicken and Chips Snack Box. Shakes, desserts and soft drinks are available.
There is already an established Smoking Goat on Frodingham Road, Scunthorpe.

The Smoking Goat was mentioned during Brigg Town Council's monthly meeting earlier this week.
Mention was made of food premises being at this location on Glebe Road through many decades.

WIDE RANGE OF ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIGG PUBS THIS WEEKEND

 

 

There's a varied programme of entertainment coming up in Brigg town centre licensed premises this weekend.
Singer Curly will be performing at the Woolpack on Saturday night (January 29).
When appearing at this Market Place venue in June 2018, he was "live and acoustic."
The Black Bull, on Wrawby Street, will be staging a re-run of New Year's Eve - NYE Take 2 - on Saturday evening. A couple of members of popular local Britpop band The Dirty Pitchers will be hosting a singalong, with karaoke and fun & games to be followed by a countdown to midnight.
A disco & karaoke session will be on offer on Saturday night at the Dying Gladiator, Bigby Street, and there will be music playing at the Britannia Inn, Wrawby Street.
All the above are free to attend.
Brigg & District Servicemen's Club, Coney Court, is re-starting its Saturday Bonus Ball Syndicate from January 29 - details being available from the bar.
Thursday (January 27) marked the seventh anniversary of the White Horse, on Wrawby Street, opening as a Wetherspoon company pub/restaurant in 2015.

BRIGG TOWN FC AT HOME AND LOOKING TO MOVE INTO THE TOP TWO

A sizeable crowd is expected for Brigg Town Football Club's first team home game tomorrow (Saturday, January 29).
The Zebras, who have been in fine form in recent weeks, will be welcoming Shirebrook Town to the EC Surfacing Stadium for a 3pm kick-off.
Brigg are third in Toolstation Northern Counties East Division One, while the visitors from Nottinghamshire are 16th in a table comprising 21 teams.
Pips Kitchen and the Hawthorns' licensed bar will be open for refreshments on match day.
Promotion-chasing Brigg, the division's top scorers with 103 goals so far, will be hoping to move above current leaders Hallam and/or second-placed North Ferriby tomorrow. They both have away fixtures.
In the EC Surfacing Ltd Scunthorpe & District Football League, it's week five of the Johnsons Transport Hospital Cup this Saturday with Briggensians hosting Manor Park in Group B at Brigg Recreation Ground (2pm) and Barnetby United visiting Baltic Boys.
Barnetby United Reserves will be entertaining Crosby Colts at Silver Street in Group B (week five) of the Tortank Barton Brotherhood Cup (2pm).

 

Brigg Town FC have now kindly confirmed the date of their Lincs Cup semi-final against Bottesford - Wednesday, February 23 at the EC Surfacing Stadium (7.45pm).

RESIDENTS ENJOYING VISITS TO NEWEST BAR IN BRIGG

Residents are enjoying popping into a new bar in Brigg to sample its range of real ales.
It is not open to the general public but is there to serve residents of the Orchard Court Care Home.
A spokeswoman for the home on Wrawby Road told Brigg Blog: "During the pandemic and lockdown, our wonderful residents were unable to get out to socialise as they would during normal times.
"Our Home Manager, Tracy Mussett, thought it would be a good idea to erect a building in the grounds of our home for our residents to be able to get that 'going out experience' whilst keeping safe from Covid-19.
"The maintenance team of Orchard Court & Jasmine Healthcare purposely built a bar/pub for our wonderful residents.
"It has been a great success and has made a difference to our residents' well-being.
"Residents are able to socialise with their loved ones in the pub during visits.
As a home we have kept our residents safe from Covid with not one case amongst them.
"Team Orchard have gone above and beyond during the past two years throughout the pandemic to ensure that the well-being of our residents has not been affected."
Orchard Court has kindly supplied the above picture showing one of the residents behind the bar, which is called Rainbow’s End.
For further information about this home, call 01652 653845.
Brigg Blog (and others living locally who like real ales) will be interested to see a fine cask selection on-pump here - Black Tor Resolution, Directors and Old Speckled Hen, plus a range of bottled drinks including Church's Ginger Wine and Bailey's Original.

MONEY IN THE BUDGET TO KEEP BRIGG SHOPPERS' BUS SERVICE RUNNING

New CCTV cameras, additional public seating benches for the riverside and a continuing subsidy for the shoppers' bus to take people to and from the town centre are among items included in Brigg Town Council's budget for the 2022/23 financial year which starts in early April.
The council agreed its budget at a meeting held in the Buttercross on Tuesday night (January 25).
Funds have been assigned for a long-planned future project to provide a 3G all-weather sports pitch at Sir John Nelthorpe School which is expected to be available for community use, once constructed.
The Millennium Green, on Elwes Street, is to receive upgraded paths.
Grass cutting carried out by a contractor for the Town Council now includes the Cemetery and Woodbine Park.
'Multiple bird boxes' are included among environmental projects, and there will be further support for Brigg in Bloom which provides colourful flowers at various locations.
Periodic river cleaning will continue on the Ancholme as will the Christmas lights display provided within the town centre.
A metal arch, in keeping with others already installed at the entrances to various courtyards, will be erected at the top of Exchange Place between the Lord Nelson Hotel and the Angel building. There was one at this spot many years ago.
The council's handyman service will operate 25 hours a week to carry out a range of duties, including cleaning, installation work and repairs.
Funds have also been assigned to prepare for the new allotments on part of Woodbine Park (rented to tenants wishing to grow their own fruit & veg).
In proposing the budget for the 2022/23 financial year, Coun Rob Waltham looked back on the current one which will end in April.
He said the council had invested in its handyman service, Brigg in Bloom, the provision of new bench seating and the installation of an outdoor table tennis table at the Davy Memorial Park.
He made reference to the shoppers' bus - a service appreciated by many residents.
The bus (pictured above) follows a circular route to collect passengers from various housing estates so they can visit shops and markets.

NEW CO-OP STORE NOW TAKING SHAPE IN BARNETBY: WOULD BRIGG WELCOME ONE?

Brigg Blog has previously expressed its surprise that the Co-op - a very well-known and well-regarded retailer - has yet to establish one of its many Lincolnshire food and convenience stores in our town.
However, one its now taking shape in nearby Barnetby village, as the recently-taken 'progress picture' above illustrates.
Over recent years, the Co-op has built and opened convenience stores in Broughton (similar population size to Brigg) Hibaldstow and Scawby which are proving popular with customers.
There are others in the former Glanford area, and also in the Isle of Axholme, North Lincolnshire.
Back in the 1960s and perhaps early 1970s there was a Co-op store midway along Glebe Road, Brigg.
The facility now taking shape off Victoria Road, Barnetby, occupies a site once used by a well-known scaffolding company.
Its nearness to Barnetby railway station is bound to result in custom from waiting passengers once the store opens. It is on track to do so this summer and will create 14 full-time jobs.
Barnetby's food store Co-op will stock fresh and frozen goods, "100% British" meat, fruit & veg, chilled beers and wines and freshly baked bread, pastries and "sweet treats."
There will also be a Love Local range which includes Alfred Enderby fish and Docks Beers, both from Grimsby.
Picture credit: Anne-Marie Wescott, Barnetby.
Brigg Blog last gave an update on the store-building project in November 2021 when groundwork had just started.
The wooden Barnetby East signalbox, seen in the distance - was decommissioned several years ago by Network Rail.

GOOD NEWS FOR COUNCIL TAX PAYERS IN BRIGG

There is good news for households in Brigg when it comes to their council tax bills.
While many items people have to buy in shops or online are costing more and utility bills are rising, Brigg Town Council will not be increasing what townsfolk have to pay for its services.
For the 2022/23 financial year, beginning in early April, the Town Council has agreed to 'freeze' its part of householders' overall council tax bill.
Most council tax payers will be aware their council tax bill includes requests for varying amounts from North Lincolnshire Council, Humberside Police, Humberside Fire & Rescue and Brigg Town Council. The town precept is by far the lowest of these.
The current Brigg Town Council payments (for 2021/22), depending on property household bands (A-H), range from £46 to £139 for the entire financial year.
Following a decision made last night (Tuesday, January 25) by councillors there will no increase.
Coun Rob Waltham told the budget-setting session in the Buttercross that it should "freeze the precept."
Town Clerk Kerry McGrath stressed this meant residents would not have to pay an increase to Brigg Town Council.
The total amount needed by the council for the next financial year is £120,620.
Coun Waltham proposed a detailed budget for 2022/23, setting out how the authority will be spending public money. He described it as another "progressive budget."
Brigg Blog will feature in a future post what is going to be provided, including projects, 'street furniture' and general public services.
In due course we will also set out, band by band,the amounts Brigg households will need to pay to the Town Council from April this year.
This will follow North Lincolnshire Council and other authorities confirming their requirements.
North Lincolnshire will eventually send out itemised bills to all households on behalf of itself and other 'precepting' authorities.

BRIGG TOWN FC THROUGH TO CUP QUARTER FINALS

 

Brigg Town Football Club eased their way through to the quarter-finals of the Toolstation Northern Counties East League quarter finals last night (Tuesday, January 25).
The Zebras won 3-1 at Rossington Main in a third round tie - courtesy of goals from Scott Phillips, Reece Newell and Josh Batty.
Barton Town are also through to the last eight, having beaten AFC Mansfield in a penalty shoot-out last night following a 1-1 scoreline after 90 minutes.
Bottesford Town, Grimsby Borough and Winterton Rangers will be in round three action tonight.
Brigg Town's main aim for the 2021/22 season remains securing promotion to the Premier Division, but further progress in the League Cup will be welcome.
The draw for the quarter finals, and the dates, will be announced in due course.
Brigg also have a Lincs County Cup semi-final coming up. So there's a chance of securing what would be a memorable treble by the club's first team squad - two cups an promotion or even the Division One championship.
That would bring back happy memories for long-serving supporters who can remember management eras of Ralph 'Raz' Clayton and Brian Stratford.

BRIGG CLUB SPRINGS INTO ACTION & YOU ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART

The next meeting of the Brigg and District Gardening Club will be held on Thursday, February 3 in the Methodist Church Hall, Wesley Road, Brigg (pictured above, right) at 7.30pm.
Speaker for the evening will be Don Whitton and his topic 'Euphorbias and other spring flowering perennials'.
As this will be the club's first meeting of 2022, membership fees are due at a cost of £6 for the year.
Guests are welcome to come along on February 3 at a fee of £3, refreshments included.
Everyone is welcome whether they are seasoned gardeners or complete beginners.
After a long enforced absence, the club hopes to welcome back old friends and meet new ones.
For more information, contact the secretary on 01652 656681.

DRIVER ALERT: MAJOR ROADWORKS COMING UP IN BRIGG

Roadworks are coming up on one of the most heavily used roads in Brigg and will last for six days, starting on Monday, January 31.
North Lincolnshire Council will be resurfacing about 200 metres of the A1084 Bigby High Road on the edge of the town near the boundary with West Lindsey and Lincolnshire.
The highway authority will also be carrying out similar work on the section of Westrum Lane which adjoins Bigby High Road.
The work on Bigby High Road will be carried out daily in the afternoons, with the road surface on Westrum Lane being relaid in the evenings.
Temporary traffic lights will be employed as part of the six-day project, and some drivers will experience delays on the A1084.
Access to business and domestic properties in this part of the town will be maintained during opening hours.
The project was due to start yesterday (Monday, January 24), as indicated by roadside signs which were evident for some days, but was put back one week. We can expect to see amended signage ahead of January 31.

 

PICTURED: Bigby High Road (above) near the county and district border, with Westrum Lane (below) awaiting a new road surface.

 

16 NEW GARAGES TO RENT APPROVED IN BRIGG WHERE THERE IS 'HEALTHY DEMAND'

Approval to erect 16 individual domestic garages in Brigg has been granted by North Lincolnshire Council.
Planning permission has been given for land to the rear of 38-41 Albert Street.
The garages are to help meet local demand.
Well-known local company G.W. Rowbottom & Sons Limited is the applicant.
A statement submitted to local authority planners said the company owned "a reasonable area surrounding the proposed site" and also the garden areas over which the garages were to be constructed.
The statement said tenants were formally advised about the proposed change some time ago to give them sufficient notice that their gardens were to be reduced in size.
"The applicant has constantly received enquiries for garages from local residents and has decided that there is a healthy demand for a secure garage, hence the planning application proposal," the statement added.
The new garages will be "for rent" as an extension of an existing facility.

PICTURED: Above - the site for the new garages beyond the metal fencing in the distance, viewed from Station Road across a car park which is not part of the new development. Below - the existing vehicular access off Albert Street and a close-up of some of the existing brick-built garages (centre).

 

 

 

 

BRIGG PEOPLE CAN NOW APPLY TO BECOME MAGISTRATES BUT WON'T BE HEARING CASES IN OUR TOWN

People living in Brigg & district are welcome to apply to become magistrates as part of a new national campaign to recruit hundreds of them to help get to grips with a huge backlog of cases.
Brigg had its own courthouse on Wrawby Street for about 150 years (the building since converted into 'mews' housing).
We covered many criminal cases for the press in the early 1980s when the local court sat on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Later, in an effort to streamline the operation and improve efficiency (or cut costs?) cases were removed from Brigg and sent to Scunthorpe.
But even this sizeable town no longer merits a magistrates' court and Scunthorpe cases are now heard in Grimsby.
We have just followed the instructions currently being given for members of the public who are interested in applying to become magistrates.
The process begins by explaining: "You'll need to visit a magistrates' court at least twice to observe the proceedings. You can find magistrate courts in your area here..." We clicked the link provided and the list (below) appeared for DN20 8 (Brigg) indicating the 'nearest' courts to us.

 

 

Those locals who are still interested and have not been put off by the travelling distance, can register their intention by using this link...
Our own observations gained while covering criminal cases at Brigg Magistrates' Court 40 years ago support that belief that local knowledge can be useful for magistrates.
In the early 1980s, Brigg bench members included The Earl of Yarborough, Lt Col Roger Nelthorpe, Brian Taylor (later to become MBE), Reg Harrison, Mary Atkin, Dennis Wicks and Thora Foxton.
Cases they heard, and we covered for the press, included various motoring offences, burglaries, breaches of the peace, non-payment of the TV licence, and thefts, including shoplifting. More serious cases, such as robberies, would be committed for trial to the Crown Court.
 
PICTURED: Brigg's Victorian courthouse (to the right) next to the town's original police station (on the left) which was replaced in the late 1970s by the current one on Barnard Avenue. Image courtesy of Ken Harrison.

BRIGG DARTS FANS WILL BE GOING FOR THE BULL THIS WEEK

Brigg Blog recently suggested that a town centre pub was looking at re-introducing darts tournaments in 2022.
Those who like to line up on the oche do not have to wait much longer, as the Black Bull, on Wrawby Street, has now agreed a date for the first.
There will be a knockout darts tournament as this ideally-named pub on Thursday (January 27) from 7.30pm.
A £2 entry fee applies and those wishing to take part need to register using Facebook Messenger on the Black Bull's page.
The Black Bull, established in 1820, is now a sports bar.
Many of us have played darts at this pub down the decades, including the era when its internal layout differed considerably from how it is today.
Seven years ago we commented in a post: "Darts is very popular on Saturday nights in the Bull - a timeless feature of British pub life."
Many darts tournaments have been enjoyed on licensed premises in Brigg - some involving famous professionals like Dennis Priestley and Rod Harrington (at Brigg Town Football Club's Hawthorns and Brigg & District Servicemen's Club); others have been organised as part of social nights by groups for their members (such as Brigg Town Cricket Club at the Ancholme Inn),
Various knockouts have also come courtesy of local games leagues.
A quick dip into Brigg Blog's archive demonstrates the popularity of darts in 1986/1987.
The Brigg & District Games League's darts section had 17 teams.
Those from Brigg were: Black Bull, Dying Gladiator, Britannia, Ancholme A & B, Brigg Servicemen's Club and Raffles (Exchange Club).
Brigg Sugar, playing home fixtures at the factory's Social Club in Scawby Brook, also had two sides, as did Broughton's Dog & Rat, while Broughton Workingmen's Club and the Red Lion had one apiece. Hibaldstow WMC entered two darts teams.
The Royal Oak pub at North Kelsey also competed in the Brigg League in 1986/87, when the competition included dominoes and fives & threes. All three sports were combined to produce an overall championship table for the season.
We think that Brigg & District League fixtures were then being played on Thursday nights.
On Mondays there were fixtures in the major Scunthorpe & District Clubs' Association League, in which Brigg Servicemen's took part in 1986/87. It involved darts, whist, cribbage, fives & threes and dominoes.
The Queen's Arms, on Wrawby Street, Brigg, also played in the Brigg League for some seasons in the 1980s.
This could be a testing venue for darts players as the board in the small bar was located next the sliding entry/exit door. If someone came in or left, the league game had to pause!

In 2011 we went along to the Hawthorns clubhouse to take some pictures of a Night with Dennis Priestley, at the Brigg Town organiser's request, and were pleasantly surprised to be given a game against one of the most famous players in world darts history. Our style of throwing was very slow, in line with our bowling at cricket. Therefore, we can claim that ours was the longest game Dennis had that evening, though we were still only halfway to 501 when he landed the winning double!

PICTURED: Top left - Patrick Kenny and Stan Mosey taking part in a Brigg Town Cricket Club knockout darts tournament at the Ancholme Inn, Grammar School Road, in February 1998, as part of a quiz night; top right - former world darts champion Dennis 'The Menace' Priestley (in his familiar shirt) with Kenny Bowers during a darts night at Brigg Town FC's Hawthorns venue in 2011 when Dennis, from South Yorkshire, came to play a number of locals in quick succession, including Kenny.

BRIGG TOWN VETERANS FLYING HIGH AT THE TOP

The top of the table Brigg Town Football Club Veterans won 4-2 in their home game against Gilberdyke Phoenix at the EC Surfacing Stadium yesterday afternoon (Sunday, January 23).
Brigg's scorers were Will Hartley (2), Ryan Oates and Johnnie Welch.
The Zebras have now played nine fixtures in Hull Veterans League Division Four, winnning seven, drawing one and losing one.
In the Paul Fox Scunthorpe League's Challenge Cup third round, Broughton WMC won 1-0 at Ashby FC.

BRIGG REMEMBERS HOLOCAUST VICTIMS

Brigg is remembering the Holocaust victims who suffered and died.
The flame emblem (pictured above) is now being projected onto the front of the Buttercross, in the Market Place, after dark.
Thursday (January 27) is Holocaust Memorial Day across the world.
Then, on Sunday (January 30) Brigg will be holding a public service at 3pm on the Millennium Green, off Elwes Street, beside the town's Holocaust Memorial (also pictured above).

BRIGG TOWN KEEP UP THE PRESSURE ON THE LEAGUE'S TOP TWO

Brigg Town Football Club recorded another welcome victory in Toolstation Northern Counties East Division One yesterday (Saturday, January 22).
The promotion-chasing Zebras won 3-1 at Nostell Miners Welfare but stay third in the table as Hallam and North Ferriby (the teams above them) also won,
Nostell shocked Brigg with a very early goal, but Scott Phillips soon levelled from the penalty spot and Wayne Graves then put Town in front.
Brigg made a great start to the second half, with Tommy Johnston making it 3-1.

At the EC Surfacing Stadium (Hawthorns) Brigg Town Development lost 6-1 to Nettleham in the Balcan Lighting Supplies Lincolnshire League Premier.

Barnetby United's scheduled home game in EC Surfacing Scunthorpe & District League Division One did not go ahead yesterday as their scheduled opponents could not raise a team.
Barnetby United Reserves were winning 5-2 at New Holland Villa in Division Two after four goals from Ryan Thompson and one by Joe Stothard when the game was abandoned after 75 minutes.

BRIGG SCHOOL REUNION WILL BRING BACK MANY MEMORIES

A major reunion of pupils who went to school in Brigg has been arranged - giving them an opportunity to meet up with former classmates and discuss times past.
The Briggensians Association will be hosting its annual dinner on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at Elsham Golf Club (from 7pm).
Attending will be dozens of former pupils and also ex-staff from Sir John Nelthorpe School, Brigg Grammar, Brigg Girls High and Brigg Sixth Form College.
The guest speaker will be Helen Flewker, who was an SJN pupil/student in the 1990s. She has worked in a number of countries, including some in the Middle East.
Tickets for the dinner cost £25, and the closing date for applications is March 1.
Further details can be obtained by emailing r.harvey@nelthorpe.org.uk
This will be the 45th annual dinner but the first to be held in traditional fashion (with a meal) since the Coronavirus emergency was declared in March 2020, although there has been a 'virtual' event using the Zoom platform.
The Briggensians Golf Section is planning to hold meetings on April 17, July 4 and October 16 this year. Requests to play can be made to dave.harness@ouitlook.com
For those ex-pupils who have yet to join the association, life membership costs only £5. For details, email hcresswell@westrum.co.uk
Souvenirs are also available: badges £10, ties £10 and mugs £5.

PICTURED: Helen Flewker, this year's guest speaker; souvenir ‘Our Place in Time’ mugs, which are on sale to members; the grade one listed part of today's SJN, the former 17th century schoolroom; and some of the guests enjoying the annual dinner held in mid-March 2020.

HOME GAME FOR TITLE-CHASING BRIGG FOOTBALLERS TODAY

 

 

Table-topping Brigg Town Football Club Veterans have a home game coming up today (Sunday, January 23).
The senior Zebras will entertain Gilberdyke Phoenix at the EC Surfacing Stadium (Hawthorns), kicking off at 2pm.
Town lead Hull & District Veterans League Division Four by five points after eight fixtures - having won six and drawn one so far.
In the Paul Fox Scunthope League today, Broughton WMC are away to Ashby in the third round of the Challenge Cup.
The Divisional Cup semi-final draws have now been made and involve four of our local sides. Ties to be played on, or before, February 20.
DAVE WARD MEMORIAL CUP (Division 1): Mulligans v. BFC, Black Beauty v. Broughton WMC.
TED HARRISON MEMORIAL CUP (Division 2): Ulceby v. App-Frod, Messingham T. Jrs v. CDF Republic of Heslam.
IRESON MEMORIAL CUP (Division 3): Crosby FC v. Black Bull or Winterton Rovers (quarter-final tie at Brigg Rec postponed last Sunday), Blyborough v. Barnetby United.
GEG MCGOWAN MEMORIAL SHIELD: (Division 4): FC Recoveries (home ground in Hibaldstow) v. Ulceby B, FC Showmen v. Husaria Pride.
Our thanks go to Barnetby's Lee Fielden for this cup update.

PICTURED: Members of the Brigg Town Vets squad for the 2021/22 season. Image courtesy of Gavin Duncan.

COUNCIL SET TO APPROVE BRIGG ARCH OF LIGHT FOR QUEEN'S PLATINUM JUBILEE

Further details of how Brigg will be celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee are soon to be revealed,
Brigg Town Council's forthcoming monthly meeting will receive an update on plans for the Jubilee Weekend in June 2022, marking Her Majesty's 70 years as monarch.
Having already agreed to the installation of a temporary structure over the County Bridge for the Jubilee, councillors are now being asked to approve an Arch of Lights.
They will also decide whether to participate in a St John's Flower Festival as part of the celebrations.
The council will meet on Tuesday (January 25) on the upper floor of the Buttercross, in the Market Place, from 7.15pm.
This session is open to interested members of the public (access being via stairs or lift). Use the SIDE door.
Masks must be worn, until seated, by those present (unless exempt) and anyone experiencing Covid symptoms, or feeling unwell, is asked not to attend.
This meeting will also agree a date for the Great British Spring Clean Community Litter Pick, and will consider the Brigg Garden and Allotment Competition 2022.
There will be a report from the local ward representatives about North Lincolnshire Council matters and issues involving Brigg.
Also taking place on Tuesday night at the same venue will be a meeting of the council's Planning & Environment Committee which will consider the latest Brigg planning and listed building consent applications which have been submitted for consideration, including the proposed removal of the Barclays Bank ATM machine in the Market Place.
This session starts at 6.45pm and is also open to the public.

CHILLING MEMORIES OF OLD-STYLE BRIGG SOLAR HEATING

Solar panels can be seen at various locations in Brigg today - utilising the sun's rays to produce 'green' power.
There are some fairly recent additions (example pictured above) in the car park opposite Sir John Nelthorpe Upper School.
Just a few yards away, on the other side of Grammar School Road, there used to be a swimming pool built during the Grammar School era.
It did not receive a heating plant until 1969, prior to which the water was only warmed by the often watery summer sun.
Many ex-pupils will have chilling memories of swimming in this pool on days when the sun failed to shine.
Even when cloud was absent above Brigg and blue skies prevailed, the pool's water temperature failed to rise above tepid.
Yet hardy souls at Brigg Grammar used to take bracing dips during the early weeks of the autumn term, as well as in June and July.
"Everyone into the pool!" used to be the cry as the pupils returned to the gymnasium after sports lessons.
The BSC pool heating arrived as part of refurbishment to mark the 300th (tercentenary) celebrations, held in 1969 to mark the foundation of the school through a generous bequest in Sir John Nelthorpe's will.

BRIGG TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB: HOW THE PROMOTION PLAY-OFFS WILL OPERATE

Brigg Town Football Club's first teamers need to finish in the top FIVE this season.
In Toolstation Northern Counties East Division One, promotion will be decided in the Spring as follows:

• The top team will gain automatic promotion to the Premier, with the four below them qualifying for the play-offs...
• Second-placed team at home to the fifth.
• Third-placed team at home to the fourth.
• A final involving the two winning teams will then follow on the ground of the side which finished highest in the table.The winner of the play-off final will go up alongside the Division One champions.
• The bottom two in the top flight will be relegated.

Brigg Town are currently third in the table, but not far behind Hallam (the leaders) and North Ferriby. Harrogate Railway are fourth, with Selby Town fifth.
Brigg still have 14 league games to play in the 2021/22 season - the last round of Division One fixtures being on April 9.
The Zebras are currently 13 points ahead of the sixth-placed side.
Goal difference might well prove a factor at the end of the season - being used as a decider if teams finish level on points.
Hallam (+69) are currently the only team with a better goal difference than Brigg (+62).
Ferriby are +39, Harrogate +25 and Selby +18.
Brigg Town are away to Nostell Miners Welfare this afternoon (Saturday, January 22). The club's reserve side, known as Brigg Town Development, will host Nettleham at the EC Surfacing Stadium (Hawthorns) today in the Balcan Lighting Supplies Lincolnshire League Premier (3pm KO).

BRIGG & WOLDS: PLANS FOR NEW DRIVE THRU RESTAURANTS & FILLING STATION OUTLINED

Outline planning permission for "up to two" new drive thru' restaurant premises and a filling station within the Brigg & Wolds Ward is being sought from North Lincolnshire Council. The expected number of full-time jobs resulting is 58 if the scheme comes to fruition.
The suggested site (within Elsham parish) is land to the south of the M180 at Barnetby Top Interchange (Junction 5) and to the north and west of the A18.
An application is now under consideration to construct a lorry park with up to 200 parking bays; erection of an amenity building; provision of a fuel filling station, including the erection of a canopy and sales building comprising ancillary retail floor space; provision of electric vehicle forecourt and charging points; erection of up to two drive-thru restaurant units, including associated car parking, and access/exit from the A18.
If this outline application is granted by North Lincolnshire Council, another detailed one is expected to follow in due course, setting out the scale, appearance, layout and landscaping "for subsequent consideration" by the local authority.
The outline application has been submitted by Lincoln-based Lindum Group Limited and the Brocklesby Estate.
The application site - near Gallows Wood garage - is currently used "for agricultural purposes."
North Lincolnshire Council has established a public consultation period for the application which will end on February 17. 2022.
The planning authority's decision will follow at some future date.

BRIGG TOWN FC KEEN TO ADD TO 100-GOAL TALLY

High-scoring Brigg Town Football Club will be keen to add to this season's impressive tally during an away game in Yorkshire against mid-table Nostell Miners Welfare on Saturday (January 22).
Town are third in Toolstation Northern Counties East Division One - two points behind leaders Hallam and one adrift of North Ferriby.
Brigg first team's league record 14-1 win over Teversal last Saturday took them to 100 goals in Division One this season...after 26 fixtures. The Zebras are comfortably the highest scoring team in their section.
Brigg Town Development will host Nettleham at the EC Surfacing Stadium (Hawthorns) this Saturday in the Balcan Lighting Supplies Lincolnshire League Premier (3pm).
In the EC Surfacing Ltd Scunthorpe & District Football League on Saturday, Barnetby United will be at home to The Butchers Arms in Division One, while Barnetby United Reserves visit New Holland for a Division Two fixture (both games starting at 2pm).
There are no league outings for Briggensians or their Reserves this weekend.

ENJOY THE MUSIC IN BRIGG PUBS THIS WEEKEND

Live music gigs are to resume in Brigg this weekend following the usual New Year break, with more to follow in the weeks ahead.
Black Orchid - a Lincolnshire group which offers a wide range of rock and pop covers - will be playing at the town centre's Woolpack venue this Saturday night (January 22). Admission free.
Our picture above shows the band performing during a previous gig at the Woolie, in the Market Place.
Disco music will be on offer this Saturday evening at the Dying Gladiator, Bigby Street, and at the Black Bull and the Britannia, both on Wrawby Street.
Wetherspoon's White Horse, also on Wrawby Street, is looking to recruit a gardener/odd job man/woman.
Those interested can call in and see the licensee and/or email p6788@jdwetherspoon.co.uk The venue has a rear beer garden.