Thursday, June 30, 2022

GRAND NEWS: BRIGG COMMUNITY CINEMA TO HOLD MONTHLY FILM SHOWS


Regular community cinema film shows are to be held at the new Brigg Arts & Culture Centre, located in the Sir John Nelthorpe Upper School, off Grammar School Road.
A £1,000 community grant was agreed by Brigg Town Council at its June meeting held on Tuesday night in the Angel Suite Lounge.
Information supplied to the authority in support of this grant application explained film screenings "will be open to all" (subject to the classification of each movie being shown).
"We hope to have at least one screening before the end of the current school term," the statement explained, "and monthly screenings from the start of the autumn term onwards.
"The anticipated audience for each screening is approximately 100; the venue can, however, seat up to 200 should the need arise."
No membership scheme applies and all activities at the centre will be open to the general public.
There will be other events in addition to film shows.
It is expected that "the large majority of attendees will live in Brigg" or be past scholars (Briggensians) or currently attend Sir John Nelthorpe School.
Last August, Brigg Blog reported that efforts to create a community cinema had been given a major boost.
Hull-based telecommunications company KCOM agreed a £1,000 grant to the Brigg Arts & Culture Centre (BACC) through its community fund.
Explaining how the grant would be used if its bid proved successful, BACC said "We would like to start a community cinema for the residents of Brigg and surrounding villages, becoming the social heart of the community and providing connections and social opportunities for those who might otherwise be isolated.
"We hope a local cinema will provide a warm and friendly atmosphere for local residents to come together without the need to travel out of town. This grant will help purchase a projector screen to run a community cinema for the residents of Brigg and surrounding villages."
Brigg has been without a dedicated cinema venue since The Grand, on Wrawby Street, closed in the mid-1960s.
However, various community-related cinema screenings have taken place at local venues since then - some being held in the Angel Suite during 2017, for example.
That year saw Brigg Live Arts screen a children's comedy film at Brigg & District Servicemen's Club and also The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel at the same venue.
Many Brigg Blog followers of more senior years will recall, as children, spending happy Saturday afternoons watching films at The Grand right up to its closure.
The format was a B-movie, a main feature and, of course, cartoons.
That's All Folks! did not quite apply, though, in respect of children's matinees.
For in the late 1960s, a local man staged some film shows - Brigg Town Football Club being among the venues he used.
The spacious Grand Cinema, located near the White Horse pub, was demolished during the 1970s.
It was bordered on one side by the original Horse Fair Paddock - still being visited periodically by funfairs with their rides and amusements after the cinema had closed.

PICTURED ABOVE: A busy early August scene outside the cinema in the 1950s while Brigg Horse Fair was in full swing. Below - The Grand no longer looking grand in the 1970s, just prior to demolition.

 


 


BRIGG ECONOMY BENEFITS FROM WEEKLY PARKRUNS


The local economy in Brigg is receiving welcome weekly boosts from the Ancholme Valley Way Parkrun.
Many competitors from other areas of Lincolnshire and beyond are travelling into town early on Saturdays to enjoy the 5k riverside course running north from the Ancholme Way Bridge.
Some are then staying on in Brigg afterwards to purchase refreshments, visit local shops, take a look at the market and see what else our town has to offer.
The free-to-enter Parkrun launched in February (see picture above) and has been held weekly since then, with more to come.



A recent addition ideally located for the runners is outdoor gym equipment on the Memorial Garden adjoining the starting line.
Brigg Town Council provided this primarily for use by local residents, and there are other exercise machines on the Millennium Green, off Elwes Street.
After their Parkrun, competitors can take a stroll along the riverside towards the County Bridge and then turn into the Market Place.
But how many of them are aware there's a tree with royal connections to stop and admire as they do so?



Lady Diana, the Princess of Wales, planted a sapling in Spring 1988 while making a royal visit to mark the launch of the Brigg Regeneration Project, which saw grants made available to refurbish many properties in the Conservation Area, including a number of retail premises.
The Princess was assisted at the tree-planting ceremony by Coun Violet Lockwood, from Wootton, who was then the Mayor of Glanford.
The ornamental pear tree she planted 34 years ago has now matured, and near its trunk is a flowerbed containing an inscribed tablet giving details.
The People's Princess also graced the Buttercross - marked by a blue plaque above the front entrance.
What is now known as the Business Support & Tourism Centre is open on Saturdays, from 9am to 2pm, with printed leaflets and digital displays about local events and places of interest available to visitors inside. The centre is also open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays..
How many Parkrun competitors who do not live locally are aware of Brigg Heritage Centre, in the Market Place's Angel complex, offering free admission?
It has exhibitions, hosts workshops and has a very interesting centre-piece - an ancient log raft.
Visitors to Brigg might also be interested in viewing some of the town's historic listed buildings.
An excellent 'town tour' leaflet was produced many years ago.
Perhaps an update and/or a reprint might be considered, with the text also made available on the internet and uploaded to the digital displays now on offer to visitors.
Brigg Blog decided to take some pictures of the new outdoor gym equipment near the Ancholme Way bridge.
This proved to be a lengthy task as children kept appearing to try out what's on offer, as did some of the parents.
It was heartening to see the outdoor gym proving popular late on a Friday afternoon.
July will see the Parkrun - a very welcome addition to the local events programme - complete its initial six months in Brigg.
Volunteers are needed to help with the organisation and administration. View details here...
Brigg Blog hopes this post may contain items of interest to Parkrun competitors, and perhaps alert some of them living outside our area, to what's on offer in the town.

SHOULD BRIGG OPEN AIR CONCERT BE ARRANGED NEXT YEAR?


Concerts for the public to enjoy formed part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations held recently in Brigg. So how about considering something similar next year?
During Brigg Town Council's latest meeting, held in the Angel Suite Lounge on Tuesday evening, Town Mayor Coun Brian Parker congratulated and thanked those who had organised the wide-ranging four-day Platinum Jubilee celebrations, including Town Clerk Kerry McGrath.
He was pleased to report "a real success story" with good events and performers.
The only downside was the Sunday weather.
Local singers Rachel Day and Mash (Ian Baxter) performed popular hits on a large covered stage.
But cool conditions and the threat of rain meant many people who might have attended, and taken along picnics, instead stayed at home.
There was also an evening service and concert, originally planned to be held outdoors but switched to St John's Church.
The council meeting heard a repeat concert suggestion from the public in respect of 2023. The Town Clerk said there been some really positive feedback about the Platinum Jubilee.
These celebrations also included free rides on the River Ancholme provided by Glanford Boat Club. And Brigg Blog thinks more of these next year would prove popular and be appreciated by the public.
We noted a Saturday morning queue at the pick-up point - a jetty near the Ancholme Way Bridge - as people awaited the boat's arrival.

PICTURED: Rachel Day and Mash performing in the Market Place on Sunday, June 5 when brollies were evident among the audience.

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

BRIGG UPGRADE WILL MEAN MUCH FASTER 5G COVERAGE FOR MOBILE PHONE USERS


Plans have been drawn up to give people in Brigg improved mobile phone coverage, including the addition of much faster 5G.
A 'proposed base station upgrade' is planned by Cornerstone, which describes itself as the UK's leading mobile infrastructure services company.
Cornerstone has informed Brigg Town Council about its local plans, and these were considered during a meeting held last night (Tuesday, June 28) in the Angel building. No objections were raised by councillors, with support given to the scheme.
The upgrade is earmarked for the base station located at Brigg Town Football Club's EC Surfacing Stadium (Hawthorns).
"Cornerstone are in the process of progressing suitable sites in the Brigg area for radio based upgrades for Telefonica Ltd," the company informed the council.
"As part off Telefonica's network improvement programme, there is a specific requirement for an upgrade at this location to improve 3G, 4G and add 5G network coverage to the local area.
"Mobiles can only work with a network of base stations in place where people want to use their mobile phones or other wireless devices."
Cornerstone considers the best solution at Brigg Town FC is the removal of three antenna and their replacement with six new ones.
"This option has been chosen as it utilises an existing installation which will improve coverage with minimal changes to the equipment, reducing the visual impact on the surrounding area as far as technically possible," Cornerstone says.
The existing network infrastructure at the football ground is located behind one of the stands.

FROM CARS TO KAR'S: 50+ BRIGG BUSINESS PREMISES IN THE YEAR 2000


These pictures show well-known Brigg business premises at the start of the millennium in 2000.
We have also compiled a list of 50+ businesses operating in the town 22 years ago (see below).
Some are still trading today. But how many of the others do you remember?
Smith Parkinson, in the Market Place (seen above) sold new and used cars as well as undertaking servicing. Note the petrol pump on the frontage.
Later to be converted to office use, this building in a prominent position is currently on the market to let.

Inside the Kar Restaurant, on Old Courts Road, circa 2000, we see Brigg Hockey Club players (above) enjoying a social get-together, with Colin Chappell, Andrew Markham and Fred Tasker at the front. These premises are now used by the Mumbai Lounge.



Brigg Snooker Club, on Bigby Street, occupied part of what had been the extensive Layne's garage premises until the early 1970s. Town housing became the latest use some years ago. 



National retailer Safeway was running the riverside store when the new millennium arrived.
The building had been completed in the early 1980s by Jackson/Grandways on part of the former Spring & Co preserves factory.
Also a Presto outlet and used by Lidl, today it hosts Brigg's branch of bargain retailer B&M.
When constructed more than 40 years ago this was Brigg's first purpose-built supermarket.


Last but not least in terms of local interest is a view of Bridge Street 22 years ago when the former Yarborough Hunt (closed in the mid-1960s) had reverted to being a domestic residence and before conversion back to licensed premises.
This popular real ale pub has since been extended to include Ron's shop next door to the immediate right and also the house to the left.
The shop on the extreme right of the picture, vacant in the year 2000, went on to become fast food premises, offering fried chicken.

Here's a reminder of SOME of the Brigg businesses that were operating at the beginning of the year 2000...

China Royal Restaurant, Bridge Street.
Grandad's Shed, 61 Wrawby Street
E&M Carpets and Furniture, Bridge Street
Mischief, 9 Chapel Court
Varlows Ladies' Fashions, Market Place
Smith Parkinson, Market Place, and with a sales site on "Tesco Roundabout."
Events, 8 School Court
The Wold Florist, 50 Wrawby Street
Sue Rhodes, 1 Wrawby Street
Apollo Recruitment Specialists, Pelham House, Bridge Street
Babes in the Wood, 2 Wrawby Street
Way In Ladies' Fashion Boutique, 12 Market Place
KingKom Ltd Mobile Phones & Accessories, 11a Market Place
Brian Parker (Agricultural) Ltd, Westrum Lane
Eclipse Hair, 8 Bigby Street
Brian's DIY, 24 Wrawby Street
Barnes & Son Watchmakers and Jewellers, 63 Wrawby Street
TJ's Private Hire
The Brigg Travel Centre, 19 Wrawby Street
Capps Electrical Retailers, 6 Albert Street
Britcliffe Carpets, 7 and 9 Elwes Street
TJS Models, 12 School Court
Scentiments, 19 Old School Court
Earnshaws, Bridge Street
Brigg Window Company, Bigby Road (showrooms) and Island Carr Industrial Estate
Frost's Garden Centre, Bigby High Road
The Fone Factory, 46 Wrawby Street
Paul Fox, 21 Market Place
Bell Watson, Wrawby Street
John Blanchard Domestic Appliance Repairs, The Briar Patch, Redcombe Lane
Cary Lane Taxis
Glebe Road Stores
Poundstretcher, Wrawby Street
Paper Lincs, Grammar School Road and Spring's Parade
S & H Bhatti Newsagents, Bridge Street
Glebe Road Fishery
Scalinis Fish Bar, Wrawby Street
Boots, Wrawby Street
Pailthorp's Jewellers, Wrawby Street
Pickering's, Wrawby Street
Martin's, Wrawby Street
W Sherwood & Sons Cycles, Bridge Street (pictured below)
Dunham's Bakers, Bridge Street
Turner's Butchers, Queen Street (closed later in the year 2000)
Safeway, near Spring's Parade
Tesco, Barnard Avenue
Kwik Save, Cary Lane
Peacock & Binnington, Bridge Street/Foundry Lane
Shaw's Outfitters, Market Place (closed later in the year 2000)
Kar Restaurant, Old Courts Road
DDM, Wrawby Street

BRIGG MAYOR TO THE FORE WITH NEW GOLF EVENT AND TROPHY


Brigg Town Mayor Coun Brian Parker has now provided a new golf trophy to be competed for annually to raise money for local worthy causes through the Mayor's Appeal Fund.
Coun Parker is pictured here with the cup (sourced from a local supplier) prior to last night's meeting of Brigg Town Council when it was on display to fellow councillors, staff and members of the public.
He informed Brigg Blog that hundreds of pounds will be raised at the initial Town Mayor's tournament arranged for Friday, July 22 at Elsham Golf Club.
Twelve teams have signed up, meaning that 48 golfers will take to the course from mid-day.
Arrangements have been made to photograph the launch event, and Brigg Blog will be sharing some of the images with our followers in due course.
Presentations will follow the players tucking into pie & peas with chips at what is known as the 19th hole (the clubhouse).
The Mayor's Appeal Fund in 2022/23 will help Lindsey Lodge Hospice and MND.
It is intended that future Town Mayors will host charity golf days in support of their chosen worthy causes.
Coun Parker's two-year spell as our town's first citizen will conclude in May 2023.

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

THEN & NOW: CLUB CRICKET IN BRIGG HAS SEEN SO MANY UPS AND DOWNS


Memories came flooding back as we watched the current Brigg Town Cricket Club players securing their first win of the season in Lincolnshire County League Division Three West at the weekend, helped by a half-century from Paul Neal and six wickets taken by Vijay Raju.
We played for the club from 1974 to 2004 and saw many ups and downs as fortunes fluctuated.
Club cricket was played by a Brigg club for much of the 19th century.
For many decades a ground within sight of the railway station was used, and a few treasured pictures have survived from the late Victorian period and also 1908 when the club displayed the coveted solid silver Dinsdale Trophy it had won.
However, the club folded in the 1930s, and the Second World War put paid to hopes of a relaunch, with many potential players away serving in the Forces and people having other summer priorities on the so-called Home Front, including growing food for the table and helping with the harvest.
Brigg Recreation Ground's opening in 1952 after the Urban District Council had converted part of Woodbine Farm to grass and some of its outbuilding buildings as changing room, got local cricketers thinking about re-forming the Brigg Town club at various times in the 1950s and the 1960s.
However, Brigg Sugar Factory and Elsham then had popular clubs for which a number of cricketers living in Brigg were playing.
So it was not until autumn 1973 that a meeting was finally held in the town to get things going again with the Rec as a venue, then having full-time groundstaff.
It was decided to enter one team in the Grimsby & District Saturday League, and the first home fixture was played in May 1974.
Brigg immediately won the Division Three championship, and the interest generated made it possible to form a second team in the Grimsby competition the following season.
A successful application was then made to join the Lincolnshire County Cricket League for 1976 - a season which also saw Broughton CC joining this senior competition.
Brigg won the Broughton & District Evening League Knockout Cup two years later, and there was talk in the late 1970s about the Town club joining together with some local footballers to acquire land for a new ground off Westrum Lane.
However, this was considered to be too much, too soon and was never carried through.
With hindsight, this project, if carried to fruition, could have avoided problems to be experienced by Brigg Town Cricket Club over the next 30 years.
Ownership of the Rec Ground passed from the UDC to Glanford Borough Council when this authority was formed in 1974.
However, upkeep of the playing square gradually became a resources issue.
Brigg Town Cricket Club started to hire Sir John Nelthorpe School's fine facilities where a full-time groundsman was in attendance.
The Lincolnshire League Division Three championship was won in 1979, with only two defeats being suffered during the entire campaign.
A second team was also re-introduced after a gap of four years, playing North Lindsey League home games at the Rec Ground.
But for various reasons a number of senior players decided to leave during the close season, resulting in Brigg Town resigning from the Lincs League and becoming founder members of the South Humberside Alliance (primarily aimed at 2nd and 3rd XIs).
The early 1980s provided some enjoyable cricket and growing interest, particularly among local youngsters.
But the club knew it really needed to get its first team back in the Lincolnshire League and to find a suitable venue to enable this to happen.
Both aims were achieved later in the decade after Barrie Briggs had returned as captain.
With the club able to use the well-appointed Sugar Factory ground off Scawby Road (with licensed clubhouse), Brigg became Humberside Alliance champions.
Although Town were elected back to the Lincs League, the early 1990s saw the closure of the local sugar factory, resulting in a return to Sir John Nelthorpe School.
Many enjoyable seasons followed for the first and second teams at SJN, but the eventual demolition of the wooden pavilion and adjoining former canteen building (used for teas) meant Town could no longer use the school ground.
This prompted a return to the Rec, but issues relating to the playing square and other factors saw Brigg eventually leave the Lincs League yet again.
The club kept going and briefly gained membership of the Lincoln & District Saturday League and also the East Yorkshire Alliance (from 2008).
It proved possible to gain re-admission to the Lincolnshire competition but playing home games on 'borrowed' grounds, particularly Brocklesby Park, while the Rec Ground facilities gained welcome investment under North Lincolnshire Council.
The eventual completion of this project which brought top-notch changing and showering facilities was something Brigg Town Cricket Club could have done with decades ago.
Today it has only one team, playing on Saturdays.
However, at various times decades ago it operated two Saturday sides, another on a Sunday, one or more midweek teams, and fielded junior age group sides for under-11s, under-13s, under-15s, under-17s and even under-19s.
The height of popularity for North Lincolnshire club cricket and leagues is reckoned to have been in the early 1990s. And Brigg Town's own fortunes reflect this.
As we left Brigg Rec after watching the early stages of Town's game last Saturday, former all-rounder Garry 'Gig' Smith was just arriving.
He played for the Elsham and Brigg Sugar Factory clubs before joining Town and starring, with others, in the Lincs League championship-winning side in 1979.
Having had a spell with East Halton, he returned to Brigg Town in the mid-1980s after Barrie Briggs had become captain.
His line-and-length seam bowling brought Gig an incredible number of wickets until he retired in the year 2000.
Even at 60 he was still a top bowler in Brigg's Lincs League line-up.
For much of a very long career he also opened the batting very successfully, although later dropping down the order.
Today's Lincs League rules only permit bowlers to send down nine overs of the 45 allocated in an innings, but in Gig's era there was no restriction and he sometimes operated throughout, bowling up to 23 on the trot from one end.
His change ball - a slower off-spinner - captured many wickets, and was known in the club as "Gig's Tweaker."
He performed the hat-trick (three wickets with successive deliveries) many times - doing so twice in the same game to set a Lincs League record.
But the hat-trick that's still talked about came he was still playing Broughton Evening League cricket for the Sugar Factory.
At the Scawby Road ground, he had taken two in two when a certain Town batsman came to the crease and attempted a reverse sweep - a stroke currently being employed effectively by England Test players but very rarely attempted at club level decades ago.
Needless to say, 'bowled G.S. Smith' was duly entered in the scorebook!

PICTURED ABOVE: Main image - Gig Smith (centre, front row) in his last game for Brigg Town, aged 60, in September 2000. Jack Richards (back row - third from right) and Phil Dewfall (front, extreme left) are still playing for the Brigg club today. Phil is Gig's great nephew. Also pictured (inset) are Paul Neal and Vijay Raju who turned in fine individual performances as Brigg beat Haxey 2nds at the weekend.



Gig Smith (front right) relaxing in the late 1980s as Brigg Town Cricket Club celebrated at the Sugar Factory Club. Those featured include skipper Barrie Briggs on the back row (extreme left) behind John McHale and near Garry Dunderdale and John 'Coke' Blanchard (head turned towards Barrie). Image courtesy of Simon Church (front, third from left) who later emigrated to Australia. 


Brigg Town at the Rec Ground in 1976 when the first home game was played after gaining admission to the Lincolnshire League. Seen with umpire Ray Atton, of Scawby Brook, are (back row) Brian Parker (currently Brigg Town Mayor), Allan Kemshell, Graham Mumby, Nigel Fisher, Graham Hunt, Peter Thompson. Front row (left to right) Peter Kerridge, Dave Foster, Dean Nutbrown, Keith Hunt and John Stead.

 


Brigg Town during a brief spell in the Lincoln Saturday League, circa 2007. Back row, left to right: Umpire Brian Cross, Paul Harrison, Jack Richards, Robert Todd, Danny Bradley, Willie McVey, umpire George Housham. Front row, left to right: Gary Smith, Dylan Hildreth, Tim Crisp, Jack Lucas, Jack Siddall, Joe Hebblewhite.

 

Brigg Town players displaying the Dinsdale Trophy in 1908. There would be a gap of 70 years before the club collected this silverware again!



Brigg Town cricketers of the late Victorian era with the railway station away in the background. Yes, it had a roof in those days when forming part of the mainline between Cleethorpes and Manchester.

 

 

 


 

BRIGG GARDEN CENTRE SOWS THE SEEDS FOR SUMMER BIKE NIGHT


Many local people will be pleased that Brigg Garden Centre is to host another Bike Night in aid of a very worthy cause.
This will take place at the centre, close to the A1084 on Bigby High Road, Kettleby, on Thursday, August 11, from 6pm to 9pm.
Attractions will include a live band, stalls and food outlets.
This event at DN20 9HE - just over the county border in West Lindsey - will be in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Brigg Blog posted about an earlier Bike Night at the Garden Centre in August 2019 (pre-pandemic emergency).
It has not proved possible for volunteers to stage Brigg Bike Night 2022 on a Friday night in July along Bridge Street and in the Market Place.
Hopefully, this major event - attracting hundreds of spectators - can resume next year.
Meanwhile, Brigg Town Football Club has now started hosting its own Bike Nights every month at the EC Surfacing Stadium, off Wrawby Road.
The next will be held on July 14, from 5pm.

PLANS APPROVED FOR UP TO 48 HOMES IN THE BRIGG AREA


Approval has been given for up to 48 new homes to be built in the Brigg area.
North Lincolnshire Council has now backed detailed plans for land near the B1207 on Station Road, Hibaldstow, submitted for Albemarle Homes.
Outline permission for development had been granted in 2018.
Listed building consent is being sought for a walled garden space with greenhouse and tool shed near Brigg.
An application has been submitted to West Lindsey District Council which relates to Kettleby House, Kettleby Lane, Kettleby (within Bigby parish).
Council planners will consider this application at some point after the current public consultation period has concluded.
A report submitted to the local authority in support of the application says: "By way of the removal of the modern barn and the addition of a high quality, traditional garden walled structure in its place, the proposals will enhance the setting of the listed building and its curtilage."
Also recently submitted to the West Lindsey authority, and yet to be decided, is an application for a single-storey extension to form an annexe at Fieldside, Brigg Road, North Kelsey.
West Lindsey Council has refused an application seeking approval to erect a single-storey dwelling with associated parking on land at Salisbury, Main Street, Grasby.
The Gainsborough-based authority has granted outline planning permission for three dwellings, including the demolition of existing commercial buildings, on land adjacent to Little London Farm, Little London, North Kelsey.
Approval has also been given for a rear extension to a dwelling and the erection of a workshop/shed and carport building at Chime Cottage, 5 Church Side, Grasby.

North Lincolnshire Council is now considering an application to erect a detached dormer bungalow and detached garage at Plot 12 Barnside, Hibaldstow (decision yet to be taken).
 

Monday, June 27, 2022

LATEST BRIGG PLANS ABOUT TO BE CONSIDERED BY COUNCIL COMMITTEE


Brigg Town Council will have the opportunity to consider two recently submitted planning applications during a meeting tomorrow night (Tuesday, June 28).
The authority's Planning & Environment Committee is being consulted about an application seeking outline planning permission for residential development on land off Engine Street, and another to replace windows and doors in the former boarding house building at Sir John Nelthorpe School, off Grammar School Road (see pictures above). Any comments it has will be forwarded to North Lincolnshire Council - our local planning authority, which makes final decisions on all applications.
Tuesday's committee meeting will be held in the Angel Suite Lounge, off Exchange Place, starting at 6.45pm.
This session is open to interested members of the public, as is the Town Council's monthly meeting which will follow at the same venue from 7.15pm.
Local people can raise topics with the council during 'Public Participation'.
Other items on the agenda include considering a community grant for the Brigg Arts Centre, and receiving a report from North Lincolnshire Council's Brigg & Wolds Ward representatives on matters relevant to the town.



SPORTS REUNION AHEAD IN BRIGG


Former school friends are to be reunited in Brigg.
They are being asked to meet up at the Recreation Ground, off Wrawby Road, to play in, or support, a ladies' rounders match on Tuesday, July 5, from 6.30pm.
Such fixtures were staged annually for many years through the Briggensians' Association which represents former pupils and staff of Sir John Nelthorpe School, Brigg Girls' High and Brigg Grammar.
However, it is about four years since the last rounders match was possible.
Helen Cresswell, from the association, has asked us to help publicise the forthcoming fixture.
It is also hoped to play an evening cricket match during July between a team representing the Briggensians and a Sir John Nelthorpe XI.
The date for this fixture on the school field has yet to be confirmed.
Over last weekend it was heartening to see the Rec Ground being very well used.
On Saturday afternoon (June 25) Brigg Town hosted a league cricket match against Haxey, Brigg Town Football Club players took part in a training session (on grass) and two of the all-weather tennis courts were used for a 24-hour tournament in aid of charity. This continued until 10am on Sunday.
The picture of Brigg Rec seen here comes courtesy of Neil Stapleton.

BROUGHTON & HIBALDSTOW CRICKETERS IN SUNDAY ACTION


Hibaldstow Cricket Club's fine cup run came to an end yesterday (Sunday, July 26).
They lost away to Barton Town in a Bob Welton Cup semi-final - this knockout competition being organised by the Lincolnshire County League.
Hibaldstow were dismissed for 108 - opener Josh Cowling top scoring with 19.
Barton then raced to victory, losing only two wickets in the process.
Broughton 3rds had a home match in Mick Walker North Lindsey League Division Two yesterday but lost by six wickets to leaders Alkborough in a high-scoring clash.
Broughton's all-out 190 included 66 from Ben Fish and 32 by Sam Hayton.
However, Alkborough opener Sam Brown's unbeaten 103 saw the visitors win with more than seven overs to spare.
Broughton remain at the foot of the table after four league fixtures.
Saturday side Broughton 2nds will be journeying into the Isle of Axholme to Outcasts' impressive ground near Crowle on Sunday, August 14 to meet Caistor 2nds in the final of the Lincolnshire League's Supplementary Cup.

PICTURED: Cricket being played at Hibaldstow - a ground with a distinctive tree.

Sunday, June 26, 2022

WELCOME WIN FOR BRIGG TOWN CRICKET CLUB AGAINST THE LEAGUE LEADERS

Brigg Town Cricket Club's team which beat Haxey 2nds in June 2022


Brigg Town recorded their first win of the season in Lincolnshire County Cricket League Division Three West yesterday (Saturday, June 25).
Town needed to perform very well to defeat section leaders Haxey 2nds at the Recreation Ground, off Wrawby Road.
Bottom of the table Brigg batted first and compiled an impressive 195 for nine in their permitted 45 overs.
Openers Jack Richards and captain Danny Bradley scored 25 and 16 respectively before Steve Marshall added 17 in the middle-order.
But Brigg's innings owed much to the efforts of numbers seven and eight - Paul Neal top scoring with 69 and Nick Beacock making 26.
Haxey's most successful bowlers were skipper Mark Atkins-Sloan and Harry Hunter with three wickets apiece.
The visitors made a promising start to their run chase through top order batsmen Harry Hunter (37) and Darren Johnson (41).
But Brigg's first change bowlers turned the tables.
All-rounder Vijay Raju made up for missing out with the bat by dismissing both openers and then going on to claim a further four wickets to finish with six for 23 as Haxey were dismissed for 112 in the 24th over.
It may have been 'Vijay Day' but he received fine support from Stuart Smith (three for 38).
Brigg remain at the foot of the rankings despite collecting the maximum 20 points on offer, while Haxey secured four bonus points and still lead this section of the county competition.
Having taken only four points from their opening three fixtures, yesterday's result will give Brigg heart with 10 games still to come.

PICTURED ABOVE: Brigg Town Cricket Club's team which played Haxey 2nds yesterday. Back row, left to right: Vijay Raju, Phil Dewfall, David Baggott, Steve Marshall, Stuart Smith, Noah Newbould. Front row, left to right: Paul Neal, Nick Beacock, Danny Bradley (captain), Owen Dunderdale, Jack Richards.

 


Brigg captain Danny Bradley (top left) about to toss the coin with Haxey 2nds' skipper Mark Atkins-Sloan to decide who batted first. Danny then took to the middle with opening partner Jack Richards - both being pictured here.




Brigg Town's Owen Dunderdale (above and below).

 


Brigg's Steve Marshall (left) in conversation with Phil Dewfall, as Stuart Smith (right) helps with the scoring.

The Haxey 2nds team prior to the start of yesterday's game at Brigg Rec.








BRIGG ON THE BALL WITH ITS FIRST FARMERS' MARKET OF THE SUMMER

Brigg Farmers' Market pictures from June 2022


Ideal weather greeted the first Brigg Farmers' Market of the summer yesterday (Saturday, June 25).
The sun shone and thankfully there was a stiff breeze to take the edge off the temperature for traders and the many shoppers who browsed the stalls, stands and mobile outlets in the Market Place and along Wrawby Street.
Brigg Town Football Club was a newcomer, booking a stall (pictured above right) to sell merchandise and distribute leaflets detailing the Zebras' pre-season games.
The list includes home fixtures against Hessle on July 6 (7.30pm), Winterton Rangers on July 9 (3pm) and Avro on July 23 (1.30pm).
Punnets of fresh strawberries found many takers yesterday, and conditions were ideal for tucking into locally-made Tuckers ice cream.
It was being sold from an ice-box attached to a trike - a traditional method that would have been familiar to Brigg residents in the era between the two world wars.
Among those visiting Brigg yesterday were scooter club members, whose machines are seen here parked near Wetherspoon's White Horse pub, and cyclists in full racing gear who also stopped off for refreshments in the town centre.
The monthly farmers' event was accompanied by the traditional Saturday market offering fruit & veg and fish.
The next Brigg Farmers' Market - arranged by North Lincolnshire Council - will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022.

 








 

BROUGHTON CRICKETERS SECURE CUP FINAL PLACE


While Brigg Town were recording their first win of 2022 in Lincolnshire County Cricket League Division Three West yesterday, Broughton 2nds made it through to the final of the Supplementary Cup. Hibaldstow were also in action, in Division Two.
Broughton had home advantage in Saturday's semi-final against Barton Town 2nds and won by the comfortable margin of six wickets.
Brett Fish was only the fifth bowler employed by Broughton but he soon made his mark, taking five wickets at a cost of only 17 runs as the visitors were dismissed for 76 in the 30th over.
After the interval, former Brigg Town bowler Tom Brock managed an early wicket for Barton.
But Broughton eased to victory with Jack Johnstone scoring 21 and Jamie Robinson an unbeaten 19.
The final between Broughton 2nds and Caistor 2nds is due to be played on August 14.
Hibaldstow hosted Division Two leaders Normanby Park yesterday and were well beaten.
They faced an uphill struggle after Park had rattled up 243 for eight in 45 overs, and replied with 143 all-out.
Hibaldstow's Josh Cowling took two for 35 from his permitted nine overs, and Lee Robinson went on to top score with 65.
Our local villagers are mid-table with three wins and three defeats so far.
Broughton's first teamers were without a Division One fixture yesterday.

PICTURES FROM THE 24-HOUR BRIGG TENNISATHON

Tennis being played at Brigg Recreation Ground in June 2022

Play is set to continue today in a 24-hour Tennisathon being supported by
Brigg Tennis Club and its members.
These pictures were taken yesterday afternoon (Saturday, June 25) when the event was well under way in fine and warm conditions.
Players were involved in doubles matches on all-weather courts at Brigg Recreation Ground.
Money is being raised for the National Autistic Society.
Tasty cakes were on offer yesterday in return for a donation, with a raffle also being held to boost the total.
The event is scheduled to conclude at 10am today.