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.