NEW BRIGG SCULPTURE WITH HISTORIC LINKS UNVEILED

A site in Brigg which has been educating local youngsters since the late 17th century has seen a unique addition with historic links being officially unveiled.
Sir John Nelthorpe School now has a distinctive sculpture located on grass just a few yards from the original Brigg Grammar schoolroom, which is the town's only grade one listed structure.
The sculpture - a stack of books featuring the school crest and its motto Fortis et Fidelis, meaning strong and faithful - has been fashioned from stone steps removed from the 19th century entrance adjoining Grammar School Road when a new access ramp was added and other changes made some months ago.
The Henthorn family was represented at the recent ceremony - Dr Frank Henthorn having been a long-serving history master and later deputy headmaster who wrote two books about the history of Brigg Grammar School.
The latter was published in 1969 to mark the 300th anniversary of the seat of learning being founded through a generous bequest in local landowner Sir John Nelthorpe's will.
Sir John had been born in a property in Brigg Market Place in 1614; he became a lawyer and also served as an army officer during the Civil War.
Dr Henthorn worked alongside headmaster Brian Williams, the governors and the Briggensians' Association committee to produce a programme of events to mark the 300th year. There were social events, sports matches and two cine films made by pupils. A comedy, The Racket, included acting roles for some of the teaching staff.
Dr Henthorn lived on Westrum Lane, Brigg, and educated boys at the school from the early 1930s until his retirement more than 50 years ago.
Nicknamed 'Toddy' by pupils throughout his lengthy career, he wrote a number of other local history books - subjects include Brigg's development as a town and another on mid-19th century railways in this area. He was a keen member of Ancholme Rowing Club.
In keeping with other masters of his era, Dr Henthorn taught classes while wearing a flowing black gown.
Ken Harrison, of Brigg Matters magazine, has kindly shared these pictures taken at the recent unveiling.
He tells us that members of the Henthorn family travelled up from High Wycombe (Buckinghamshire).
It is expected that various ceremonies will be held alongside the sculpture, in due course, including inductions and presentations.
In the original schoolroom (still being used today) Ken also photographed the well-known stained glass window overlooking Grammar School Road.
A framed portrait of Sir John Nelthorpe has been a feature of this room since the Grammar School era.
That ended in 1976 when Humberside County Council introduced comprehensive education to the town and established Sir John Nelthorpe School, using former Girls' High School premises on Wrawby Road as well as the former Grammar School buildings where boys had been taught.
Further details about the sculpture and the ceremony have been requested from Sir John Nelthorpe School, which we hope to share to supplement this report.
Briggensians (ex-pupils) live across the world and some of them follow Brigg Blog's posts relating to Brigg Grammar School, the High School and Sir John Nelthorpe School.
We are sure they will be interested to see stones from the steps leading up to the front door (installed in 1878) being re-purposed and recycled to form the sculpture.
The original doorway, adjoining the drive, had been out of use for many years in 1969 when it was restored and reopened as part of tercentary celebrations.
It took some years to construct the original school building, as outlined in Sir John Nelthorpe's will, and lessons did not commence until the early 1680s.
Dr Henthorn's first book about the school - now a collector's item - gives full details.

 

Headteacher Rob Biglands addressing the gathering.

Coun Rob Waltham (Brigg & Wolds Ward), the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, attended the ceremony and is seen (second from left) alongside Sir John Nelthorpe School headteacher Rob Biglands (third from left).