The Brigg Newsletter compiled by Peter Thompson, gives a review of life in the market town  for those who live locally and also for the many who log in from further afield and overseas.

THE STORIES AT THE TOP ARE THE MOST RECENT

JUNE

Bryan Robins, a former Town Mayor and a much liked and familiar face in Brigg has died at his home.He was 77.
Bryan was the only son of Baden and Mary Robins and was brought up in Ridgeway near Sheffield, but in the county of Derbyshire. He attended Ridgeway Primary then  Secondary School, atttending the local Methodist Church. His first job was as an office boy on the Sheffield Star and Telegraph, but soon began training as a photographer.
He signed up for National Service in the RAF and spent three years as a photographer being stationed at Leuchars in Scotland and then in Germany.
After a short while back in the Sheffield area, he came to Brigg in 1959 to work as a photographer on the Lincolnshire Times, the then weekly newspaper in the town, produced from an office in Wrawby Street. He lived in lodgings for a while before he met and shared a flat at 54a Wrawby Street with friend Peter Barnes. Thus began a long association with Brigg Operatic Society of which he later became President.
The nature of his work meant he visited many local organisations in the area to cover their functions. He became involved in local politics, first standing for the Brigg Urban District Council in 1963. He campaigned on a horse drawn carriage and was readily elected. Thus began long service of a different kind. He became Chairman of Brigg Urban District Council in 1969, and later became Mayor of Brigg in 1977 meeting the Queen at Brigg Recreation Ground on her Silver Jubilee tour, alongside his mother Mary who was  his Mayoress. He served on many local committees,including a long stint as Chairman of Governors of Brigg County Primary School and as a member of the Sir John Nelthorpe School Foundation Governors. He became President of Brigg Town Football Club, Brigg Operatic Society and Brigg Horticultural Society. He was President of Glanford Amateur Swimming Club,declaring that if he fell in he would have to sink to the  pool bottom and walk to safety- because he could not swim!
Brian's love of photography saw him win a national competition with a  photograph of the Humber Bridge by night. The prize was a photo shoot with actress Joanna Lumley.
Mr Robins funeral was conducted at Brigg Methodist Church by Rev.Enid Knowles.The Local RAF National Service Association provided a guard of honour with the Town Council.Tributes were paid by godson Ian Barnes and long serving Town Councillor Penny Smith. Interment followed at Brigg Cemetery.
Paying tribute to Bryan Robins, Brigg Town Mayor Ben Nobbs said:
"I have known Bryan for over 50 years .He was such a hard working man, the heart and soul of Brigg in his work as a photographer and with the Operatic Society, Horticultural Society, and many other organisations in the town. He was of course  a long serving member  and Mayor of the Town Council and the former Brigg Urban District Council. He was involved with our schools as a governor and still was on the Foundation Governors at Sir John Nelthorpe School at the time of his death. Above all he was a really nice guy, well respected by all who knew him."
picture

Plans to mark the 10th Anniversary of the hugely successful Brigg Farmers Market in July have brought back memories of its opening in 2000. Actor John Savedon who played butcher Fred Elliott in ‘Coronation Street’ was invited to perform the honours. He also had to use his ‘experience’ to judge the town’s best Lincolnshire sausage competed for by local butchers. Tom Glossop was Town Mayor at the time.
“John was hilarious and he came out with some right quips. He was very interested in the town and was clearly a firm believer incountry towns retaining their character. He would be pleased to see how the market has developed.”
Coun Glossop confirmed that Spellman’s Butchers, then of Cary Lane but who have since moved to Old Courts Road, won the ‘Best Sausage Competition’.
The market’s success has meant hundreds flocking to the town centre on the fourth Saturday of every month and in 2009 the market won a Best Country Market Award.
The Town Council are to sponsor a busking competition on the day. With the cancellation of this year’s Fiddle Festival no street busking has been held so far this summer.
Next month’s celebrations are planned to take place on Saturday July 24. The programme is yet to be released so it remains to be seen whether there will be a ‘link’ with the big day ten years ago and another sausage competition.

Grimsby Morris Men came to town to bless Brigg’s historic water pumps. A crowd gathered at both the Nelthorpe Arms and at the Grammar School Road pumps to see the ceremony. Town Mayor Ben Nobbs looked on and after a week of heavy rain hopes were for a drier period despite the sentiment on the night. The pumps were blessed and a thanksgiving for water given by curate of St John’s Church Father David Eames. The Morris Men performed dances outside the White Hart first where the pump had been decorated with flowers by Pat Parkinson Secretary of Brigg Amateur Social Historians.

Brigg’s Woodbine Park has been  officially opened  after a £150,000 makeover.
Play, sport and outdoor gym equipment plus a multi-use games area have been installed at the park and there is now something to suit people of all ages.
Other new additions at the park include picnic tables, litter bins and benches.
Paths across the park have also been widened and resurfaced.
To celebrate the official opening there was lots of free activities to enjoy and the 3Bs Street Project team was there running sports sessions for children and young people.
Other attractions included Bikeability with an instructor from the School Sports Partnership, parachute games and free snacks and drinks for children.
Councillor Mashook Ali, Deputy Mayor of North Lincolnshire performed the opening ceremony.
Woodbine Park is the biggest project so far in North Lincolnshire Council’s Playbuilder scheme with a budget of £150,000.
The leader programme provided £50,000, Playbuilder provided £82,000 and the remainder came from North Lincolnshire Council.
Woodbine Park is the 11th Playbuilder site to be completed and 12 more are due to be finished by April 2011.
Councillor Len Foster, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood, Environmental and Communities, said: “Woodbine Park has proved a hit with people all over Brigg since the renovation work ended.
“It’s an attractive, traditional style park and families have been out enjoying picnics and playing games while the weather was good.
“Springbank Residents Unity Group and Brigg Town Council have been hugely supportive of the scheme and this shows in the respect local people have shown the park and the way it is being looked after by the community.”

MAY

New Brigg Town Mayor is Coun Ben Nobbs who steps up from the position of Deputy Mayor he has held for the past 12 months. He succeeds Coun James Truepenny. Coun Nobbs will have as the Mayoress former Town Mayor Barbara Morris.
Coun Nobbs (66) has served on the Town Council for the past three years after he retired from a career in teaching and youth service work. He is well known in Brigg as the editor of the Brigg Matters Newsletter. He was born in Scunthorpe and spent his early years in the town before moving to Brigg. The Mayor’s Chaplain will be Methodist Minister Rev Enid Knowles. In his acceptance speech he told fellow Councillors and a large number of residents and friends in the public gallery that he believed Brigg had tremendous potential.
“It is an historic market town,for centuries the only crowning point of the River Ancholme and with a wide range of architecture and shops. The river itself is well used. We need to make the whole of the riverside as inviting for visitors as possible. If we can increase the number of visitors to the town, many will wander through the shopping streets to the benefit of shops and the other benefits.”
Coun Nobbs announced that his two charities will be the ‘Air Ambulance’ and a fund for improving the play equipment in the town’s playgrounds in Almond Grove or the Davy Memorial Field.
Coun John Kitwood has been elected Deputy Mayor and Mrs Kath Kitwood will be the Deputy Mayoress.
In his retirement speech to the Town Council Annual Meeting retiring Town Mayor James Truepenny thanked former MP Ian Cawsey.
“Ian Cawsey has been a wonderful representative for this area and as he leaves Westminster he can be proud of his achievements. I wish him all the best for the future. I would also like to welcome the newly elected MP Andrew Percy to the political fold of the area."
The Brigg Town Mayor’s Appeal in 2009-10 totalled £2285 and this has been divided between the Coun.Truepenny's ’s two charities Let’s Rock Cancer and Brigg Old People’s Welfare Fund.
Proceeds came from Chilli and Bingo Night (£172.72), Donations (£138.95), Civic Service Collection (£102.00), Civic Charity Banquet (£1,800), Brigg Music Club Mayoral Ball (£71.37).
Cheques have been issues to the two charities in the sum of £1,142.52.

Brigg’s community spruce up of the riverbank proved a great success. Volunteers were briefed at the Angel Suite on ‘health and safety’ procedures before being armed with equipment. Two sessions were held, morning and afternoon. In addition an extra session was arranged to tackle the specific area on the riverside near to toilet and picnic areas beyond the inner ring road bridge. Groups from the Air Training Corps, Army Cadets and Guides joined with individuals in the long awaited focus on restoring the riverside to being the key attraction to both locals and visitors alike.
As previously reported the Environment Agency had already started the litter clean process to clear the west bank wall of foliage. Brigg Town Council who have masterminded the project have now earmarked a further £1000 for further litter picking work. Two river weed cuts will now take place this summer rather than the original four as the cost for each cut had been increased from £500 to £2000. The Environment Agency is funding the first cut and the T own Council the second.

APRIL

Brigg Amateur Social Historians have tickets available for their big 'May Special "Wish Me Luck" - 1940's night  on Fri 7th May 2010 at Brigg and  District Servicemen's Club, Coney Court. The event is a  forties night to celebrate V.E. Day featuring Paula Baldwin’s “Shiny Stockings” Swing Band, with  vocalists Sarah Blair-Manning, Christine Scott, Marty Wilson
and the “Jump Jive Alive” dancers.There will be a  Buffet and Raffle  and  1940’s dress/uniform is welcome. Weather permitting there will be  a flypast by a Spitfire, over Brigg's main Old Courts Car Park at 7:20 pm (approx.).
Admission to the Servicemens Club event is by ticket only.Tickets are £15 each from Brigg Tourist Information Centre, The Buttercross, Brigg-tel: 01652 657053.
The  April  BASH meeting at Brigg and District Servicemen’s Club was
"Yeller-Belly Years" Growing up in Lincolnshire 1930-1950 - a talk by John
Rhodes.
The talk was about John’s memories of growing up in Brigg in the years 1930
to 1950. He providing illuminating snapshots of his early life as detailed his book"Yeller-Belly Years" -a title relating back the days when the Lincolnshire
Regiment wore yellow waistcoats.
He described life in 29 Central Square, where he was born.He also recalled the morning when, strangely,his father had made breakfast - followed by his shock at then being presented with a new baby brother. He remembered the mysterious powers of Mrs Playfoot and his days of conker collecting and fights, fish & chips for 3 old pence and the 2:00 pm matinees at the Grand cinema for just 2 pence.
John’s talk fascinated everyone - and all without a single prop other than his book.
This BASH meeting was particularly enjoyable and was once again an extremely well attended event.
picture
John Rhodes,the speaker at April's BASH meeting  with his book Yeller-Belly Years.

Brigg's County Bridge could yet be pedestrianised after an apparent U turn by North Lincolnshire Council.
Town Councillors held a further meeting with officers of North Lincolnshire  to discuss the possibility of collaboration between the Town Council and themselves in the restoration of the bridge. Town Councillors are looking to secure the support of the residents of the town to contribute to the project through the precept.
The officers asked if the people of the town would be prepared to pedestrianise the bridge as this would reduce the cost of any work undertaken; this had been an option discussed before which had been rejected by the highway authority.
The officers made it clear that they would be willing to work with the Town Council to progress the project but they did qualify this support by indicating that it would be perhaps two or three years before they could promise to undertake the work as it is anticipated that there will be a significant reduction in the rate support grant received from Central Government in the future.
The officers are to discuss with their colleagues the possibility of pedestrianising the bridge and establish whether an alternative use of the footbridge can be found to help defray the cost of its removal.
Coun. Ben Nobbs told Town Councillors meting in the Angel Suite that the meeting was agreed as being most positive and it does seem that given the availability of funding there is a will to complete the project.

Brigg Town Mayor James Truepenny has praised the success of the 3B’s Project. In his report to the Annual Town Meeting Cllr Truepenny who is also chair of the 3 B’s Committee said:
“The project has now been in operation for almost two years, and is successfully engaging with young people in all three parishes of Brigg, Barnetby and Broughton on a weekly basis.
“Five years ago the Town Council was receiving regular complaints from residents regarding anti-social and unruly behaviour. Since the 3B’s Project has been in operation, such reports have virtually diminished, and the Local Policing Team has recorded that the project is proving to be a useful tool in building relationships with teenagers out on the street.”
When determining the budget for 2010/2011 the Town Council deliberated long and hard about whether the funds should be put in place to ensure that the project could be sustained in Brigg after the Big Lottery Funding expires in June 2011. It was decided that the key to continued success in reaching the teenagers within the community was the sustainability of this bespoke, unique project, which could respond directly to the needs of the community and its young people.
“The project is not only about providing activities for teenagers, it is about encouraging positive behaviour, pride in themselves, respect for others and pride in their community. It also provides young people with a point of contact with properly trained staff who can help if they have a problem. The Town Council decided that, if the project can have a direct and positive impact on just a few young people, and divert them away from the more unsavoury activities that they are at risk from during these important years, then the investment is worthwhile.
“Considering that anti-social behaviour is the ‘hot topic’ on almost all current affairs programmes and in the national press, and that schemes to combat such behaviour are put forward on a daily basis, Brigg is once again ahead of the game,” he added.

One of Bridge Street’s best known drinking pubs has served its last pint. The Brocklesby Ox pub closed over three years ago and present owner Mick Smith has confirmed he has no plans to reopen it. Mr Smith purchased the pub after it closed. The pub is not in a conservation area nor has it listed status. Mr Smith confirmed that the future of the site is in a different direction:
“We are presently putting together plans to build residences on the site. When planning permission does go through then we shall knock the pub down. It will never be a pub again though,” he declared.

Brigg is bucking the national trend of recession and thriving-according to Town Mayor James Truepenny.
Coun. Truepenny  told the Annual Town Meeting that Brigg had not only weathered the storm of recession, but it appeared to be bucking the trend portrayed in the regional and national media, where other Market Towns with boarded up shops, unkempt streets, and a general feeling of malaise are clear for all to see.
“Brigg appears to have found its niche in an ever changing and unstable market, and the town now has a variety of specialist shops that offer a first class and friendly service to residents and visitors,” said the Mayor.
“The foresight of a previous Chief Executive of Glanford Borough Council,  David Cameron, must be acknowledged in this regard.  When Brigg was suffering the disruptive effects of repairs to the main drains through the town, combined with the regeneration project that resulted in pedestrianisation and re-routing of traffic away from the town centre and along Barnard Avenue, he set out his vision of Brigg being the town it has now become. He suggested that the arrival of Tesco would be the catalyst that the town needed to achieve that aim.
“This was indeed true vision – and it is indeed a pleasure to see new businesses continuing to open in the town, and that those long standing businesses that survived those difficult years continue to survive.”
Coun Truepenny added:
“It is absolutely essential that the Town Council and the community as a whole takes pride in the fact that Brigg does appear to be bucking the national trend, and that we pull together to further develop the town as an attractive, friendly and safe place for people to live and bring up their families, and a fantastic location for people to visit within North Lincolnshire.”

Riverside strollers now have a number of new benches on which to sit and rest awhile. The new seats, reportedly vandal proof, have been installed on the bank running north from the County Bridge and are part of the Town Council’s determination to improve the riverside’s appearance and amenities for the summer months. The previous seats had suffered from wear and tear as well as damage.

MARCH

A massive £1800 was raised at the Brigg Town Council  Civic Banquet held at the Kar Restaurant. The money is donated to the Mayor’s two charities Brigg Old People’s Welfare Committee and Let’s Rock Cancer.
During the evening Maureen Glossop was presented with the Joseph J Magrath Award for Community Service in the town by the Town Mayor James Truepenny. Mrs. Glossop was nominated for the award in recognition of her long standing service to the Brigg Pop In Centre for senior citizens on Cary Lane and her work organising the annual poppy day appeal in the town.Brigg M.P. Ian Cawsey was auctioneer.

Five hundred homes in Brigg have been sent letters warning them that they are at risk from flood. At a flood awareness day in the Angel Suite, Melanie Byrne of the Environment Agency explained further:
"We have automatically set up this system whereby these people will recive warnings from us to their landline phones in an emergency. We dont have names, but the residents with these letters now  have the option of opting out or upgrading so they will receive warnings to mobiles,if for example they are out, or by e mail. In the full package we will also know their name.This event is about making people in Brigg more flood aware."

 The North Lincolnshire Music and Drama Festival came to an end with the traditional concert in the Vale of Ancholme Technology and Music College. Westmoor Hall was full to capacity and participants at the festival were presented with their trophies. Many of them sang,read and acted on stage.
The programme began with All Saints School Grasby choir singing under the baton of Head Teacher Lynette Edwards, and ended with everyone in the hall joining in singing Jerusalem. Trophies were presented by Society President Beryl Potts. Among the dignitaries attending was Mayor of North Lincolnshire Coun. Sue Armitage, Deputy Town Mayor of Brigg Coun. Ben Nobbs and Head Teacher of the Vale of Ancholme Gail Young. Participants and guests were welcomed by Society Chairman Tom Glossop.

Hopes are growing that Brigg Skate Park will not be closed. A well attended meeting this month in the Angel Suite saw fifteen young people who use the park turn up to make their point and to appeal for parents to form a committee. Coun. Ben Nobbs,who had attended the skate park meeting, told the monthly meeting of Brigg Town Council that while they had attempted to form a new management committee that had not proved entirely successful. So far Brigg Town Council have donated £500 and Broughton £200 towards the money needed to pay the 2010-11 insurance cover for the park. Although the park is situated at Ancholme Leisure Centre it has been run by a volunteer committee whose numbers have dropped in recent years. The meeting recognised that a new committee would need to come up with fund raising ideas.

There was a splendid enrolement day held at the monthly Brigg Farmers Market for the Brigg Clean Up Day, set to be held on
22nd /23rd May. M.P. Ian Cawsey and Town Mayor James Truepenny launched the project in the bandstand.
Those enrolling were asked to provide a brief indication of the assistance they were able to offer varying from the provision of manpower / refreshments / use of tools and machinery  and compilation of a photographic diary of the event. 
The town's M.P., North Lincolnshire Council and the Town Council have all linked up in the ambitious scheme to spruce the town up, particularly the riverside area. There has also been a new intitiative in getting young people involved.
Halyna Debeor North Lincolnshire Council's Area Manager for Rural Services and Edward Taylor of Voluntary Action North Lincs were both present at the launch.
Mr Taylor said:
"We are planning to start an action team in Brigg which will be a project for 16 to 25 year olds.This is a scheme that has been working in Scunthorpe and it is a chance to get young people involved in the town clean up here in Brigg."
Town Mayor Truepenny said:
"We are optimistic this recruitment day will bring a positive response and bring the whole town together. The more help we get the more we can get done. The whole town can benefit from the clean up,"

Town Mayor James Truepenny has backed the identification of suitable sites locally for the town’s gypsy and traveller community. Speaking in his report to  the Annual Town Meeting in the Angel Suite he said the Town Council had been involved in the past two years in numerous meetings with North Lincolnshire Council and West Lindsey District Council, regarding the identification of suitable locations for gypsy and traveller sites.
Coun Truepenny said:
“The aim of the Town Council is to ensure that gypsy and traveller accommodation needs are included within the housing land allocations plans, which North Lincolnshire Council and West Lindsey District Council have to provide as part of their Core Development Strategy; and not simply as an addition. Also that proper sites are provided within the environs of Brigg for those members of the gypsy community who have long standing and proven local links with the town. This may not be a popular response to an issue which often generates a hostile reaction, but it is a humanitarian response to the needs of bona fide citizens of Brigg. There is no room for discrimination to today’s society. Brigg is the only town in North Lincolnshire with its own Holocaust Memorial, and it serves as a constant reminder that racism is poisonous and must never be tolerated,”said the Mayor.

FEBRUARY

Brigg Town Councill has co-opted three new councillors-from the left areMelvyn Oades Chris Pope and Mike Galvin.

Brigg Town Council’s Civic Banquet is set to be a splendid affair with civic guests attending from far and wide. The banquet is being held at the Kar Restaurant on Thursday 11 March and will be hosted by Town Mayor James Truepenny and consort Edward Arnott. The beneficiaries of the proceeds will be the Mayor’s two charities Brigg Old People’s Welfare Committee and Let’s Rock Cancer. Following the dinner an auction will be held in aid of the charities. MP Ian Cawsey has acted as auctioneer on previous occasions. During the evening the presentation of the Joseph J Magrath Award will be made to this year’s recipient Maureen Glossop.

Maureen Glossop,picture below, is this years recipient of the Joseph J Magrath Award for Community Service in Brigg. She is pictured on Remembrance Sunday. For many years Mrs.Glossop has given sterling service as the organisor of the local poppy appeal and also at the Pop In Centre in Cary Lane for senior citizens.

The banks of the Ancholme in Brigg could resemble the Thames at Windsor or the Dee in Chester this summer. Fifty interested parties met in the Angel Suite Ballroom to plan the major regeneration of the riverside with the Environment Agency, North Lincolnshire Council and the Town Council taking lead roles.
The first signs of the improvements will come in March when the Environment Agency carries out its first ‘cut’ of weed growth before the nesting season. There will then be three more cuts in the summer funded by the Town Council. North Lincolnshire will collect the spoil from the cuts on each occasion.
In the week commencing Saturday May 22 there will be a Brigg Spring Clean Up on the riverside with volunteers working alongside the statutory bodies.
Volunteer groups and individuals are urged to contact the Town Clerk at the Angel Suite as soon as possible to let them know if they wish to be involved.
Town Clerk Jeanette Woollard told ‘The Mail’ that there had been a positive feel to the meeting with local businesses also getting on board in support.
One of the aims is to generate more visitors to the town as well as increased river traffic.
The unanimous feeling from the meeting was that an attractive Ancholme riverside in high summer could be a major asset to Brigg – just like the Thames Embankment at Windsor.

Brigg’s popular boat ‘The Fire Fly’ will be providing river trips again this summer,out of Brandy Wharf Marina, calling at Brigg en route to South Ferriby.Godfrey Thacker at the Marina said:
"All is in place for the boat to run from Easter Saturday. Weather permitting Fire Fly will leave Brandy Wharf at 11.00am cruising to South Ferriby, calling at Brigg to drop off any passengers who require to go to Brigg only, and collecting there anyone who wants to go to South Ferriby where a meal and/or a drink will be available in the Hope and Anchor Public House. Menus will be available on Fire Fly so food can be ordered on leaving Brigg."
Times will vary owing to weather conditions but it is hoped to follow the schedule below on Saturdays:
Depart Branch Wharf at 11.00am Arrive Brigg at 12.15pm
Depart Brigg at 12.30pm Arrive South Ferriby at 2.00pm
Depart South Ferriby at 3.00pm Arrive Brigg at 4.30pm
Depart Brigg at 4.45pm Arrive Brandy Wharf at 6.00pm
Telephone 01673 818010 or 07708202706 for advance bookings.
In Brigg the pick up and drop off point will be the landing station behind Riverside Surgery.
The maximum number of passengers per trip is twelve. Wheelchair accessible but please advise on booking as the maximum number of passengers will be affected.
The boat was a popular feature in Brigg doing trips run by Scunthorpe postmen in the 1990's, but then was not seeen on the river for a while before turning up at Brandy Wharf last year.Thankfully it now looks set for a new lease of life!

JANUARY

New Year Message 2009 from Cllr James Truepenny – Town Mayor of Brigg

First of all, a happy new year  to all readers. This is always a  busy time of year for civic leaders and as we sat around comparing notes at the Driffield Christmas Lights Switch On, the Mayors of the area realised how much everyone else does. In the past few weeks I have been at two Christmas concerts, a performance in the town centre, church services and Christmas Lights Switch On ceremonies; but what stands out to me through all of this, is that Christmas truly is a time where everyone does think about other people. Something worth remembering when all the fuss is over and done with and you’re sat in front of the Queen's speech at 3 o’clock on Christmas Day; and something to take forward into 2010 when I hope that we can all continue working together for the benefit of Brigg and our neighbours.
As we have  joined together with friends and family to relax and enjoy our Christmas break, I ask you to spare a thought and give thanks to those people who were not able to be with their loved ones and friends over Christmas, particularly the men and women who are serving in our armed forces, and
to those people who may be closer to home but still had to work over the Christmas Period in order to ensure we are safe, and to care for those who are ill, infirm or in need.
 I wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.   

  Councillor James Truepenny
 Town Mayor of Brigg

Brigg Summer Fair is set to be revived in 2010, but not on the traditional Brigg Horse Fair date. Tony Lawson who has taken on the organisation of the event on behalf of Brigg and District Lions Club, said that agreement to hold the fair on the Sir John Nelthorpe School field had been reached with the school. In 2009 the event had to be cancelled after difficulties over  a street trading license. The Horse Fair celebrations are traditionally held around the 5th August but Mr Lawson said the Lions are now looking to hold the event on the weekend of August 14 and 15.
“Discussions have taken place with the school and we are now in negotiation with Brigg Police. The school have already agreed in principal for the Lions to hold the event on the field. Using the field will help us get around the street trading licence issues over which there were problems last year. One option we are considering is a Civil Re-enactment.”
Mr Lawson added that the Lions were looking to take the success they have had in staging the Christmas market into the summer event.

North Lincolnshire Council warned people to stay away  from local rivers and ponds and not to be tempted to try walking on frozen ice.
The council said:
"If the ice doesn’t hold the weight of a person and they fall through it, the freezing cold water below will drain their strength in seconds and in many cases will prove fatal."
Some schools locally were closed but those open in North Lincolnshire received posters from the council’s water safety team warning children and young people of the dangers.
The council is also urging anyone who sees an animal in trouble to contact the emergency services and not attempt to rescue anything themselves.
The council is also offering the following safety advice:
People should also be aware if someone does fall through ice, do not go out on to the ice yourself. Contact the emergency services as soon as possible. Tell the person to stay still and try to reach out to them from the bank. If you can’t stretch out to them, use an article of clothing, a broken branch or anything else suitable. Something that contains air such as a football would also be useful to help them stay afloat.

One of Brigg’s best known landmarks The Dying Gladiator has been sold and is to remain as a pub. Town Councillors at their monthly meeting were pleased to hear the news that the new landlord plans to revive the hostelry. Councillors wanted to ensure that ‘The Dying Gladiator’ statue above the door is retained in all its glory and is to contact the new owner to ensure that every effort is made to do this.

DECEMBER

    A record crowd packed the market place and Wrawby street for a fantasically successful christmas market and  lights switch on ceremony on.
Town Mayor James Truepenny pressed the switch at 5pm, Santa then took up his post in his new grotto and the charity organisations and traders enjoyed a bumper evening.
Mike Johnson for Brigg Lions Club said:
"Its been a huge success helped by the weather.There has been a lot of work involved by all our members but on the night it has turned out simply great. Thanks to everyone for their hard work and support"

The Wold Singers presented their Christmas Concert to a large and appeciative gathering in the Angel Suite.Entitled Songs4U this Christmas Time the concert saw the choir under the direction of Carole Mundy,the accompanist was Ann Powell.Guest artists were Yvonne Ellis (violin) and Ken Carruthers (baritone).
Before the concert began Carole Mundy presented a cheque for £200 to the Help for Heroes fund. This was received by James Mackedie.

Brigg Macmilllan Cancer Research Support Group have now raised over £10,000 in 2009- a total secretary Sally Dewberry said was 'a fantastic effort.'
The  Christmas Coffee Morning held at the Sutton Arms Scawby raised a  £450.
Mrs. Dewberry said:
"This is always one of the most enjoyable events in our calendar and it was great to see  our many supporters there."
The AGM will be held on Wednesday 10th February 2010 at the Sutton Arms when the group will be planning events for the forthcoming year. New members will be welcome.

Brigg M.P.Ian Cawsey  joined forces with Town Mayor James Truepenny  in providing festive music from the market place bandstand at the Christmas Farmer's Market in the town.

November 2009

Ella Wright, Brigg's oldest resident  has died aged 107 in Riverside Mews. Mrs Wright spent most of her life in Norfolk where she worked in service. She moved to live on York Road several years ago to be with family.Her funeral took place at Woodlands Crematorium Scunthorpe.

NOVEMBER

.The Dying Gladiator has been sold and is to remain as a pub. Town Councillors at their monthly meeting were pleased to hear the news that the new landlord plans to revive the hostelry. Councillors wanted to ensure that ‘The Dying Gladiator’ statue above the door is retained in all its glory and is to contact the new owner to ensure that every effort is made to do this.

In November the Remembrance Day parade assembled in Station Road and was led by the Air Training Corps Band to the parish church for the Service of Remembrance.
The service there was led by the Town Mayor's chaplain Father Owain Mitchell.the parde marched to the War Memorial after the service for the laying of wreaths.

Maureen Glossop who co-ordinates the Brigg Poppy Day appeal has anouunced that this year's total collection amounted to  over £11,132.
She said:
"This puts us up by £2000 on 2008.The total includes the surrounding villages.I would like to thank all collectors and all those in the area who donated so generously."

OCTOBER 2009

The Redcombe Lane allotment holders dug deep to improve the ‘veg’ produced on their plots this summer. But they need to improve their weed control if they are to impress the Town Council’s judge Alistair Stothard.
“Weeds had taken over control. The worst I have every seen. Willow weed had control over one plot’s potatoes even though the spuds were good. Half a bucket came up from one plant.”
Mr Stothard blamed cold nights in early summer for a disappointing tomato yield.
Winner of the Best Kept Allotment was Barry Ashcroft with second place awarded to Mick Smith and 3rd place to Ken Milburn. Peter Brock received a Certificate of Merit.
Mr Ashcroft who is tenant of No 22 Plot at the Grammar School Road site received the Mary Robins Rose Bowl and a Voucher for £50 from Brigg Garden Centre.

Barry Ashcroft with Bryan Robins and the Mayor.

Samantha Evans and David Hodges of 4 Southview Avenue have the Best Kept Garden in Brigg. That is official after judges visited gardens throughout the summer in the Town Council’s popular competition and judged them the winner. The well kept flower beds and lawns were much admired by Chief Judge Rod Austin of Brigg Garden Centre who provided a £50 voucher as a prize. The couple also received the Louis T Jarratt Memorial Rose Bowl. Runners up were Mr and Mrs D Eardley at 30 Almond Grove and Mr and Mrs C P Pearson’s at 72 Hawthorn Avenue. They received £30 and £20 vouchers respectively.

Samantha Evans and David Hodges with Mayor James Truepenny.

Tickets can now be obtained for this month’s Brigg Operatic Society production of Oklahoma. The show is being staged from 27 to 31 October at the Vale of Ancholme Music and Technology College. This is the third time the Society have presented Oklahoma.
In 1965 the Society peformed the show on the Corn Exchange stage. Present Society Secretary Gloria Barnes,then Gloria Button,was in the chorus while the star role of 'Ado Annie'  was played by 20 year old Susan Miller opposite society stalwart Peter Bell as Ali Hakim.
The next time the show was done in Brigg was  in 1996. There will be a link to 2009 in that Felice Malaspina who played the part of Ali Hakim, the Pedlar Man, in 1996 will play the same role this year, thirteen years on!
The society’s developing link with music at the Vale of Ancholme will be strengthened even more by Katie Graham (15) who is a pupil at the school playing the leading role of Laurey.
Tickets can be obtained from Sally at Brigg Beds on Princess Street or from Society Secretary Gloria Barnes on 01724 330874.

The ‘gladiator is dead’ – long live the gladiator! That was the sentiment from Town Councillors at their monthly meeting about one of Brigg’s most famous landmarks. The ‘Dying Gladiator’ above the entrance to the former pub of the same name is believed to be the only one in the UK. The pub closed a year ago and is likely to become converted to affordable dwellings.
Town Councillors understood that the ‘listed building’ now an eyesore, cannot be easily converted inside because the ‘status’ is proving to be causing delays.
“I suggest we as a Town Council go to North Lincolnshire and ask them to remove the listed status for indoors,” said Cllr Mike Campion.
“But if the development does go ahead the gladiator could come down,” he said.
“Perhaps it could come here to the Angel Courtyard. It is the only example of a ‘Dying Gladiator’ in Britain. It’s dead though,” he added.
Cllr Penny Smith urged compassion:
“I have been in touch with Lincoln University’s Conservation Department, they have offered their services to look after it”, she told the chamber.
“It has a new head though, this is not the original one,” she pointed out.

The River Ancholme in Brigg Town Centre could next summer be dredged more often and weeds cut on a more regular basis! Sadly Brigg's waterfront area including the river itself has been a mess throughout much of the summer.
Now a high powered and much awaited meeting has now taken place over the problems.
Pricipal Officer David Hawley of the Environment Agency, M.P.Ian Cawsey, North Lincolnshire Councillor Nigel Sherwood, officers of the council and Town Councillors Ben Nobbs and Julian Kidd talked about the  crucial issues of weed problems,especially blanket weed, surface litter, and the increasing shallowness of the river. The latter means the river is only flowing in the town centre stretch when levels are raised or under windy conditions.
"In summer it appears the river gets shallower and clearly we all agreed that we ought to do something about the problems,"said Cllr Nobbs.
"We took away several  issues to look at. The Environment Agency are to look at dredging, and a partnership involving the Town Council, North Lincolnshire, and the Environment Agency are to look at clearing up the litter in summer. We were delighted at how the meeting went and thank Ian Cawsey for coming up from London especially for it.he then returned straight afterwards,"said Cllr. Nobbs.
The meeting started in the Angel Suite and then the group walked the bank.
The Environment Agency are also looking at the frequency of weed cutting through the summer.
"Sadly this was not done until the third week in August by which time the damage was done,"said the Deputy Mayor.
"We were all agreed that the riverside could be such an asset to Brigg,and want to make it one,"said Cllr Nobbs.holme in Brigg Young and old serving Celebratingthe community!
That was the theme of this year's Brigg Town Council Civic Service held in St.John's Church, hosted by Town Mayor James Truepenny and led by the Mayor's Chaplain Father Owain Mitchell.
Joining civic guests from neighbouring councils at the service and providing the music were The Vale of Ancholme Technology and Music College Brass Group and St Mary's Roman Catholic School Choir who sang 'My Heart is Filled with Joy.' Sophie Brumby, Crew Chief of Brigg Music Club sang sorrow by Brett Gurewitz and Gregg Graffin.
Lessons were read by the Town Mayor and the Mayor's Consort Cllr.Edward Arnott. Prayers were led by Head Teacher of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School Tony Norton.

Following the service refreshmehts were served at the Angel Suite.

There was a local win in this years Homecrafts Brigg Sprint Triathlon involving a 400m Pool Swim, 20km Cycle followed by a 5km run and took place at the  Ancholme Leisure Centre.
This year competitors set off from 8am onwards in waves of 5 in the pool with the fastest swim time set by Paul Noble (Barracuda) with a super time of 5 mins 37 secs which also includes a long run into transition. Paul was closely followed by 15 year old Lewis Tuck (Grimsby) in a time of 5.54. The first female out of the water was Seonaid Murray in 6.30.
Onto the bike and it was local man Ian Burkinshaw from Scawby who moved up into first place as he produced the fastest bike of the day 29:44 closely followed by Jason Walkley in 30:01. In the female race Jo Walker stepped it up to move into the lead with a bike split of 34:17.
Ian moved further ahead on the run recording a time of 18:25 and confirming himself as the Homecrafts 2009 Sprint Champion with a total time of 54:48. 2nd overall went to Simon Gearge Lincoln Tri who finished just 2 seconds behind in 54:50.
Jo Walker ran strongly to take the win in the female race in a total time of 1:01:20.

AUGUST 2009 

Brigg and Barnetby's  3 B’s Street Project for young people  has received a major boost that will help toward the sustainability of the project after an award of £10,000 through the Children’s Workforce Development  SHARE! Programme. The project has also been taking part in a film project for a DVD and a magazine that will be used to influence the opinion and methods used by organisations and local authorities working with Children and Families throughout the Country,
The project was developed through a partnership arrangement  and now delivers activities for teenagers in Barnetby-le-Wold on Wednesday evenings, and Brigg on Thursday evening. Friday evening activities are then delivered in rotation between the two parishes and Broughton, which is also part of the scheme-hence its title 3Bs.
Wayne Pigott, the 3B’s Senior Street Leader encourages all young people who live in the three parishes to come along:
“The activities are free and do not require any sporting skill or expertise. There is plenty of opportunity to try something new such as archery, rocketball, kite flying, four court volleyball and even bubble blowing ! Or, if you prefer, just sit around and chill out with your friends alongside the activities. Just turn up and join in.”
The project has now been selected as one of only seven projects in the country to receive funding in Year 3 of the Share! Programme, and in return the project has been filmed, in action, for the DVD and a magazine that will be used to influence the opinion and methods used by organisations and local authorities working with Children and Families throughout the Country, as part of the governments 2020 Strategy – Every Child Matters”
Anita Adams, on behalf of Share! commented that:
"Share! is a valuable CWDC project which helps people who work with children and young people to learn from and share ideas with each other. The real life stories and innovations that happen on the ground are the real success of Share! this year the Share! sites are all fantastic examples of projects that are really helping areas progress with developing an integrated workforce. We are delighted to profile the work of the 3B's project as a simple and hugely effective model that sees three areas coming together to really focus on outcomes for their children and young people."

This year’s Brigg Civic Service will be held on Sunday September 27 at St John’s Church at 4.00pm. The service will be taken by the Town Mayor’s Chaplain Father Owain Mitchell. Civic guests from neighbouring towns will join with North Lincolnshire and Town Councillors and the town’s MP Ian Cawsey to celebrate community life in the town.

St John’s Church Brigg will hold its Harvest Festival service this Sunday September 13 at 9.30am followed by a harvest lunch in the church hall.
Back to Church Sunday is on  Sunday 27 when at 9.30am a service dedicated to people who have perhaps not been to church for a long time will be held at 9.30am. Any newcomers to the town or anyone who just wants to try church going will be especially welcome.

This year’s Brigg’s Christian Aid Appeal raised £5,733. Organisers wish to thank everyone who supported and worked to contribute this very large sum.

Nomination forms are now available for the Joseph J Magrath OBE Award for Community Service in Brigg. Forms are available from the Town Clerk’s office in the Angel Suite, which is open on Thursday mornings.

The next Humberside Neighbourhood Police Forum will be held on Tuesday 13 October in the Angel Suite. The police surgery for confidential matters when local officers will be available on a one-to-one basis is from 6.30 to 7.30pm. The public forum is from 7.30pm.

Two vacancies on Brigg Town Council will be filled by co-option after no townsfolk presented themselves for elected by the due date. The vacancies will be filled at the full Town Council meeting on Monday 28 September with councillors deciding themselves who they want to co-opt. Those putting themselves forward should submit a brief pen picture of themselves in writing to the Clerk’s office in the Angel Suite. The closing date is Thursday 17 September.

Sarah Graham of Scunthorpe will be the guest speaker at the next meeting of Brigg Flower Club in the Angel Suite on Tuesday 22 September at 7.30pm. New members welcome.

Brigg’s Breast Cancer Support Group are holding a sponsored walk across the Humber Bridge on Sunday 4 October meeting at Far Ings Road (at the end of the path up to the bridge) at 11am. Everyone welcome – and dogs!

Brigg Sprint Triathlon takes place on Sunday September 27th. It will be the second year of the eevnt in the town, building on the success of the more established Brigg Adventure Challenge held in May. Entries are coming in fast and full information can be found on the web site at www.lincsquad.co.uk or by telephoning Paul on 07896041665.
The sprint triathlon involves a 400m swim at Ancholme Leisure Centre, a 20km bike ride and a 5km run on the banks of the Ancholme. The event is sonsored for a second year by Homecrafts (BriggLtd).
Entry fee is £35 (BTF members £30) and cheques should be made payable to LincsQuad.
Organisors will be hoping for better luck with the weather this year after heavy rain during the preceeding night meant an abreviated run had to be put in at the last minute in 2008, after the riverside towpath had been flooded.Written application forms can be obtained from Brigg Tri 2009 Entry,6 Poppyfield Way,Brigg,N.Lincs,DN20 8FG.

Chris Newman and Maire Ni Chathasaigh are the latest entertainers to take to The Angel Suite stage as part of the Brigg Town Council initiative to make greater use of the facility.
The harp and guitar playing duo feature on Saturday 3 October at 8pm. Tickets are available on the booking hotline at 07903531201 or 01652 659402 at a cost of £12. The duo made their debut at the 1987 Cambridge Folk Festival. Since then they have toured in twenty countries with their signature cocktail of dynamic Irish dance music, moving airs, evocative songs and striking new compositions spiced with shots of hot jazz and blue grass.
Chris on guitar is known for his humorous introductions and witty dialogue. It all points to a relaxed enjoyable evening of quality music in the folk tradition.

Brigg Fresh Start Over 50’s club are holding a ‘Giant Lunch Club’ at Elsham Golf Club on Monday 12 October at 12 noon. The event is to celebrate ‘Over 50’s’ month. The Speaker after dinner will be Sue Cadman who will talk about her long and varied career in the entertainment profession over 40 years, a career that has taken her all over the world.  She is probably best known for her time spent with the comedy dance due ‘The Roly Polys’. Bookings for the lunch need to be made by Friday 17 September. The cost is £10 per head and payment needs to be made by Monday 21 September.
The Brigg and District Fresh Start Committee AGM is on Monday 19 October at 10.30am at Brigg Resource Centre on Horstead Avenue.

Brigg Amateur Social Historians (BASH) have announced their autumn programme.The Annual General Meeting will be held at the Nelthorpe Arms at 7-30pm on Tuesday September 15th. All are welcome.
This is followed by two high profile lectures.
On Tuesday 22nd September Jon Sass,well known local expert on windmills, will address a related topic that of watermills. Mr Sass is well known as the leading figure behind the restoration of Wrawby Windmill in the late 1960s and after a while working with windmills in the USA returned to the area and has been involved for over twenty years now with the restoration group at the mill. His talk to BASH however will be on the 'Watermills of Lincolnshire' and will be the annual Leach Lecture for the Lincolnshire History and Archeological Society. It is a tribute to the ongoing success of BASH that they have been chosen for the prestigious lecture.
On Tuesday October 6th the speaker will be another old friend of BASH in aviation history expert John Shortland. Mr Shortland is an RAF Historian who has lectured to BASH members on 617 Squadron The Dambusters. This time his illustrated talk will be on the 'Demise of the Tirpitz.' The famous German battleship was the largest ever built to serve the German navy and carried a crew of 1700. It was a target for a raid by 617 Squadron after the Dambusters raid and was destroyed by Lancasterss from the squadron flying alongside 1X Squadron in a raid on 12th November 1944.The attack took place in Tromso Fjord where the battleshipwas hiding.
BASH meetings are held at Brigg Servicemens Club in Coney Court on the first Tuesday of each month.Admission to the meetings are free with a raffle held to offest expenses.

JULY 2009

Brigg Rotary President Robert Horner’s stated commitment to support local community activities during his year in office, has seen him present a cheque to Brigg Cricket Club in suport of youth development.
Robert Danson of Brigg Cricket Club is pictured receiving a cheque for £250 in support of the youth team.
"The team have made great progress and this financial support will help in their development and enable them to enjoy cricket instead of other less attractive activities.,"said Robert.

A lack of volunteers to maintain Brigg Millenium Green is causing concern to Brigg Town Councillors.At the monthly Town Council meeting Coun.Carl Sherwood told colleagues that he had been in dialogoe with Green Chairman Chris Dodsworth:
"Only four members of the committee remain and they are struggling. There has been vandalism at the site and I hope we could come to an agreement with the Millenium Green Trust to see if together we can ensure that the Millenium Green is a safe and enjoyable place for the future."
Coun.Penny Smith felt that there had been a lot of misconceptions in the town about how the Green should look and be kept-such as how much the grass should be mown.
Coun.Sherwood agreed to attend the next Green committee meeting and report back to the council on the best way forward. He said he understood that the committee would welcome help from the council.

Division 6 National Champions – that’s Brigg Mutley Crew Flyball team who went to Southam in Warwickshire with their dogs for the Flyball National Championships – a dog training and exercise routine involving exercise and jumping. The team (front row) with their dogs proudly display their trophy and rosettes.
From the left – Rosie Jones and Galla  Lindsey Hamilton-Rudd and Asti, Mary Carter-Bathgate and Ben and Allison Carter-Bathgate and Jack.
Rear are supporters – Wendy Molyneax and Todd, Hillary Brown and Burtas and Carla Fry and Jasmine.

It may say Welcome to Brigg Fair on the town's approach sign, but this years Brigg Summer Fair has been cancelled after Brigg Lions Club pulled out of organising the event sceduled for Sunday August 9th.
In a statement explaining why the town's fair cannot be held this year Lion Mike Johnson said:
"The situation is that, notwithstanding the a