Market Town Newsletter Archive

North Lincolnshire Music and Drama Festival

The 86th North Lincolnshire Music and Drama Festival will be a focus for the area's dramatic and musical interest later this month. The drama section lasts from 20 to 22nd March with music following from 27 to 30 March. The festival concert is planned for the Vale of Ancholme Technology College on Saturday April 1 when Cups and Awards will be presented.

The Spring Festival is as much a part of Brigg's heritage as the Summer Horse Fair. For it was in 1904 that Australian musician of Country Gardens fame Percy Grainger visited Gervase and Lady Winifred Elwes in Brigg and accompanied them to the festival that Lady Winifred had established in 1900.Grainger was so impressed with the quality and variety of music that in the following years he revisited the area.Armed with a bicycle and a photograph he went around recording local people singing folk songs, records of which still exist today. While staying locally he heard the folk song 'Brigg Fair' penned by Saxby all Saints composer Joseph Taylor. At that time Joseph knew only two verses and is reputed to have first heard the song sung by a gipsy at the fair.'It was on the 5th August the weather hot and fine' he began, but little did he know that the lilting melody would achieve national recognition in the orchestral work by Delius.
The Festival has changed over the years and today it is mainly about young people who will do their bit on the various stages.

Prose, Bible Reading, dramatic quartets will all feature in the drama programme centred on the Angel Suite under the watchful eye of adjudicator David Fonville. Evening classes will be held at the Vale of Ancholme Technology College and the Tuesday afternoon classes at St John's Church. Music from Monday 27 March until Thursday 30 March will be at the church. Adjudicator will be Stuart Smith and official accompanist will be Glynn Butler. A charge of £1 is made for admission to sessions both in drama and in music.
"We are slightly up in our drama entries and slightly down in music so thisngs have just about balenced out.This means that we shall have three full days of drama and four full days of music this year,"said Entries Secretary Marjerie Grisdale.
Adult Choir entries are again dissapointing but a highlight of the week should be the primary schools choir section and the junor dramatic quartets.
The Society has a child protection policy which means children taking part must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
Programmes will be available from Wallheads Outfitters,Michelle's Hairdressers and Grandad's Shed in the week before the festival starts.Trophies at the final concert starting at 6pm will be presented this year by Coun.Penny Smith Town Mayor of Brigg.

Holocaust Memorial Day

Brigg's Holocaust Memorial Day was observed by over fifty people in the Angel Courtyard. The remembrance of the ten million who perished in the 2nd World War was symbolised by the laying of ten stones, one for every million lives lost, at the memorial. Leading the town's remembrance were MP Ian Cawsey and Town Mayor Coun Penny Smith, together with members of the local Jewish Community. Laura Major, Rachael Major and Charlotte Glossop laid a stone on behalf of the youngest generation in the town and the observation was led by the Town Mayor's Chaplain Keith Simpson.
A spokesman for the local Jewish community declared:
"It is good to come here and remember each year, to light a candle and reflect. It also reminds us of what is still happening around the world as people are persecuted for their beliefs."

Scout Group

Brigg's reformed Scout Group are up and running and will be attending an international jamboree in Norfolk this August. Last year the Elwes Street Scouts closed in the summer months after leaders left the area but the New Year has seen the Scouts meeting at the 'hut' on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 pm. Simon Price is the new Scout Leader and he has a new assistant in Danial Clayton. Assistant District Commissioner for East Glanford Paul Thornton is also overseeing the group's progress. The group already has fourteen Scouts and Mr Price is delighted at the progress being made.
"It is all about giving young people some fun and enjoyment. The first week of August should see us at an international camp in Norfolk. We hope to build the group up to between 20 and 25 members, ideal for the size of the hut we have."
Mr Price who left the Army recently after six years' service has a lifetime's background in the Scout movement:
"I started as a beaver and my mum still serves as a leader. Scouting runs deep in my family. My wife Louise is also a Guider with the 1st Broughton Guides."
Mr Price lives in Broughton and before coming to the area operated in leadership roles with the 2nd/4th Barry Group in South Wales and with the 1st Haverfordwest Scouts in Pembrokeshire.
Assistant Scout Leader Danial Clayton has also moved back to the area. A former student of Sir John Nelthorpe School he has been living in Durham for the past ten years.

Landmark Empty Properties

Landmark Empty Properties is the title of a new project being undertaken by North Lincolnshire Council and which looks set to benifit Brigg. The Environmental Health (Housing) Team of the Council have secured access to funds for specific projects related to improving the housing stock of the area. One objective of the scheme is to help secure the renovation and reoccupation of buildings, which can be reasonably considered to be 'Landmark empty properties'.
The landmark empty properties the council want to target are those which by their appearance and the fact that they are empty, are detrimental to the local area.
Brigg Town Council, like parish councils in the Brigg area, have been asked to help identify these properties and also to find the owners. There is a designated number,01724 2927506 to provide information and the public are urged to get involved.
Phil Hayden, Assistant Health and Housing Officer, Neighbourhood and Environmental Services for North Lincolnshire has initiated the scheme,and he has already received a response from Brigg Town Council which has identified the following sites:
Ancholme Way - ex Trent Foods warehouse.
Brigg Market Place - ex Smith Parkinson Ford premises and adjacent empty shop unit.
Cary Lane - run down storage buildings used to house the market stalls.
Wrawby Street - Shoefayre premises.
Bigby Street - the derelict boarded up property to the rear of the Nottingham Building Society and adjacent to the Indian takeaway.
Paradise Place - part completed boarded up dwelling.
Grammar School Road - derelict shop adjacent to the Ancholme Public House.
Grammar School Road/Wesley Road point - derelict outbuildings.

Plaque Restoration

Brigg Town Council and North Lincolnshire Council are joining forces to restore the plaque on the town centre riverside in memory of Princess Diana. The Princess paid the first of two memorable visits to the town in 1988 when she planted a pear tree on the banks of the Ancholme near the County Bridge. Sadly the plaque mounted there on concrete has not been given the 'tender loving care' the iconic princess deserved, being particularly vulnerable to unsympathetic mowing machines. The replacement plaque will be of imperial green granite and its surrounds will be maintained seasonally by a flower bed. The Town Council are to work together with the North Lincolnshire Neighbourhood Services team to maintain the site. It will be appropriate that Coun Penny Smith the Town Mayor in 1997, the year that Princess Diana died, will unveil the new plaque to her memory as part of her duties in her second term of office.

Brigg's successful Regeneration Project some fifteen years ago has visible signs all over the town centre and are a practical as well as visual reminder of the two visits of the princess that many will recall. After that first visit to launch the project she came back two and a half years later on its completion.The flagship building of the project, the new look Buttercross was officially opened by the Princess in February 1991. A packed crowd in the market place were delighted to shake her hand when she went walkabout with the then Glanford Mayor Coun Terry Atherton. These were two memorable days for the town and how appropriate it is that the plaque recording her first visit is to be replaced and hopefully more lovingly looked after.It will hopefully be an appropriate way to remember an iconic lady with a special link with the town and whose life was cut short but six years after her second visit.

The plaque by the pear tree near the County Bridge that looks tired now and will be replaced.
The pricess on walkabout on her second visit in 1991 when she opened the Buttercross building.

Father Owain Mitchell was 'collated and inducted'

Father Owain Mitchell was 'collated and inducted' as Vicar of Brigg, Wrawby and Cadney with Howsham, at a service in St John's Church. Preacher was Rt Rev David Rossdale Bishop of Grimsby assisted by Archdeacon of Stow Ven Tim Ellis and Rural Dean Canon Chris Lilley. In time honoured tradition wardens and representatives of the three parishes escorted Father Mitchell to the font, altar and porch when he rang the bell to announce his arrival. Representatives from Father Mitchell's former parish at Bridlington journeyed to Brigg for the service. A welcome to the town was given by Town Mayor Coun Penny Smith and by representatives of the other denominations and the town's schools. St John's Choir sang Lead Me Lord by Wesley. Rev Gordon Plumb made a special 'welcome cake' with a picture of the Church which was enjoyed at a reception in the Church Hall after the service.

Father Owain Mitchell (centre left) following his induction with from the left -
Derek Bunting Church Warden St Mary's Wrawby,Archdeacon of Stow Ven Tim Ellis, Rt Rev David Rossdale Bishop of Grimsby, Church Wardens Hiliary Barnard and Bill Nobbs (Cadney) and Pam Braithwaite and Mike Birkitt (Brigg)

Winners of Festive Decoration Competition

Jill and Chris Barratt of 75 Churchill Avenue were the winners of Brigg Town Council's festive decoration competition judged by the Town Mayor Coun. Penny Smith.

"When I went round this had real 'wow' factor. I judged on a 'wow' scale and for this we gave it three stars -or wows-it was fantastic! Wow Wow Wow we said as we rounded the corner and saw it," said the Mayor.

The winners received £50 in vouchers to be spent at Bryan ’s DIY on Wrawby Street -on Christmas decorations for next year of course!"

The Angel Suite Improvements

Brigg Town Council are keen that full use is made by the community of the Angel Suite.Improvements are to be carried out shortly with a number of repairs and improvements following priority work recommendations in an Access Audit Report on the building. Lever taps and grab rails for the toilets, improved signage and installation of visual fire alarms are all among the alterationsneeded.
There are regular group meetings and activities in the Angel Suite including; Indoor Bowls, Yoga, Tai Chi, Line Dancing, Breast Cancer Support Group, Flower Society, Civic Society, North LinKs Seniors Forum, and Church Group meetings. Details can be found on the Angel Suite Notice Board which is situated on the wall along Exchange Place, adjacent to the entrance to the building.

Enquiries about bookings can be made the Town Clerk Jeanette Wollard on 01652 659402

Brigg Summer Fayre

With little over a month in which to prepare, the new organising committee of Brigg Summer Fair did a fantastic job getting the event on the road. Though crowds weree slightly down there was no shortage of action for young and old alike.Our camera captured the best of the action on the town's streets.

The travellers came with their horses and the traditional scene attracted plenty of interest in Station Road.
Brigg Air Cadets did a fantastic job as stewards at Brigg Summer Fair.Here are Richard Taylor and Hannah Graham on duty in Wrawby Street.	Face painters Shelley Adam and Tara Rayment had plenty of buisness.
	Molly Angell and Molly Beacock present their bouquets to compare Rachel Day and DJ Nikki Crabtree with announcer Frank Tett and accordian player Hugh Barwell looking on.
Town Mayor Coun Penny Smith goes under the hammer at Brigg Fair.

Brigg Fiddle Fest

Fantastic support, superb crowds and incredible fiddling. That was the verdict of organisers of the Brigg Fiddle Fest weekend based in the Angel Suite. Busking on the streets, fiddle workshops and two nights of sell out concerts created a warm atmosphere of music and dancing. Stars of the weekend were the Kathryn Tickell Band. It was her second visit to the 'Fest' and she had no doubts about the very special atmosphere that now attracts the stars here every year. She recently won the BBC Radio 2 Award for Musician of the Year:
"It is a really intimate and exciting atmosphere - fiddlers of all abilities come. I go to the Edinburgh Festival and this is up there. There is such a good interaction between audience and performers."
If the atmosphere was special so was the band's performance on stage. Just returned from a tour of Norway Peter Tickell's superb fiddle playing combined harmonically with Kathryn on her Northumbrian pipes to create a unique sound.
Kathryn Wesley and Jess Spalding were at their first festival. They could not wait to get some CDs and take part in the workshops. Ollie McGregor of New Folk had travelled at the way from Abergavenney in South Wales to lead workshops as well as play on stage:
"This is such a friendly festival - well worth the long journey."
Ian Cawsey MP - a member of the House of Commons Band judged the busking competition with Town Mayor John Kitwood attending the Friday concert. The Grimsby Morris Men and the street buskers combined to give the town a Spring Carnival atmosphere at a hugely successful event.

Organiser Lynn Coggle (right) welcomes the Kathryn Tickell Band to the Brigg Fiddle Fest.
From the left - Peter Tickell Ian Stephenson Kathryn Tickell Julian Sutton and Lynn Coggle

Wootton Fiddle Club's Carol Dawson leads a workshop in the Lord Nelson.

Busking on the streets.

New Mayor


Town Mayor John Kitwood hands over his Mayoral Chain to Coun Penny Smith watched by Mrs Kathryn Kitwood and Mike Hills the new Mayor's consort.

New Town Mayor in Brigg is Councillor Penny Smith who received the chain of office from retiring Mayor John Kitwood. Mrs Smith's husband Mike Hills is the Mayor's consort, while taking over as Deputy Mayor is Coun Maureen Glossop. Accepting office the new Mayor announced that her charities would be the Brigg Breast Cancer Support Group, Brigg Macmillan Cancer Fundraising Group and Rosecroft Residential Home.
At the changeover evening Retiring Mayor John Kitwood presented cheques of £1588 to Adrian Carlile of Brigg 1st Responders backed by Brian Parker of Brigg Rotary Club who have promoted the 'Lives' group and to Peggy Dorman of the Jerry Green Foundation. The animal sanctuary at Wressle was the other choice of Coun Kitwood. Looking back on his past year in office Coun Kitwood thanked his wife Kathryn, Town Clerk Jeannette Woollard and his chaplain Rev Michael Silley for their support. Rev Silley was presented with a large framed picture of Brigg by the Council in appreciation of the work he had done as chaplain in serving several Mayors.
Taking office Coun Smith said she had included Rosecroft as one of her charities because of its fundraising efforts in aid of a 'Balance Master' to help stroke and fall victims rediscover balance.
The new Mayor's Chaplain will be Lay Reader at St John's Church Keith Simpson.


Rev Michael Silley who has served as Chaplain to six town Mayors in Brigg receives a framed portrait of the town on his retirement watched by the Mayors he has served.
Pictured also is Mrs Mavis Silley and Town Mayors Barbara Morris, Tom Glossop, Mike Birkitt, John Kitwood, Penny Smith and Tony Sykes.

Wolds Villager Bus

The Wolds Villager bus is proving a hit with local people and carrying ever increasing numbers of passengers. Few passengers are taking the opportunity to use their bus tickets for a half price dip at te Ancholme Leisure Centre however.
The bus service that links Brigg with Wrawby, Barnetby and its rail link, and Kirmington, was launched in the Autumn as a project by the Brigg Market Town's Initiative now under the umbrella of Brigg Beacon Town. Co-ordinator Louise Glover said:
" The service is being really well used and clearly is a success."
She reminded users of the bus that they were eligible to use their tickets as a voucher for half price swimming during public swimming time at Ancholme Leisure Centre.
At the moment there is no official bus stop and turnaround in the station entrance at Barnetby so passengers needing to get to the Inter-City Trans-Pennine rail hub have to walk up from the village.There is presently no turning space at the station but hopes are that negotiations taking place will lead to a stop being introduced in the station yard itself.

Brigg Civic Society

Brigg Civic Society, the town's heritage group, is one of the most thriving in the area with membership numbers up in the past year. In his annual report published this week Keith Nutting, Society Secretary, has outlined the group's progress.
During the year, five members died and one or two former members did not renew their subscriptions, but with the recruitment of new members, the Society was delighted to report a net increase of 10 to 125 in total membership. As a proportion of the population of the town this is way about the average for Civic Societies.Members were urged however to make every effort to encourage friends and colleagues to join the Society.
The attendances at indoor meetings were much better than those for the previous year. However the educational visit to Southwell was less well supported and the Society will need to have a rethink about future outside visits. The Society continues to have a good relationship with the Highways Directorate of North Lincolnshire Council who ensure that any damage done to the paved surfaces of the pedestrianised area by public utilities and other bodies is quickly repaired when reported. The Society was able to persuade the Council to redecorate the Tin Tabernacle in a more suitable colour, after the woodwork was repaired by Ian Smith. The main project in the year was the successful replacement of the street signs in the Conservation Area and the town entry signs. The sale of the old signs realised an incredible £981.00 which will enable the group, in co-operation with Brigg Town Council, to replace more signs on the fringes of the Conservation Area. Thanks were extended to Ian Smith who worked so hard on the project. The accounts for the year ended 31 January 2005 showed a healthy position.
" Our thanks go to all those who have helped us to achieve some of our objectives during the past year including Brigg Town Council and Councillors and members of the staff of North Lincolnshire Council," concluded Mr Nutting.

Grayson Clarke, Master Photographer

Ever heard of Grayson Clarke,Master Photographer from Bridge Street Brigg.Try looking in a corner of Brigg Cemetry and there can be found the gravestone of a man about whom far more has been leant in recent weeks. The stone bears the epitaph "In Loving Memory of Grayson Clarke,died May 23rd 1937 aged 67 years Rest in Peace." He will certainly have been turning in his grave following the publication of a book by Brigg's local history experts John and Valerie Holland. From Scotter to Brigg is based on the photographs of Clarke, Master Photographer (1869-1937) and is a fascinating read. The book went on sale in February at The Tourist Information Centre (£9.95) and to mark the launch the authors signed copies at the same location. Clarke moved from Scotter to Brigg in 1910 living in the West Terrace stretch of Bridge Street. In the days when photography was far removed from the imaging of today he took photos of local people as well as scenes in and around the town. He proudly set up a horse drawn caravan as a studio a picture of which is on the inside cover of the book. One view to capture attention is a view of Bridge Street on George V's coronation in 1911. Albert Street in 1920,Glebe Road School's May Queen Ceremony in 1932,and the arrival of the first petrol pumps in Brigg are other pictures of interest to Briggensians. There are also pictures taken in Wrawby, Scawby and Redbourne.
Contact Brigg Tourist Information Centre for information.

John and Valerie Holland with their new book From Scotter to Brigg.

Sculpture to mark anniversary.

Brigg Town Council have commissioned sculptor Mick Burns to provide a sculpture to mark the 800th anniversary of the town's Market Charter celebrated in 2004. The design (pictured) depicts a horse in recognition of the historic Horse Fair. Worries about potential vandalism and long term weathering will mean that the courtyard area of the Angel Suite or the main function room are likely locations for the work.

Operatic Society Success

Brigg Operatic Society's Concert Party raised a fantastic £867 at their hastily arranged Tsunami Concert in a packed St John's Church. Society Chair Peter Barnes and wife Gloria lived in Indonesia twenty years ago and because of their personal sadness for the people who provided for a very happy part of their life they decided to get the concert arranged as quickly as possible.
" Peter worked in the bank then. We visited several of the islands where the problem has occurred. We also went to Thailand and Malaysia. We just had to do something. Many of the local people have so very little but they are warm and generous," said Mrs Barnes.
The couple received fantastic support from the business community in Brigg as well as those who turned out on the night to pack the pews.
" So many businesses came up with raffle prizes. We even had to turn some down. The raffle alone raised over £250. We are very grateful to everyone who backed us."
Songs from the Shows got the punters tapping on their toes and there is a chance to hear the Operatic Concert Group again next month when they are set to appear in Waddingham on March 8.

Brigg Operatic Society in full voice at their Tsunami Concert in St John's Church.

Rev. Silley Moves On

Vicar of Brigg Rev Michael Silley left St. John's Church in January to become the Bishop of Lincoln's personal assistant. A successor is not expected to be appointed until later next year. Rev. Silley also acted as incumbant of St. Mary's Wrawby and All Saint's Church Cadney after these churches became part of the local group of churches.
For a short while Rev Silley acted as Rural Dean of Yarborough Fdeanary. Apart from his parish role he has also acted as Mayor's Chaplain to several Brigg Town Mayors including Couns. Mike Birkitt, Tony Sykes, Mike Campion and present Mayor John Kitwood. All have held their civic services in the church while Michael Silley has been very active at events arranged in the town such as the annual Christmas Lights switch on. He has also been an enthusiast for ecumenical developments in the Yarborough Deanary as well as in the town. He has been a member of Brigg Rotary Club and involved in charity work on various fronts. Rev Silley came to the town from the Ingham group of parishes seven years ago following the departure of Rev Geoff Neale for Gloucestershire. Local people said their farewells and made their presentations at his final service in St Johns Church. Rev Silley was handed a framed picture of scenes of Brigg drawn by former Brigg artist Stephen Hill. Mr Hill now lives in the South of England but journeyed to the town to ensure the gift could be handed over in time. The Methodists handed over an engraved glass bowl in appreciation of the ecumenical contribution to Michael Silley during his nine years in the town. Paying tribute Church Warden Pam Braithwaite said that Rev Silley and his wife mavis had very much been a double act during their stay in the town.Mrs Braithwaite said that they had made an outstanding contribution not just to the churches but to the wider community. In the packed congregation for the final service was Town Mayor John Kitwood one of several Mayors to whom Rev Silley had serviced as Town Mayor's Chaplain. He was joined by Tom Glossop, Mike Campion and Penny Smith three of his predecessors. Rev Silley is to continue in the role of Mayor's Chaplain until the end of the Mayoral Year.

New Fire Chief

New fire chief in Brigg is George Dyer (39) who takes on the title of Watch Manager at Brigg Fire Station. He succeeds Melvyn Cooper who retired near the end of 2004. He was previously Mr Cooper's understudy and has served at the Brigg station for 15 years as a retained fire fighter.
" It will be a hard act to follow taking over from Melvyn who was held in such high regard after his 38 years service. If I can maintain his standards it will be beneficial to the station but like anyone taking on a new role I shall try to improve where I can,"he declared.
He will have charge of the fourteen retained firemen who man the Brigg station.His two assistants will be David Riggall and Kerry Driscoll who both now have the title of Crrew manager.
The Brigg arera covers a wide part of rural North Lincolnshire from the Barnetby Motorway Interchange through to Forest Pines,along the A15 to the Elsham Wolds Industrial Estate and up to Hibnaldstow on the south side of Brigg.

Bash Anniversary

Brigg Amateur Social Historians(BASH) marked the 60th Anniversary of the ending of the War in Europe with a trip to Harperley Museum in County Durham where a new museum has been set up reflecting life in a prisoner of war camp. The huts on site were used for German POS's in the war. The reason for the BASH visit was that some of the artefacts from the old Pingley Camp POW base in Brigg have been taken there. Pingley Camp on Bigby High Road was used for both Italian and German prisoners but the site is now badly run down with many huts demolished.
"We were able to see that the old dentist chair from Pingley Camp is in safe keeping together with some of the old cooking utensils. there were several other bits and pieces.We intend to go back up there next year and see how the museum has developed," said Josie Web Chair of BASH.
BASH are running a series of town heritage walks through the summer on Sunday evenings starting at 6.30 pm at the library. Dates are June 26, July 24 and August 21.
Tickets are on sale from June 1 at the Tourist Information Centre costing £2.50.
Enquiries can be made to Josie Webb on 01652 650138.
The next BASH meeting will be on Tuesday June 7 at 8 pm at the Ancholme Inn. Speaker will be former ARP Warden Ken Jacobs.

Magrath Award

Anthony and Margaret Darker receive the McGrath Community Award from Town Mayor John Kitwood and Mayoress Kathryn Kitwood at the Brigg Civic Banquet held at the Karr Restaurant.

Brigg Town Mayor Coun.John Kitwood with his local Town and North Lincolnshire Councillors at the Brigg Civic Banquet in the Karr Restaurant.