Brigg – where the past meets the present
With its blend of history and modern features, there’s plenty to appeal to all the family in this historic town, says Andrew Vaux.
Its strategic position at the junction of the River Ancholme and east-west transport routes across northern Lincolnshire means Brigg has always been an important town in the local geography and economy.
The area of present-day Brigg has been used for thousands of years as both a crossing point of the Ancholme and for access to the river itself.
Prehistoric boats of sewn-built and dugout construction have been found in the town, both dating to around 900 BC. A causeway or jetty also stood on the riverside during the late Bronze Age, although its exact use is uncertain.
Countryside lovers can explore the River Ancholme and the rest of the Ancholme Valley by following the Ancholme Valley Way.
The path takes you from Brigg all the way to South Ferriby (10 miles). You can enjoy the path either by foot or cycle and it’s the perfect way to enjoy the riverbank’s beautiful wildlife and diverse landscape.
INDEPENDENT SHOPS
Brigg is definitely one of the best towns for independent shopping. The snug “courts” and “yards” have the most unusual shops. From finding those special one-off pieces to wedding attire, Brigg has it all.
One popular recent addition is North Lincolnshire success story The Cookie People which has opened a sit-in artisan coffee and cookie shop alongside the tourist information point at the town’s historic Buttercross.
Council leader – and Brigg councillor – Rob Waltham has welcomed the successful local business, which already has outlets at Ashby and in Scunthorpe’s Central Park.
asset to Brigg. People rightly come from far and wide for their cookies, which will bring in more trade for the whole town.
“I’m also thrilled that the beautiful Buttercross will be used to its full potential, meaning more people can enjoy this fabulous building, which is a symbol of Brigg and its heritage.”
Toni Robinson, who owns the business along with husband Andy, said: “We’ve always wanted to open a store in Brigg ever since having our first-ever stall at the farmers’ market here.
“We want to create a communal space where people can grab a coffee and sit down to relax. I’m really looking forward to us opening here and getting involved in the local community.
“We plan on giving the Buttercross a new lease of life – it’s going to be great.”
The 204-year-old Buttercross was originally a butter and poultry market, with an assembly room upstairs. In its time it has been a school, the town hall, and a bank.
Brigg’s award-winning Farmers’ Market is held in the market place on the fourth Saturday of the month, attracting thousands of visitors. The market is certified by the Farm Retail Association (FARMA) and offers mouth-watering sights and sounds that are a magnet for all food lovers – with everything from smoked salmon, venison and a range of cheeses to organic vegetables, breads and cakes.
Brigg hosts a yearly horse fair on the first Saturday of August. Large numbers of Romani and Irish travellers come from across England to attend the event. The fair is partly an opportunity to buy and sell horses, but also presents a significant opportunity for community socialising.
The fair has been claimed to be the second largest horse fair in England, after Appleby Horse Fair. It’s also the surviving continuation of the medieval fair which was in existence at least as early as 1205, meaning it is now over 800 years old.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Away from shopping and markets, what other attractions does Brigg offer local residents and tourists alike?
Brigg Garden Centre (www.brigg.britishgardencentres.com) is a must for the budding beginner or blossoming expert. There’s a vast undercover plant area and a garden care department with everything from fertilisers and chemicals to tools, tubs and hanging baskets.
A well-stocked garden furniture department features traditional patio furniture sets, modern contemporary wicker patio sets, dining and conservatory furniture plus all the accessories you may need. Not forgetting hammocks, barbecues and, to warm up those evenings, patio heaters and chimineas.
Wrawby Postmill is a late 18th-century windmill near Brigg, built to serve the Elsham Hall estate.
It’s the last post mill in the north of England, and is open to the public on Bank Holiday Mondays from Easter to August, and the last Sundays in June and July with milling for demonstration purposes only.
There’s a small museum of milling tools and a shop with souvenirs and refreshments. Group visits are welcome. For further information visit www.wrawby.org.uk
Scawby Hall (www.scawbyhall.com) is a Jacobean manor house and was begun by Richard Nelthorpe of Glanford Brigg (1569-1640) in 1603 and has been lived in by members of the Nelthorpe family ever since.
The stunning building is Grade I listed and contains several important paintings, including five by George Stubbs. It’s a rare example of a hall which is still lived in by the original family. Scawby is also mentioned seven times in the Domesday Book.
The gardens are open most weekdays between 9am and 5pm, and at weekends during the hours when the Hall is open.
For younger family members, Fun Forest is a superb indoor adventure play centre open seven days a week (except at Christmas and New Year).
The centre is a clean and safe environment, with plenty of slides, ramps, ball pits and areas to run and burn off all that energy. There are dedicated zones for babies, toddlers and juniors.
There’s a varied menu of freshly made food and pleasant staff on hand to cater for all your needs. The centre is fully air-conditioned, there’s free wireless internet, a private car park, leather sofas and stylish comfortable furniture.
Fun Forest also hosts parties and there is private hire of the entire centre.
For more information visit www.funforest.co.uk
HOSPITALITY CHOICES
After an energetic day enjoying everything Brigg has to offer, there’s plenty of places to relax with something to eat and drink. Local eateries include:
• The Lord Nelson (www.oldmillinns.co.uk/the-lord-nelson): 24 Market Place.
Hosts Caz and Bob will welcome you to the Lord Nelson Hotel offering en-suite accommodation with pleasant surroundings in the heart of the historic town. Serves quality Old Mill ales and home-cooked traditional English fayre.
• The Pantry 8020, Springs Parade (www.thepantry8020.co.uk/brigg): The new menu featuring fresh food made with quality ingredients is cooked to order.Booking is highly recommended to avoid disappointment using the booking widget
• Atrium, Market Place (www.atriumbrigg.co.uk). Enjoy a culinary journey around the world while exploring the diverse flavours and cuisines from different corners of the globe.
• Lascito (www.theexchangebrigg.co.uk/venues/lascito): A modern Italian-style bar and restaurant on Brigg’s historic Wrawby Street.
INDUSTRY GROWTH
Aside from tourism, Brigg is also an important industrial centre. Light industry is present on the Island Carr and Atherton Way industrial estates. A 260 MW gas–fired power station, owned by Centrica, sits to the south-west of the town.
In addition PepsiCo – one of the world’s leading food and beverage companies – has recently announced an £8 million investment in its Pipers Crisps manufacturing site in the town to meet growing demand for the popular snacks.
The funding will boost production capacity at the site by nearly 80%, by replacing existing crisp fryers with new energy-efficient models and installing new packaging machines at the factory, which has been the home of Pipers Crisps since 2004.
Mirjam Fogarty, head of operations, Pipers Crisps, said: “Pipers is a much-loved brand with a rich heritage, and we’re delighted to be making this investment at such an exciting stage in our journey. From small independent pubs, cafés and farm shops, to working with some of the UK’s biggest wholesalers and hospitality operators, the funding will help us bring our delicious crisps to more people, wherever they are, and expand our brand internationally. With Pipers’ 20th birthday fast approaching, I’m looking forward to the next phase of our growth.”
For more information about Brigg visit: www.visitnorthlincolnshire.com/item/brigg
CLASSIC COUNTRY CLOTHING FROM WALLHEAD’S
If you’re looking for a quality range of outdoor and country clothing at great prices, Wallhead’s Countrywear offers a selection of classic sporting brands, as well as formal and casual wear.
Established in 1897 by James Blackburn Wallhead, this highly regarded family run store in Wrawby Street is run by fourth generation Richard Wallhead, who is committed to offering five-star customer service.
Customers travel from far and wide to shop here, including many regular clients from New Zealand and the USA, enjoying exceptional personal attention from the friendly and experienced team.
The shop specialises in men’s and ladies’ clothing from well-known brands such as Barbour, Brook Taverner, Le Chameau, Aigle, Viyella, Peter England, Gurteen and Farah, Hawick knitwear and Failsworth hats and caps.
You will also find quality shooting clothing by German brand Schöffel, including tweed breeks and waistcoats with caps to match, or choose from a selection of popular Gore-Tex and Venturi shooting coats, all fully waterproof and machine washable too!
For more information contact Wallhead’s Countrywear, tel: 01652 652356.
IMPROVE YOUR EYE HEALTH
As experts in eye care, O’Brien’s Opticians in Brigg are leading the way in trusted personalised treatments. Director Dr Sheeraz Janjua, Doctor of Optometry, explains.
As we get older, some people find that their central vision unfortunately deteriorates markedly, with blurriness and shadowing. These effects cause difficulties in everyday life, whether it’s watching TV, or reading – even if reading glasses are used.
Some sufferers also find that it is often impossible for them to recognise faces, which can make socialising very difficult.
At the back of the eye there is an area called the macula, which has to be in good health for us to see clearly in the centre of our vision. That area can deteriorate with advancing age, causing the problem of poor central vision. That’s why the problem is called Age-related Macular Degeneration, or AMD.
Recent scientific research has found that compounds called carotenoids have a great influence on the macula and on the brain as well. There are more than 700 carotenoids in nature. They are plant pigments found in brightly coloured fruits and in green leafy vegetables.
Three carotenoids are present in the macula in the eye: Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Meso-Zeaxanthin. Low levels increase the risk of developing AMD.
Until recently, it has been difficult to assess whether a person’s levels of carotenoids are adequate to protect the health of their eyes. New research has come up with a simple, non-invasive way of assessing carotenoid levels: the ‘LifeMeter’ measuring device is the product of years of research. It works by shining special light onto a forefinger and measuring the reflected light. The person being tested just has to put the tip of a forefinger into the reading device. After a few minutes, the test is complete.
If the person’s carotenoid levels are lower than recommended for continued eye health, food supplement tablets containing suitable carotenoids will be prescribed.
Improvements in levels soon occur, and can be confirmed by further testing after about a month.
On Monday 5th August, O’Brien’s Opticians in Wrawby Street is holding a by-appointment free clinic for evaluating patients’ carotenoid levels to preserve and maintain their eye health.
If you’d like to have your carotenoid levels measured, please call 01652 653595 or 01652 649024 for your free-of-cost appointment.
For more information visit www.obriensopticians.co.uk
DECOZO – HOME TO QUALITY INTERIORS
Located in Wrawby Street, Brigg, Decozo offers a dedicated service where elegance meets craftsmanship and is helping the residents of Lincolnshire and beyond turn their living spaces into a personalised, stylish haven that oozes ambiance and elevates every corner.
This family business supplies virtually everything you need to achieve the beautiful home décor of your dreams. Decozo provides a made to measure service for curtains, Roman blinds and general soft furnishings using the stunning fabrics of leading designers such as Sanderson, Morris & Co, Kate Forman, Colefax & Fowler and many more. Then to complete your personalised project, consider their huge range of designer wallpapers, modern and heritage paints, lamps, shades and rugs of all sizes.
“Step into our world of creativity and sophistication, where every stitch tells a story of elegance and refinement. Our many repeat customers, know we understand that the essence of a space lies in the details, and we’re dedicated to helping you bring your vision to life, one exquisite piece at a time.”
Decozo, a destination and so much more.
For more information visit www.decozo.com
INSPIRING NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE – EARNSHAWS FENCING, GARDEN & LANDSCAPING CENTRE
Situated in Bridge Street, Job Earnshaw and Bros have had a presence in the market town of Brigg since the 1920s, moving to the current site in 1998.
“We know our timber and we are the north’s leading supplier of garden fencing. In addition, garden cabins, sheds, summerhouses and garden furniture are our speciality – we have several displays at Brigg to inspire you.
“A broad range of landscaping materials are in stock to take away, and all of them are available for delivery in bulk within two or three days.
“For paths and borders we have a variety of log rolls and paving, for flower beds we have bark chippings. Our decorative aggregates and gravel include Cotswold chippings, Portland pebbles and pea gravel. For screening, you can choose from two sizes of woven willow panels.
“Brigg is our most rural setting and we offer additional ranges of specialised equine and agricultural fencing products for collection or delivery across North Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire, including bagged shavings for horse bedding.
“In addition to our bespoke driveway gates and stock garden gates, our Brigg centre also stocks a wide range of farm and field gates.”
For more information visit www.jobearnshaw.co.uk
BRIGG HEARING STUDIO – YOUR LOCAL FAMILY-RUN HEARING EXPERTS
Established in 2021, Brigg Hearing Studio has quickly built a name for itself among the local community.
First-class service, coupled with word-of-mouth referrals from valued customers, has helped the family-run studio build an unrivalled reputation for hearing care.
Open Tuesday to Friday, this independent studio offers state-of-the-art diagnostic tests, hearing aids, earwax removal and more, with quality aftercare.
“Our mission is to provide all patients with the best independent hearing care possible. Investment in the latest and most advanced hearing technology and our team’s passion for audiology makes Brigg Hearing Studio the place to invest in enhancing the quality of your hearing.”
If you feel you would benefit from having your hearing tested, or earwax removal, then please feel free to contact the friendly team on 01652 656428 or visit www.brigghearingstudio.co.uk to book your appointment now.
Photographs: Mick Fox
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