Charter 800 / Octocentenary

In 2004 it is the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Brigg Market Charter. This charter permits not only the Thursday markets, but also Four days of celebrations beginning August the 5th each year.

Ideas are being sought for appropriate ways in which to celebrate this milestone. This celebration could be either on a single day or throughout the whole year of 2004. If you have an idea, could you send an email to ed@brigglife.co.uk? All suggestions are gratefully received.

If you would like to set up an event, could you please contact the Town Council Clerk. Her office is in the basement of the Angel Hotel on the Market Place. She keeps a central diary of events.

Music and Drama Festival

Monday, 15 March 2004

From today - 15 March 2004 - through to 27 March 2004 it shall be the Music and Drama Festival. This will take place as usual in the Angel Suite and in the Vale of Ancholme School.

Last week Dowse's Fun Fair got the Brigg Octocentenary off to a good start and the Festival. Full details of all forthcoming events shall appear soon on BriggLife.

Public meeting

Monday, 15 December 2003

There was a generous crowd at a public meeting in the Angel Suite. Members of the public, Town Councillors and representatives of groups offered numerous suggestions for events to be held to commemorate the town's 800th anniversary. Here are some of those ideas.

• Brigg Operatic Society. A 'Concert in the Park' similar to an event held at Normanby Hall. This could be held together with another form of music such as a rock festival to defray the £4500 cost.
• Peter Thompson of the Market Rasen Mail suggested a performance of Delius's Brigg Fair by an 80 strong orchestra in St. Mary's and a mini 'last night of the proms'.
• Brigg Community Association suggested two classic car evenings (27 May and 27 July) with perhaps a 'classic day' during the August 5-9th fair.
• Viking FM shall be contacted to see if they are interested in hosting a Road Show.
• The Civic Society shall place 'Home of Brigg Fair' on the new entrance signs due to be erected on the entrances of Brigg in the spring.
• The Brigg Rowing Club and the Chinese Association are looking to put on a 'Dragon Boat Race' in the first week of June - possibly Sunday - in which 2 boats in full Chinese regalia compete. They Boat Club are thinking of trying to resurrect the Brigg Town Regatta - also in the early summer.
• Michael Silley - the vicar for our parish - suggested holding an open-air thanksgiving service on the final Sunday of the Fair.
• A charity flower festival in aid of the Macmillan Nurses Cancer Relief.
• The schools in Brigg would like to take part in the festivity, possibly by doing project work or producing decorative banners.
• The traders may be encouraged to wear mediaeval garb and there may be various differently themed markets (French, German etc) throughout the year.
• The mediaeval theme could be extended to include the stocks and apple bobbing in special mediaeval markets.
• The Community Association is talking to representatives from the oldest horse fair bodies in Ireland and France.
• Although the original charter is lost, there are plans to publish the remaining second charter for sale.
• A 'history of Brigg' board similar to that in Broughton.
• Councillor Sherwood suggested a celebration 'do' for the Brigg Skate(board) Park which is due to open in April. This could be combined with a BMX / Skate competition.
• 2004 shall be the 'Year of the family' so a Teddy Bear's Picnic was also suggested.

The 'About Brigg' newsletter shall publish details of the events and a noticeboard shall be set up in the Angel Hotel on the Market Place. The Tourist Information Centre shall also publish up-to-date information about events. A working group has been set up to co-ordinate the events.

Some money may be available for events from the Heritage Lottery. Up to £5000 is available for 'constituted bodies' - please allow 3 months notice. Details from Adele Tasker. Groups should get in early in the new year and be able to show that they can raise money themselves.

Vox pop - Your ideas so far

Here are some of the ideas which have already come in from people around town.

• Music. This could be anything from a major, national group, through jazz combos to local acts and perhaps buskers and street entertainers.
• Celebrate the present and future. It should also be possible not just to look backwards but also to look forwards and attract newcomers.
• Youth and age. Try to get young and old people talking to each other. Perhaps by encouraging the many local schools to record the oral history of our town. The material produced could form the basis of a museum. The two cottages behind Brians DIY would be an ideal location for such a museum.
• A dance / dancing. Dancing which would involve the whole community / all ages ranging from pop through to ballroom.
• River Ancholme. Make a concerted effort to clean up and enhance the best feature of our town: the river. Plant more trees and shrubs and improve the access with more footpaths and cyclepaths.
• Themed market day. Some towns have 'Victorian Days'. Brigg goes back further, so why not have a 'Mediaeval Day' to tie in with the charter year of 1204.
• Consider old people. Enhance the town by having more flowers (particularly perennials) and trees planted - which will provide a long-term benefit.
• Children's market. A market with childrens' entertainers, give-aways, fairground etc.
• A parade. Parade by local groups, schools, clubs, societies etc.
• 'Jazz in the park'. Live music, picnics etc in a (newly created?) park.
• Building renovation. Like the 'Old Nick' in Gainsborough, transform a building into a theatre or hall for social or arts events.