Special events in Brigg

Major events public meeting

7pm - Monday 20th June 2005 - The Angel Suite, Brigg

We all like attending the large events in Brigg such as the Brigg Fair, the Classic Vehicle Nights, the Brigg Horse Fair and the Christmas Fair, but did you know that there is now a shortage of volunteers to help run these important events?

After the successful 800th celebrations, many of the organisers of the Brigg and District Community Association have retired leaving the group with too few members to continue. This group has become effectively 'wound up' leaving some unpaid debts as a result of over expenditure on 'celebrity names' and shortfalls of sponsorship. The members of the group are having to repay these debts out of their own pockets.

On Monday 20th June 2005 a meeting took place in the Angel Suite in Brigg to find volunteers and to discuss ways in which we can all help to keep these popular events running.

Around 65 Brigg residents and others from further afield turned up to the meeting. Representatives from many Brigg organisations were present, such as the Air Cadets, Brigg Guides, Brigg lions, Women's Institute, St. John's Church and the Residents User Group.

The future of the Christmas Fair seems assured as the Brigg Lions have volunteered to take over the organisation and running of this popular event. The air cadets and girl guides both offered the services as stewards at all of the major events.

When it came to asking for volunteers to run the other events - the Classic Car night, Brigg Fair and Brigg Horse Fair - a few people came forward. Hopefully this limited number of people should be able to form a new 'core' group / committee to replace the now defunct Brigg and District Community Association.

The issue of land on which the Horse Fair could be based was once again raised - with the now stereotyped response of 'no land is available' coming from North Lincolnshire Council. When asked what would happen when the 'gypsies' arrived, it was stated that it would be 'the responsibility of the police'.

A member of the Springbank Residents User Group thought that the timescale of around six weeks for forming the organising committee to August 5th was too short as the process of applying for grants from public bodies would take three or four months at least.

A point of concern was raised by a creditor of the Community Association, who asked all of those who were volunteering for the new organising committee to consider the fact that they would be personally liable for any potential debts that may arise in future.

So, how secure is the future of the events?

Most if not all of the events which have a commercial foundation - such as the Christmas Fair - appear to have a safe future. The other events, however, for which little or no commercial interest can be raised - such as the Car Nights and the Fair / Horse Fair - have a much more uncertain future.

The Horse Fair in particular seems unlikely to survive. It's problems include: no venue, active opposition from some members of the local authority and community, health and safety issues and policing issues, and little if any opportunity for commercial income or sponsorship.

The Classic Car Nights could be a good candidate for commercial sponsorship by a regional or national car dealership / manufacturer or insurer for example. Without strong financial backing or other income, however, this event too is unlikely to continue.

Brigg Fair, too, could also attract a commercial sponsor. Typically events such as this are backed by breweries, but it is hard to see how the local micro-breweries could afford the levels of sponsorship required for a successful event. Once again, if a national or regional sponsor could be persuaded that the potential advertising exposure provided by such a popular event were a good return on their sponsorship investment, then finances may not be a problem.

No offers of help or assistance of any sort were offered from the local authority - even though senior members were present. Is it fair to ask of them: what sort of commitment the local authority can provide to ensure the future of these events - which are an important part of our local community? To put it even more bluntly: the authority receives a hefty sum of income from Council Tax and Business Rates from Brigg and district - how much of this is going to be invested in the future of life in the community here?

On an individual level, people who would like to volunteer to be on the organising committee should seriously consider the potential financial implications. Unless the organisation which is formed has a 'limited liability' legal form, then they may well be personally liable for any and all debts incurred.

In summary, at the moment, the future of these popular major events in Brigg could go one of two ways: they could either not take place any more (like the Bike Night) or a new, more robust organisational structure could be formed and their future could be assured. Let's hope that the latter takes place.