DOING THE SPADEWORK

Brigg Town Council continues preparations for the big Brigg Spring Clean on Saturday/Sunday, May 22/23. Volunteers are still needed and if you, or your organisation/business, can pledge a couple of hours on either, or both, of these days you are asked to call 01652 659402 or email enquiries@briggmarkettown.co.uk
The Environment Agency is to carry out an extensive litter-pick along the River Ancholme from the motorway bridge to the railway bridge, as part of its contribution.
Town Council volunteers will be organised into groups to tidy the banks of the river, wearing protective clothing issued by North Lincolnshire Council (eg gloves and goggles). The supervisors of each group will be given vests with the wording "Sponsored by Brigg Town Council" which the authority is to buy. This wording - suggested by Coun Penny Smith - means the vests can be used at other events in the future, such as the Christmas lights switch-on. The Women's Institute will help with refreshments for clean-up volunteers.
As part of the scheme to improve Brigg's main waterway, the Town Council is suggesting the first weed-cut of the River Ancholme by the Environment Agency should be carried out during the first week of July.
Coun Sue Nicholson explained that by the end of June the weed was so thick that boaters could not even "get round the Island" in Brigg. Brigg Town Council has agreed to contribute funding to future weed cuts this year "in case of need." However, Coun Nicholson said as far as she was concerned the Environment Agency should pay for two cuts. She felt it a shame that the Town Council was having to pay.
However, Town Clerk Jeanette Woollard stressed the extent of the work involved for the Environment Agency, which included bringing boats into Brigg by road, plus the necessary manpower.
Coun Nicholson concluded it was a definite case of "well done" by the Town Council, North Lincolnshire Council and the Environment Agency over the joint approach to improving the river.
The two-day clean-up will also involve some town centre streets. However, the Saturday date chosen coincides with the monthly farmers' market. Exactly how, when and where volunteers will be deployed has yet to be decided and will be governed, to a large degree, by the number who come forward.