Ron Briggs  (1923-1996)

PERHAPS the proudest moment came for Ron Briggs came in 1963, Grantham Borough’s Quincentenary Year, when as the town’s Mayor he had to escort the Queen Mother on her visit to town.

Born in Little Ponton, Ron went to the Boys Central School, Sandon Road.

He then joined the Royal Navy, serving on submarines through the Second World War.

On demob he joined BMARCo and in 1952 was elected to Grantham Borough Council, where he remained until its liquidation in 1973.

He became landlord of the White Lion, Colsterworth, and in 1981 was elected on to South Kesteven District Council where he remained until his death in 1996.

A Freemason, he was Grand Master of William Peters Lodge and was variously president of Grantham and District Football League, Grantham Cribbage League, and Colsterworth Bowls Club, treasurer of BMARC social club, a director of Grantham Co-operative Society, and on the management committee of Harrowby Youth Club.

He was regarded as a tough magistrate, being on the bench from 1964-1979.

He died of leukaemia