Public asked for views on Grimsby Living History Museum idea
The idea is being put forward by a host of Grimsby people,
The public is being asked for its views on the development of a Grimsby Living History Museum. The idea is being put forward by a host of Grimsby people, including Grimsby Fish Market’s chief executive Martyn Boyers and former MP Lia Nici.
A community interest company (CIC) was set up this summer to develop the ambition. Grimsby Maritime Heritage CIC now needs public views on the idea of the living history museum, and what people would like to see.
It has received National Lottery Heritage, North East Lincolnshire Council and CreateNEL funding to carry out the survey. It is live until March 31 and available to access via grimsbymaritimeheritage.co.uk.
Members of the CIC will also be holding stall events in different locations in coming months to promote the survey. Strong public support for the project will help bolster the case for future funding bids to create it.
“We all met up with a general passion to celebrate Grimsby’s wider history, not just its fishing heritage,” said Ms Nici. On the board of CIC are Ms Nici, Mr Boyers, Steve Drinkell, Martin Grant and author Linda McDougall. “Steven and I were talking about it three years ago,” said Mr Grant, recalling when the first gem of the idea of a living history museum occurred.
The pair are friends, have known each other for over 50 years and had overlapping job histories including as ex-fishermen. “We’re both fiercely proud of Grimsby and its heritage,” said Mr Grant.
The living history museum project wants to collect memories of people’s experiences of Grimsby, and will look to appeal across generations. The CIC is keen to hear from everyone who may have a story to tell about the town’s history.
“They’re all an expert in living in Grimsby and memories of Grimsby,” said Mr Grant of any local resident. He added another intention of the project is to support pride in the community. “We want to talk to as many people as we possibly can,” he said of the survey.
Grimsby Maritime Heritage CIC members confirmed there are plans to develop living memories on its website. But the ultimate goal is to create a physical living history museum in Grimsby town centre.
“We’ve all got a passion, a vision and a drive to one day, hopefully not too long down the road, to have an independent museum that would complement what the council offers,” said Ms Nici. “It could be the start of something really quite amazing for Grimsby and the surrounding area.”
“We want to celebrate how internationally important Grimsby has been throughout the ages,” she added. Others involved in the project include local architect Mark Hodson, representatives from Wilkin Chapman Rollits Solicitors, and Nigel Edwards from Hilton Seafood UK.
Mr Edwards and Mike Mitchell, involved with Young’s Seafood for more than 30 years, were recently presented with lifetime achievement awards by Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Mr Edwards was instrumental in the creation of Seachill’s state-of-the-art fresh seafood facility in Grimsby in the late 1990s and has served as sustainability director for Hilton Foods Group.