All the things everyone who grew up in Grimsby will understand
How 'Grimbarian' are you?
Last updated 2nd Mar 2021
We know Grimsby’s a great town. From our fishing heritage to our witty sense of humour, we love being nestled in North East Lincolnshire. To celebrate Lincolnshire Day on the 1st October, we want to know how many of these things you can relate to if you grew up in Grimsby. Check out our list below to find out!
Hi “Darls”, have you got any “spoggy”?
Don't be in a "mardy" (bad mood) if you don't know what "spoggy" (chewing gum) is, clean out your "lugholes" (ears) and you might be able to understand me better. If your parents wanted you to pick up a few things from Grimsby town centre or Freshney Place Shopping Centre then the likelihood is that you were probably going "top town", "Freemo" for Freeman Street and of course it's "Scaffa" not Scartho! The Grimsby dialect is certainly what adds to the unique character of 'Grimbarians' and the way we talk is what makes us "dead" (really) good and unique.
The mention of fish
Chances are if you tell someone you grew up in Grimsby, they'll either make a fishy joke or look at you confused as they don't have a clue where we are in the world. Although, that being said, so they should mention fish as Grimsby in its heyday was home to the largest fishing fleet with 400 trawlers based in its port.
Haddock anyone?
The fishiness continues when you talk to any Grimbarian; they will tell you that our fish 'n' chips are the best around, there's simply no arguing. In fact, our teatime favourite was deemed some of the best with Papa's on Cleethorpes pier ranking in the UK's top 10 in the '2019 Seafish National Fish & Chip Awards'. Harry the Haddock mascot was an iconic figure and if your choice of fish is cod you are 'mucky' as the frowned upon fish lives at the bottom of the sea were all the dirt is!
Cleethorpes a.k.a "Meggies"
Everyone loves a trip to the seaside, and if you were a Grimsby child chances are you spent many a day in "Meggies"; or Cleethorpes to the rest of us. It is still unclear to many why the seaside resort is called this, but it's what us locals call the town that is 2 miles down the road from GY.
Brrr! Freezing!
If you had no skin left on the bottom of your feet then the likelihood is that you'd been to the pool at the Boating Lake. Freezing water with no heaters, rough flooring and overcrowded with screaming kids; your worst nightmare as an adult, but as a kid guaranteed you would cry when the pool shut come the winter months.
Feeling sick at Pleasure Island
Opened in May 1993 the thrill seekers of Cleethorpes welcomed Pleasure Island theme park. Whether you dared the loop to loop of the Boomerang, didn’t mind being spun and flung around on the Pendulus or maybe hanging upside down on the Terror Rack was how you got your thrills – White Knuckle Valley certainly lived up to its name for 90’s babies. Unfortunately, due to a fall in visitor numbers the theme park closed in 2016 and its rides auctioned off… the Boomerang is now on a rooftop in Bali!
Partying at Pier 39
Eight years ago there wasn’t the smell of fish and chips at Cleethorpes Pier, rather the stench of sweat and alcohol. What is now Papa’s was once the home of nightclub Pier 39. If you were a raver of the late 80s, early 90s this was the ultimate night out. Judge Jules, Blur and Trevor Nelson to name a few graced our sands.
The Dolphin, or its many other names…
Citied as the oldest hotel in Cleethorpes, The Dolphin Hotel on the corner of Alexandra Road and Market Street has had many names changes and face lifts since its beginnings in the 1820s. Back in its day Laurel and Hardy were even guests at the hotel! Whether you know it as The Dolphin, Flares, Reflex, Status, The Beach Bar or The Smoke Shack generations of Grimbarians have partied through its doors.
The Winter Gardens
Another that saw many through its doors including the likes of Queen, AC/DC, Black Sabbath and the Sex Pistols was The Winter Gardens on Kingsway, Cleethorpes. The entertainment venue first opened its doors in 1934 and many saw these iconic bands for 70p! Sadly, its doors closed in 2007 and was later demolished in 2013 to become a housing development. Those who grew up in Grimsby will tell you of many a happy memory in The Winter Gardens from parties, gigs, galas or even a boxing match but it was to be avoided on a Wednesday when it was the ‘Bags Ball’.
The Bull Ring
No, not the shopping centre in Birmingham. Grimsby once had its very own Bull Ring with flower stalls, coffee shops and of course who could forget the underground toilets! Since the late 60s demolition, the image of the area and its businesses have changed many times. If you visit Victoria street today you’ll find water fountains, lighting and seating where once stood a thriving market square.
Sitting on the lion statues at Weelsby Woods
Root through the photo albums of someone who grew up in Grimsby and you’ll probably find a photo of them sat on the stone statues at Weelsby Woods. It is almost Grimsby law to grab a snap with the lions. There was absolute uproar when the beloved creatures were vandalised in November 2013.