Over the last 18 months, Heritage Lincolnshire has led a project to celebrate the rich history and heritage of Grimsby’s iconic docks. Delivered in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council and funded by Historic England, the project has captured the voices and memories of those who worked “down dock” — including engineers, apprentices, net cleaners, and office staff — preserving their stories for future generations.
The project has gone beyond oral history, transforming these memories into a vibrant celebration of creativity and community. Working with Our Big Picture, a series of engaging workshops invited people of all ages to explore Grimsby’s heritage through artistic expression. These included:
- Painting with Di Brookes, bringing dockside life to canvas
- Lino printing with the Humber Printmaker, reflecting the textures of maritime industry
- Plaster relief with Turnpenney Pottery, sculpting stories into tactile form
- Movement with Soul Roberts at GIFHE, interpreting heritage through dance
- Community creativity with Anna Bean and the Imagine Club, turning memories into visual narratives
In addition, Heritage Lincolnshire partnered with Immersive Tales to deliver a writing workshop at Havelock Academy, where students created short stories inspired by the collected memories — blending imagination with history in powerful new ways.
This project stood as a testament to Grimsby’s enduring spirit, bringing generations together to honour the past while inspiring creativity in the present. David Walsh from Historic England said:
“The memories captured through the Stories of the Docks project give a powerful voice to the people who shaped Grimsby’s fishing heritage. The docks have been for so long the beating heart of the town, and these personal stories bring to life that community spirit. It’s such a worthy project recording these insights so that future generations can connect with and be proud of Grimsby’s history.”
Alice Ullathorne, Head of Heritage at Heritage Lincolnshire, said:
“The Stories of the Docks project has been a pleasure to deliver hearing all of the rich Stories of the Docks and helping people respond creatively to them. We would like to thank all those involved who gave their time and memories so generously. Hope everyone enjoys the Stories of the Docks.”
Project materials including recorded oral histories, student stories, and artwork from the workshops can be explored online in the scrapbook at Scrapbook – The Kasbah Grimsby. This digital archive offers a lasting legacy of the project and a chance for everyone to connect with Grimsby’s dockside heritage.
