Festival of the Sea – Grimsby

We haven’t had many special festivals in Grimsby – none that I can recall, unless you include some of the events that have been held in People’s Park or the Fish Docks Open Day.

This weekend (Saturday 17 July) we can all look forward to celebrating the town and its connection with the sea. The Festival of the Sea is new and is intended to look at our long relationship with the water, through trade, invaders, fishing, heritage, song and legend. It’s also a future look, let’s not forget how in this age we have a strong connection still.

I am leading two walks on Saturday, both of which are fully booked. It’s a new walk that I produced last year during lockdown, in anticipation of being allowed out. Knowing, too, how much people have an affinity for the past, especially fishing.

Without giving too much away – I at least do want you to sign up for a future walk! – the tour focuses on the original Haven and the docks built as part of the early development of the town in the 1850s.

Grimsby was not just fishing – commercial fishing on the scale which gave the town its ‘Premier fishing port in the world’ title, did not start until after the First World War. The town was trading with Scandinavia in furs, oils and timber.

Fishing was not really thought of. They did fish, and fishermen could obtain a license for a strip of the water along the river. The real fisherfolk were in Cleethorpes, launching their boats from the beach.

The town was about trade and commerce with overseas nations. Trade with Norway stretched back to the Danish invaders. People came and settled in the town adding to our rich heritage and language. Much as it does today.

So as oil, grain and wool gave way to timber, which in turn gave way to fishing; and then to food processing and to renewables – the town has its industrial cycles. Food processing is still the largest employer in the area, so fish is still important to the town.

No one wants to go to sea these days – these folk who talk about ‘fishing is coming home’ – I don’t see them clamouring to get their Skippers tickets or fork out thousands for a new or second hand vessel. There’s fish out there – haddock, whiting, dog fish, bass – just off our coast a rich supply of seafood.

If you fancy laying a few pots you could catch crabs, if you’re lucky maybe a lobster. It’s a tough job and sometimes does not reap the financial rewards required to survive. You’re probably best going on a pleasure fishing boat.