The L Files

Introducing a new podcast! The L Files presented by local historian and author, Emma Lingard, accompanied by history academic, Carla Linford. New episodes out each fortnight. Starting Wednesday 4th June – listen to the trailer here Emma and Carla join forces to discuss and debate a variety of topics on local history from across LincolnshireContinue reading “The L Files”

Havelok the Dane

Ancient legend In Charles Whistler’s book, Havelok the Dane, Grim was a merchant who had been trading with England. He frequently visited Saltfleet, which was a prosperous port, and Tetney. He lived on the west coast of Denmark where the king was Gunnar Kirkeban. Grim’s Jarl was a man called Sigurd, who was a counsellorContinue reading “Havelok the Dane”

Grimsby Streets

Grimsby steeped in Scandinavian history. Our language is filled with words that our Danish forebears would recognise. Take the suffix -gate on streets DeansGATE, WellowGATE, BrighowGATE, CarterGATE and the lost streets of FlotterGATE, and BaxterGATE. The suffix -Gate comes from the Scandinavian GATA and can also be traced to Anglo Saxon GEATA. It means aContinue reading “Grimsby Streets”

Star of stage and screen

Grimsby saw a star of the stage and screen shine bright in the 20th Century. She even starred in Hitchcock’s films.  Violet Sutcliffe Farebrother was born in the town on 22 August 1888. Her father Ernest was the town’s architect and surveyor, and Farebrother Street is named after him. She had two brothers.   ErnestContinue reading “Star of stage and screen”

Lived for the day

My motto has always been ‘today’ and perhaps it is a very good thing for me Grimsby’s World War One fighter ace Bert ‘Chips’ Wood lived for the day. He joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1916 and had 13 confirmed aerial victories. Unheard of when the average life expectancy of an RFC pilot wasContinue reading “Lived for the day”

The ghosts of Healing Manor

You either believe or you don’t when it comes to the spirit world. Which camp you are in depends on your experiences. On Sunday 30 October 2016 I led the first ghost tour around Healing Manor. The former private house has a number of ghosts swanning around its rooms. Owners over the years have allContinue reading “The ghosts of Healing Manor”

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. TheContinue reading “Festival of the Sea – Grimsby”

What’s in a name?

Or how some people get wound up simply because they don’t believe it’s true! The Kasbah Since it was announced an area on Grimsby Docks was being reenergised and it was going by the name The Kasbah, people have been going apoplectic on social media channels. They have accused others, who have heard it beingContinue reading “What’s in a name?”

Dorothy Sheffield

A member of the Sheffield family, Dorothy was the daughter of a baronet. Her ancestor had built Buckingham House, later to become Buckingham Palace. She was to marry into one of the wealthiest families in England, never imaging that one day she would become a Viscountess. Dorothy Marie Isolde was born on 23 April 1878.Continue reading “Dorothy Sheffield”