‘A Victorian racehorse trainer and a Countess’ This is the story of true love, one that bubbled under for years. It’s the story of how an Earl’s ‘hound expert’ came to meet his one love. John Maunsell Richardson, referred to as Maunsell (pronounced Mansell) by friends and family, was born at Great Limber in 1847Continue reading “The Richardsons”
Author Archives: Grimsby Tours
Healing Manor
A fine example of a gentleman’s country house HEALING Manor has had a colourful history and is a fine example of an English country house. The site dates back to Saxon times and possibly pre-dates that. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book – Healing or Heglinghe (the farmstead of Haegal) had two manors belongingContinue reading “Healing Manor”
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”
Henry Marrows
My interest in the man who built Cleethorpes Town Hall began when I moved to Healing and bought a house he had built. It set me searching for more about him. Then several years ago five of his descendants came from across the country to pay a visit as part of the Lincolnshire Wolds WalkingContinue reading “Henry Marrows”
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”
Guided Tours around North East Lincolnshire 