Event Description

Free local history exhibition telling the story of West Marsh, Grimsby

Visitors will have a chance to see items relating to the Duke of York Gardens, Grimsby & District Hospital and Peter Dixon’s papermill. The exhibition will also examine the impact of the two world wars on the area.

Also on display will be items relating to “Shanty Town”, an adventure playground which was located off Armstrong Street. The playground opened in 1954 and it was often referred to as “Shanty Town”, as the children were encouraged to build dens and other temporary structures using waste materials.

The exhibition will also feature items relating to Jack Cornwell, the youngest Victoria Cross winner of the First World War. Jack died in Grimsby & District Hospital in West Marsh on 2nd June 1916 at the age of only 16.

There will also be an opportunity to see items connected with two royal visits to the area in 1928 and 1949. In 1928, the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VIII) visited West Marsh and opened the Corporation Bridge, toured Dixon’s Paper Mill and laid the foundation stone of Armstrong Street School. In 1949 it was turn of Prince Philip to visit the area, when he was given tours of CIBA Laboratories Limited and British Titan Products.

Finally, there will also be a display of photographs and documents relating to places of worship in the area, including the churches of St Paul and St Hugh and South Parade Methodist Chapel.

Adrian Wilkinson, Archivist, Lincs Inspire, said: “This exhibition is being held to celebrate the heritage of West Marsh. The area has an interesting history, as it was once the location of Grimsby’s principal hospital, a purpose-built cycling arena and one of the largest paper mills in Britain.”