11/10/2026
The playground in People's Park, Grimsby.
Join us at Grimsby Town Hall on Friday 20th November (10am-4pm) for a free exhibition that will explore the history of the parks and recreation grounds of Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
The exhibition will tell the story of local parks, with particular emphasis being placed on the development of People’s Park and Grant Thorold Park. The display will include documents relating to the “lost” features of these parks, such as the Queen Victoria Memorial Tower, the gatekeeper’s lodge on Welholme Road, and the bandstand in Grant Thorold Park.
The exhibition will also examine the impact of both World Wars on local parks and will include material relating to bomb damage, the construction of air raid shelters, and the temporary cenotaph in People’s Park. There will also be a chance to see photographs of the presentation tanks that were once on display in People’s Park and Thrunscoe Recreation Ground.
The West Marsh area of Grimsby will also feature prominently in the display, with items relating to “The Bully” and the “Shanty Town” playground. Although “Shanty Town” was only open for a few years, it is still fondly remembered by many Grimbarians.
The display will also explore the history of some of the open spaces of Cleethorpes, including Sidney Park and the Pier Gardens. Visitors to the exhibition will discover some of the misdemeanours that took place in these parks, including the football players who used “obscene language” and the boy who decided to help himself to some roses.
