I don’t need to tell you that I have a love/hate relationship with my hometown of Grimsby. One of the reasons that I created Made in Grimsby and Cleethorpes almost five years ago, was because I had grown tired of listening to people bashing our town. That includes the people living here.
I wanted to create something that would encourage pride in our town, and make people feel a lot more positive about living here.
The problem is that Grimsby is a town that carries a huge amount of weight on its shoulders. People who don’t know our hometown, and have certainly never been here, often reduce it to attention-grabbing headlines about decline, struggle, poverty, crime and inevitably the ghosts of our fishing past. However, for those of us that live here, or have roots in Grimsby, the town is SO much more than that.
It’s a town built on resilience, on community, and on an unshakable sense of pride. If you don’t believe me, pop in to The Canopy Community Hub on almost any day of the week, and see how much of an impact this unique space has on the local community. There are so many activities taking place here, that help people to feel reconnected with each other, in a way that is often lost in modern society.
That’s why I created the Grimsby is Home print – I wanted to celebrate the people who make this town what it is, and they are not the people you think they are.
A Tribute To Grifters
I hope it goes without saying, that this print is a love letter to the people of Grimsby – the grafters, the workers, the believers, and the achievers.
The town is full of people who work so bloody hard every day, and for most of them, they don’t do it for the recognition, but because that’s just what you do. Whether it’s those in local businesses, the people keeping the town centre alive (not an easy task, by any means), or those quietly making a difference in their communities, Grimsby is a town of doers.
This print is for each one of them.
Strength in the Face of Hardship
One of the most amazing things – I think – about Grimbarians, is our ability to keep moving forward, when things are tough. And let’s be honest, living in Grimsby can be incredibly tough at times, for a variety of different reasons. Whether it’s economic struggles, job losses, or even the stereotypes outsiders try to impose on, we will always carry on, because that is what we have always done to survive.
This print is a nod to that quiet strength, to the people who plough forward despite everything going on around them.
Finding Light Beyond The Darkness
Grimsby, like any town, has its fair share of difficulties. But within that, there’s also hope, kindness, and an unbreakable spirit. The print acknowledges the challenges but also highlights the way people here support each other, look out for their neighbours, and work towards something betters. Of course this doesn’t include everyone, but it’s about seeing past those that are negative about us and our town, and choosing to build something stronger.
Love for a Town that’s Not Perfect, But It’s Ours
Grimsby isn’t perfect, but guess what, no town is! Every town has its good and its bad points.
But that doesn’t mean that Grimsby isn’t worth celebrating, because it absolutely is. The people who live here don’t love it despite its flaws; they love it because it is Home. The Grimsby is Home print isn’t about blind optimism, or even toxic positivity. It’s about recognising the good, the hard work, and the dedication that exists here every single day, even after the cameras are gone and the journalists are done bashing us.
Why this Print Matters
I created this print because I wanted something that reflected the real Grimsby, not the version people see in news stories or statistics that ca be manipulated to fit their end goals. I wanted something that captured the spirit of the people who live and work here.
If you’re from Grimsby, or if you just appreciate a place with grit and heart, I hope this print speaks to you. It’s a reminder that no matter what challenges come our way, the people of Grimsby stand tall, stand proud, and keep going.
Because Grimsby is, and always will be, home.
