Renaissance Fair will bring Grimsby's history to life

"LEARNING about the past helps you to understand the present and shape the future."

Those are the words of the Heritage Committee chairman, Ernie Brown.

Gearing up for the are (from left) Jan Wilson of St James' Church; Ernie Brown, chairman of the heritage committee; Jo Middleton; Mark Atkinson; Alan Dowling; Jennie Mooney, North East Lincolnshire's local history librarian, and Jacquie Brown of the heritage committee.

He believes the Great Grimsby Renaissance Fair will give residents an exciting insight into the town's past.

"A lot of people simply think Grimsby is a fishing town but there is so much more," he said.

The first Great Grimsby Renaissance Fair will take place tomorrow with activities centred around St James' Square.

Jo Middleton from the renaissance partnership hopes the event will encourage people to celebrate their town's history.

"We do not make enough of our heritage as a town.

"The legend of Grim and Havelock could be as famous as the tale of Robin Hood but we don't celebrate it as much as we should.

"I hope the fair will encourage people to feel proud."

Local historian Dr Alan Dowling, from the Havelock and Grim society will be at St James' Church with an extensive display of old maps and photographs that promise to bring the history of Grimsby to life.

"The town is steeped in exciting history – you just have to look around at some of our road names, like Wellowgate and Cartergate."

He will be on hand to answer historical questions throughout the event, which runs from 10am to 4pm.

As reported, the Greater Grimsby Renaissance Fair promises to be fun for all the family with a programme including a falconry display, medieval crafts, story-telling, cookery, folk music and entertainment from the Earthbound Misfits.

Mark Atkinson from the group said the act would be entertaining and educational for children.

"We will be acting as medieval jesters and dressing up as peasants with a smelly peasants' walk to give youngsters an idea of how horrible living conditions could be hundreds of years ago."