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In this bite-sized episode of The East Marshian Chronicles, Lauren Davidson, EMU’s Chief Storyteller, sits down with Tracy Slattery, Lead for the East Marsh Community Research Network, to chat about the network’s latest creative project. Together, they explore how 12 shutters along Freeman Street were transformed by local artist Lynsey Powles, bringing bold colour, creativity and a renewed sense of pride to the East Marsh. Tracy shares the story behind the project, the community research that helped shape it, and what happens when local people, artists and organisations come together to brighten up their neighbourhood. A short conversation about creativity, community and the changing face of the East Marsh.

In this episode, EMU’s Chief Storyteller Lauren Davidson sits down with Josie Moon, People and Place Ambassador, to explore the work she is leading and the impact it is having across the East Marsh in Grimsby. Josie shares insights into her role supporting community wellbeing, strengthening connections, and helping shape a more resilient, community-led future. The conversation highlights the importance of lived experience, grassroots action and creating spaces where people feel supported and heard. Together, Lauren and Josie reflect on the challenges and opportunities within the East Marsh, and the difference that community-led approaches can make in driving meaningful, lasting change. A thoughtful and inspiring conversation about people, place, and the power of community 💚

As proud recipients of Project Grant Funding from Create NEL, East Marsh United were able to run workshops with a class of Year 5 pupils from Weelsby Academy, working with The Colour Foundry to imagine a rewilded local landscape. Using sound recordings, mark making techniques and digital art, they created a magical space to be explored. 'Wild Pixels' their vision for a 'Greener East Marsh' was shared with the Community in an installation on Freeman Street Market in June. Rachel McWilliam interviews some of the pupils reflecting on the project

Continuing our journey along Freeman Street, we pass by The Warehouse.  A quick left turn into Newmarket Street, and we chance upon the unassuming frontage of Foresight.  Opening the door, we enter a labyrinth of wonderful people doing wonderful work... Foresight is a dedicated organisation committed to meeting the needs and requirements of disabled individuals, their families, and carers.  Their mission is to provide the way forward for the disabled community, empowering individuals to a new beginning, a brighter future, and a full and enjoyable life.   From learning and training to leisure, sporting, and social activities, they strive to create inclusive opportunities for personal growth, confidence-building, and combating disadvantage. Lisa Bartlett, Foresight's Operations Manager, took time out from her busy schedule to speak with Dan about their work in the community and impending 25th anniversary celebrations. More Information: Foresight Foresight on Facebook Foresight on X / Twitter ................................................................................................................................................................................... Intro and Outro music: extracts from DEJA VU by Christian Laverick, from the album 'Chromatica' (2010). More at: www.grimsbyguitar.co.uk  Produced by Dan Humphrey and Andy Nicol for East Marsh United, 2024 https://eastmarshunited.org

And we're back for 2024! In today's episode, recorded last December, Dan talks with EMU's own Carolyn Doyley about a couple of projects that go live this week. First they discuss 'The Toy Cupboard'  - our new venture with our friends at the NSPCC. This is a beautiful little spot in Freeman Street Market where parents and carers of pre-school children can borrow toys for a small fee. Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Secondly they discuss our new project planting trees and hedgerows in local schools, with the help of our local community and Create Streets. Further information can be found at: The Toy Cupboard Create Streets ................................................................................................................................................................................... Intro and Outro music: extracts from DEJA VU by Christian Laverick, from the album 'Chromatica' (2010). More at: www.grimsbyguitar.co.uk  Produced by Dan Humphrey and Andy Nicol for East Marsh United, 2024 https://eastmarshunited.org

In today's episode we leave the cosy confines of the East Marshian Chronicles studio,  and take our mobile unit out for the first time. After a short walk up Freeman Street, turning onto Newmarket Street we come upon We are ONE Foundation - a grassroots charity staffed solely by volunteers, which works to provide support for people facing food poverty including the homeless, those in hostels, the elderly and families in financial distress.  Trustees Dave Wells and Rev. Kay Jones kindly took time to tell us all about the Foundation's work in the local community. This interview was recorded while the food bank was open, so there is a little background noise. Should you wish to find out more about donating, volunteering or using their services, more information can be found at: https://www.weareone-outreachnortheast.org https://www.facebook.com/WeAreONEFoundationGrimsby/ ................................................................................................................................................................................... Intro and Outro music: extracts from DEJA VU by Christian Laverick, from the album 'Chromatica' (2010). More at: www.grimsbyguitar.co.uk  Produced by Dan Humphrey and Andy Nicol for East Marsh United, 2023 https://eastmarshunited.org

Wondering what those new shipping containers next to the Fishing Heritage Centre are all about? Well today we find out! These containers are the home of Projekt Renewable, 'an educational and cultural destination to inspire a generation', and today Dan talks to director Richard Askam all about it. Richard and Dan discuss the Projekt's humble beginnings, unfamiliar spelling choices,  and hopes for the future, as well as where to get a decent flat white in Grimsby. For further information: https://www.projektrenewable.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_white ................................................................................................................................................................................ Intro and Outro music: extracts from DEJA VU by Christian Laverick, from the album 'Chromatica' (2010). More at: www.grimsbyguitar.co.uk  Produced by Dan Humphrey and Andy Nicol for East Marsh United, 2023 https://eastmarshunited.org

We continue our current series of discussions with other organisations seeking to effect positive change in Grimsby's East Marsh and surrounding areas. In this episode, Dan interviews Robin Barr and Denny Batty from Harbour Place outreach and night shelter about their work with disenfranchised and vulnerable people, and their commitment to reducing and eventually eradicating homelessness and rough sleeping in our community. https://www.harbourplacegrimsby.org.uk https://www.facebook.com/harbourplacenel Harbour Place Twitter ................................................................................................................................................................................ Intro and Outro music: extracts from DEJA VU by Christian Laverick, from the album 'Chromatica' (2010). More at: www.grimsbyguitar.co.uk  Produced by Dan Humphrey and Andy Nicol for East Marsh United, 2023 https://eastmarshunited.org

In this episode, Dan Humphrey speaks with Paula Graves, East Marsh United's own Community-Led Housing Manager. They discuss the current state of private renting, and what EMU is doing to combat this in our role as an 'ethical landlord'. Paula can be contacted at: [email protected] ................................................................................................................................................................................ Intro and Outro music: extracts from DEJA VU by Christian Laverick, from the album 'Chromatica' (2010). More at: www.grimsbyguitar.co.uk  Produced by Dan Humphrey and Andy Nicol for East Marsh United, 2023 https://eastmarshunited.org/

Our new season continues with the next in our series of interviews with other groups effecting positive change in the Grimsby area. This week, EMU's own Dan Humphrey talks with Sandra Ritchie from We Are F.I.S.H. about their work with local families and public spaces. Find out more at: https://www.facebook.com/wearefishgy/ https://www.instagram.com/wearefishgy/ www.wearefish.org.uk ................................................................................................................................................................................ Intro and Outro music: extracts from DEJA VU by Christian Laverick, from the album 'Chromatica' (2010). More at: www.grimsbyguitar.co.uk  Produced by Dan Humphrey and Andy Nicol for East Marsh United, 2023 https://eastmarshunited.org/

Welcome to Season Three!!! We're kicking off with a series of conversations between East Marsh United's own Dan Humphrey and friends, colleagues and allies from other local organisations working towards positive change. Today's interview is with Vicky Dunn from Grimsby Community Energy,  a co-operative  who are dedicated to bringing sustainable community energy projects to our area. ................................................................................................................................................................................ Intro and Outro music: extracts from DEJA VU by Christian Laverick, from the album 'Chromatica' (2010). More at: www.grimsbyguitar.co.uk  Produced by Dan Humphrey and Andy Nicol for East Marsh United, 2023

In this episode Josie Moon talks to Sue Baker and Caroline Gooch about a musical project with our East Marsh schools that has been quite a journey.   In 2020 Josie began the Anthem for the East Marsh project, a plan to write a community song featuring ideas and lyrics from the community.  Sue and Caroline undertook work in all six schools to gather ideas from the children for the song. Alongside contributions from the Peace Choir, community members and children's wishes from our 2021 engagement day in Grant Thorold Park, the children's words from the schools were transformed into verses.   Jo and Olivia Townell then worked on the lyrics and composed a beautiful melody. Caroline and Sue returned to the schools and taught the song to the children. The Peace Choir learnt their version and the Anthem came to life.  In July 2022, children from the East Marsh schools came together  and performed the Anthem plus other songs at Havelock Academy in a concert of celebration.  Special guests at that event were Jason Stockwood, Debbie Cook and Kristine Green of Grimsby Town Football Club.  Jason was so moved by the concert and the children's voices that he invited children from each school to be mascots at a match and invited all the other children to attend as guest singers.  From July last year to April this year, Sue and Kristine worked hard to enable 170 children and parents from the East Marsh to attend the April 13th home game against Barrow.  We took over the Osmond Stand and sang the heroic tale of Grim the fisherman plus some chants written for the event.  It was a joyous and raucous evening.  Sue and Caroline felt there was more that could be done with the children's lyrics and came up with the fabulous idea of returning to the schools to work with children to record audio postcards for King Charles, messages about their lives for the new king in the year of his coronation.  The children decided to set their words to hip hop beats and their postcards are now being mastered to send away to the king. This whole project was made possible through initial funding from the National Lottery and then Creative Civic Change. Special thanks to: Sue Baker, Caroline Gooch, Jo Townell, Olivia Townell, Jason Stockwood, Kristine Green, all at GTFC and our East Marsh Schools; William Barcroft Academy, Strand Academy, Weelsby Academy, Phoenix Park Academy, St Mary's RC Academy and Havelock Academy. ............................................................................................................................................................................ Intro and Outro music: extracts from DEJA VU by Christian Laverick, from the album 'Chromatica' (2010). More at: www.grimsbyguitar.co.uk  Produced by Andy Nicol for East Marsh United, 2023

This is an extract from a panel discussion which took place at the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford entitled: 'Grimsby and Blackpool- how community power is helping them with levelling up'. The panel consisted of Professor Sir Paul Collier, Baroness Valentine & Jason Stockwood along with East Marsh United's own Billy Dasein & Josie Moon. Josie set the scene for the discussion of Grimsby's place in 'levelling up' (or not) by reaching back into Grimsby's founding myth. Full video of the discussion is here: https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/videos/grimsby-and-blackpool/

This mini-episode is our final recording made at the very successful book launch of Tales from the East Marsh by our very own East Marsh Writers Group, Quills. See more about the event at this blog post. Today's writer is Kelly McLaughlin, who reads her poem 'Seasons of my Life'. Thanks again to everyone involved in the creation of the book and the wonderful launch event - here's to the next one! Find out more: East Marsh United - eastmarshunited.org To buy a book, contact [email protected] ............. Intro and Outro music: extracts from DEJA VU by Christian Laverick, from the album 'Chromatica' (2010). More at: www.grimsbyguitar.co.uk  Produced by Billy Dasein and Andy Nicol for East Marsh United, 2023

This mini-episode is our penultimate recording made at the very successful book launch of Tales from the East Marsh by our very own East Marsh Writers Group, Quills. See more about the event at this blog post. Today's extract is from 'White Winter Mischief', written and read by Caroline Beeson Spence. Find out more: East Marsh United - eastmarshunited.org To buy a book, contact [email protected] ............. Intro and Outro music: extracts from DEJA VU by Christian Laverick, from the album 'Chromatica' (2010). More at: www.grimsbyguitar.co.uk  Produced by Billy Dasein and Andy Nicol for East Marsh United, 2023