Widening Horizons Volunteer Role – Mr Grimsby & Mr Cleethorpes: The astonishing legacy of Edward Watkin Project

 

Statue Of Prince Albert In Front Of Dock Offices, Royal Street, Grimsby. Commissioned by Sir Edward Watkin in 1879.

 

About the Volunteer Role:

We need your help to shape and inform a set of educational and digital resources focusing on the astonishing legacy of Edward Watkin. The educational resources will support educators and schools with a bank of resources to support them in their teaching of the Victorian period and the local history of Grimsby and Cleethorpes.  The digital resources will include a film about the wider area of Grimsby docks, past, present and future and a digital trail based in Cleethorpes.

 

Main Aims/ Objectives:

• You will support the project by providing feedback on the draft digital resource materials.
• You will research online and physical archives to inform the educational materials.
• You will work closely alongside digital experts (who will be creating the digital resources) and young people in schools.
• To support with the end of project celebratory events, to showcase both the educational and digital resources to schools and the wider community.

 

Why volunteer on the project?

• You will be invited to attend a series of free workshops and training sessions over the course of the project.
• You will learn how digital technologies can be utilised to promote the heritage sector and how to research historic material.
• You will gain an understanding of IP ( Intellectual Property) and copyright.
• You will have the opportunity to engage with your local community to help reshape perceptions surrounding Grimsby.
• You will contribute to the creation of accessible resources for young people, schools and the community.
• Be a part of a meaningful project in your local area!
• With your enthusiastic support we can promote Watkin's legacy to a wider audience and highlight Grimsby and Cleethorpes' rich heritage.

When: The project is set to run until July 2025. We would ideally like volunteer contribution throughout the duration of the project.

Where: Grimsby and Cleethorpes.

 

About the project:

We are working on an exciting educational project to share and celebrate the largely unknown legacy of Edward Watkin - “Mr Grimsby & Mr Cleethorpes." Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery Players, and partnering with the Watkin Society, we will over the next two years be working to promote and highlight the significant contributions made by Watkin in Grimsby and Cleethorpes. Some of these contributions include financial investment into Grimsby docks in the 19^th century and connecting the docks with the railway through his role as chairman of the MSLR (Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway), supporting its development into the world’s largest fishing port at the time. Similarly in Cleethorpes, Watkin’s investment in the railway and the creation of a sea wall and the promenade, supported the small fishing village to flourish into a popular seaside resort with some even nicknaming it ‘Sheffield-On-Sea' as the railway.

If you are interested in the role, read the full Volunteer Role Description below. Complete the Volunteer Application Form and please return to:

anna@heritagelincolnshire.org