Grimsby’s salute to its Scandinavian roots

3 April 2023

At the end of last summer, two longships with 100 Vikings sailed into Grimsby, giving visitors a chance to relive the town’s founding days. Named after Grim, a Scandinavian Viking, Grim Falfest was not only a lesson in local history, but an opportunity to increase tourism and business awareness. The Link spoke with Julia Thompson, chair of VESR CIC, and one of the organisers of Grim Falfest 2022. 

"Our aim was to grow tourism and support local businesses who struggled to gain attention, not least after the pandemic,“ Julia Thompson, chair of VESR (Visitor Economy Services and Retail Group) CIC, explains. ”We were hoping that the festival would not only generate direct income, but also bring more long-term benefits to the local industries; both through tourism, and through improved perception of the area, which could help increase the likelihood of recruiting skilled workers.”

The idea for the three-day festival sprang out of an initiative to raise awareness of Grimsby. Julia and the rest of the team wanted to increase tourism and local business activity, especially after the critical time of the pandemic. Aware of the success of the Jorvik Viking Festival in York, the largest of its kind, they believed the concept would be perfect for Grimsby – a town with Scandinavian roots.

The story of Grim(sby)

Legend has it that a Viking named Grim once saved a Danish prince called Havelok, married to the English princess Goldeboru. According to the story, Havelok’s and Goldeboru’s fathers, the kings of Denmark and England, passed away, and villains deprived the children of their inheritance. Goldeboru was imprisoned while Havelok was sent off to be drowned by a Viking named Grim. But instead of drowning him, Grim saved the young prince and brought him to England. Landing on the coast of Lincolnshire, Grim settled down and founded what is known today as Grimsby.

Based on this folk tale, the first edition of Grim Falfest took shape, delivered with partners from Heritage Lincolnshire, the county’s history charity. Taking place between the 23 and the 25 September 2022, it included everything from traditional dancing, crafts and food, to a spectacle teaching the Grimbarians about their Viking heritage.  

“We had over 100 Viking re-enactors in costume sailing into Grimsby and bringing the arrival of Grim to life. There were more than 1,000 people watching the long ships arrive, we also had music and entertainment, a market and a stage with folk dancing. We also arranged a Viking reenactment camp with tents, a blacksmith, food and crafts.”

With an impressive turnout of over 22,000 visitors, the first edition of Grimsby FalFest was a success. Julia says she is optimistic about the future of the festival, hoping that the Vikings and their ships will reappear on the horizon this year. 

“As this was the first time organising the Grim Falfest, we weren't sure if anybody would come. Then 22,000 people came. We were completely amazed,” she says and continues:  “However, the festival is a joint effort, and we are depending on the support of local business sponsors and volunteers. But after the amazing result last year, I am hoping that interest will continue to grow, and that others are as excited as I am to see the Vikings returning to Grimsby.”