Youngsters from Horizon Youth Zone in Grimsby have lent their voices to the town's campaign to be named the UK's first Town of Culture 2028. On National Poetry Day, they delivered a special reading of AMBITION, an inspiring poem penned by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.
The poem, central to the GY28 campaign, encapsulates Grimsby's spirit, resilience, and forward-looking determination, portraying the town as a place "where the strongest stories begin." Each child took turns reading a line, culminating in the poem's powerful closing message: "Step forward: The future starts at your feet."
The initial GY28 submission highlights Grimsby's history of courage, innovation, and community. It references the legend of Grim, the Danish fisherman credited with founding the town, and honours generations of dock workers whose resilience shaped the town's identity. The narrative emphasises the community's continuous embrace of togetherness, determination, and creativity in overcoming challenges and forging a promising future.
As Grimsby enters the final stage of its bid, the community is rallying to demonstrate why it deserves the Town of Culture 2028 title. Out of an initial 398 entries, Grimsby is one of four large towns shortlisted, alongside Basildon, Birkenhead, and Rotherham. The final bid is due by 30 November 2026, with the winner announced in March 2027.
The winning town will receive £3 million for a six-month cultural programme in 2028, while two runner-up towns will each receive £250,000.
“"Every place carries its own story. In Grimsby, that story is one of resilience, community and ambition. Our bid to become the UK’s Town of Culture is a powerful opportunity to elevate the voices of our young people, celebrate our rich heritage, and showcase to the rest of the country exactly what our town is made of."
The poetry reading underscores the GY28 campaign's core theme: culture is not just about celebrating the past but empowering the next generation to shape the future. The reading can be viewed on social media.
Residents, businesses, and community groups are encouraged to support the bid by sharing stories, sending messages of support, attending events, or spreading the word. Further involvement opportunities include taking part in the online survey and becoming a GY28 Ambassador via the website www.GY28.co.uk. The campaign is active on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X under the handle @Grimsby2028.
