Event takes place on Sunday, February 19
THE crew of HMS Grimsby are to take part in a Freedom Parade in Grimsby Town Centre in February.
This important civic event will take place on Sunday, February 19, marking the connection between the borough and the Royal Navy vessel.
HMS Grimsby was granted Freedom of the Borough of North East Lincolnshire in 2001, and since then the crew have possessed the right to hold a civic parade here.
The parade will depart from the Riverhead in Grimsby at 10am, heading to Grimsby Town Hall before making its way to Grimsby Minster for a special civic service. Afterwards, at noon, the parade will return to the town hall for a reception for invited guests.
HMS Grimsby, a mine countermeasures vessel, is affiliated to the borough as well as a number of local organisations, including the Child Development Centre, Cleethorpes and Grimsby Royal Naval Association, Old Clee Royal Naval Association, The Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Royal Naval Patrol Service Veterans Grimsby, RBL Grimsby and Havelock Academy.
While the ship is moored in Grimsby Docks, it will be a part of a number of events, including an open day, demonstrations and school group visits.
The Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Councillor Susan Pickett, said: “It is an honour to have HMS Grimsby and its crew visit us for this special occasion. Civic parades such as this are a great opportunity to strengthen the bonds between the community and the armed forces, and I expect many, many people will be keen to come along to show their support for the amazing job that this crew does on behalf of the country.”
HMS Grimsby was built by Vosper Thornycroft in Southampton. It was launched by Lady Candice Blackham in August, 1998. She was commissioned into the Royal Navy in September, 1999.
HMS Grimsby is the second Royal Navy ship to bear the name and the first mine hunter to do so. The first HMS Grimsby was a sloop built in Devonport Dockyard, launched in July, 1933. At the outbreak of the Second World War, she was on the China Station but was recalled to the UK to see extensive service and three battle honours. In May 1941, following heavy and sustained attack from enemy aircraft, she sank 40 miles north east of Tobruk.