Museum tunes up with a new piano

GRIMSBY'S Fishing Heritage Centre will be tuning into a new sound with the donation of a traditional upright piano, crafted by the local company Rushton who manufactured pianos in Grimsby in the early 1900s.

Sitting proudly in the Centre’s Freeman’s Arms, a recreated 1950s traditional English pub, the piano will be on permanent display giving all visitors the opportunity to admire a piece of Grimsby’s history.

The Grimsby piano has been kindly donated to the museum by Cameron Richardson-Eames after it was left to him by Anthony Carlbom, former chairman of Carlbom Shipping Ltd.

Cameron Richardson-Eames, a pupil from Caistor Grammer School, is a talented musician and attends the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester on Saturdays.

He is a member of the Grimsby & Cleethorpes Youth Orchestra and both the Yorkshire Youth Choir and the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain. He was delighted to receive the instrument.

Cameron said: “The piano is a lovely item and have the pleasure of playing it over the years. I was honoured to be given it by Anthony Carlbom.

“My mother and father work for Carlbom Shipping and Anthony knew I was passionate about music so the piano was presented to me by Mrs Gunilla Carlbom, widow of Anthony.

“I believe the piano which was built in Grimsby is a fantastic traditional instrument and should be on view for the people of North East Lincolnshire to appreciate.”

The Rushton piano is just one of the items donated to the people of North East Lincolnshire to hail from the Carlbom family.

The statue of a boy with a leaking boot, which remains in the Town Hall, was donated by Mr Carlbom’s grandfather and Consul John Carlbom also donated the first motorised ambulances for the area before the World War One.

Anthony Carlbom, Deputy Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, passed away earlier this year. His family continue to head the Immingham-based business, Carlbom Shipping Ltd.

Councillor Steve Hocknell, portfolio holder for culture, leisure and healthier communities, said: “This piano has significant relevance to the people of Grimsby having been crafted by the local firm Rushton.

“Not only is it a very attractive piece, but we are also able to preserve another piece of Grimsby’s history.

“We thank Cameron for donating the piano to North East Lincolnshire museum’s collection.

“It is a significant addition to the collection which will bring pleasure to many people for years to come.”

Visitors can see the Rushton piano at Grimsby’s Fishing Heritage Centre in Alexandra Dock. Admission charges apply.