Place-maker and Grimbarian Julia Thompson, who helped shape the culture and heritage scene of North East Lincolnshire is the latest ambassador to back GY28, Grimsby’s bid to become the first UK Town of Culture in 2028.
Julia has enjoyed a successful career in television as an Executive Producer at ITV, SONY Pictures Television and Simon Cowell’s SYCO, helping create shows such as Britain’s Got Talent and Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway. At the same time, she worked behind the scenes in a voluntary role helping shape the area’s arts, culture and heritage sector for over 10 years.
Julia says: “We’ve shown we can deliver incredible events on a national stage. Thanks to support from funders and businesses over the last few years, Grimsby has many talented local creatives, groups and organisations ready to deliver. The timing feels good.”
Julia was a founding member of VESR, the voluntary group of business leaders formed in 2014 to support North East Lincolnshire’s visitor economy, services and retail sector, going on to become its Chair. She helped form some of the economic strategies that led to funding coming into the region such as the Heritage Place Fund.
Julia stepped in to help create, Festival of the Sky which won two National Festival Awards for Cleethorpes and Grim Falfest, the town’s Viking festival that drew more than 20,000 visitors to Grimsby town centre and won the UK National Outdoor Event Award in Place-Making.
Julia says: “I’m excited to see the many artists, heritage and community groups and organisations who are absolutely ready to showcase their talents in a range of exciting new projects and all share in the £3m should our bid be successful.”
Julia stood down from VESR in 2025 to develop Havelok’s Kingdom, using digital and immersive tech, alongside books, live events and music to develop the story of Havelok and Grim the Viking in new ways.
Julia adds: “Grim Falfest, with its longships on the waterfront and battles in People’s Park became its own legend, an event that was very special to many people in our town. Who knows, maybe the longship will return as part of GY28, wouldn’t that be great.”
Back the bid: residents, businesses and community groups can show their support for GY28 by using #GY28 on social media and becoming a GY28 ambassador at www.GY28.co.uk.
ENDS
Editor’s notes:
Julia Thompson M.I.P.M., Place-maker and Creator of Havelok’s Kingdom
A Grimbarian and member of the Institute of Place Management, Julia has more than ten years’ experience shaping strategy and delivery for the arts, culture, heritage and visitor economy of North East Lincolnshire, including as a founding member and Chair of VESR.
She created Festival of the Sky (two National Festival Awards) and Grim Falfest (UK National Outdoor Event Award in Place-Making), and advises local authorities and cultural organisations on place-making.
Through Havelok’s Kingdom she explores the story of Havelok and Grim the Viking in books, music, digital and live events, and is the author of Havelok, Prince of the Vikings and Havelok and Grim the Viking.
Her television career includes roles as a Producer at ITV and SONY Pictures Television, and Development Executive at SYCO Entertainment.
www.HaveloksKingdom.com / YouTube: @HaveloksKingdom.
VESR
Formed in 2014, VESR is the voluntary, business-led group that builds and supports the visitor economy, services and retail of North East Lincolnshire.
GY28 – Grimsby’s bid for UK Town of Culture 2028
Grimsby is one of 15 towns shortlisted for the first UK Town of Culture, led by North East Lincolnshire Council alongside Horizon Onside Youth Zone.
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