As GY28 – Grimsby’s bid to be the UK’s first Town of Culture – gathers pace, talented director Jack Spring supports the campaign and speaks about his love for his adopted hometown.
It’s GTFC, the doughnuts and the seaside – but more importantly, it’s the people – “I always just felt that everyone is a hell of a lot nicer here then they are in London.”
Yes, it’s all of you that make Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire so very special for Jack Spring – the movie director who has already hit the headlines and is set to do so again as his latest film is released.
Jack, 30, was born and raised in London and now lives in Leeds. Despite the pull of those two major cities, it’s Grimsby where his heart really lies. His grandparents lived on Clee Road and long school holidays in their care are remembered with joy – especially the trips to Blundell Park with his dad and grandad.
The talented director comes back as often as possible – taking his seat at the Mariners’ ground for almost all home games. In fact, so well-known is he that he receives handshakes, pats on the back, and friendly hellos from everyone as he walks through the ground.
He talks of it like home: “It feels like I have a whole family of people here. In terms of life and my culture Grimsby is spread across my work, my friends and family, my hobbies and I love it, it’s my tribe. Grimsby has an identity you can hang your hat on.”
Culture is clearly part of Jack’s DNA as he succeeds in the competitive world of film – but still he doesn’t forget North East Lincolnshire. A premiere of his latest movie, ‘Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint’, is screened at the Parkway next week – and he will be returning for that. His film ‘Three Day Millionaire’ was shot in and around Grimsby, and the production ‘All Town Aren’t We’ charted Grimsby Town’s 2021-22 promotion winning campaign.
Over the years he has also noticed a shift in Grimsby’s fortunes – from a town that needed to shake off the challenges of the past, to one that is seeing the green shoots of positive change.
He says: “It feels like a town on the up and if it were to be awarded Town of Culture then it would only turbo-charge and accelerate that growth. I would say to anyone to come here and see it and feel it and meet the people as they are so real.”
Jack talks further about his career, his love of the town and his determination to support Grimsby as a ‘town on the up’ in a special GY28 interview you can watch here
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