A remarkable true story of friendship, family and Grimsby heritage is captivating audiences across North East Lincolnshire, thanks to local poet and writer Caroline Beeson Spence, who transformed her nanna’s unlikely connection with Coronation Street legend Pat Phoenix into a moving monologue.
Caroline, a member of the Women’s History Group in Grimsby, recently performed her acclaimed piece, Elsie Tanner Knew My Nanna, at the launch of Grimsby’s bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028 (GY28). The performance formed part of a showcase celebrating the town’s rich stories and creative talent at Grimsby Minster, where hundreds of residents gathered to support the bid.
The monologue tells the extraordinary story of Caroline’s grandmother, Rose “Biddy” Goddard, who lived on Victor Street in Grimsby and struck up an unlikely friendship with Coronation Street’s iconic character Elsie Tanner, played by Pat Phoenix.
When Coronation Street first aired in the early 1960s, Biddy recognised similarities between life on Victor Street and the working-class community depicted on screen. Inspired by the character, she wrote a letter to Elsie Tanner and was delighted when Pat Phoenix replied.
What began as a simple fan letter developed into a unique friendship that lasted more than 20 years.
A mother of six whose husband spent long periods at sea, Biddy braided fishing nets in her back garden and later ran with the famous Herring Girls. She saw a kindred spirit in Pat Phoenix and the two women exchanged letters for years, sharing stories about family life, fashion and even advice on Coronation Street storylines.
According to Caroline, her grandmother affectionately referred to the actress as “my Queen”.
However, the correspondence came to an abrupt halt following an encounter that became family legend.
“One day, a gypsy woman came to my nanna’s door selling items from a basket and told her she must stop writing to Elsie Tanner,” said Caroline. “Nanna believed she would be cursed if she carried on, so she never wrote another letter.”
The sudden silence puzzled Pat Phoenix, who later issued a public appeal through the Grimsby Telegraph, asking Biddy to get back in touch. Despite wanting to respond, Biddy remained too frightened to do so.
The pair were eventually reunited in person when Pat Phoenix visited Sun Amusements on Freeman Street in Grimsby for an official opening. Biddy’s daughter brought her along, allowing the two women to finally meet face to face after years of correspondence.
Following Biddy’s death in 1983, Caroline discovered a collection of letters from Pat Phoenix and her husband, actor Tony Booth, tucked away in a cupboard. The letters revealed the depth of a friendship that had become part of both family and local history. Biddy was later mentioned in one of Pat Phoenix’s autobiographies.
Inspired by the discovery, Caroline turned the story into a monologue that she has been performing at poetry groups, history events and community gatherings across the UK for the past few years.
Caroline said: “It’s a story about friendship, working-class women and Grimsby’s heritage. My nanna’s life wasn’t extraordinary to her, but it tells us so much about the people who built this town and the connections they made. I’m proud to keep her story alive.”
The performance was one of many local stories shared during the GY28 launch, highlighting the creativity, history and unique voices that continue to shape Grimsby as it bids to become UK Town of Culture 2028.
Get involved
Whether you share a story, send a message of support, attend an event or simply spread the word, every bit of support helps. You can have your say by taking part in our online survey here: GY28 TOWN OF CULTURE PUBLIC SURVEY
Visit our website GY28.co.uk to find out more, and become a GY28 ambassador and discover how you can get involved.
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