'A Tribute To Those That Swept The Seas'
National Reserves Club, Grimsby
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The ‘Paint The Town Proud’ heritage initiative is
providing a cross-generational and extensive programme of visual artwork and impactful multimedia that combines creative technologies such as digital design and photography alongside community-led murals and street art.
This mural honours the courageous fishermen who risked their lives carrying out the vital work of minesweeping during the Second World War. Clearing explosive mines was perilous in every respect, and the Humber was one of the most dangerous areas in which to undertake this task.
At its centre, the mural depicts the trawler 'The Lifeguard', which has close ties to the National Reserves Club. Shown sweeping for mines near Haile Sand Fort, the vessel is accompanied above by Lancaster bombers, a reminder of the many roles played in the collective war effort.
The artwork also pays tribute to all branches of the armed forces while placing special emphasis on the bravery of Humber fishermen. The poppy featured is a faithful representation of those made in the 1940s from card and paper — a poignant detail that links past to present.
There are a range of techniques used in the mural combining stencils, spray paint, and hand-painted detail, their styles come together in a powerful, unified work that brightens Littlefield Lane. It now stands as one of many murals brought to life under the Paint The Town Proud initiative.
Mural Artists
Creating this mural was a collaboration between a mixture of artists from Creative Start CIC alongside Justin Fancourt from Nomad Studio, Dogma_art, Stakes ink and our very own project manager and resident artist Kathleen Smith.
Thank you to all at the National Reserves Club for all their help and support over the past two weeks and to all the local support during the project.
Mural Gallery
Image Credits: Kathleen Smith, Lisa Palmer, Emma Ling, Dogma Art, Stakes Ink.