Community Press Office News

The Women They Left Behind was a Heritage Lottery funded project based at CPO Media. During the year long project, extensive research into Grimsby was undertaken and over 30 interviews with members of the fishing community were conducted. The book, which launched at Grimsby's Fishing Heritage Centre on Thursday 18 June 2009, features compelling accounts of the lives of women and gives long overdue recognition to the wives, mothers, sisters and daughters of men whose occupation was 14 times more dangerous than coal-mining. It also takes a closer look at the role of Grimsby's fishermen during two world wars, their involvement in the cod wars and the subsequent fight for compensation.

Written by Nick Triplow and Tina Bramhill, with new research into the history of Grimsby’s fishing industry by Jade Shepherd, the book tells of hardship, good times, love and heartbreak in communities held together by women and characterised by the absence of men. Told in the women’s own words, these uncharted episodes from Grimsby’s past reveal a hidden narrative: the true cost of putting fish on Britain’s plates.

A free-to-view exhibition was also staged at Grimsby’s Fishing Heritage Centre from 19 June-30 August which aimed to give a greater insight into the daily lives of women in the fishing community by exploring their relationships, domestic and work life.

The Women They Left Behind is available locally from Grimsby’s Fishing Heritage Centre, The Grimsby Telegraph, The Ropewalk – Barton on Humber, Freshney Place bookshops or online at www.amazon.co.uk and www.waterstones.com

Alternatively for UK orders send a cheque or postal order for £6 made out to CPO Media to:

CPO Media
80 Cleethorpe Road
Grimsby
North East Lincolnshire
DN31 3EH

For more information contact: Tina Bramhill at CPO Media. T: 01472 372270
E: heritage@mycpomedia.com

Back to news