Making a feature of town’s history
Many readers of Beverley Life will be aware of the rich history of shipbuilding in Beverley—an industry that once placed the town firmly on the maritime map.
The Grovehill shipyard, a cornerstone of this heritage, constructed more than 1,300 vessels over the years, including the renowned Arctic Corsair, which is set to feature in the North End Shipyard project in Hull.
This proud legacy has long been commemorated by a large sign positioned along Grovehill Road, next to Weel Bridge. Installed with the permission of landowner John Marin, the sign tells the story of the shipyard and celebrates the many ships built there.
Conceived as a permanent memorial, the project was championed by the late Howard Tomlinson MBE. The striking piece was sculpted by Peter Naylor and fabricated by Hull-based engineering firm W. Campbell and Sons. Tragically, Mr Tomlinson did not live to see the sign unveiled, which was installed on 15 October 2021.
In recent months, Anita Tomlinson, Howard’s widow, reached out to Beverley in Bloom to seek assistance in enhancing the area surrounding the sign. Her aim was to ensure the memorial receives the attention it deserves as a tribute to the town’s industrial past.
Answering the call, volunteers from Beverley in Bloom, alongside members of Beverley Urban Gardeners (BUG), set to work preparing the site. Their efforts culminated in a full re-landscaping and planting project, completed on 31 March.
