We are all volunteers from all walks of life and all ages with one thing in common, to improve and enhance all aspects of the River Freshney and it's surrounding areas.

We are a constituted group and we meet alternate months at the MAAG Hall, Haycroft Street, or The West Marsh Community Centre, Beeson Street, but occasionally other venues may be used. There are currently 13 members and the committee is made up of the following people:

At the AGM in April Cllr Peter Barker was voting in as chairperson, Tim Mickleburgh remains as secretary and minutes secretary, and John Radley remains the treasurer. On the next meeting (May 26th.) Keith Watkin was proposed to take on the role of Vice Chair by Allan Jackson and this was seconded by Peter Woodhouse. Photo will follow.

Chair : Cllr Peter Barker.

A little bit about me:

"Born in Grimsby and lived in the same house for 69 years. After leaving school trained in Birmingham to be a teacher and taught in Cleethorpes for 30 years. Have been an Independent Councillor for the West Marsh for over 30 years and was Mayor of North East Lincolnshire in 2003-2004.

Nationally I am Chairman of The Boys' Brigade Anglican Council which serves Great Britain and the whole of Ireland. At local level offices I hold include secretary of the Schools' Sports Council, Vice Chairman of the Friends of the Freshney and Chairman of West Marsh Forward.

I regularly raise funds for good causes at local level, especially in the West Marsh and I do recognise that The River Freshney and the Duke of York Gardens are important features in the West Marsh."

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Vice Chair : Keith Watkin.

A little bit about me:

I was born in Grimsby in the West Marsh area and being there has made me passionate about the area and it's people. Having spent many hours in the Duke of York Gardens it is a priviledge to be a part of it's heritage and it's improvement. It is nice to see that numbers of people spending time there is increasing and the children are enjoying the play equipment thas has been supplied.

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Secretary :  Tim Mickleburgh.

A little bit about me:

"My first memories of the Duke of York Gardens are of sailing a home-made raft there with my grandfather instead of going to Sunday School at The Haven!

I've been involved with the Friends since the group was set up, also being on the Committee of the Haycroft Gardening Club(as Treasurer - I've no green figures!) and the Macaulay Area Action Group.

I've written books about seaside piers and local history (plus an occasional missive to the Grimsby Telegraph), hoping to follow up my volume Macaulay Memories with a title about the history of the Duke of York Gardens."

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Treasurer : John Radley.

A little bit about me:

"Worked at Dixon's paper mill, Laporte Titanium (now Millenium Chemicals) and Titan's (now Huntsman Tioxide) taking early retirement in 1996. Had a shop for two years which did the back in so went back to the trade as a contractor until 2004.

Now retired I spent some time doing as little as possible, but am now doing some voluntary work and involved with local community groups. Currently involved with the Friends group and West Marsh Forward, as treasurer of both groups. I was born in the West Marsh (Ayscough Street), moved away for a number of years but am now back living in the Marsh."

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