I found this today,

Where the Pilgrims Landed

It’s an advert for a book, but the picture of Plimoth Plantation is well worth a look.

Here’s an interesting little video clip:

I just found an old reply to a blog my husband wrote back in 2002! Was Eye on Immingham (Or Immingham .org.uk for that matter) around so long ago? It seems like yesterday! We are reworking the website and using the blogs to make it easier for people to contribute. Do join in, we love to know what you are thinking.

It is filled with tantalising bits of information about Immingham’s past, so I post it here for you to read.

Did you know Imm / Emme was an old Anlo Saxon family?
live in a town called Immingham, on the south bank of the River Humber, England. It is the town from which he original Pilgrim Fathers first departed from England in 1608 They left on the ship “Speedwell” and settled in Holland originally before continuing their journey to America via Southampton.
The reason I am writing to you is your surname, Imm. Our town, Immingham, has a completely English name which unusual around here where the Vikings settled. It is made up of three early English (Anglo Saxon) words:
“Imm” – a family name;
“inga” – of the family;
“ham” – homestead.
Thus Immingham means “homestead of the family of Imm“.
The language suggests that the name of the town goes back to the 7th century!
We know a little about Imm (or Imma / Immer) from one of our early historians, Bede, who wrote in 731 AD. Bede tells us that in 679 Imm was a Thane (a type of King’s bodyguard) in the service of the 18 year old brother of the King of Northumbria, Elfwin. As a Thane it was his job to die at the side of his master. In 679 he was involved in a battle not far from here on the River Trent. Elfwin was killed and Imm was left for dead. He later revived and was taken into captivity (being careful to keep his name and title secret). The Mercians who had captured him treated his wounds and when he got better chained him up each night to prevent his escape.
Meanwhile his brother, Tunna, a priest and Abbot of a monastery, assuming his brother dead ,had regualr prayers and masses said for him.
The Mercians had great trouble keeping Imm under captivity and guessed he was more than just a peasant. The Mercian Chief had him closely questioned. Imm agreed to speak if the Chief promised not to kill him. On learning that Imm was a King’s Thane he was furious but could not go back on his word. The Mercians believed Imm was using black magic to escape. But Imm pointed out that his brother was Christian and was probably praying for him and that was the reason for his success.
Because he was such a problem the Mercians sold Imm in London as a slave to a Frisian. The Frisian Islands lie to the north of Holland. This Frisian also found it difficult to keep Imm captive so he allowed him to arrange for his ransom. The King of Kent eventually paid the ransom because he had connections with Imm’s family or associates. Imm went through a number of other adventures before he got back to his own country. On reuniting with his brother, the Abbot confirmed that he had indeed been praying for his brother.
I hope you don’t mind my rambling like this! But I thought you might be interested in what we know of Imm, who may possibly be one of your early ancestors. My wife, Eve, and I are sponsoring a competition amongst the local school children to develop a cartoon characterisation of Imm / Imma to use in the promotion of our town. We are just starting to get a site on the Web for Immingham people and produce the local newsletter. (The Web site is nowhere near ready but the address is Immingham.org.uk).
All the best,
Philip Clark

Immingham 400 is a celebration of the time Immingham went down in history. Ironically, it seems we are more famous in the USA than we are here in England. Every time I tell some I meet, it never seems to amaze me. Americans of all ages have heard of us, and have a bit of an idea where Immingham is. They have also heard of Killingholme. English people are more likely to have heard of Grimsby. A surprising number of those associate it with a large fishing fleet, or fish fingers. There are folk out there with lots of info about the history of Immingham. This blog is a chance to share what we know, sites we find, personal stories from more recent years.

Come on, share your stories. Immingham has changed beyond recognition since the 1890s. I am sure there are photos and personal anecdotes that we can all enjoy.

The following events are arranged for the Pilgrim 400 Celebrations.

If you have any to add please leave a comment below.

Pilgrim 400 Commemoration Week of Events

Saturday 12^th 11am / 5pm Pilgrim 400 Parade/ Amusements

(Leave and finish at Civic Centre Car park)

4pm / 6pm Pilgrim 400 Swimming Gala

(Immingham Swimming Pool)

7pm / 12Mn Celidah Dance

(Civic Centre)

Sunday 13^th 10am Mayflower Wood Walk

(Start St. Andrews Church)

11am Family Fun Day

(in association with Conoco Philips)

Monday 14^th 0830 / 5pm Pilgrim 400 Texas Scramble

(In association with Immingham Golf Club)

7pm / 1030pm Pilgrim History Tour of Immingham

(Start / finish Civic Centre)

Tuesday 15^th 6pm / 1030pm Immingham Pilgrim Family Fun Run

(Resource Centre)

2pm / 4pm Sequence Dance featuring Jeanette

(Civic Centre)

Wednesday 16^th 7pm / 1030pm Ye Olde Bingo

(Civic Centre)

Thursday 17^th 8pm / 1030pm Humberside Police Band Concert

(Civic Centre)

Friday 18^th to Sunday 20th 10am / 5pm Continental Market

(Civic Centre Grounds)

Friday 18^th 7pm / 9pm Barton Brass Band and Guests

(Open air concert at Homestead Park)

Saturday 19^th 11am / 6pm Band Fiesta

(Civic Centre)

Sunday 20^th 3pm / 10pm FINALE

(Pilgrim’s Monument)

Immingham Museum’s “Pilgrim Father 400 Display” throughout commemoration

Many of you will remember Eye on Immingham community website. We were here before Immport and went to every home in Immingham. People still tell us we are missed. That is why the blog has been set up. DO join in with your news and feel free to advertise your clubs and activities here too. This has been set up to serve the community of Immingham. We shall endeavour to keep it simple and hope we can become as useful to you as the old magazine.