East Marsh Community

Billy has worked in education for much of his adult life, as a lecturer, educational technologist and teacher of English in Oman and Poland. He’s passionately interested in what makes for a good life, how we organise ourselves so that we humans can flourish and live the best lives we can. His doctoral thesis 'Freedom to learn for the 21st century (education as if people mattered)', says just about everything about his being-in-the-world:

Peter has been self-employed since he was 17 and is now a director of several companies. Pete was bought up in the West Marsh in Grimsby and remembers the community spirit there; he has in turn been very inspired by the East Marsh United team and their passion for the community.

Mark was born on the East Marsh, raised on the Nunsthorpe, and was the beneficiary of a fabulous education and upbringing. He got lucky and found his passion, went to university, learned some stuff, came back home, and started to try and make a difference.

Stuart worked in industry for 42 years until he retired early in 2018. His wife is Priest in charge at St John and St Stephens church in the East Marsh of Grimsby; it was a natural progression for him to join the EMU team to work in the area where he spends a lot of time on a voluntary basis. John also volunteers at The We Are ONE Foundation food bank where he is the first line of contact.

Josie Moon is a writer, community arts development worker and activist based on the East Marsh of Grimsby. Josie works with EMU delivering arts programmes and supporting the development of EMU's social change practice.

John was born in Dublin on the Emerald Isle and became a Reverend in the Church of Ireland. He ended up in the East Marsh in 1972 and has been working there ever since at The Community of St John, St Stephen & Shalom.

Alan was born, educated, and brought up in the East Marsh and sees his role with East Marsh United as giving something back to the community that gave him such a great grounding in life. Alan continues to work for and support several local charities and is genuinely excited by his new challenge as part of EMC and EMU.

Lee was born in Cleethorpes and has lived on the East Marsh for 11 years (since 2010), where he’s been a member of East Marsh United from its inception and stood as an independent candidate for East Marsh in the 2021 North East Lincolnshire local elections. Lee works for a local damp proofing company and is currently studying for a part time BA Open University degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics.

Cyril was born in Louth, Lincolnshire and educated at High Holm Secondary Modern School. He worked in the Corrugated Cardboard Industry for 45 years with Lin-Pac Containers which was then taken over by D. S. Smith, before retiring in 2012 and moving to Grimsby. Cyril went to a community meeting in 2017 and engaged with EMU from its start where he remains a committed volunteer.

Dee is a single mum of a 13-year-old and a resident of Rutland Street (where EMC’s three initial properties are located). She volunteers at a local food bank and joined East Marsh United to help improve the area where she lives, starting by clearing alleys and street cleaning.

Emma is a volunteer at the local food bank – We are ONE Foundation - and is also an event first aider. She’s lived in the East Marsh for just over 2 years now and wants to see a meaningful change in the area and people’s lives.