Caxton Theatre Ticket Office

On February 2nd 1943, The Grimsby Evening Telegraph carried an advertisement for a play performed by the Caxton Players. On the front page was a photograph of a scene from ‘Children to Bless You’. This was the first public appearance by the 'Caxton Players' as a society.

The real beginnings though go further back. Late in 1940, at a time when local dramatic societies and operatic groups had closed down because of the war, three members of the Grimsby Evening Telegraph staff decided to put on a play, to counteract the depression of the times. John Knowles, the advertising manager, two of his staff, Mary Pinion and Sheila Robinson, all with some dramatic experience, and four other newspaper workers became the Telegraph Amateur Dramatic Society.

In February 1943, it was decided by the committee that a new society should be formed, because there were so few members of the Evening Telegraph now left. The name ‘Caxton’ was suggested because of the connection with printing.

The society has continued to thrive since its humble beginnings and is the only society in North East Lincolnshire with its own theatre.