Goole 2026 Bicentenary Group

WELCOME TO GOOLE 2026

2026 is a very special year marking the 200th birthday of the “company town” of Goole – and we’re inviting you to a year-long Bicentenary party! Find out more about Goole HERE

A host of charities, community groups, artists, performers, musicians and historians from Goole, Old Goole and beyond have come together with Goole Museum, Goole Library, Junction Goole and local councils as the Goole 2026 Bicentenary Community Group, collaborating to provide events and activities throughout the year.

GOOLE BICENTENARY TIMELINE EXHIBITION

Goole Civic Society is proud to announce the official launch of the Goole Bicentenary
Timeline, a major project celebrating the town’s rich history from
1826 to the present day.
After six months of intensive preparation, residents and visitors are invited to embark
on a visual journey through two centuries of local heritage.

The timeline will be unveiled through a series of pop-up exhibitions across the town

from May 23rd to June 5th. The full exhibition will come together at the Junction in July.
Full details of where you can see them

GOOLE 200: A History Of Goole In 200 Objects

May 23 - July 4, at Goole Museum
This exhibition explores two centuries of Goole’s rich history through 200 weird and wonderful objects from Goole Museum’s collections.
Full details

St John's Parish Church in Goole became the backdrop to a light projection display, with music, telling the story of Goole's 200 year history. Also the now "Famous" water towers were lit with coloured lights constantly changing. What a magnificent display!

Then the Spark! Worldbeater drummers played in the town centre combining live drumming, choreography, lighting and elegant costumes which created immediate an incredible atmosphere for the crowds watching.

This is the first of many events organised by East Yorkshire.

GOOLE MARKET HALL GRAND OPENING

Goole's Market Hall finally opened on Thursday 2nd April, showcasing an events venue, food hall and bar, entertainment stage and big screen. The Market Hall is run by Brew York. The new venue is very popular with Goole people and the very best of luck to Brew York. https://brewplus.co.uk/venues/brew-goole-market-hall/

'GOOLE ON FILM' PLAYS TO SELLOUT AUDIENCES

Thank you to everyone who attended the screening of GOOLE ON FILM presented by Goole Civic Society at Junction Goole on Saturday 24th January. The two-hour show was enthusiatically received by two sellout audiences and included the premiere of the Goole Centenary Song, Advance Goole! recorded 100 years later by the Warblers Pop and Show Choirs. The event was funded by the Goole Fields Wind Farms Community Fund. The society is considering further screenings, subject to funding being secured. Read more 

CHILDREN'S MURAL UNVEILED AT GOOLE STATION

One of the first projects is the incredible GOOLE STATION MURAL created by the town's schoolchildren under the guidance of Dream Heritage, a Goole Community Interest Company. It was commissioned by Friends of Goole Station and funded by Goole Fields Wind Farms Community Fund, Northern and Goole Civic Society.
Read more

JOIN THE PARTY

In July we’ll all get together for a Big Bicentenary Weekend to mark the 200th anniversary of the founding of the “company town” and Goole docks by the Aire and Calder Navigation Company to serve its waterways network. Plans for this are in progress so get in contact if you would like to get involved.

The Goole 2026 Bicentenary Community Group is working in collaboration with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, which will be putting on large-scale events funded by the Arts Council and UK Shared Prosperity Fund. We’re also being generously supported by local and national funders.

You can find a calendar of 2026 events HERE  Watch out for new events as they are added.

If you’d like get involved as a volunteer or organise your own event please contact us at gooleis200@gmail.com 

2026 promises to be an exciting year of celebration. We invite you all to join the party!

Goole Civic Society has erected a Blue Plaque on the East Riding of Yorkshire office building in Stanhope Street (the original Port Office) to commemorate the Aire and Calder Navigation Company, which established the company town of Goole and its docks.