Hull lad here, born and bred. 10 years ago I sat on a panel with the authors of the book "Crap Towns" who had labelled Hull the worst place to live in the city. Very pleased to get a tweet from them today saying "we are eating our words and happy to do so".
Great place to live, such friendly people and absolutely no delusions of grandeur.
Ah well deserved. We went to a preview of an exhibition at one of the Hull Museums this year - an exhibition I'd had some small involvement in, as I wrote one of the information boards for them and lent them summat for their display - and had a lovely evening. Nice pub/restaurant by the waterside, good company, packed preview... I saw they were going in for this, and hoped they'd get it.
I go there to research sometimes, for my work, and absolutely love it. Went to the British Museum earlier this year and their celtic stuff was noticeably not as good as the stuff on display in Hull Museum. The Museums there are well done, and free. Art Gallery has some brilliant stuff but then ones in Northern towns that were rich in Victorian times tend to be the best in the UK, apart from London, as this is where the money was when the great Art was being bought...
The Wilberforce Museum is one of my favourite places on earth and tells the story of 18thC slavery, and the Yorkshire methodist movement's opposition to it, movingly and beautifully. When I walk round Hull, I'm constantly looking up at the spectacular 18thC and 19thC buildings, many with lots of maritime references on them. Well deserved, Hull. As someone who has recently been involved in your cultural life, I hope you Hull folk feel the pride in your city it deserves.:)
It does have one of our two great Universities along with Cambridge. As we all know, Oxford is a dump
:D:D
I heard this story on Radio 4. I know a few people scoffed when Liverpool won it and said that the Beatles were the only culture to have emerged from Liverpool. Utter balls of course. Poets like Roger McGough, playwrights like Alan Bleasdale, writers like Beryl Bainbridge - there's loads.
However Hull is a different matter. I knew they'd wheel out Philip Larkin. An absolutely great poet, no mistake. But is there anyone else?:o
Edit: link here to a beginners' guide to culture in Hull:
I heard this story on Radio 4. I know a few people scoffed when Liverpool won it and said that the Beatles were the only culture to have emerged from Liverpool. Utter balls of course. Poets like Roger McGough, playwrights like Alan Bleasdale, writers like Beryl Bainbridge - there's loads.
However Hull is a different matter. I knew they'd wheel out Philip Larkin. An absolutely great poet, no mistake. But is there anyone else?:o
Edit: link here to a beginners' guide to culture in Hull:
Sir Tom Courtenay the actor, Alan Plater the playwright, John Godber the playwright who started out with Phil Redmond on Brookside before doing his own stuff. Quite a lot of musicians/bands - Mick Ronson, Housemartins, Beautiful South, Everything but the Girl, Sade, Fine Young Cannibals. A number of renowned journalists who made it to Fleet Street. Oh and John Prescott
Sir Tom Courtenay the actor, Alan Plater the playwright, John Godber the playwright who started out with Phil Redmond on Brookside before doing his own stuff. Quite a lot of musicians/bands - Mick Ronson, Housemartins, Beautiful South, Everything but the Girl, Sade, Fine Young Cannibals. A number of renowned journalists who made it to Fleet Street. Oh and John Prescott
But everywhere in the land has produced some people of note. How many thousands of creative folk are there born in the UK?
I'm sorry, but the whole thing is a grotesque contrivance to make otherwise nondescript provincial cities/towns feel good about themselves.
But everywhere in the land has produced some people of note. How many thousands of creative folk are there born in the UK?
I'm sorry, but the whole thing is a grotesque contrivance to make otherwise nondescript provincial cities/towns feel good about themselves.
I was answering a question to another post who asked who else other than Philip Larkin. You seem to have a pretty big beef with Hull - did someone spit in your pattie and chips (with chip spice)?
I come from Hull but don't live there now. However it's still my hometown and I'm proud of it. I've lived in greater London and can honestly say there are so many more dull, unattractive, nondescript towns over there than the North of England. Most of these are overspill provincial towns from London and have nothing going for them. The grandest cities that have all the beautiful architecture are usually the ones from the North (except London) as they were the rich cities in the Victorian times - making all the money for the rich south. I can honestly say the architecture and culture in Northern towns and cities are second to none - Manchester, Liverpool, Bradford, Newcastle, Leeds, Harrogate, York, Hull, Glasgow, Edinburgh - all amazing to visit
Edit: it's a shame some of these northern towns and cities are in such a state due to ineffective councils and being left on the scrapheap by Westminster
Sir Tom Courtenay the actor, Alan Plater the playwright, John Godber the playwright who started out with Phil Redmond on Brookside before doing his own stuff. Quite a lot of musicians/bands - Mick Ronson, Housemartins, Beautiful South, Everything but the Girl, Sade, Fine Young Cannibals. A number of renowned journalists who made it to Fleet Street. Oh and John Prescott
Sade's from Hull??? :O
Lived there between 2006-2010. People are very lovely & as someone earlier said, no delusions of grandeur. Bit odd about the Kingston Comms monopoly though, will that still exist in 2017?
Also can't quite imagine events of the like of the MTV awards being held there. But that's probably a good thing......
I was answering a question to another post who asked who else other than Philip Larkin. You seem to have a pretty big beef with Hull - did someone spit in your pattie and chips (with chip spice)?
Funny you should say that.
Many years ago I had a private eye operation in Hull (very long story). I remember going up for a pre-op appointment, there and back to London in a day on the train. My return was mid-evening, and after ages in the hospital, I looked for something tasty to take away, around the station. All I could find was a chippie, so resigned to a bag of chips as being the only option. I remember being aghast when it was handed over the counter, smothered in a snotty green slimy emulsion. I asked the server what in God's name she had given me, to which she answered "well, ya should've said if ya didn't want curry". That was in the days when one had to get off the InterCity at Doncaster and take an ancient DMU that slowly rattled itself to Hull.
Lived there between 2006-2010. People are very lovely & as someone earlier said, no delusions of grandeur. Bit odd about the Kingston Comms monopoly though, will that still exist in 2017?
Also can't quite imagine events of the like of the MTV awards being held there. But that's probably a good thing......
she isn't herself but the band is, who I believe still play with her and write some of the songs
Many years ago I had a private eye operation in Hull (very long story). I remember going up for a pre-op appointment, there and back to London in a day on the train. My return was mid-evening, and after ages in the hospital, I looked for something tasty to take away, around the station. All I could find was a chippie, so resigned to a bag of chips as being the only option. I remember being aghast when it was handed over the counter, smothered in a snotty green slimy emulsion. I asked the server what in God's name she had given me, to which she answered "well, ya should've said if ya didn't want curry".
High culture indeed.
Sounds like most northern conurbations years ago. You do realise that places/culture/facilities/attitudes tend develop and improve over time, yes?
No-one's saying Hull is everyone's dream destination, but it sounds like you're basing your opinion on anecdotes from yesteryear. They could have easily happened in other cities such as Leeds and Manchester, both of which have a heck of a lot more to offer the visitor then they used to.
Many years ago I had a private eye operation in Hull (very long story). I remember going up for a pre-op appointment, there and back to London in a day on the train. My return was mid-evening, and after ages in the hospital, I looked for something tasty to take away, around the station. All I could find was a chippie, so resigned to a bag of chips as being the only option. I remember being aghast when it was handed over the counter, smothered in a snotty green slimy emulsion. I asked the server what in God's name she had given me, to which she answered "well, ya should've said if ya didn't want curry".
High culture indeed.
ha ha classic. I thought you meant mint sauce then. Some establishments put and thin mint and vinegar sauce over your fish n chips. Saying that, I still haven't had better and bigger fish n chips anywhere. Everywhere else the fish is like fish finger size!
As for the eye op, my friend had one done at Castle Hill hospital in Hull as the world specialist in some new laser treatment is there - I think a Dr Pandy or something?
The only time I have been to Hull was for a University interview in 1989. It was mid-winter, dark, freezing cold and pouring down. The interview didn't got well, I wasn't impressed with the department and the whole city looked miserable. I took the train home and have never been back.
Sounds like most northern conurbations years ago. You do realise that places/culture/facilities/attitudes tend develop and improve over time, yes?
No-one's saying Hull is everyone's dream destination, but it sounds like you're basing your opinion on anecdotes from yesteryear. They could have easily happened in other cities such as Leeds and Manchester, both of which have a heck of a lot more to offer the visitor then they used to.
I was last in Hull about 3 years ago. I have several good customers there. I usually try to stay downtown when travelling, as I like to wander and explore, eat and drink in the evening but the only hotels in the centre had such awful reviews, I ended up in a Travel Inn on the outskirts next to a retail park.
I come from a dreary, dull town myself. It's why I got myself out of it at age 18 under my own steam. I don't have any inclination to defend it, nor suggest it is any more than it is.
I come from a dreary, dull town myself. It's why I got myself out of it at age 18 under my own steam. I don't have any inclination to defend it, nor suggest it is any more than it is.
Which is fine, up to the point where the way you're painting it makes it sound much worse than it actually is in reality, hence my interjections
Comments
Cynicism is fine in moderation, but hey, let yourself go a little and feel the positive vibes once in a while
Great place to live, such friendly people and absolutely no delusions of grandeur.
That I'll grant.
Ah well deserved. We went to a preview of an exhibition at one of the Hull Museums this year - an exhibition I'd had some small involvement in, as I wrote one of the information boards for them and lent them summat for their display - and had a lovely evening. Nice pub/restaurant by the waterside, good company, packed preview... I saw they were going in for this, and hoped they'd get it.
I go there to research sometimes, for my work, and absolutely love it. Went to the British Museum earlier this year and their celtic stuff was noticeably not as good as the stuff on display in Hull Museum. The Museums there are well done, and free. Art Gallery has some brilliant stuff but then ones in Northern towns that were rich in Victorian times tend to be the best in the UK, apart from London, as this is where the money was when the great Art was being bought...
The Wilberforce Museum is one of my favourite places on earth and tells the story of 18thC slavery, and the Yorkshire methodist movement's opposition to it, movingly and beautifully. When I walk round Hull, I'm constantly looking up at the spectacular 18thC and 19thC buildings, many with lots of maritime references on them. Well deserved, Hull. As someone who has recently been involved in your cultural life, I hope you Hull folk feel the pride in your city it deserves.:)
Great memories of nights out there.
Well done to our Yorkshire sister city. I'll be visiting to take part in some of the events./
I heard this story on Radio 4. I know a few people scoffed when Liverpool won it and said that the Beatles were the only culture to have emerged from Liverpool. Utter balls of course. Poets like Roger McGough, playwrights like Alan Bleasdale, writers like Beryl Bainbridge - there's loads.
However Hull is a different matter. I knew they'd wheel out Philip Larkin. An absolutely great poet, no mistake. But is there anyone else?:o
Edit: link here to a beginners' guide to culture in Hull:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25014228
TBH it's not a very long list...
Sir Tom Courtenay the actor, Alan Plater the playwright, John Godber the playwright who started out with Phil Redmond on Brookside before doing his own stuff. Quite a lot of musicians/bands - Mick Ronson, Housemartins, Beautiful South, Everything but the Girl, Sade, Fine Young Cannibals. A number of renowned journalists who made it to Fleet Street. Oh and John Prescott
Gets very boring hearing the same old jokes made about Hull.
Hopefully this will bring about a seachange in opinion on our fair City.
But everywhere in the land has produced some people of note. How many thousands of creative folk are there born in the UK?
I'm sorry, but the whole thing is a grotesque contrivance to make otherwise nondescript provincial cities/towns feel good about themselves.
I was answering a question to another post who asked who else other than Philip Larkin. You seem to have a pretty big beef with Hull - did someone spit in your pattie and chips (with chip spice)?
I come from Hull but don't live there now. However it's still my hometown and I'm proud of it. I've lived in greater London and can honestly say there are so many more dull, unattractive, nondescript towns over there than the North of England. Most of these are overspill provincial towns from London and have nothing going for them. The grandest cities that have all the beautiful architecture are usually the ones from the North (except London) as they were the rich cities in the Victorian times - making all the money for the rich south. I can honestly say the architecture and culture in Northern towns and cities are second to none - Manchester, Liverpool, Bradford, Newcastle, Leeds, Harrogate, York, Hull, Glasgow, Edinburgh - all amazing to visit
Edit: it's a shame some of these northern towns and cities are in such a state due to ineffective councils and being left on the scrapheap by Westminster
I may have to travel up north in order to soak up some culture.
Sade's from Hull??? :O
Lived there between 2006-2010. People are very lovely & as someone earlier said, no delusions of grandeur. Bit odd about the Kingston Comms monopoly though, will that still exist in 2017?
Also can't quite imagine events of the like of the MTV awards being held there. But that's probably a good thing......
Funny you should say that.
Many years ago I had a private eye operation in Hull (very long story). I remember going up for a pre-op appointment, there and back to London in a day on the train. My return was mid-evening, and after ages in the hospital, I looked for something tasty to take away, around the station. All I could find was a chippie, so resigned to a bag of chips as being the only option. I remember being aghast when it was handed over the counter, smothered in a snotty green slimy emulsion. I asked the server what in God's name she had given me, to which she answered "well, ya should've said if ya didn't want curry". That was in the days when one had to get off the InterCity at Doncaster and take an ancient DMU that slowly rattled itself to Hull.
I assume you mean Islington?
she isn't herself but the band is, who I believe still play with her and write some of the songs
Sounds like most northern conurbations years ago. You do realise that places/culture/facilities/attitudes tend develop and improve over time, yes?
No-one's saying Hull is everyone's dream destination, but it sounds like you're basing your opinion on anecdotes from yesteryear. They could have easily happened in other cities such as Leeds and Manchester, both of which have a heck of a lot more to offer the visitor then they used to.
ha ha classic. I thought you meant mint sauce then. Some establishments put and thin mint and vinegar sauce over your fish n chips. Saying that, I still haven't had better and bigger fish n chips anywhere. Everywhere else the fish is like fish finger size!
As for the eye op, my friend had one done at Castle Hill hospital in Hull as the world specialist in some new laser treatment is there - I think a Dr Pandy or something?
Islington? Try Oxford.
(street)
I was last in Hull about 3 years ago. I have several good customers there. I usually try to stay downtown when travelling, as I like to wander and explore, eat and drink in the evening but the only hotels in the centre had such awful reviews, I ended up in a Travel Inn on the outskirts next to a retail park.
I come from a dreary, dull town myself. It's why I got myself out of it at age 18 under my own steam. I don't have any inclination to defend it, nor suggest it is any more than it is.
Your bitterness won't prevent it being just as successful as it was for Liverpool.
"Provincial" dear me.
Which is fine, up to the point where the way you're painting it makes it sound much worse than it actually is in reality, hence my interjections
I have been to Hull years ago but thought it was more North than it is
How can you get more 'northern' than 'ull?