Kingston upon Hull City of Culture 2017

Never heard of Hull or as local people call this gritty northern city 'Ull?

Well that could be set to change as Hull steps out of the shadows and into the spotlight as UK City of Culture 2017.

Welcome to Kingston-upon-Hull

Kingston-Upon-Hull is situated on the North Bank of the River Humber in the southern area of Yorkshire. Traditionally it was classed as being in the East Riding of Yorkshire until government boundary changes. For more years than it liked Hull, as it is popularly known, was classed as being part of the newly created county of North Humberside. Few liked this new region and although it meant further costly changes back to East Riding of Yorkshire signs the people were happy to comply.

Kingston-Upon-Hull may be a fairly large City with more than its fair share of problems but it is a fighter, and so are its people. In recent years access has been easier due to the long awaited construction of the Humber Bridge. At time of completion this Bridge held the record as the world's longest single span suspension bridge in the world. It held this record for about 17 years.

Costing locals a small fortune, even today, this bridge has been both a blessing and a millstone. By the time it was completed in 1981 it was too late to help locals as much as was hoped. Ever increasing tolls have also been more than just a pain. However, it has brought visitors and businesses to Hull, many of whom would have bypassed the city previously.

When Hull's vibrant Fishing trade died so did many of the local industries. Add to this the severe bombing that Hull suffered during the Second World War and it is easy to see that Hull has not an easy ride during the last 60 years or so. In 2007 many Hull Homes were severely hit with the June floods.

In the fifties Hull had the reputation of being the third largest Port in the country but that record was lost years ago as many of the city's docks closed.

Hull has hit unfortunate dizzying heights in more than one way as a hit in a "Worst place to live in England" poll, but hopefully those days are gone.

So, fighters we are and the 21st Century has seen many changes around the City. The local Council has tried to revamp our active Museum quarter, our sporting heritage, shopping, theatre and more.

Further renovations have been underway for our City of Culture year.

Famous local people. past and present, include:- Tom Courtney, The Housemartins, Mick Ronson, John Alderton, Norman Collier, Maureen Lipman, Phillip Larkin, Andrew Marvell, William Wilderforce, Joe Longthorne, John Prescott, Alan Plater, Trevor Bolder, Amy Johnson, Roland Gift, Andrew Motion, Keith Devlin, Nick Barmby, Barrie Rutter, Sheila Mercier, Francis Durbridge, Ian Carmichael, Herbert Baker, Thomas Ferens and Maria Gilhooley(aka Waterson). This list has politicians, philanthropists, poets, actors, actresses, rock musicians and more, but is not exhaustive.

VISITING HULL AND THE SURROUNDING AREA
Hull offers:

• Two Rugby teams
• Numerous free to enter Museums including Wilberforce House
• Renowned free to enter Art Gallery
• New venue for Hull Truck Theatre
• Excellent University
• Hull New Theatre
• New Shopping Centres
• Many pubs and restaurants
• North Sea Ferries
• Good train and bus links
• New Interchange travel station
• Within easy reach of York, Beverley and Leeds
• Humberside Airport only 19 miles away
• Easy to reach coastal towns such as Scarborough, Whitby and Bridlington
• State of the Art modern Multi-plex cinemas
• Hull City Football Club
• Annual Fair each October which it is claimed is the largest travelling Fair in Europe
• A vibrant night-life

See you there in 2017.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-38358407
​https://www.hull2017.co.uk/