Kingston Peridot Tomorrow at Holy Trinity in Hull, Salt Music will play at mid-day... Today, I wandered through Hessle Road and recalled a magical THT moment when the legend Mick McGarry told us of the Kingston Peridot - one of the three trawlers that went down in 1968. Enough said. Have a listen to this ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMsITyj53Ug

Salt Music - A story of the Hull Fishing Community 'Salt Music' is billed as a tribute to the deep-sea fishing community and the thousands who lost their lives, told through the medium of poems and music. Writing in the programme notes, Angela Brodie, the granddaughter of a Hull trawler skipper, said: "Salt Music follows the road through time as it follows the Humber, west out of the town. Beginning life as a drovers' route to the next market place of Hessle, the road became a way of livelihood for townsfolk, as market gardeners took over from parcel commoners and then the docks and ships were built along its side. Angela's fine verse opens up a fresh dimension from the roots of the fishing community down to the tragedies of the 1970s and then the decline of such a proud tradition. Music for the performance is by Steve Halliwell, a composer and multi-instrumentalist who was a founding member of Hull Trust. Like Angela, Steve has roots here in Hull. THT’s Graham Hamilton remembers him way back when a fledgling musician started out in Hull going on to be part of King Swamp (1988 – 90) and more recently Little Machine – making songs out of poems for, amongst others, poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy. THT are working with Angela and Steve on future productions and delighted to be part of their welcome back to Hull to share with us a fresh take on the extraordinary fishing community around Hessle Road. Salt Music will be performed at 1pm at Hull Minster, formerly Holy Trinity Church, on Saturday, August 19th. And the performance is FREE.

Turn and face the strange Last night, a wave of nostalgia for Mick Ronson and the Spiders from Mars contribution to Rock music swept over a full house at the Freedom Centre on Preston Road. From gardener at East Park to Rock guitarist in stadia all over the world, Mick Ronson was the lad from next door who became a Rock Idol with an exceptional talent for orchestration and production as well as a warm and generous human being who never forgot his roots. This was an engaging story told with considerable craft by Rupert Creed and Gary Burnett backed by legendary musicians who had played with Mick Ronson such as Ched Cheesman, John Cambridge, John Bentley and other fine musicians from this area who added key board and strings. In the backdrop were engaging recordings of family, friends and video footage of the man himself. Laid back and self-effacing, Mick Ronson had no edge on him – despite industrial level adulation for so many years! For me, the evening was yet another illustration of Rupert Creed’s remarkable contribution to our understanding and enjoyment of the heritage of Hull and Humber. With Remould, Under the Whaleback offered insights into the fishing community and more recently, his work on the opening night of this City of Culture year was stunning. A few weeks ago, THT celebrated the work of Alec Gill. Along with Robb Robinson, Rupert Creed is another who has worked hard over many years to tell the story of Hull - a City that has had culture pulsing through it for an age. With this collaboration, Rupert has raised the bar with a fresh way to tell a story of the City Port from another angle. THT raises a glass to a craftsman on his tools yet again! Well done and thanks for another memorable story pulled together in a block buster performance.

July 8th, 1536. The Pilgrimage of Grace is reversed Sir Robert Constable, a prominent leader of the Catholics opposing the Henrician Reformation was hanged on this day. The Duke of Norfolk wrote to Thomas Cromwell on July 8th 1537. "On Fridaye being market daye at Hull, Sir Robert Constable suifere and dothe hang above the highest gate of the towne, so trimmed in cheynes ... I think his bones will hang there this hundrethe yere." The story so far ... In 1533 Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church so that he could divorce Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn. The Henrician Reformation had begun – Henry as Head of the Church with a mandate to re-shape the way the Church was run. All manner of superstition and idolatry was uprooted but it was the monastic system that was most affected. This was a major issue in Yorkshire. It is interesting to note that in Yorkshire, the Cistercian monasteries from Fountains through to Meaux near Hull had been set up as part of the re-structuring and colonisation of the North by the Normans after the Harrying (and genocide) of 1069. The suppression of the monastic system had many consequences – not least the sudden lack of support for the poor. Monasteries had supported the poor with free food and alms and the removal was one of the factors in the creation of the army of "sturdy beggars" that plagued late Tudor England. This is disputed by some historians who question claims that this caused major social instability leading to the Edwardian and Elizabethan Poor Laws. The dissolution of the monasteries in the late 1530s was one of the most revolutionary events in English history. There were nearly 900 religious houses in England, around 260 for monks, 300 for regular canons, 142 nunneries and 183 friaries; some 12,000 people in total, 4,000 monks, 3,000 canons, 3,000 friars and 2,000 nuns....one adult man in fifty was in religious orders (the total population estimated at the time was 2.75 million). Once the new and re-founded cathedrals and other endowments had been provided for, the Crown became richer to the extent of around £150,000 (equivalent to £86,314,100 in 2015) per year (Bernard, 2011). Given the significance of the monastic system in the North, it is not surprising that the rebellion to be called the Pilgrimage of Grace that started in Louth in Lincolnshire spread to Yorkshire – home of so many monastic communities - in October 1536. The leader of the Yorkshire rebellion was Robert Aske. The Yorkshire rebels called themselves ‘pilgrims’ or 'commoners’. The pilgrims took York on the 16th October; the townspeople were on their side so the men in charge had to let them in. Towns like Beverley and Hedon were already rebel towns, but Hull was resisting. Kingston upon Hull was a favourite of the King and the men in charge didn’t want to risk falling into his bad books. The pilgrims (mostly from East Riding towns nearby) threatened to set fire to the town so they were allowed in. With Hull on side, the pilgrims controlled all of Yorkshire (except Bridlington and Skipton) and up to Newcastle. Henry VIII sent a force of 8,000 North under the Duke of Norfolk who met 30,000 Pilgrims led by Aske. Using notions of a pardon, Henry was able to dupe the rebels into prevarication and soon sent a force North to suppress dissension. Then came the backlash. Having lost Hull in October Henry retook the town in December. Many of the Pilgrims were arrested, found guilty of high treason and in May sentenced to death. John Bossy (1975) has called this "the Death of a Church". In East Yorkshire this was especially true because of the heavy rural emphasis of employment and the increasing magnet of towns and early manufacturing - the old religion could not grow back at the margins.

A Tale of Two Cities is back West Hull ARLFC Friday 28th July 2017. Kick Off 7:30 PM. As part of the THT collaboration with the University of Hull, the popular Derby of Words and Song sees Stan Haywood (HKR) pitch battle once again with Mike Watts (Hull FC) backed by poetry from Sue Ireland and a rousing soundtrack from The Hillbilly Troupe and Sammy Lloyd. Special Guest: Johnny Whiteley. No two derbies are the same and this one looks like being a belter. Tickets are £7 from Eventbrite OR from West Hull ARLFC.

Hull’s Garden Village reminds us of a fresh perspective The lack of social housing across Britain and the bonfire of regulation that became the tragedy of Grenfell Towers in London dominates media coverage. This weekend back in 1908, a different perspective challenged the fact that many working people were living in squalor. Sir James Reckitt formed the Garden Village company putting £150,000 of his own money into the investment. Thomas Ferens, his colleague added to the pot. This was the man who gave money for the foundation of the University of Hull and, the Art Gallery that is a jewel in the crown of the City of Culture today. It is worth recalling what motivated Sir James Reckitt to make such a bequest. In a letter to Thomas Ferens he wrote: “Whilst I and my family are living in beautiful houses, surrounded by lovely gardens and fine scenery, the workpeople we employ are, many of them, living in squalor, and all of them without gardens in narrow streets and alleys. It seems to me that the time has come to establish a Garden Village within a reasonable distance of our works so that those who wish to may live in better housing with a garden for the same rent they now pay for a house in Hull. There will be fresher air, and clubs and outdoor amusements that are usually found in rural surroundings.“ Garden village is located close by East Park. East Park first opened to the public on 21 June 1887—the day the country celebrated Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. About 20 years earlier, in the west of the city, Zachariah Pearson had established Hull's first public park, which was initially known as The People's Park and later simply as Pearson Park. Parks are a feature across Hull. In 1885 the 'Western District Park', as it had been initially referred to in the minutes of the Parks (Special) Committee, was officially opened by the Mayor, A. K. Rollit. The park encompasses 31 acres and was designed by Mr Joseph Fox Sharpe, Borough Engineer, with the project providing work for 200 unemployed men. Today, the KCom Stadium (the home of Hull City and Hull FC) - the only major stadium in the country built in a parkland setting. Close by the stadium is the handsome Carnegie Library. Opened in 1902 it was threatened by cuts but was rescued by a local group dedicated to local history and run entirely by volunteers. The History Troupe has given talks and performances at many of these local venues and, it is timely to recall the opening of Garden Village at a time when austerity seems to be the watchword rather than what can be done to explore every avenue for a more inclusive world. As a National Health Service underpins a healthy population; strong state schools offer an opportunity for wider access into employment and firms a more skillful workforce – adequate housing can have a huge impact. This year has seen the launch of a fresh Garden Village initiative nationwide. Some £6 million in funding will go towards developing the new villages, which could generate 48,000 new homes, while £1.4 million has been earmarked for the towns. Homes are already being built in Aylesbury, Taunton, Bicester and Didcot in Oxfordshire, Basingstoke in Hampshire, Ebbsfleet in Kent, and north Northamptonshire. Perhaps it is worth putting this into perspective – the value of Sir James Reckitts Garden Village investment in today’s money is £13 million. This excludes the money donated by Thomas Ferens. And why not entertain a revised approach that would see more investment into brown field sites – replacing swathes of boarded up retail space that is long overdue a rethink as on-line retail reduces the need for so much retail space. Investment in housing across Britain may just address one of the concerns of the many who feel left behind.

Bill Emmott agrees to be a THT Patron Bill Emmott is an award winning journalist, editor-in-chief of The Economist magazine from 1993 to 2006 and the author of 12 books, mainly on Japan, Asia and Italy. Bill is a founder member of the Wake Up Foundation and THT are looking to incorporate this debate on Europe into the Hinterland approach. Bill was narrator and co-author, with the director Annalisa Piras, of a documentary film about Italy's 20-year decline, Girlfriend in a Coma, in 2013 and then executive producer of a documentary directed and written by Annalisa, "The Great European Disaster Movie", in 2015. Recently, he has published The Fate of the West to huge critical acclaim. THT is delighted that Bill joins Hugh Pym of the BBC and Professor James Belich of Oxford University as patrons. In particular our work with schools can benefit and this will help our Anchor Project on community engagement. In particular, Girlfriend in a coma https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0Ss3yk9pEY The Great European Disaster Movie http://www.thegreateuropeandisastermovie.eu/

Hinterland - helping students make the grade Working with the University of Hull Access team, THT have devised and developed Hinterland as a support to students seeking to understand Further Education better. Dr Graham Hamilton, lead on Hinterland for THT: "working with St Marys College, Hull and a number of academics from Oxford, Durham, Aberdeen,York and Hull we have explored what it takes to gain a place and, how to settle and thrive when you are there". This course takes place over an academic year with nine seminars and a meal ... Hinterland is a fun and challenging way to go beyond the core curriculum; build your grades and make better course choices along the way. For more information turn a few pages ... http://www.digitalissue.co.uk/Publishing/Jenko/thehistorytroupe/hinterland/hinterland.html

Noah; other tales & the Mystery of Ravenser Odd This Saturday 24th June - all day - sees the return of the historical Noah's Play (first staged in the Medieval age) and a series of other tales based on the flood narrative. The History Troupe has been working closely with Holy Trinity and many others to stage this unique event in the wondefully re furbished Trinity Square. From around 10:00 AM through into the afternoon there will be a procession and then play after play after play - wonderful. More to follow on the programme ... Meanwhile, The History Troupe will be staging The Mystery of Ravenser Odd... Founded by a hermit, Ravenser Odd by 1235 became a powerful port at the mouth of the Humber ruled by the formidable Isabella de Firtibus with tolls, rules, laws and even gallows. Trade grew as ships bound for Hull and Grimsby were “diverted”. A series of floods threatened success but advisers were ignored. Madam de Flirtibus and Madam le Gros dismiss the sage and put faith in their own alternative facts and market forces over those of nature. Sound familiar. Then, in January 1362, the Grote Mandrenke, a "Great Drowning of Men" swept across the North Sea drowning 25,000 and sweeping away several ports. The Mystery of Ravenser Odd has been written for the Noah Festival by Rob Bell; directed by Hannah Roberts and produced by Naomi Bedworth.The story is told by a cast of Students from St Marys College: Tom Donaldson - Lady de Flirtibus; Luke Weightman - Lord de Flirtibus; Caitlin Nicholl - Madam LeGros; Will Su - Monsieur LeGros; Nancy Symonds-Hall – The Hermit Sage; Hannah Bedworth - Rabble etc. This flood narrative in the Noah tradition is based on actual historical events and characters to unfold in a wagon theatre style - serious, slapstick and slippery with water - reminding us of climate change and the folly of ignoring sound advice. Not that this has ANY contemporary signficance of course. Mark Twain whispers from the margins ... history does not repeat itself but it rhymes...

Boolin Prams A Play, a Pie and a Pint at West Hull Rugby League Club Friday 23rd June. Starts at 7:00 PM. Tickets (pie included) £2.50 at the door. Luis Bustamante came to the University of Hull from Chile in the late 1970s. Arriving on a cold Christmas Eve he started to walk his surroundings with camera in hand. Cold Junction is a collection of photographs from that time. Rob Bell met Luis in connection with a project about Hull artist Thomas Somerscales - who made his name in Chile. They walked the streets of the place that Australian poet Peter Porter has called the UKs most poetic City and Luis was amazed at the transformation since his time here. The two walked the old town, the Humber Arts Quarter and then past the Alex and on to Hessle Road. Passing Rayners - the pub that used to be open all tides for the men back or off on trips to the Ice wall - Luis looked about him and asked: "where are the prams". Boolin was a new word for Luis and prams were a fixture in his memory of that time. That night, Rob fleshed out the ideas that have shaped the draft script for Boolin Prams. The evening at West Hull Rugby League Club starts a collaboration between THT and the University of Hull Access team. The Anchor project is all about building on the close ties between the University and the local community. The format for the evening is experimental. Since the launch 15 years A Play, a Pie and a Pint at Oran Mor has become a legend. in Glasgow's lunchtime. The idea is to bring to the place scripts not yet ready for the stage. The actors read the play and the audience gives feedback after the performance. In this way, author, director and actors can help to improve the journey from the page to the stage. Shane Edwards has worked closely with Rob Bell on the script; Gina Garton and Tarin Puckering play Noreen the elder and daughter. Shane, Gina and Tarin all have strong links to the Road and we are all looking forward to the experience. The idea is to bring a pipeline of writing on local hidden histories through the Anchor project. Several people have contacted THT about a A Tale of Two Cities. This time a commemoration for Arthur Bunting who passed away recently. We are working with the University and West Hull to make this happen. Watch this space. Meanwhile, boll along for a play, a pie and a pint...

Hessle Roaders: A song of everywhere... Last week saw the launch of Alec Gill’s amazing Hessle Roaders – a collection of Black and White photographs to be seen at the Hull History Centre until the end of June. I was there on the opening night and have been back again … Years ago, I saw an Exhibition in Madrid called Trabajadores (Workers) by the Brazilian photographer Sebastian Salgado; this extraordinary collection of black and white photos peered into the soul of miners, punters, cowboys, firemen, abattoir workers and fishermen. Back then, few knew the name or the work. Soon enough, that changed. Alec Gill, from Hull, has wandered the old Fishing Community in Hull and done the same. After wandering Europe and the Middle East, Alec returned home to be a tourist in his home town. For 15 years from 1971, Alec rode a bike around the Hessle Road fishing community peering into trawlermens lives; smoke houses; bars and the women scurrying and shaping the Road. In his own words – Hessle Road was the spinal cord that ran through Hull’s deep sea fishing community. The people there lived both a magic and tragic life. Magic in the sense that of all seafarers there were none more superstitious. Tragic in the sense that Arctic trawling was the most perilous job in the world. At a time when anyone with a camera thought in terms of 18 or 36 shots per film, Alec returned from a trip round Europe and the Middle East to be a tourist in his home town with a Rolliecord twin-lens-reflex (TLR) camera always at the ready. We need some context for Hessle Road. Wilfred Thesiger, the first white man to cross the perilous Empty Quarter between Saudi Arabia and Oman in the 1930s says it all. Before setting out he had spent time on Hessle Road and then, on a trip to learn how to function for days on end without sleep. Deep sea fishing was more dangerous than mining. And then, the crew society – a community run by women with the menfolk away at sea – left behind. Rayners, the heart and soul of the neighbourhood was the pub that opened all tides. Jewish cobblers and carpet shops stood side by side with pawn shops and tailors – trawlermen were proud of their sartorial elegance. Always taxis on the prowl with a cargo of three day millionaires home from a trip. The Road - this is the way Hessle Roaders describe this spinal cord - was a tight community dispersed after the Cod War sent trawlers to the scrap yard and families were moved to Estates on the outskirts of Hull. A street lamp on Brighton Street stood and shone defiantly as back to back streets fell to the wrecking ball - for two years. THT did a Tale of Two Cities recently and I asked one of the audience where they were from. I knew that they lived on one of the Estates but their response makes a point: Eton Street. Next to Harrow Street – that’s Hessle Road and he must have left there 20 years back. Alec Gill MBE is a hero of mine. Books, videos and the sheer fascination with a world that shaped so much on Hessle Road is something to celebrate. This is a universal story. Mark Twain once said that history does not repeat itself but it rhymes. Alec Gill’s superb photographs have captured the soundtrack of Hessle Road in a way that will resonate much further afield. These photographs will strike a chord in mining communities - with their mines now closed; steel workers - their foundry fires long cooled; dockers - their hooks slung and automation in the seat. This is a story of the so-called left behind everywhere as much as it is a story of a single community in Hull. It should be required viewing for politicians from all sides who should hear the whisper stirring in each image - don't mess with community. For Hull, City of Culture, this Collection should be the founding stone of the legacy long after 2017 is over. Heritage has a part to play in the future - if only to point out the hard working lives of those long gone. Their spirit is what will help us innovate and adapt. Elaine Feinstein, writing of her deep migrant roots in Eastern Europe, once wrote: "they didn't know the poetry they lived in." In this Collection, a place that Australian poet Peter Porter once called "the UKs most poetic City"; Hull has found another great poet carrying a box camera instead of a pen.

Gassy Jack and the founding of Vancouver The legendary “Gassy” Jack Deighton, founder of modern day Vancouver, died on 29th May 1875. I heard of Gassy Jack from Robb Robinson – always a source of real insight into the Hull story. Born in Hull in 1830, Gassy was a well-travelled man. In New York he decided to search for gold. This didn’t work out so he went to sea becoming a skilled pilot and navigator – always fascinated by the lure of gold. In between his travels he established a bar at New Westminster called the Globe – which the manager he had appointed absconded with all the money when “Gassy” – the nickname he was given for telling a good yarn – was away at sea. Off he went again in search of his fortune; this time with his wife and a barrel of whisky. Landing near the Fraser River he persuaded local saw mill workers to help him build a saloon he again called the Globe. He promised them limitless whisky! An area called Granville grew up around the saloon but everyone knew the area as Gastown – after Jack himself. Vancouver has, for thousands of years, been a place of meeting, trade and settlement. Nowadays, Gastown is the oldest part of Vancouver and there is a statue in remembrance of him. And Jack was the original "gas" character - as a Dubliner would say! See: Robb Robinson, Far Horizons.