Yesterday, we spent and enjoyable (and very tiring) day at the Hull Freedom Festival. We arrived at Humber Quays at around 11.30 am to watch many live acts perform, including Pixie Lott, Bad Lashes (of X-Factor fame), and the rapper, Ironik. I can't say all of it was my cup of tea, however, this was a free festival for anyone and everyone and the atmosphere was great. This wasn't the only gig going on. To find out about all of the events, click HERE.
The Freedom Festival coincides with the launch of the Round the World Clipper Race, so the marina area was packed with people and vessels, eagerly anticipating the launch of the race today. I have to admit to getting overwhelmed with nostalgia, thinking back to the days when Britain really ruled the waves, with the largest navy and the largest merchant navy in the world. I tried to imagine the days when Hull was one of the largest ports. A hub for trade coming in from around the world, with raw materials ready to to be manufactured, then shipped around the world. The reality of today though is somewhat different. Nothing in life stays the same, nor should it, and the challenge for each generation is make the best of the resources available.
The national media love to knock Hull. Whenever the want some 'evidence' of deprivation, out come the camera crews heading for some of the most deprived parts of the city. What they invariably fail to do is come to the best parts of the city. When Tim Aker - who has just left the Taxpayers' Alliance - visited the area for an action day, I took him for a drive around the city, killing some time before he had to catch his train. Driving around the Victoria Dock development - a modern, private housing estate - he remarked that you wouldn't think you were in Hull. His image, like so many who have never visited the city before, is one of deprivation. What I never had the chance to do was walk him around the Old Town and the Marina. There, I am sure, he would have said again that you wouldn't think you were in Hull.
Yesterday showed the best the city had to offer. Apart from a few rowdy people at another concert in Queen's Gardens - whose language was rather choice considering there was many children present - everyone was well behaved and enjoyed the entertainment on offer on one of the warmest September days you could wish for. I cannot claim Hull is one of the most fashionable places to live. I cannot claim it is the best place to live in the country, but I can say it is far from the worst and for the last 8 years I have called it home. I am proud my city offers a warm welcome to visitors and boasts some of the most beautiful countryside in England around it. There are many who come here and stay and would not wish to leave. If you haven't been here before, you may be surprised.
1 comments:
My son David who is at Hull uni would agree with all the sentiments you have expressed here.
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