Thanks to everyone who came to the second memory sharing workshop for the River Full Of Stories book, film and exhibition, at Hull Maritime Museum last weekend. It was another marvellous day. John Dean, Keith Eastwood, Janet Anderson, Edward Moore, Dave Allam and Ann Smith, joined us in conversation with writer Russ Litten and Andy Richardson, sharing stories about life on the River Hull. thanks to everyone for bringing wonderful old photographs, some of which you can see further down the page.
Phil and Dave. Open Bridges: A River Full of Stories
Phil filming. Open Bridges: A River Full of Stories
Open Bridges: A River Full of Stories
Keith and John, Open Bridges: A River Full of Stories
John, Lou, Janet. Open Bridges: A River Full of Stories
From tales of bringing up families on the river to poaching, colourful characters and even murder, it was amazing to hear. Janet’s stories and photographs of her family on the river go back many years. One of 10 children, her Mother and Father – Roy Webster – brought up four of them all under school age on a working barge. Keith Eastwood, also from a family of 10 has fascinating memories of life as a Lighterman on the river. Edward (Ted) Moore’s tales of his Grandfather began in the early 20th century and his Father worked on a sloop from from age of 8. Ann Smith’s Grandfather was a Lighterman and his sister brought up 5 children on a barge. Thanks to Dave Allam for coming and lending us a selection of illuminating books. John Dean told of a Riverman’s journey through the ’60s, to the present day; working tugs and the last remaining dry dock on the River Hull.
Thanks to Janet Anderson for these wonderful photos of her family. Janet’s Dad Ray Webster and Grandfather can be seen amongst the Rivermen on a day trip from the Ship Inn. Click on an image to see the full picture and scroll through the gallery…
Janet’s 5 oldest siblings, brought up on a barge. Open Bridges: River Full of Stories Photograph courtesy of Janet Anderson
Open Bridges: River Full of Stories Photograph courtesy of Janet Anderson
Open Bridges: River Full of Stories Photograph courtesy of Janet Anderson
Open Bridges: River Full of Stories Photograph courtesy of Janet Anderson
Open Bridges: River Full of Stories Photograph courtesy of Janet Anderson
Open Bridges: River Full of Stories Photograph courtesy of Janet Anderson
Open Bridges: River Full of Stories Photograph courtesy of Janet Anderson
Open Bridges: River Full of Stories Photograph courtesy of Janet Anderson
Open Bridges: River Full of Stories Photograph courtesy of Janet Anderson
Open Bridges: River Full of Stories Photograph courtesy of Janet Anderson
Open Bridges: River Full of Stories Photograph courtesy of Janet Anderson
Open Bridges: River Full of Stories Photograph courtesy of Janet Anderson
Thanks to Ted Moore for these amazing postcards of the river tugs and Grandfather Richard Moore on the sloop. Click on an image to see the full picture and scroll through the gallery…
Open Bridges: A River Full of Stories, Photograph courtesy of Edward Moore
Hullman Open Bridges: A River Full of Stories, Photograph courtesy of Edward Moore
S T Englishman Open Bridges: A River Full of Stories, Photograph courtesy of Edward Moore
Clansman Open Bridges: A River Full of Stories, Photograph courtesy of Edward Moore
Aquila Open Bridges: A River Full of Stories, Photograph courtesy of Edward Moore
Active (HMS Southampton in background) Open Bridges: A River Full of Stories, Photograph courtesy of Edward Moore
Open Bridges: A River Full of Stories, Photograph courtesy of Edward Moore
The whole session was filmed by Phil Codd and Andy Hopkin for the River Full of Stories film, and we are still gathering stories and memories for the book, exhibition and website.
Open Bridges made history when for the first time all 13 of the bridges over the River Hull in the UK’s City of Culture 2017 raised, swung or closed simultaneously splitting the city of Hull in two at 20:17 hours on 22nd September 2017. Historic vessels sailed down the River to be met by 21st century tugs.
Open Bridges is an independent Hull/East Yorkshire based project.
