George Parkes: Old Harbour Bridges and Barges

These photographs are by the late George Parkes and are held at Hull History Centre. The copyright belongs to the heirs of George Parkes. The restoration and re-processing of the original slides are by Richard Duffy-Howard and are licenced from, and with thanks to, Hull University Archives. If you have any information regarding George and … Continue reading George Parkes: Old Harbour Bridges and Barges

Mark Rodgers – Painted Bridges

Painted Bridges - Mark Rodgers Mark is a traditional painter. Traditional in the sense that he paints 'en plein air' or in situ, outdoors, with easel, paint and brushes, open to the elements, stuck in the same place for hours and vulnerable to the interest and attention of passers by. Here Mark entertainingly recollects painting … Continue reading Mark Rodgers – Painted Bridges

23 Drypool Bridge Crashes 1977

Pete Curry and George Parkes Pete Curry was the councilโ€™s Structures and Safety Manager and Bridge Engineer who co-ordinated and controlled the raising, closing and swinging of all the bridges for the original Open Bridges event in 2017. We asked Pete if he remembered the events captured from June 1977 by George Parkes in the … Continue reading 23 Drypool Bridge Crashes 1977

16 Drypool Bridge โ€“ The Engineer 1890

Hull's River Bridges: Drypool Bridge, The Engineer 1890 The original bridge linking west and east Hull at Drypool was also known as Salthouse Lane Bridge. The article below, along with the engravings, is the original report as it was published in the Engineer, in London, on the evening of Friday 3rd January 1890. The map of … Continue reading 16 Drypool Bridge โ€“ The Engineer 1890

15 Old Drypool

Hull's River Bridges:ย ย Old Drypool 1889 There are a number of photographs of the original Drypool bridge, along with wonderful plans and description in the Engineer from 1890. However the images taken by Frank Drasdo, in colour, in the late 1950s, below, are remarkable. Thanks to Dave Drasdo for permission to publish his Uncle Frank's photographs … Continue reading 15 Old Drypool

14 Drypool Bridge

Hull's River Bridges:  Drypool Bridge Drypool bridge is a Scherzer-type rolling bascule bridge, constructed in 1961 to replace the earlier bridge from 1889. The first image below shows the plan for the new bridge as presented to Parliament for approval between 1951 and 1952. The plans have been restored from scans of the originals, and in … Continue reading 14 Drypool Bridge

36 Les Reid โ€“ Between Bridges

Hull's River Bridges:ย ย Between Bridges - Les Reid Les Reid runs Newarkโ€™s unique Heritage Barge โ€˜Leicester Traderโ€™. It is the last Trent size cargo barge built to fit the old locks of the Trent Navigation Company. Saved from being scrapped in 2008 and renovated by Les and a group of local barge aficionados, the dumb barge … Continue reading 36 Les Reid โ€“ Between Bridges

Drypool Bridge – The Engineer

The original bridge linking west and east Hull at Drypool was also known as Salthouse Lane Bridge. The article below, along with the engravings, is the original report as it was published in the Engineer, in London on the evening of Friday 3rd January 1890. The map of the bridge site prior to its development … Continue reading Drypool Bridge – The Engineer

Chasing the Swinderby by Steven Oakden – Part 3

Steven Oakden contacted us last year with his own personal story about the river. His story evocatively captures the last movements of the motor barge Swinderby in 2022. This is the third of four parts. All text and photographs copyright Steven Oakden. River Hull visit - November 16, 2022 A glorious sunny autumn day with … Continue reading Chasing the Swinderby by Steven Oakden – Part 3

Passing Rix'

Chasing the Swinderby by Steven Oakden – Part 2

Steven Oakden contacted us last year with his own personal story about the river. His story evocatively captures the last movements of the motor barge Swinderby in 2022. This is the second of four parts. All text and photographs copyright Steven Oakden. About Swinderby Built in 1974 by the New Holland Ship Yard for the … Continue reading Chasing the Swinderby by Steven Oakden – Part 2

River Hull Archive #27

The last post of the HDM archive detail posts starts with an intriguing image. At first glance the picture of the BOCM building from 1911 appears deserted but on the bank-side on the left hand edge you can see what appears to be a man and a woman presiding over the contents of a bag, … Continue reading River Hull Archive #27

Remarkable Collection of River Hull Photographs

Last week we were delighted to collect an amazing big file of historical photographs of the River Hull for Open Bridges: A River Full Of Stories.ย  Thanks to Angus Young of the Hull Daily Mail who has contributed the Mail's archive of River Hull photos to the project. The pictures range from the turn of … Continue reading Remarkable Collection of River Hull Photographs

Drypool to Hull Marina: River Journey #5

Syntan down the Hull 21.07.2017 We were kindly invited on the Syntan as it travelled from Beverley down the River Hull, to Hull Marina for the Folk and Maritime Festival. The journey with Humber Filmโ€™s Alex Davies was to collect stills, film footage and bridge and vessel timings for Open Bridges. Usually photographs are taken … Continue reading Drypool to Hull Marina: River Journey #5

Wilmington to Drypool: River Journey #4

Syntan down the Hull 21.07.2017 We were kindly invited on the Syntan as it travelled from Beverley down the River Hull, to Hull Marina for the Folk and Maritime Festival. The journey with Humber Filmโ€™s Alex Davies was to collect stills, film footage and bridge and vessel timings for Open Bridges. Usually photographs are taken … Continue reading Wilmington to Drypool: River Journey #4

Listening to Hull’s Bridges

We're delighted to be working with composer John Stead for the the Open Bridges music commission which will be premiered on 22nd September at the Stage@theDock. It's going to be amazing and we're very excited about it. ย We've known John for a long time, but a chance meeting and effusive conversation in the supermarket aisle … Continue reading Listening to Hull’s Bridges