The Day The City Split In Two / A River Full Of Stories
By Richard Lewis Ferro-Concrete Barge Building in Hull – Tarran Industries In September 1943, the Ministry of War Transport placed an order for 40 Stem-head Open Barges to be built by Tarran Industries of Hull. The founder and Managing Director of Tarran Industries was Robert Tarran who had had been born in Kingston upon Hull … Continue reading Hull’s World War II Concrete Barges Part 2
By Richard Lewis The History of Concrete Shipbuilding In 1848, Frenchman, Joseph-Louis Lambot built a ‘ferro-cement’ dinghy. A second one following in 1849 and ‘Ferciment’, the methodologies and materials used to build his concrete boats, was patented, and presented at the 1855 ‘Exposition Universelle’ in Paris. His ‘Bateau Ciment’ dinghies were still afloat in 1901 and … Continue reading Hull’s World War II Concrete Barges Part 1
It's four years today since Open Bridges! We have great memories of the Open Bridges night and the subsequent River Full of Stories history events. Here's a gallery of some photos showing just a few of the many lovely people we met along the way who became part of the team that made it happen. … Continue reading Open Bridges fourth anniversary
Rich & I are thrilled that Open Bridges is featured in arts magazine The Critical Fish. It's full of fantastic photos and especially good to see Rich's Engines & Insects exhibition pieces described and displayed in the article. Thank you to all the team and to Jill Howett for putting this lovely piece together. https://thecriticalfish.co.uk/open-bridges/ … Continue reading The Critical Fish
First Day Of The Heatwave by Lou Loudhailer. This is my newest recording, a marriage of music, video, pictures and words telling of a meander along the headwaters of the River Hull, exploring it's sources in the Yorkshire Wolds. The narrative is one of the chapters in our Open Bridges - A River Full Of … Continue reading First Day Of The Heatwave
It three years since Open Bridges! Have a look through our gallery of photo memories: Comrade photo by SydpixA River Full of Stories book launchMemory sharing on board The SyntanBrigham Scows race on the River Hull through Emmotland by RDHKeith and JanetDrypool Bridge by RDHOpen Bridges by Phil WithersOpen Bridges Engines and Insects exhibitionRich & … Continue reading Open Bridges Third Anniversary Photos
Open Bridges made history when for the first, and only time, all the bridges over the River Hull were raised, swung or closed simultaneously splitting the city in two at 20:17 hours on the autumn equinox, 22nd September 2017. HMS Pickle at Open Bridges by Graeme OxbyDrypool Bridge by RDHSouth from Scott Street to North … Continue reading Open Bridges Third Anniversary
A River Full of Stories - the book! We are delighted that our book has had over 300 loans in Hull and East Riding libraries already, and it is available to order from UK libraries by inter library loan. There are also copies at The British Library, The Bodleian Library Oxford University, The Cambridge University … Continue reading A River Full of Stories Book News
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
One of the main threads running through A River Full of Stories is that of the Lighterman. The following photographs and details from the HDM river archive focus on the lighters and Lightermen on the River Hull. The first images below show the lighter Tort and crew just North of the new Myton Bridge in … Continue reading River Hull Archive #26
This series of posts will complete our record of River Hull archive photographs from the Hull Daily Mail which we repaired and restored. They are published with many thanks to Angus Young, and used with permission. This next series of photographs of details were taken on and around the piers, Corporation - Victoria - and … Continue reading River Hull Archive #25
This series of posts will complete our record of River Hull archive photographs from the Hull Daily Mail which we repaired and restored. They are published with many thanks to Angus Young, and used with permission. They've all been published previously on here and some included in the River Full of Stories book. Whilst we were … Continue reading River Hull Archive #24
These next few posts will complete our record of River Hull archive photographs from the Hull Daily Mail which we repaired and restored. They are published with many thanks to Angus Young, and used with permission. This gallery of photographs contain images from 1885 to the 1990s. The following two posts will focus on the … Continue reading River Hull Archive #23
A River Full of Stories is getting a great response from the libraries. The book has been a labour of love to produce so we are delighted to find out how popular it is. There is still a chance to see the exhibition and films at Hull Maritime Museum this year, and we have news … Continue reading Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Just released! The River Full of Stories trailer featuring a trip down the River Hull on board MV Syntan with introductions from some of the people we met to record their memories of life on the River Hull, Janet Anderson (nee Webster), Edward Moore, Keith Eastwood, Neville Pinder, John Dean, Bill Midgley and John Drury. … Continue reading A River Full of Stories Film Trailer
Thanks to Ian Halstead for contributing his superb photograph to A River Full of Stories: River Hull 1993 "Taken one Sunday morning in April or May 1993, a very calm and still day, and I remember the fantastic quality of the light that elevated anything it shone on. You still get a hint of how … Continue reading River Hull 1993
A River Full of Stories - the book! We are delighted that we have now delivered copies to all Hull and East Riding libraries and it is available to order from all UK libraries by inter library loan. “The book is utterly fabulous, a real artefact and a joy to behold. Such images, such production … Continue reading A River Full of Stories at all UK Libraries
It was a special day on Saturday when the culmination of Open Bridges 'A River Full of Stories' book was launched at Hull Maritime Museum. It was marvellous that there were so many people there who have contributed stories and photographs to the book. It was a whirlwind for us and went by in a … Continue reading A River Full of Stories, book launch
Thanks to Mal Scott for these evocative images of an autumn day in 2015 travelling under all of the bridges over the river in a small pleasure craft taken looking north up the Hull. Click on Millenium Bridge to see the full picture and scroll through to travel up the river past each bridge north … Continue reading Journey up the River Hull in 2015
Thanks to John Drury for contributing the River Hull working river films, filmed in 1994 by M&M Maritime Video. Part 1: Part 2: Part 3: Part 4: The Open Bridges: A River Full of Stories exhibition is opening at Hull Maritime Museum on Saturday 6th July 2019 until the end of the year. The films will … Continue reading Journey Down the River Hull in 1994
All year we've been working with Martin Lewsley of Hull graphic design agency Atomluft on the River Full of Stories book. Martin's done an incredible job, piecing everything together meticulously and making the whole thing look fabulous. The final designs were delivered to Wyke Printers on Sutton Fields at the beginning of this week where Dave, … Continue reading Hot on the Press!
It's nearly two years since Open Bridges celebrated the importance of the River Hull and its bridges - on the autumn equinox 2017. This time two years ago we were making the final preparations for all of the bridges of the River Hull to swing, lift, close to traffic and open to vessels, separating Hull … Continue reading Open Bridges Second Anniversary
On Sunday 4th August at about 10.00 a.m. the H320 Arctic Corsair left it's berth of 20 years in the Old Harbour moving to a temporary berth at Alexandra Dock to be refurbished before re-locating to a dry dock berth at the former lock pit entrance to Queen's Dock, back in the Old Harbour. John … Continue reading The Arctic Corsair leaves the Old Harbour
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #22 1985-1989
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs 1981-1984
We went to wish the HMS Pickle bon voyage as she headed out of Hull Marina at the end of June to embark on a journey heading southeast for Harwich, Dover and Eastbourne. Tomorrow the Pickle leaves for Cowes and heading to Portsmouth with HMS Warrior for Wednesday 17th July. The gallery of photographs below … Continue reading The Pickle on a Voyage
The Open Bridges: A River Full of Stories film and exhibition is opening at Hull Maritime Museum on Saturday 6th July 2019 until the end of September. We are delighted to let you know that A River Full of Stories exhibition and film is now open in Hull Maritime Museum. The free exhibition showcasing both Open Bridges … Continue reading Exhibition and Film in Hull Maritime Museum
Saturday 20th April 2019 It was a beautiful day when the Humber keel Comrade sailed down the River Hull to spend the summer in the Marina. We had a great time talking to Bill Midgley in the Comrade at Beverley before the trip. Our friend the photographer Syd Young was cycling from Stoneferry to Scott … Continue reading Comrade down the Hull
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #20 1980
Scale Lane is the latest bridge to span the river and connect the city. It became the focus of a number of events during Hull's City of Culture year: used as a musical instrument for Playing the Bridge - an artistic commission and performance devised by bridge architect Jonathan McDowell and composer Nye Parry who are both … Continue reading Open Bridges: Scale Lane Bridge
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #19 1977-1979
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #18 1976
This week's focus is on Sutton Road Bridge, built by the Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Company and opened in 1937, with distinctive brick art deco engine rooms. Our gallery of photographs of Sutton Road Bridge below was taken for Open Bridges. Click on an image to see the full picture and scroll through. Rich & … Continue reading Open Bridges: Sutton Road
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #17 1975
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #16 1974
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #15 1973
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #14 1972
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #13 1971
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #12 1970
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #11 1968-1969
Hull Fast Film made in 1992 by Andy Hazell with soundtrack by Hallam Lewis... Iconic images and sounds of Hull, the River, barges, pilots, docks, ships and shops, fish and chips, streets, houses, Hull Fair, have a look and explore this fascinating art film, now social history of Hull. Originally a twin screen film projected … Continue reading Hull Fast Film
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #10 1967
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #9 1966
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #8 1965
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #7 1962-1965
We were fascinated by the sheer power of the tugs on the Humber when we were lucky enough to be shown round SMS Towage Limited - both inside the vessels and in the dry dock - in the preparations for Open Bridges in 2017. SMS Superman was one of the tugs which attended the event, … Continue reading Life on Board the Tugs
We came across this copy of The Engineer, published on April 2nd 1875, describing the brand new bridge at Sculcoates, with two fabulous engravings from the time. The Engineer, April 2nd 1875. “We give this week the first of two working drawings of the new bridge at Kingston-Upon-Hull, opened to the public by the Mayor … Continue reading Open Bridges: Sculcoates Bridge – The Engineer 1875
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #6 1961
One cold rainy day in October, we spent a cosy session on Hull Marina, inside the 62′ Super Sloop Spider T listening to stories for Open Bridges: A River Full Of Stories. Owner and Captain Mal Nicholson welcomed us on board, a perfect place to share stories of the River Hull's past. Thanks to Phil … Continue reading The Story of Warren’s Shipyard
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #5 1960