The Day The City Split In Two / A River Full Of Stories
We came across this fascinating message on the back of a Half Penny Packet Post Panoramic Card of Victoria Pier sent in 1905 to May Brewin in Burnley from her friend, W, who was having a great time in Hull. I've carefully restored the photographs below the letter from the original glass plate negatives. All … Continue reading Victoria Pier and a Postcard from 1905
Barges, Tugs and Blue Star Line This is the second set of images taken one grey day in May in 1961, by an unknown photographer. The cleaning and restoration took me days, but I think it was definitely worth the effort. The second seven show more of the tugs and barges and I've cropped some … Continue reading King George Dock, May 1961 Part 2
Blue Star Line This set of images were taken one day in May in 1961, the photographer unknown. The cleaning and restoration took me days. The first seven are mainly of the Blue Star Line, which looks like the main subject and what the photographer was specifically focussing on. However, a closer look reveals the … Continue reading King George Dock, May 1961 Part 1
Immingham September 2017 In September 2017 we were deep into organising the original Open Bridges event. These photographs were taken two weeks before the event. Svitzer, along with SMS Towage, had agreed to provide Tugs and water cannon at the mouth of the River Hull following the opening of the bridges and splitting the city … Continue reading Svitzer – Revisited
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
This is the third gallery of Brian Latus' photographs this time of the River Hull in the 1960s after Brian's story below. We recently came across these fantastically evocative photographs of the River Hull and Docks taken by Brian Latus in the 1960s. Brian’s son, Martin, tells his story: “My father was born in Lime … Continue reading Brian Latus River Hull 1960s
Here is the second gallery of Brian Latus' photographs of Hull Docks in the 1960s below his story. We recently came across these fantastically evocative photographs of the River Hull and Docks taken by Brian Latus in the 1960s. Brian’s son, Martin, tells his story: “My father was born in Lime Street near North Bridge … Continue reading Brian Latus Hull Docks 1960s Part 2
We recently came across these fantastically evocative photographs of the River Hull and Docks taken by Brian Latus in the 1960s. Brian’s son, Martin, tells his story: “My father was born in Lime Street near North Bridge in Hull in 1931, the middle of three children. During the war the family returned from the public … Continue reading Brian Latus Hull Docks 1960s Part 1
The Open Bridges Hull UK award winning short film with musique concrète soundtrack is available in full, on line for the first time. To watch the film settle down in a comfy chair, turn the lights down & the volume up and soak it up, it’s an immersive experience. This 20 minute film produced for … Continue reading Open Bridges Film & Musique Concrète Soundtrack
The Open Bridges exhibition - A River Full of Stories - has had a great run in Hull Maritime Museum where it has been on display together with the films for the last six months. The museum has now closed to be refurbished as part of Hull: Yorkshire's Maritime City so we spent the morning … Continue reading A River Full of Stories Film
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
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #20 1980
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
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
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
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #6 1961
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #5 1960
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #3 1950-1959
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #3 1945-1949
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #2 1901-1939
Open Bridges A River Full Of Stories, River Hull archive photographs #1 1830-1900
Very pleased to see Richard's photograph of Cargill's taken from the MV Syntan for Open Bridges Hull in the Observer photography section chosen for last weekend's 'Complex' theme. The photograph is from the Open Bridges “Engines and Insects” art photography part of the exhibition. The images follow the photographer Horst P Horst who first published the technique … Continue reading The Puzzle of Cargills
We opened the Open Bridges exhibition inside Scale Lane Bridge for a group from the Carnegie Heritage Centre and had a lovely morning, thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone there. Thanks to Stephen Ingram for this fascinating souvenir of the opening of North Bridge in 1931. If you click on each image you should be able to … Continue reading Souvenir of the Opening of North Bridge in 1931
Press release from East Riding of Yorkshire Council issued on behalf of Open Bridges: 'Stunning' Open Bridges film showcase at Beverley Art Gallery A ‘stunning and unique’ film documenting the day Hull was split in two by the Open Bridges project will be screened in the Art Gallery at Beverley’s Treasure House this month. The … Continue reading ‘Stunning’ Open Bridges film showcase at Beverley Art Gallery
This is a view of Hull Tidal Barrier never seen before, the latest of Rich's 'Engines and Insects' photographic images for Open Bridges. Rich took the original photograph of the underside of the Tidal Barrier from the deck of the MV Syntan as they sailed down the river for the Open Bridges test run. The images … Continue reading Hull Tidal Barrier Takes Flight
Cool to see this post in Graffiti Street, international urban art website, unravelling the Banksy artwork in Hull. Click to read the feature: The Open Bridges public exhibition opened inside Scale Lane Bridge and welcomed 2000 visitors on Saturdays early in 2018. As the Open Bridges exhibition was coming to a close a new street … Continue reading Unravelling Banksy
We’ve had many visitors to the Open Bridges exhibition at Scale Lane Bridge and many fascinating conversations with local people who’ve worked the river for years as well as visitors from out of town. One of the recurring themes is the importance and the beauty of the river Hull from different perspectives such as "it’s … Continue reading Bridge Exhibition Notes #1
Open Bridges Hull - excerpts of Moments in Time, the world premiere of the live musique concrete diffusion for Open Bridges by John Stead. Autumn equinox 2017 A ghostly view of the world premiere of the new acousmatic composition for Open Bridges. Electro Acoustic Ensemble director, John diffused the live music featuring found sounds of … Continue reading A Ghostly View
Due to popular demand the Open Bridges exhibition at Scale Lane Bridge is extended to Saturdays during February (3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th) 11.00 am to 3.00 pm. Free entry. All welcome, come and have a look round. The exhibition covers all elements of Open Bridges and art photography exhibition of Open Bridges images inspired by Horst … Continue reading Open Bridges Exhibition Extended to Saturdays in February
We had a magical evening at the first Open Bridges film night on board the splendid Super Sloop Spider T last night. Rich & I met up with honoured guest Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for the East Riding of Yorkshire to view the Open Bridges exhibition at Scale Lane Bridge. Following the exhibition viewing we made … Continue reading Film Night on board Spider T
We're half way through the Open Bridges exhibition Saturdays inside Hull's Scale Lane Bridge, and it's been another great day with a continual flow of visitors and some fascinating conversations. The panel depicting the transcript of the conversations from ship to shore, bridge operators and event control on the night as the city was split … Continue reading Radio Transcript
Open Bridge exhibition open this Saturday, free entry, come and say hello! #openbridgeshull
Open Bridges First Saturday Exhibition Great first Saturday of the Open Bridges exhibition inside Scale Lane Bridge today. We had a continual flow of people looking round all day, many of whom said they came along because they heard us on BBC Radio Humberside this morning, so thanks to James Hoggarth and Sally Fairfax for … Continue reading All Welcome to the Exhibition
Thanks to Amelia Grace aka Amelia in Hull for her fab review of the Open Bridges film and exhibition launch. Have a look and a click round Amelia's excellent blog while you're there. The exhibition is open to the public inside Hull's Scale Lane Bridge, free entry on Saturdays during January (6th, 13th, 20th and … Continue reading ‘Open Bridges’ Film and Exhibition by Amelia in Hull
We are delighted to announce the public opening of the Open Bridges exhibition at Scale Lane Bridge on Sunday 10th December 2017 11.00 am, including a bridge swing. All welcome. Following the launch the exhibition is open to the public free entry on Saturdays during January (6th, 13th, 20th and 27th) and February (3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th) … Continue reading Open Bridges Exhibition and Film
Open Bridges: For the first time in the city’s history all 13 of Hull’s bridges raised, swung or closed simultaneously splitting the city in two at 20:17 hours on the autumnal equinox 2017 during Hull City of Culture’s Freedom Season. These stunning stills from Octovision Media's drone footage show the powerful tugs with search lights … Continue reading Shots from the Night Sky
Operationally the logistics required to make Open Bridges happen presented many challenges. Every challenge was overcome and when the city had separated and reunited, and the vessels sailed out into the darkness of the Humber, the world premiere of John Stead's new musique concrète work took place before a capacity audience at Hull's Stage at … Continue reading Open Bridges Jigsaw
"Open Bridges - on the night all the different components came together like the meshing of gears, working as one" Mal Nicholson HMS Pickle Our final Open Bridges workshop session was held aboard the Spider T, Mal Nicholson's wonderful 62ft Humber sloop. Thanks to Mal for the hospitality aboard the Spider. Open Bridges team members Iain Campbell … Continue reading Spider T Session
Thanks to Paul Escreet, Graham Hackney, Vince and Tim of SMS Towage for an eye-opening tour of Alexandra dry dock and a visit to The Scotsman undergoing her 5 yearly scheduled 'MOT'. SMS Towage Scotsman photographs by Richard Duffy-Howard When we saw the tugs and the brand new SMS Superman at Open Bridges waiting in … Continue reading SMS Towage Scotsman