The Day The City Split In Two / A River Full Of Stories
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
Hull's Waterfront In the late Fifties We came across the work of Frank Drasdo when we were working on the book ‘A River Full of Stories’. Frank’s work features extensively in the book and we are indebted to Frank’s nephew, photographer Dave Drasdo, for permission to publish them there and in this new gallery of … Continue reading Frank Drasdo
Wawne and Stoneferry Wawne This magic lantern slide of the ferry at Wawne on the River Hull was taken at some point in the late 1890s. By the time I came across it, it had gathered about 125 years’ worth of dirt and dust. However, after a few days of careful restoration this remarkable image … Continue reading Ferry Part 4
It was great to return and meet up again with Les Reid on the Heritage Barge, the Leicester Trader. He has fascinating stories about sailing barges to tell. You can hear about it in the film below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjvjoE8I78Q Newark's unique Heritage Barge 'Leicester Trader' is the last Trent size cargo barge built to fit the old … Continue reading Les Reid and the Leicester Trader
Phil McNally My father Philip McNally worked for James W Cooks Tankers, with offices in Bowlalley lane in Hull. The manager was called Mr Cobby. The firm’s main operations were shipbuilding and lighterage at Wivenhoe in Essex. They established the oil tanker barges side of the business at Hull many years ago. All of their … Continue reading This Barging Life – George ‘Mac’ McNally
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
Our friend Andy Hazell contributed a chapter to our book 'A River Full of Stories', with some evocative photographs from Grosvenor Mill, and the Old Harbour and dry docks at night. Here Andy revisits his time living at the mill overshadowing Scott Street Bridge, with a great view from above, of the bridge and traffic, … Continue reading From Grosvenor Mill – Andy Hazell
These photographs were taken from the same vantage point at the same time from the fourth (or fifth) floor of a Wincolmlee Warehouse at some point before 1979. Before '79 presumably because there's still steam emanating from the Sculcoates power station cooling tower, in the distance behind Scott Street Bridge. It's great to see the … Continue reading From a Wincolmlee Warehouse
We would like to thank everyone who came to, and contributed to, Goole by Barge at Goole Museum and helped to make it happen. We are really pleased that 2200 people visited the exhibition and we had a lovely response. We both had a great time working with the Goole Museum team, Alex Ombler, Richard … Continue reading Goole by Barge – Thankyous
There are only a few days left to go to see the Goole by Barge exhibition at Goole Museum and Gallery, the last day is Saturday 13th April. Opening times are under the poster below. We are delighted that there have been over 1700 visitors so far. Thank you to everyone who’s left a comment … Continue reading Goole by Barge Last Few Days
Coming Soon - Build own George Dyson! Our friend at the museum, Syd Young, is currently working on a build your own Deans Marine Services barge George Dyson. His next job is to create an instruction sheet that's easy to follow for the fiddly bits. We'll let you know when they're available from Goole Museum. … Continue reading Build Your Own George Dyson
Yesterday, and a flooded wharf and tow path at Beverley. A lovely bright morning and a swollen River Hull, drifting lazily by. The second gallery of photographs were taken on a hot midsummers day in 2015. Photo's by Richard Duffy-Howard Rich and Lou Duffy-Howard If you've enjoyed the post, we'd be grateful if you'd subscribe … Continue reading Beverley’s Historic Shipyard
We recently caught up with John Dean about our upcoming exhibition Goole by Barge at Goole Museum and Gallery and he told us about developments over at Rawcliffe Bridge. It was great to meet Sarah behind the bar and Capt. Cod (at the bar) at Dean's Marina at Rawcliffe Bridge and hear about their recent … Continue reading Rawcliffe Bridge
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
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
Here's the first in a series of posts of the docks in Hull as documented by Bernard in the 1980's. Thanks very much to Bernard for the permission to use both the images and text – all copyright Bernard Sharp and published under licence. All of the photographs are numbered with the corresponding text by … Continue reading Hull Docks 1980s Part 1 by Bernard Sharp
We recieved this wonderful poem from Roy this week. Roy told us he served in the Merchant Navy for a seven year span, from 1959 – 1966, sailing on Wilson Line vessels Borodino, Cattaro, Trentino and Rialto and Port Line’s Port Brisbane and Port Halifax along with United Baltic Corporation’s Baltic Importer. Roy’s a full … Continue reading Roy Bainton – The Silent River
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
We recently visited the incredidble Old Hall at Gainsborough, built in the 15th Century on the east bank of the River Trent. Gainsborough developed into a thriving port in the 18th Century which rivalled Hull in trade and was granted official port status in the 19th. We continued exploring the west bank of the Trent … Continue reading The Comrade at Keadby
1982 - 1984 Bernard’s black and white photographs are all taken between 1982 and 1984 apart from the first photo in the gallery - a 1975 image taken with a Brownie. Along with the River in Colour posts Bernard’s documenting of the River Hull covers almost 50 years capturing the changing landscape with fantastic images … Continue reading The River in Black & White by Bernard Sharp
2005 - 2021 All of the images and accompanying text are copyright Bernard Sharp and used with permission and under licence (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0). All of the photographs are numbered with the corresponding text by Bernard to accompany each photograph below the gallery. Humber Street, Kingston upon Hull Wednesday, 29 December, 2010. Central Dry Dock, 1820, extended … Continue reading The River in Colour by Bernard Sharp – Part 5
1982 - 1989 All of the images and accompanying text are copyright Bernard Sharp and used with permission and under licence (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0). All of the photographs are numbered with the corresponding text by Bernard to accompany each photograph below the gallery. River Hull, Stoneferry, Kingston upon Hull Sunday, 15 August, 1982 Upstream of Ferry Lane … Continue reading The River in Colour by Bernard Sharp – Part 4
1990 - 2021 All of the images and accompanying text are copyright Bernard Sharp and used with permission and under licence (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0). All of the photographs are numbered with the corresponding text by Bernard to accompany each photograph below the gallery. Old Harbour, River Hull, Kingston upon Hull. Friday, 16 March, 1990. At left, the … Continue reading The River in Colour by Bernard Sharp – Part 3
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
We are delighted that The Hull Story announces the next chapter of Open Bridges / A River Full of Stories. Find out about it at the link: https://www.thehullstory.com/allarticles/open-bridges-churches The Hull Story is an excellent news magazine. It's great to have a quality independent voice for Hull which is an ideal fit with the Open Bridges … Continue reading The Hull Story
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
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
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
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
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