Hull and the Civic Society 1964 to 2017 Prince Street (Photo: JD Scotney) Hull Civic Society in a City of Culture 1 Contents Introduction p.3 Chapter 1 - The beginnings of Hull Civic Society p.4 Chapter 2 - The Civic Society's activities yesterday and today p.4 Chapter 3 - People p.7 Chapter 4 - Local Government 1964 - 2017 p.9 Chapter 5 - The Old Town p.10 Chapter 6 - Pedestrianisation p.24 Chapter 7 - Transport p.25 Chapter 8 - Crossing the Humber p.30 Chapter 9 - The Port of Hull - 50 Years of Progress and Change p.33 Chapter 10 - New uses for old docks p.37 Chapter 11 - Markets, shops and shopping centres p.43 Chapter 12 - Schools 1964 - 2017 - p.46 Chapter 13 - Housing p.47 Chapter 14 - Victorian and early 20th Century buildings p.49 Chapter 15 - Modern buildings 1964-2017 p.51 Chapter 16 - Sport p.56 Chapter 17 - Hull in 2067 "A southerner revisits Hull" p.56 Chapter 18 - Challenges and opportunities p.57 Chapter 19 - "The enemy is ignorance and indifference" p.59 Published by Editor: John Scotney. Note: unless otherwise stated, all photographs in this booklet are by the Editor. Copyright © of the contents rests with the contributors of the articles & photographs. Many thanks to all contributors to this special "Hull 2017" booklet. This booklet was printed by Jadan Press Ltd, Rainbow House, Kimberley St, Hull, HU3 1HH 2 Introduction When Hull Civic Society was founded in 1964, it was only twenty years after the end of the Second World War and many of the effects of the war still remained to be dealt with. It was a city with many derelict sites, city centre streets choked with through traffic, much sub-standard housing and a very run-down Old Town. Of course, those characteristics were shared by many other cities at that time. What differentiated Hull was that whilst being one of the most damaged places in the country, many of its fine buildings had either escaped the bombing or were repairable. Like many cities, we were presented with a comprehensive re-development plan to put the city back on its feet, but this would have resulted in the wholesale destruction of much of the city as we still know it today, including our much-treasured Old Town with its medieval street pattern still intact. Fortunately these grand and comprehensive plans fell by the wayside and gradually, organically, the city has unfolded and evolved into the very nice and attractive place we enjoy today – a modern city but still on a very human and warm scale. The Abercrombie Plan for Hull city centre. In this comprehensive and revealing review we chronicle the story of what has happened to the looks, facilities and quality of life in the city up to the present day and the part that Hull Civic Society has played in those changes. The mottos of the Civic Society are ‘making Hull a better place to live, work, visit, play and invest’ and also, ‘promoting the future, protecting the past’ and these guiding principles should provide us with the pointers to the society’s ambitions and direct our energies and endeavours in the years to come, now that we have reached some maturity! Our Constitution, drafted more than 50 years ago by some eminent local people and leaders in the city, urged us ‘by action’ to seek to improve the looks, image, and quality of life in the city and we strive to remain true to that ambition. The challenge we face now is how to get the right balance between representing our members' interests as subscribers to a club of like-minded people with an interest in the city, but also working with others to help create positive change in the city and the world’s perception of it. Sometimes it is possible to reflect on what can be the positive practical contribution an organisation like the Civic Society can make to the city in the absence of any structural authority, political influence or financial muscle. What we do have, though, is the ability to bring together groups of people in the city’s businesses, agencies and the city council to achieve projects, such as the “What’s Happening in Hull” travelling exhibition, where professional and financial resources can be pooled to achieve good results. Our Chairman, John Scotney, is to be congratulated for his work in condensing the story of the city’s last fifty three years into this short but comprehensive review. John Netherwood 3 Chapter 1- The Beginnings of Hull Civic Society: 1963 - 1964 In 1963 the Hull Junior Chamber of Commerce and Shipping made enquiries with the Civic Trust in London about forming a Civic Society in Hull. Discussions with the Citizens’ Arts League were followed by a meeting on 30th April 1964 at the Guildhall. The speaker, Michael Dower of the Civic Trust, gave an illustrated talk about the work that civic societies had done elsewhere. A Steering Committee met on 27th May 1964 to draft a constitution. The inaugural meeting of Hull Civic Society took place on 24th July 1964, at Ferens Art Gallery. The 42 founder members had increased to 129 by December. Over the years, monthly public meetings have been held at the Queen’s Hotel in George Street, the Ferens Art Gallery, the Old Grammar School, the Royal Hotel and, for one season, the Northern Academy of Performing Arts (former School of Art, Anlaby Road). Chapter 2 - The Civic Society’s Activities Yesterday and Today Public Meetings and Visits We hold a public meeting in the Mercure Royal Hotel, Ferensway, with a varied programme of speakers, on the second Monday of each month from October to April. Our summer programme often includes guided walks in different parts of Hull and visits to neighbouring towns or villages. The Newsletter and Website We published the first single-sheet Newsletter in November 1965. Now, our 32-page Newsletter, printed for us by KallKwik, is published three times a year. Most members prefer to receive a printed copy, but an email version is another option available to members who prefer it. Our website is at present under review. Planning Week by week, we monitor several pages of planning applications and decisions, commenting (for or against) to the city’s Planning Department about those we think particularly significant. We also send representatives to the monthly Conservation Areas Consultative Committee (CAAC) and occasionally meet City Council Planning and other Officers to discuss matters that are of concern. Members may opt to receive (by email) a copy of the monthly Planning Report prepared for members of the committee. In November 2015, after consultation with members, we submitted five pages of comments on the draft Local Plan, which sets planning policies up to 2030. Listing Listing - adding a building to the statutory List of Buildings of Historical or Architectural Importance - has been one of the key ways to safeguard a building for more than sixty years. Listed buildings are graded 1, 2* or 2. The medieval churches of Holy Trinity, St Mary's Lowgate and St James, Sutton are examples of Grade 1 listed buildings. The original 1951 list for Hull has been added to many times and many of the additions have been recommended by Hull Civic Society, in conjunction with English Heritage. In 1990 English Heritage undertook the first re-survey since 1972 to identify possible additions to Hull’s stock of listed buildings. It was carried out at short notice, but Hull Civic Society was among the bodies consulted. As a result, the number of listed buildings rose by approximately 300 to about 450. Adam Fowler provided the liaison with E.H. A decade later, we and other organisations, as well as individual citizens, were invited to nominate unlisted buildings of character for “Local Listing”. Statutory listed buildings are graded on their importance to the nation and are protected by law. Listed Building Consent is required before starting any work on them. Alterations and repairs to buildings on the Local List do not need special permission, though planning permission or conservation area consent is often needed for demolition. However protection is much weaker than for statutory listed buildings. 4 Good Marks Left: Judith Waites presents a Good Mark certificate for renovation of 154 Princes Avenue Right: the Steve Shearsmith Award presented at the Guildhall for Scale Lane Bridge 2015 In 1968, we awarded our first Good Mark, for the refurbishment of the Punch Hotel, Queen Victoria Square. We decided that it was better to celebrate improvements – good new buildings, restoration of older ones and other projects that set a good example - than to award “bad marks”. Since 1968, we have awarded several hundred Good Marks for things that enhance Hull’s environment or improve the quality of life in the city. Well-designed new buildings, sensitive restoration of historic buildings, books on local topics, walls, paving, bridges and a variety of other achievements have all received Good Marks over the years. The Steve Shearsmith Award, a silver salver given to the Society by Mr Steve Shearsmith, is presented for the most outstanding Good Mark. So far, it has been awarded to three projects: The Mash building at the Maltings, Hull History Centre and Scale Lane Bridge. Heritage Open Days During the second weekend of September, our Heritage Open Days programme allows people to visit historic buildings and local industry, join guided walks and listen to talks about different aspects of Hull’s life. Our aim is to celebrate and to encourage wider knowledge of Hull's heritage among its citizens and visitors.