Princes Quay

When you've climbed to the rooftop car park of the shopping centre there's a helpful sign to tell you where you are.

Bring on the naked ladies ...

I've mentioned the lengths to which Beverley has gone to attract visitors with its ancient crafts and guilds trail; well here's yet another trail. Sadly not a trail of unclad ladies but of paintings by a local artist Frederick Elwell (who?). Dotted around the town are many reproductions of his work and those of his sister and for those who are interested (and there must be some, surely?) you get to walk around and cross them off your list. Here's another to whet your appetite or put you off completely.

Speed Limit

Speed limits are a custom more honour'd in the breach than the observance. There are reports that the maximum speed limit should be raised from 70 to 80 mph. It's said to be in the interest of  putting "Britain back in the fast lane of global economies". It's crazy, I know, but this government is reduced to trying anything.

This is the approach to Beverley from the Westwood. There's a tight little bend ahead so obeying the limit is advisable.

Newbegin again

The name Newbegin comes from old English meaning 'new building'. In the 14th century I suppose they were new; nowadays all those 'new' buildings have been replaced by Georgian town houses and look quite old.

By the Canal

The Drayman

When I first came to Hull 30 years ago most of the local pubs were supplied by the Hull Brewery Company and I recall that the beers so supplied were of the highest quality; I should know I supped enough of it. However it seems that others did not share my tastes and sales gradually dropped off (despite my best efforts). The brewery was sold and then in 1985 the sad and  fateful day arrived when the brewing stopped and the poor souls of Hull had to drink beer from Mansfield! 

But what to do with the old brewery itself? It stood empty for a while but in the early 90s they converted the place into offices and renamed it 'The Maltings' . This sculpture by Kevin Storch and is called 'The Drayman' and stands in the courtyard of the old brewery. It's cast in bronze and I think it's meant to be a fountain but it was turned off when I was there.

The Earl de Grey

No blog about Hull could  fail to mention the infamous Earl de Grey. This now closed drinking establishment is situated close to the docks. It had a reputation for a certain type of clientele; that is to say sailors with money and women who were all too willing to make them part with it. It was, in short, a knocking shop. Its renown was worldwide among the sailing fraternity.
A flavour of the place can be gleaned from the following story printed in the local paper when the pub closed. "Until 15 years ago, two parrots lived in the pub mimicking the drunken revellers who propped up the bar. Cha Cha and Ringo were popular regulars until the pub was burgled in 1985. The thieves, fearing the chatty parrots would reveal their identities, stabbed Cha Cha to death. Legend has it the bird was later buried under Castle Street during the road's construction. Lonely Ringo pined for his mate and never spoke again."

Now the building is Grade2 listed but boarded up with only this fading sign to remind us of its interesting if insalubrious past.