Roving Reporters
From Hull and Halifax to Hell
Monday 18th April 2011
From Hull and Halifax and Hell, good Lord deliver me.
(from the Dalesman's Litany).
These were the words going through my head as we boarded the train on a Saturday morning in March. I don't know why: none of our group were from Halifax (Huddersfield, Leeds and Bradford to be precise), Hell did not come into it, but we were going to Hull. The smell of frying bacon coming from the station café as we sat in the waiting room made my mouth water, but none of us were tempted.
Sylvia, Keith and myself were joined on the train by Tony and Julie at Leeds, and arriving in Hull we made our way through the Saturday shoppers to the old part of the town. I could imagine how it might have been in years gone by when sailors might have been spilling out of the pubs having had their evening's entertainment. On this day though, it was very quiet as we found our first stop, Wilberforce House, birth place of William Wilberforce. The building now hosts exhibitions about the history of slavery, the abolition of the Slave Trade, and a history of the house and the Wilberforce family.
We found lunch in a nearby hostelry: the food was good but supplies were not plentiful: only enough sausage for two people, only enough steak for two sandwiches, and a shortage of appropriate cutlery for cutting the said meat. Fortunately Julie was provided with a rather threatening knife to make her task easier.
After lunch our group divided: Julie (obviously the cultured member of our little grouped) visited the Ferens Art Gallery, while the rest of us went to the Transport Museum. Here we saw (and were able to sit-in) a vintage tram, bus and a sage coach, which simulated movement. There were even the appropriate smells for this vehicle. There were also vintage cars, and a number of bicycles.
After a quick drink, we hurried back to the railway station via the pier and marina to catch our train back to West Yorkshire. This trip was originally going to take place last spring, and the wait was worth while. Thanks to Sylvia for arranging and researching an excellent day out.
Phil D.