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  • Walter's Blog.
  • Home
  • Introduction
  • About Walter
    • 1980 Joining Up - Grafton Street >
      • Arrival and First Impressions
      • First Week
      • Training
      • Passing Out
    • Yaumati Cowboy >
      • Getting on the Streets
      • Tempo of the City
      • Jumpers, pill poppers and the indoor BBQ
      • Into a Minefield.
    • Why Tango in Paris, when you can Foxtrot in Kowloon? >
      • Baptism By Fire
      • Kai Tak with Mrs Thatcher.
      • Home; The Boy Returns
  • 1984 - 1986
    • PTU Instructor & Getting Hitched
    • Having a go: SDU
    • Starting a Chernobyl family
    • EOD - Don't touch anything
    • Semen Stains and the rules
  • 1987 to 1992 - Should I Stay or Go?
    • Blue Lights, Sirens & Grenades
    • Drugs, Broken Kids & A Plane Crash
    • 600 Happy Meals Please!
    • Hong Kong's Best Insurance
    • Riding the Iron Horse
  • Crime in Hong Kong
    • Falling Crime Rates - Why?
    • Triads
  • History of Hong Kong Policing
    • History 1841 to 1941
    • History 1945 to 1967
    • Anatomy of the 50 cent Riot - 1966
    • The Fall of a Commissioner.
    • History 1967 to 1980
    • Three Wise Men from the West
    • The Blue Berets.
    • The African Korps and other tribes.
    • Getting About - Transport.
    • A Pub in every station
    • Bullshit Bingo & Meetings
    • Godber - The one who nearly got away.
    • Uncle Ho
  • Top 20 Films
    • 2001 - A Space Odyssey.
    • The Godfather.
    • Blade Runner
    • Kes
    • Star Wars
    • Aliens
    • Ferris Bueller's Day Off
    • The Life of Brian
    • Dr Strangelove.
    • Infernal Affairs
    • Bridge on the River Kwai.
    • This Is Spinal Tap.
    • Chung King Express
    • An Officer and a Gentleman
    • PTU
    • Contact
    • Saving Private Ryan
    • Family Guy Star Wars
    • Zulu
    • Hard Day's Night
  • The Long Read
    • How The Walls Come Down
    • War in Ukraine - the narrative and other stuff.
    • The Hidden Leader
    • The Big Game
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Walter's Blog

"But how can you live and have no story to tell?" Fyodor Dostoevsky
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Reflections on recent events, plus the occasional fact free rant unfiltered by rational argument. 

"If you want to read a blog to get a sense of what is going on in Hong Kong these days or a blog that would tell you wh at life was like living in colonial Hong Kong, this blog, WALTER'S BLOG, fits the bill."  Hong Kong Blog Review

12/8/2017 0 Comments

A City Awakens

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We all need reinvention, re-branding or a change of mood. These changes can correct misconceptions, whilst opportunities for advancement are sought. If for no other reason Hull’s status as ‘City of Culture’ must be embraced. Yes, the concept is alien to some. Southern metropolitan types, who cannot see beyond their silo, expressed disdain at the proposal. Even the stoic people of Hull - if they’re honest - will admit to doubts and having a chuckle. Bloody daft idea!

Yet, if any place needed a rebranding it's Hull. Long suffering, it sits on the A-list for unwelcome socioeconomic factors. Teenage pregnancy, single-parent families and chlamydia a few of the highlights. These and others seized upon by the media to feed a narrative of a failing northern town.

No mention then of the city’s fine history. Its accomplished university, art galleries, museums nor the thriving theatre scene. Of course, none of these supports the negative agenda driven media version. Moreover, and after all, its far easier to denigrate then see a diverse city with much colour and many hues.

That’s not to deny that Hull has its challenges. These are manifest and many. Some are of its own making, others the consequences of recent history. The city suffered terribly during World War II. Estimates suggest 80% of the housing stock was either destroyed or damaged. The sympathy extended to London and Coventry, was not given to Hull. It struggled in silence as a press blackout kept the damage under wraps. 'A Northern City raided' ... a simple message that gave no hint of the damage done.

Victory didn't feel that way for 1946 Hull. In desperate need of regeneration, its heart trashed. When rebuilding came, it was piecemeal. The population decamped to satellite estates. Greatfield, Longhill, Orchard Park and Bransholme all provided homes for heroes. Or, rather, that's what the slogans proclaimed. And at first, it was pleasant enough.

The sixties saw plenty of work. Optimism abounded. Then the fishing industry collapsed. Next industrial strife brought forth strike and factory occupations. A winter of discontent. Power cuts, a four-day week. The 1970s and 1980's were not good to Hull. Whilst the UK economy rebounded in the 1980s, Hull remained in a rut. Even the mighty Humber Bridge only brought marginal benefits.

Once busy thoroughfares, with an abundance of businesses, gave way to charity shops. Always a sign a city is in decline. Then the pristine housing estates slipped into isolated islands of despondent souls. No work, no aspirations, no hope. The residents sat bereft, their confidence gone. Crime flourished.

Those that could, decamped. Hedon, Cottingham, Swanland and villages too many to name became refuge from the city. Successive Labour Councils lacked the vision or the determination to address the issues. Ardent political positions, instead of the practicalities of running a city, prevailed. No one was pushing for investment.

Then slow at first, change came. The Marina- a project laughable to some- is now full of luxury boats. New river front apartments, overlooking street cafes, soon brought an upbeat mood. The bleak abandoned warehouses transformed. The city then rediscovered its history. Confidence is all about attitude - a sense of purpose returned.

Arriving by train this week, I sat beside academics venturing to explore the city. Pouring over the details of Charles I's rejection at the city gates in 1642. In muttered voice they conclude Hull is the start of the English Civil War. Sir John Hotham did the deed. Later standing accused of double dealing, he paid with his life. He and his son executed in the Tower of London.

And on it goes, the history is rich. William Wilberforce, who brought a halt to the slave trade; Mick Ronson, collaborator of David Bowie and actor Tom Courtney. There is too many to relate here. But don't worry Hull's not gone all PC on us with its Freedom festival. The 'Old Black Boy’ Pub still has not bowed to modern conventions with its off-colour sign.

Strolling the streets today in bright sunshine, you'd believe yourself in Amsterdam or Copenhagen. A positivity is evident, streets alive with people enjoying the scene. Buskers songs echo. Kids romp through the Victoria Square fountain as she looks on unimpressed.

So without hubris or unjustified pride, Hull has put on an honest face. Come see what's on offer. But come with an open mind, leaving your prejudices at the door.
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    Walter De Havilland was one of the last of the colonial coppers. He served 35 years in the Royal Hong Kong Police and Hong Kong Police Force. He's long retired. 

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