Graham talks about visiting Hull as a port in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of his job in the Merchant Navy. He talks about his impressions of the city and how it compared to other ports as well as describing the docks at the time and some nights out on the town. He also talks about the decline of the shipping industry countrywide before finally discussing how Hull has latterly become his home and his thoughts about the city.

Time Code Notes

[00:00:00] First Experience of Hull. From Watford originally where he was born.

[00:08:00)] Talks about how he came to Hull through the Merchant Navy at 15 years of age, and the demise of the shipping industry.

[00:11:43] Describes how the docks were in Early 1970’s and how they are now.

[00:16:50] Container ships, how it changed shipping and the resistance to container shipping

[00:19:40] Talk about his career and his fears about how the shipping industry was changing.

[00:26:00] Talks about nights out at Seamans missions and the ‘dive bars’ around the dock, they were always friendly.

[00:29:50] Reflects on his home life and why he went to sea

[00:31:00] How the ports he went to like Liverpool and London differed from Hull, in levels of friendliness and trouble.

[00:32:00] How the people of Hull’s friendliness impressed Him.

[00:34:30] Remembers his later years coming back to the city to live through meeting his partner.

[00:36:40] Talk about how he came to Hull permanently and how he misses open country side, and Hull’s sense of community.

[00:41:00] Talks about the arts and city of culture and its legacy and his worries.

[00:44:00] Anecdote about stealing cow hides from the docks as a young man.

These time code notes are provided as a rough guide to the above recording. Untold Hull would like to thank all the volunteers who took part for their time and hard work in producing this information.