
Michael Sole
Michael recalls memories of life on and around Hawthorn Avenue, giving detailed descriptions of the shops and area surrounding it. He remembers his family life, contracting polio, the annual summer… Read more Michael Sole →
Listen to the people of Hull tell us their life stories. These interviews are presented in full and largely unedited. You can use the search bar above help you explore the recordings or if you looking for a specific recording.
Michael recalls memories of life on and around Hawthorn Avenue, giving detailed descriptions of the shops and area surrounding it. He remembers his family life, contracting polio, the annual summer… Read more Michael Sole →
Yvie recalls her childhood and family life in Hull in the 60s and 70s, describing her home and the games she would play in some depth. She also talks about… Read more Yvie Holder →
Mary lived for 30 years in Coltman Street. She tells an anecdote about a butler in a neighbouring house during the Second World War. Mary continues to describe life during… Read more Mary Burniston →
In the first part of the interview Margaret talks about growing up as part of an extended and close knit Catholic family in the Lidell Street area of the city.… Read more Margaret Wilson →
Originally from Hungary, Brigitta discusses how and why she came to England, working hard to support herself and her family and her transition from factory work plus some volunteering to… Read more Brigitta Laszlo →
Tony discusses his early life in the Escourt Street area of East Hull and going to David Lister School. He gives his thoughts on how ‘rough’ these places could be… Read more Tony Parker →
Vic talks about his time working on board trawlers and his progressions from ‘Deckie Learner’ to eventually becoming a Skipper. He describes the conditions on board ships in some depth… Read more Vic & Pauline Wheeldon →
Christine talks comprehensively about her early life in West Hull, school, going to university and then her married life and career working for libraries and local authorities. She also talks… Read more Christine Pinder →
Seventy-seven year old Monty was born in St Albans but moved to Hull aged 17. He worked in Hull as an Articles Clerk before becoming a solicitor and recalls legal… Read more Monty Martin →
Gilbert recalls growing up in Marfleet Village during the Second World War and being evacuated to Hook near Goole. Gilbert’s first job was working as a ticket boy for London… Read more Gilbert Austin →
Valerie was born in the Hessle Road area just before the Second World War. She remembers her school days, playing in the street with friends and family life and describes… Read more Valerie Baldwin →
Doreen recalls being evacuated during the Second World War. She remembers her childhood talking about school, games, holidays and family life. Doreen describes meeting her husband, courting and dancing during… Read more Doreen Hornsey →
Chris takes us through his career in education from training to retirement in Hull and Kuwait. He talks about specific schools, the general picture of education in Hull and differences… Read more Chris Perkins →
Val talks about her life – childhood, teenage years, working and marriage in the city of Hull.
Robert starts by describing some of his early life on Hessle Road, his relationship with his grandmother and leaving school at 14. He describes his experience during the Second World… Read more Robert Holiday →
Dominic was born in the year that Ghana gained independence. He is one of eight children who made his own entertainment by recycling everyday objects into toys and he vividly… Read more Dominic Hooko →
Bridie comes from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. She describes her early life just after the war. Bridie became a teacher and taught in primary schools in Hull. She talks about… Read more Bridie Chapman →
Dorothy recalls Hull and Spurn Point during the Second World War. She describes childhood memories of North Hull Estate during the 1930s and 1940s including games such as ‘knocking off… Read more Dorothy Morfitt →
Frank describes his life from leaving school at 15 and joining the Merchant Navy. He recalls the hard life of a galley boy. Frank saw active service in the Royal… Read more Frank Stevenson →
Elsie talks about moving to Bilton Grange as a child and her memories there during the blitz and of a ‘peace party’ at the end of the war. She goes… Read more Elsie Beet-Atkinson →
In this two part interview Olga tells us the story of her family coming to this country as refugees from the Soviet Union following the Second World War and settling… Read more Olga Coates →
Eric discusses coming to Hull in 1972 through his work as a lawyer and his first impressions of the city. He also talks in detail about his interest in local… Read more Eric Twigger →
In the first part Walter talks about growing up during the Second World War, evacuation, childhood and family activities and then the end of the war. Describes early television programmes… Read more Walter Jackson →
Sylvia talks about growing up on North Hull Estate and her childhood during the Second World War including her memories of being evacuated and bombing raids. She goes on to… Read more Sylvia Utley →
Pat describes growing up as a child during the Second World War, her experience of being bombed out during a raid and then what it was like to be a… Read more Pat Dawson →
Christine talks about her lifelong enjoyment of playing the piano and organ, despite losing a finger following a childhood accident. She recalls working as a lady’s help, waitressing in hotels… Read more Christine Clarkson →
Shirley begins by discussing her early life at home and her experience of having a Maltese mother and some of the cultural differences they had. She talks about school and… Read more Shirley Hall →
Sue describes growing up as the eldest of three siblings. Her father was in the Merchant Navy before becoming a policeman. Sue describes living in a police house at Sutton,… Read more Sue Nair →
Neville talks about country life as a boy during the Second World War, his National Service and his work as a maintenance engineer on the train track for BP at… Read more Neville Clark →
Geoff talks about coming to Hull to study in the early 1970s and his experiences as a student in the city. He also talks about working for the NHS at… Read more Geoff Probert →
Shirley was the eldest of five children. Her father died when she was 14 years old. She has lived in Hull all her life. Shirley recalls her childhood, growing up… Read more Shirley Poynter →
Christine talks about her early life, parents, experiences of schools and her attitude to Hull, both when she moved away and when she returned. Christine also discusses her experience as… Read more Christine Williams →
Helen describes her life in Hull from an early age living down Wyndham Street and Bean Street and describes the type of housing she lived in. She talks about the… Read more Helen Wilson →
David talks about growing up on North Hull Estate and his pride in the city of Hull as well as sharing memories of particular places, characters and schools. Media No:… Read more David Rowbottom →
Ken talks about his early memories of growing up down Thanet Road, passing his 11 plus and going to Riley High School. He discusses working for Priestman’s, his involvement in… Read more Ken Parker →
Rachel talks about moving to Hull in 2015 and her first impressions of the city. She compares Hull favourably to London, noting the community spirit and theatre scene. She talks… Read more Rachel Harris →
David was born in Bridlington. He moved to Hull in 2015 to be near his partner’s family. He recalls visiting his Aunt in Hull as a child, travelling into Paragon… Read more David Tiplady →
Mohammed talks about his journey from Syria and life in England as a refugee with his wife and child. His wife Paraah also contributes and shares her views on life… Read more Mohammed Abdu →
Patricia describes her life growing up in the Hessle Road area. She discusses playing truant and the mischief she would cause as a child. She also talks about her married… Read more Pat Marrow →
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… Read more Graham Durrant →
Rosemary grew up in a family of eight children and her father died early. Her mother worked very hard, having several jobs, so the children did chores, including going to… Read more Rosemary Bower →
Julie recalls her favourite decade – the 1980s, being a punk, the music scene and pubs and clubs of the time. She compares going out in Hull and her experiences… Read more Julie Rogers →
Colin discusses what it was like to move to Hull as a teenager. The differences between Hull and Ipswich and how he made friends. He describes the changes he has… Read more Colin Gardener →
Ben talks about growing up in a large family of eight on Orchard Park in the 1980s and 1990s and also his experiences of having his own family. Media No:… Read more Ben Welham →
Joan talks about her life from her earliest memories at home through childhood , including her memories of living through the Second World War and life during those years, the… Read more Joan Hay →
Patsy talks about her early life during the Second World War discussing her parents, siblings and pets. She talks about her teenage years and high school, and her expectations at… Read more Patsy Wright →
Cynthia was born in Barbados to parents from Dominica. Her mother was from the Carib-Indian tribe and her father was black. She recounts the story of growing up in a… Read more Cynthia Bailey →
Karen describes her happy childhood in Hull. She remembers playing outside and attending lots of after school activities. As a teenager in the 1980s she went to Spiders and Trog… Read more Karen Hodgson →
Elwyn recounts his colourful early days living on Hessle Road, particularly referring to missing school for work. He recalls details of various jobs he has had, always manual and often… Read more Elwyn Jones →
Chiedu Oraka is 28 years old. He was born and raised in North Hull and is of Nigerian descent. He has been a musician for the past six years and… Read more Chiedu Oraka →
Keith describes his early life in Courtney Street and his work in steel fabrication for 50 years. He also talks about the effects of getting TB as a child and… Read more Keith Gill →
David talks about growing up just outside Hull, moving away and then retiring and coming home to Hull to live. Pride in Hull and a feeling of belonging. David is… Read more David Osgerby →
Description of growing up in a family veterinary in Hull during and after the Second World War. Childhood in busy happy family. Park Street bombed, had to move out. Describes… Read more Jean Powell →
Theresa Fyle is of Sierra Leonean and Irish heritage. She speaks about her memories of her father Dennis Fyle, a well known Equality Campaigner in Hull who died three months… Read more Theresa Fyle →
Johnny talks about his early childhood and teenage years growing up on Hessle Road. He worked as a bricklayer and on a Humber Pilot Cutter. Johnny was taken on as… Read more Johnny Cliff →
Brenda describes how her father was killed by a mine during the Second World War while serving in the Navy. She recalls family life during the War including the evacuation… Read more Brenda Medley →
Carolyn describes everyday life in her family on North Hull Estate during the late 1940s onwards. She got a job at 15 years old in Hyland’s(?) Printers and describes the… Read more Carolyn Daniel →
Janet describes growing up on Spring Bank in the 1940s and being bombed out during the Second World War. She attended Park Road School, Constable School and Greatfield High School.… Read more Janet Wall →
Carole reminisces about early life in St Stephen’s Square, childhood games and adventures. Growing up, courtship, marriage and married life feature, as does going to the pictures in Hull. Carole… Read more Carole Myers →
Dennis describes how he and his wife Sylvia met, courting, their first kiss, their wedding day and later their married life in the 1950s. He talks about his childhood in… Read more Dennis & Sylvia Davey →
John begins by recalling the Second World War. He remembers growing up in temporary accommodation after his family were bombed out during the May 1941 Hull Blitz. He recalls rationing… Read more John & Christine Haigh →
Gill describes growing up on Hessle Road. She married her first husband at 17 and became pregnant straight away. She was expecting her second child when she lost her husband… Read more Gill Long →
Barbara describes her childhood as the daughter of a serving Army Officer, moving to different countries. Her grandfather was Thomas Henry Wray who was Lord Mayor of Hull in 1959… Read more Barbara Miller →
Adrian is very well travelled. He was born in Beverley, East Yorkshire to Gambian and Sierra Leonean parents but spent his formative years growing up among different nationalities in Gambia… Read more Adrian Njie →
Eileen talks about her life from childhood just before the Second World War. Details of where she lived and life in Hull during and after the war. She talks about… Read more Eileen Hosie →
Ron discusses his life as a fishermen, starting from his first trip as a cook’s assistant to eventually becoming a skipper. He discusses life on board ships, the dangers at… Read more Ron Wilkinson →
Dan Syanda grew up in Kenya in the 1960s. His aptitude for learning at a school which owned its own plane (!) ignited an existing curiosity about aviation and led… Read more Dan Syanda →
William describes his early childhood. He remembers the Second World War and talks about his evacuation experiences in Lincolnshire. Media No: 1045 Interviewee Forename: William Interviewee Surname: Ostler Year of… Read more William Ostler →
Pauline talks about growing up during the Second World War, school life and starting work. She talks about social activities; ballet, films, music, dancing in the 1950s and 1960s. She… Read more Pauline Robinson →
‘Betty’ discusses growing up in a happy family of 11 children as the youngest girl. Describes how her mother made ends meet using club cards and ‘diddlums’. Lived in Holderness… Read more Elizabeth Constable →
Doreen recalls her Second World War memories talking about an unexploded bomb at the Hawthorn Avenue railway crossings. Her father worked as a boiler man below decks during the war… Read more Doreen Arnold →
Rita describes her life growing up on North Hull estate during the Second World War. She talks about different items they collected in order to save money. Rita knew very… Read more Rita Bartle →
Anne’s story begins with her mother coming to Hull from Guyana as a nurse in 1959 and working throughout her career at Hull Royal Infirmary. Anne’s one visit to Guyana… Read more Anne deGroot →
Mary recalls growing up as part of a very large family. She discusses her early years as a nurse, her entry into politics and her elevation to a cabinet role.… Read more Mary Glew →
Dennis recalls his life on North Hull estate, growing up and the games he would play as a child. He talks about his family and his father who was a… Read more Dennis Woods →
Mary describes growing up in Hull during the 1920s and 1930s among the Jewish community, although she was not from a Jewish family. She shares some memories of growing up… Read more Mary Ellis →
Doreen talks about her childhood living down Clifton Terrace off Hessle Road and living with her father after her mother died when she was very young. She goes on to… Read more Doreen Gendle →
Carol talks about growing up in Woodmansey and Dunswell. She talks about her early life at school and recalls courting as a young woman. Carol describes her wedding day. Media… Read more Carol Flynn →
Joyce talks about the poverty she faced growing up in a single parent household in the 1940s including some detail about air raid shelters and the war. She discusses meeting… Read more Joyce Nichols →
In this interview captured from a tape donated by a family member, Leslie & Elsie talk about living on Garden Village, working for Reckitt’s and the social life for employees… Read more Leslie & Elsie Drury →
David was born in 1934 in Bulawayo, Rhodesia in one of the first townships built after the British took over the country. He remembers listening to his grandfather bitterly recounting… Read more David Gambe →
David Watson was born into a farming family in Jamaica. He came to visit his brother in Croydon and stayed, working initially as a chef before joining the Armed Forces which… Read more David Watson →
Richard’s link to an African Heritage is through his Barbadian grandfather, a blacksmith who came to Hull in 1917. He speaks about his father’s remarkable war years and then later… Read more Richard Weeks →
In the first part of the interview Jean talks about her early memories of living on Garden Village as part a ‘Reckitt’s family’ and the expectation that she would go… Read more Jean Hart →
Whilst working on the Untold Hull project Charlie shared some memories of growing up in the Priory Road area of West Hull during the 2000’s, attending Sydney Smith Secondary School… Read more Charlie Sommerville →
Whilst working on the Untold Hull project Tom shared some memories of moving to a village near Hull as a child and his visits into the city for work, study… Read more Tom Ward →
Part 1: Jessica grew up in southern England and was a talented musician. She talks about her home, playing music and going to Hull University. She recalls how she met… Read more Jessica Leathley →
Friends Barbara Wilkinson and Peter Wilson tell us about growing up down Newland Avenue in the 40’s and 50’s, the games they would play and memories of favourite shops and… Read more Barbara Wilkinson & Peter Wilson →
Cath who owned a pharmacy on Newland Avenue until very recently, tells us about her first impression on moving to the area, setting up a traders association and offers some… Read more Cath Boury →
Ian talks about his early childhood memories of Derringham Street, trips to Hornsea, childhood games, teenage years and how life is different today. Media No: 1033 Interviewee Forename: Ian Interviewee… Read more Ian White →
Nick Goodman, owner of a gift shop on Newland Avenue tells us how he has seen the area change in his 20 odd years of trading on the street. This… Read more Nick Goodman →
Lydia who owns a cafe and cake shop on Newland Avenue tells us about growing up in the area during the 90’s and 00’s, founding her business and how she… Read more Lydia Coyle →
Karen is of dual heritage being both Jamaican and English but she has struggled to find acceptance with this identity within herself and by other people. She talks about her… Read more Karen Okra →
Zook was born in Beverley and is of dual Nigerian and English heritage from parents who met at Hull University. He went to Nigeria with his parents at the age… Read more Asuquo Ema →
We will be adding full notes for this interview in the near future. Please check back soon! This interview was conducted as part of AssembleFest 2017 which gathered memories of… Read more Gail Appleyard →
Abraham Adu was born in Ghana in 1976. He had had many offers to study for his PhD in 2005 in England but chose Hull because one his lecturers had been… Read more Abraham Adu →
Margaret tells us about growing up on Newland avenue and shares some memories of the Whitsun carnival and Monica cinema This interview was conducted as part of AssembleFest 2017 which… Read more Margaret Hersom →
Janet Alder is one of five children of Nigerian descent who grew up in an Avenues children’s home in Hull. She describes her experiences in her local area throughout the… Read more Janet Alder →
We will be adding full notes for this interview in the near future. Please check back soon! This interview was conducted as part of AssembleFest 2017 which gathered memories of… Read more Carol Parker →
We will be adding full notes for this interview in the near future. Please check back soon! This interview was conducted as part of AssembleFest 2017 which gathered memories of… Read more Kris Dawson →
Maurice’s father came to Hull from Mauritius to study which is where the family’s connection with Africa originates. His family have a long history as seafarers. Maurice’s father was on… Read more Maurice Labistour →
We will be adding full notes for this interview in the near future. Please check back soon! This interview was conducted as part of AssembleFest 2017 which gathered memories of… Read more Stewart Bragg →
In these short self recorded memories Sheila recalls some memories of growing up down Newland Avenue during the Second World War This interview was conducted as part of AssembleFest 2017… Read more Sheila Blamire →
We will be adding full notes for this interview in the near future. Please check back soon! This interview was conducted as part of AssembleFest 2017 which gathered memories of… Read more Carole Bell →
Paul Jackson, owner of the legendary Adelphi Club on De Grey St, tells us in this short interrupted interview about the working mens club he took over, how he set… Read more Paul Jackson →
We will be adding full notes for this interview in the near future. Please check back soon!
We will be adding full notes for this interview in the near future. Please check back soon! This interview was conducted as part of AssembleFest 2017 which gathered memories of… Read more Geoff Waterson →
Pascal Dannerolle tells us about moving to the area around Newland Avenue as student around 20 years ago, what made him stay and his involvement with the Community Church and… Read more Pascal Dannerole →
Joe Bvumburai’s heritage lies in Zimbabwe, but he was born in Zambia when racial segregation was prevalent. At the age of twenty-two he came to Hull to study architecture at the… Read more Joseph Bvumburai →
Ysabelle is of Jamaican, Cuban and Scottish ancestry. She talks about how distant her connection with Jamaica sometimes feels as it is several generations removed and she has not visited… Read more Ysabelle Wombwell →
We will be adding full notes for this interview in the near future. Please check back soon! This interview was conducted as part of AssembleFest 2017 which gathered memories of… Read more Len Harling →
Charles is married to Dorothy. He was brought up on Stepney Lane and lived there until he moved to North Hull Estate in 1960. Charles remembers the bombing during the… Read more Charles White →
We will be adding full notes for this interview in the near future. Please check back soon! Media No: 1150 Interviewee Forename: Edward Interviewee Surname: Moore Year of Birth 1932… Read more Edward Moore →
We will be adding full notes for this interview in the near future. Please check back soon!
At the age of five years old, Mary was transported alone across the seas from St Lucia to Southampton into the arms of her family who she had been separated… Read more Mary Cooper →
We will be adding full notes for this interview in the near future. Please check back soon!
We will be adding full notes for this interview in the near future. Please check back soon!
We will be adding full notes for this interview in the near future. Please check back soon! Part 1 Part 2
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We will be adding full notes for this interview in the near future. Please check back soon!