Is Hull really No.1 Crap Town? By Jane Foster

As you may have seen in the media, Hull has been voted top of the list of the 50 crappest towns to live in, within the UK. If I may point out from the beginning, without being pedantic, that Hull is not a town but a city - therefore it is not eligible for this title anyway. But for the sake of argument I'll carry on.

This debate first started quite a while ago, when Finlay Coutts-Britton, a somewhat embittered former resident and student of Hull, slagged off the city in the Idler magazine. In response to this, the columnist Matt Stephenson from the Hull Daily Mail invited Finlay to visit Hull once again for 24 hours and see if he still thought it was crap. Finlay's view was slightly changed - he agreed that Hull had improved somewhat since he was here in the 1990's.

The fifty worst places to live in the UK.

Now a book has been published, compiled by Sam Jordison and Dan Kieran of the Idler, listing Hull as number 1 Crap City. Links: BBC - Where is the worst place to live in the world? The "Idlers" website

Hull Daily Mail getting "that shot" of their man Matt Stephenson.

I went along to the Hull launch of this book, which featured a debate on whether Hull was crap or not. It was hosted by the editors of the book, and Matt Stephenson (always one to defend Hull! ) I attended this event half hoping for a fist fight to be honest - after all, we residents of Hull should be angry at this public denouncement. But it was all quite civilised, given the subject matter.

It was interesting to see that a majority of the audience were people not born in Hull, but who had chosen to settle here. I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, it proves that Hull really does have something about it that makes people want to settle here.

Audience facing panel.

Lots of these people had lived in the 'cool' places - Leeds, London etc - but had found something lacking, and returned to Hull. ( I've heard so much of this phenomenon that I call Hull the 'rebound city'). But it was also a bit of a shame that there were so few native Hullers to stand up for their city!

Dan Kieran and Sam Jordison from "The Idler".

So what is that special something about Hull? Many people quoted the warmth and friendliness of the local people. I can vouch for this - go to a caff in Hull and you will often be called 'darlin' by a complete stranger. Do you get that greeting down South? Also, the sheer authenticity and unique features of the city, when so many other places have become homogenised replicas of each other. continued below.

Is Hull really No.1 Crap Town? contd By Jane Foster

But it made me sad that so few people attended who were born and bred in Hull. This unfortunately reflects the apathy that pervades a sizeable number of the natives of Hull. Enthusiasm is infectious, but apathy is a plague. And a plague has far reaching and devastating consequences.

Red and White wine was provided.

It is based on generations of feeling inferior, and that your opinions don't count. It is exacerbated by poverty and unemployment - of which Hull has more than it's fair share. There are no easy solutions to this. Hull lost it's main industries long ago now. There is nothing to take their place.

Richard Sutherland & Ingmar Collinson from Waterstones.

There were predictable statistics thrown about at this debate - Hull is bottom of the national league tables, has one of the biggest council estates, high levels of teenage pregnancy, soaring crime rates and drug abuse. The answers to these problems are not easy to come by, because the causes are so deeply embedded in the local culture.

Education is always an issue in Hull - or rather, the fact that there is an anti-education and learning culture. This is passed on through generations who see no relevance in it. Who can blame them? Until fairly recently, it wasn't necessary to be academic in Hull - there were thriving industries offering secure jobs to school leavers. Now that is gone, kids are left not knowing which path to follow, and with no family history of higher or even further education. Sometimes there is an open hostility to education. But there are innovative measures in place - the pioneering Children's University scheme started in Hull, and other schemes which encourage bright school kids to consider university.

Allan and Andy represent www.thisisUll.com

Sam Jordison with hits on a website, a book to sell, and an itchy nose.

All of Hull's problems cannot be solved in a short space of time - as is the case with most complex issues. But other towns and cities have these problems too. Go to Leeds or London and you will find their equivalent of Bransholme or Orchard Park Estate. Perhaps Hull is an easy target because we don't strike back. But now's your chance to do it ! Write in to www.thisisUll.com and tell us what you think about the city !

Exclusive Featured Serial on www.thisisUll.com Articles Part Three - Diaries From Detox

	A relatively good day, although emotions still very up and down. Doctors round was first. He appeared more concerned about the score between England and the West Indies than poor old Kevin who was suffering from fairly severe withdrawal symptoms - but let's get our priorities right! Read more...

Articles - HULL #1 - Hull gets flashed!
	By Rich Mills Instructions had gone out and it was all in the lap of the god's. The Hull Flash Crowd came out from behind their computer screens and faced the world and each other for the first time. The location was Victoria Square, the time 1:00pm, the act was the Hokey-Cokey. Read more...

Poetry - A Spare Five Minutes
	By Rich Mills With a spare five minutes      I scribble these ramblings down. Between herding the kids      And taking over the world. I find a spare five minutes      It was just lying here on the ground. Read more...

Music Reviews - Adelphi NightClub
	It had been a long day covering Grass Roots Sunday festival in Pearson Park, and after a short kip I was to skip down to the Adelphi Nightclub where I had a couple of beers and took some photos and details of the acts and performers for www.thisisUll.com Read more...

People - Wanted Dead or Alive
	I've known Diane for most of my life. For most of that time she's been battling to get out of the rat race. She's a straightforward, straight-talking woman. She's bright, funny and has always - ALWAYS been on and around motor cycles. Read more...