This Is East 'Ull By Nicholas Boldock (2/3)	(1/3), (2/3), (3/3).

Holderness Road was the gateway to the original Craven Park, as it still is to East Park, and this traditional urban shopping area - the spine of East Hull - has its charms. It stretches from the Windmill/Holderness pubs right down to the Swiss Cottage pub on the outskirts of Bilton.

I dread the day when Regis Records closes its doors for good. It seems inevitable, although how it has remained open this long in such an out-of-town location is a mystery in itself. It was Regis - a brilliant little shop which resolutely refuses to modernise - where I bought my first ever records - Status Quo's "Rocking All Over The World" LP (which I've still got), and, shamefully, the 7" single of "The Final Countdown" by Europe. I know, I know. Just remember, you were young once as well.

A brief digression. Back to that council house. If I've lost you here, flick back to the first paragraph, then meet me back here. Got it? Great. Bilton Grange is one of several council estates in East Hull which form the majority of the housing there. Bilton Grange is divided into the "old" and "new" parts.

I was brought up in the new part, just off Staveley Road, for those with knowledge of the area. The old part, centred on Preston Road and the streets which run off it, has been in decline for a number of years (and was no more salubrious back then), although over the last couple of years the area has seen a revival in its fortunes, with much of the older dilapidated housing being rebuilt, and government funding being allocated to community projects.

On Ellerby Grove, just off Preston Road, a certain house was demolished a couple of years ago as part of the regeneration scheme. My Dad was born in that house, sometime before the invention of the wheel I think, and part of me feels pretty darn proud that Dad's former neighbourhood is lifting itself out of the hole it had fallen into, although it still has problems.

Snap back to the topic at hand. Hull, of course, was founded on the fishing industry, which was (and is) mainly based around the Hessle Road area of the city. East Hull, though, also has its part to play in our maritime heritage, as anyone who has ever driven, or walked, down Hedon Road could tell you. King George Dock is there, home of North Sea Ferries, gateway to Europe, although no-one can remember anything about North Sea Ferries other than the fact it is by far the cheapest way to get to Amsterdam. I have to hold my hands up here and admit that, although I am a born and bred 'ully, I have never been on a "Dutch Dash", which puts me firmly in the minority.

I will remedy the situation, someday, and soon. I have been on one of the gigantic ferries, as part of a journey to Germany some years ago, and I can say that it's a hugely enjoyable experience. In fact I bought my first round on a North Sea Ferry. I was sixteen, and since the ferry was subject to Dutch licensing laws, not British, I could legally buy alcohol. Wonderful. It wasn't much of a round as I recall, but all the same, I walked back from that bar with head held high and the words "I Am A Man" glowing above me in blue neon. Possibly.

Follow Saltshouse Road down towards Sutton, and just before you hit the village, on the left, you'll see a very large house which is quite clearly the home of someone with more than the average size of wallet. Look closely and you might just see two Jags parked in the driveway.

This is the home of Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, East Hull's most (in)famous resident. Mr Prescott can often be spotted in the Latus Fish & Chip shop near Ings Road. In case you're wondering, they do indeed have a full range of pies available to buy, which could explain the frequent patronage of their most renowned customer. Whilst it's easy to find fault with John Prescott (and why not?), he should at least receive some credit for staying true to East Hull, albeit in one of the biggest houses around, rather than fleeing to some leafy suburb outside the city limits. And that, folks, is the first and last time I'll ever be giving Mr Prescott any good press.

On the subject of famous people, it would be rude not to point out that the late, great Mick Ronson, Bowie's guitarist during the early 70s Spiders From Mars phase (and later a member of Mott The Hoople) hailed from Greatfield Estate. The man who wrote the riff to "Ziggy Stardust", one of the greatest guitar licks ever composed, is one of Hull's greatest sons.

Continued next page (3/3),

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