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. Strange first choice, but to some extent it got people over any nerves they may have had about meeting a load of strangers and doing an even stranger act together.

We arrived slightly late, as did the organisers Pinky & The Brain! As mentioned in the instructions a RED PLASTIC BOX appeared in the middle of Victoria Square, the signal that things were about to start. There was a short hesitation, as I could see various people holding umbrellas (the group identifier) standing about wanting not to be the first to step forward. After a little encouragement from The Brain and his cohorts, the crowd emerged and one round of the Hokey-Cokey began.

Within a minute it was all over and after being thanked by The Brain, everyone disappeared back into the crowds of shoppers passing through Victoria Square. HULL #1 had happened and it was good, if not a little weird!

All day after the event I found myself sniggering to myself at what we did. It didn't matter how many turned up, (estimates range from 10-30 with somewhere in the middle being more likely) it was being part of this little bit of madness that made it worthwhile. That we do not live in a totally apathetic boring little northern town, and that there are people willing to put themselves out there and give it a go.

There is more fun planned, and if you go to the user group for the 'flash crowd' they are planning global happenings. I do encourage you to become part of the fun, if nothing else join the user group and read what they are all up to. That in itself will make you giggle from time to time.

If you want further information on Flash Mobbing and the Hull Flash Crowd then drop Pinky & The Brain an email hullflashcrowd@yahoo.co.uk check-out their website which is http://uk.geocities.com/hullflashcrowd. I assure you it will be worth the little effort it takes. We maybe coming to the end of all the summer madness and entering into the gloom and doom of autumn, the idea of such fun is something that can keep you going through the long and boring winter months to come. Coming soon is an interview with Pinky herself. So stay-tuned! Hull Flash Crowd website

Interviews - Brain from the Hull Flash Crowd
	By Rich Mills Rich: Alright Brain, so you've given up trying to take over the world every night with your side-kick Pinky, and have moved into organising Flash Crowds, or Flash Mobs as I understand they are also known? Read more...

Articles - Rudston Monolith by Nicholas Boldock
	Think of standing stones and you automatically think of Stonehenge, yes? That beautiful and world-renowned monument sited smack in the middle of greenest Wiltshire, spiritual home to druid and crusty alike, scene of many a cider-fuelled Solstice party. Read more...

Exclusive Featured Serial on www.thisisUll.com

Articles - Alcohol Awareness Part One - Diaries From Detox
	For most people alcohol is an enjoyable part of their lives. However, for a minority it equates to being in a prison from which it is a nightmare to escape. It is one of the most pernicious, socially acceptable, underestimated poisons on the market..... Read more...

Articles - Blood On The Streets, Blood On Our Hands
	By Rich Mills This is an after thought, an addition to the previous piece. An after thought! That is a problem some of my friends are having at the moment. And somewhere out there in Hull, there are some people with thoughts of what they have done weighing heavily on their consciences, or so I hope. Read more...

Articles - Memories Of Pearson Park
	By Rich Mills I love Pearson Park It's my Mecca, my place of pilgrimage where I worship the gods in their many forms. The Sun God is a favourite of many, and brings out the all kinds into the city park. A place so far removed from the stress of everyday city life, it could be anywhere! Pearson Park is a Read more...

Articles - Wilberforce Turning In His Grave...
	(Diversity In The City Of Hull) By Rich Mills When I started thinking about this piece, I was originally just going to write about the evening out I had on Saturday (July 19th). I and others around me experienced the cultural diversity that Hull has to offer. A Zulu wedding, a Salsa Night in aid of Deaf Children, Déjà Vu at The Welly, my diverse bunch of mates. Read more...

Articles - NEW BEGINNINGS
	by Uncle Jim In late 2001, disillusioned UCATT members in the caravan building industry were looking for another union to represent them, one which would not sell them out in their disputes with their employers. Some of them approached the Hull Direct Action Group, some of whose members were known to them from previous campaigns. Read more...