Sunday 2nd November A Hundred Free Pints at Alexandra Hotel Hull Words and Pictures by Michelle Dee

On Sunday morning we travelled out towards the flyover to the Alexandra Hotel, affectionately known as the Ally Pally. On arrival we were greeted by the sight of a hundred pints all lined up on the bar. There were forty-five lagers, forty- five bitters and ten pints of Guinness making the ton. The day was sponsored by A63 Revisisted, Waterstones Hull and Thisisull.com. The idea behind the event was to support and showcase the work, particularly published works, of local writers and poets.

Coming through the door on the day to share in the old fishing tradition of having drinks ready for the fishermen after being at sea for days and nights on end were, Nick Quantrill a prolific and award winning crime writer, Danny Birch promoting debut novel Clipped a gangster tale set in Hull. Spoken word artists Mike Watts, Poetry Is Dead at Camden Fringe and Joe Hakim Poetry Idol 2008, Incubate, Latitude Fest and Camden Fringe.

Holly Roach a poet, debut anthology Plans to Change and other Fables launched at Asylum Hull Uni earlier this year. Oh and me, Her Royal Michness and Cilla, editor of thisisUll.com

We were also joined by Richard Sutherland Events Manager from Waterstones, who has been putting on a full programme of literary events at Costa Coffee upstairs in the town centre book shop to appeal to all ages, including recent readings and book signings from Gervase Phinn and Simon Armitage.

Many thanks go to Ernie landlord of the Alex and to the locals who welcomed us colourful creative types, with warm smiles and many a local tale. Tim Roux, A63 Revisited coordinator said: 'Well, the 100 Free Pints event sponsored by The A63 Revisited, Waterstones and ThisisUll may not have been a sell-out, but the 100 pints did indeed get drunk, some of the Hull literati met each other for the first time, and it was a great platform for future activities - the next one probably being in February 2009 at Zest, featuring Hull Poets, occasioned by the launch of the truly excellent Tony Flynn's new collection The Mermaid's Chair.

Useful links: www.a63revisited.com an archive of local writers selling published work online. www.hullcrimefiction.co.uk home of Nick Quantrill. www.myspace.com/thisisull www.myspace.com/thisisismikewatts www.myspace.com/joehakimrecordings www.hollyroach.com

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