Mike Covell’s Blogg

2012 Heritage Days

It’s that time of the year again and the 2012 Heritage Days in Hull are off to a start with some fascinating lectures, and eye opening tours.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending David Alexander Smith’s lecture at the Hull History Centre on the 1909 murder craze in Hull entitled “Murder in the Slums.”  David, who recently penned Paull – An Illustrated History, presented to the audience three murders from 1909, two of which resulted in the conviction of two men, who under the influence of drink, had murdered two women in what appeared to be crimes of passion.  The two murders that resulted in convictions took place in the slums of Hull, and David presented the audience with contemporary photographs of the crime scenes, taken by the Hull Board of Health Authority.  Maps, then and now photographs, and sketches of the suspects were presented for the perusal of the audience and David was both knowledgeable and well informed not just on the cases, but the social and historical aspects of each case.  All in all it was a fascinating lecture, and I look forward to David’s new release, Forgotten Hull Vol: 3.

Today I had the pleasure of sitting in a lecture by the Hull Daily Mail’s Angus Young.  Angus spoke about Scandals! Rogues, Rascals and Infamy in Hull and East Yorkshire, and touched upon many of the stories featured in his recently released book bearing the same name.  Among the topics were spies, crooked business men, high society scandals, and stories regarding Hull celebrities.  For me the highlight was the topic of the Great Baccarat Scandal at Tranby Croft, but the material on the Gaul was equally fascinating.  Angus also discussed his previous two books, Murders of Hull, and More Murders of Hull, which are fascinating works on local murder cases and their outcomes.  Angus was both knowledgeable and amusing and some of his stories about his life as a reporter were fascinating. 

I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with both David and Angus, and must thank them for signing my books and taking the time out to chat.

Over the weekend a number of other activities and tours are taking place in Hull, including the opening of The Neptune Inn.  Ripperologists will be more used to the name of Hull’s Customs House, the location where Robert D’Onston Stephenson worked as a clerk during the 1860’s.