My hometown

Hull has taken the brunt of a lot of abuse, such as being voted the worst place to live in 2005, having highest unemployment rate in 2011 and being given a great deal of stick about it, not to mention the ridiculous representations of the inhabitants of Hull in documentaries such as "Benefits Britain". The mention of available cheap housing in Hull on Eastenders gave me a chuckle and a shake of the head. But even before Hull received the title "City of Culture 2017" I have loved living in this city (I say city even though going into the city centre translates as "going into town" in the Hull dialect).

No, I wouldn't say Hull is a city of opportunity by a long shot, but I would say that in my personal viewpoint it has been a great place to have been brought up in. Firstly, being from this renowned "rundown" city I do not feel as though I've had a sheltered life. I wasn't raised on the streets, I've never been involved in crime, my parents work and I've never thought "I could make it by going on sixteen and pregnant or Jeremy Kyle", BUT I feel as though I've seen enough of the negative aspects of Hull to have acquired a bit of a tougher shell than these Made In Chelsea toffs, which makes me feel a lot more prepared for my future.

There is more to do in Hull than may meet the eye. I've heard some people say "all Hull has is The Deep". The Deep is one of the best aquariums for miles, it is more magnificent when you realise it's in such a negatively portrayed city! We have the museums: The Maratime Museum; Wilberforce Museum; The Transport Museum...Need I list them all? Hull is in fact a fantastic day out if you really make the most of it. I'm starting to feel like I'm writing a tourist brochure...I'm not. I'd be great at it if I did though.
But these are the main characteristics that get easily overlooked when stereotyping the city. Maybe because the majority of people living in the city tend not to partake in tourist activities. They should. Maybe they will learn a thing or two.

The Deep illuminated during the evening. Photo from www.martinbignell.co.uk

Most people who work in the city centre walk by buildings hundreds of times without actually noticing them. At ground level some of them are standard shops, but if these people on their way to work would just tilt their heads up an inch or two they would notice some beautiful, forgotten, historical buildings. It's pretty sad that things lose their beauty and significance if you see them every day. I hope that's not the case when I'm married...

Hull's Maratime Museum. Photo from www.docbrown.info

Trinity House. Photo from www.docbrown.info

The idea of being from Hull unites everyone. The same way in which you really appreciate it when you meet someone from the same county when you're on holiday. One of the reasons, I think, is the dialect (something I have researched into and will post more about in the future). The Hull dialect is like the city's own little language. Although that is essentially what a dialect is, it is like no other. The accent and dialect is so unique, if you find someone who knows what a "croggy down tenfoot" is when you're outside of Hull, it's like finding a diamond in a sack of coal. Why anyone would be looking through a sack of coal is beyond me, but that's what it's like. Or like watching an old person push out their false teeth. I'm not sure why but to me it gives me the same feeling.

I love how there are so many people who are proud to be from the city I love despite the stereotypes, statistics and stories.