The Hull Story Year: 2024
CONFRONTATION: Police defending the Royal Hotel during the August riots
A round-up of our top stories from 2024, by Co-Editor Simon Bristow
It’s been a year of political change and violence, a year that has seen the loss or departure of some cherished people, and one in which stability and success at Hull City again proved elusive. Happily there was also some good news
JANUARY
The year began with a consultation on a proposed devolution deal for Hull and the East Riding, and hospitals warning of reduced staffing levels during junior doctors’ strikes. Hull College principal Debra Gray announced her ambition for it to become “world class”, and former Lord Mayor Steve Wilson said he was resigning from the city council’s Labour group over a “toxic environment”. Freedom Festival chief Mikey Martins, pictured, revealed he was leaving for a new role in the Netherlands after nine memorable years at the helm.
FEBRUARY
A memorial event was held in Hessle Road, pictured, marking the 50th anniversary of the loss of city trawler Gaul, and KCOM unveiled a huge banner outside its Hull headquarters to kickstart its 120th anniversary celebrations. Hull City Disability Supporters’ Association was launched in an event at the MKM Stadium. In politics, the Liberal Democrats strengthened their grip on the city council as Rhiannon Beeson took a seat from Labour in an Avenue ward by-election, and ex-Lord Mayor Steve Wilson returned to the Labour fold after retracting his “toxic” allegation.
MARCH
Christopher Laverack’s mum Pam Cawley spoke exclusively to our writer Phil Ascough about her heartache on the 40th anniversary of Hull’s most notorious child murder. Humberside Police launched one of the biggest investigations in the force’s history with a probe into “concern for care of the deceased” at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors, pictured. And we revealed plans to celebrate the 40th anniversary of iconic independent music venue The Adelphi.
APRIL
The city mourned the loss of former Lord Mayor David Gemmell, pictured, who died aged 82. The ex-Labour councillor was one of the driving forces behind The Deep and had been due to retire as its chairman in the summer. Curators of a new exhibition on Ravenser Odd, Hull’s lost island twin, wrote a feature for us exploring their links. Fruit Market pioneer Dinostar celebrated its 20th birthday. And plans to restore the National Picture Theatre in Beverley Road were announced 80 years after it was bombed in the Second World War.
MAY
Liam Rosenior, pictured, was sacked as Hull City head coach in a shock move by chairman Acun Ilıcalı, just days after guiding the Tigers to a seventh-placed finish in the Championship. Councillor Mark Collinson was installed as the city’s 111th Lord Mayor. The clock on the south-facing tower of the Maritime Museum was fitted with an automatic winding system after being wound by hand for 150 years, and four people were arrested by the National Crime Agency after cocaine worth £40m was found in a van in Lelley in Holderness.
JUNE
Paul Anderson announced his retirement as Chief Constable of Humberside Police at around the same time it was revealed he was being investigated over alleged misconduct. Tim Walter was appointed as Liam Rosenior’s replacement in the Hull City hot seat. And plans were announced for a giant rat trail in honour of musician Mick Ronson.
JULY
Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party won a landslide victory at the General Election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. Hull’s three MPs, Dame Diana Johnson, Emma Hardy, both pictured, and Karl Turner were re-elected for Labour. Anlaby Park Community Library celebrated ten years of being run by volunteers, and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust revealed wild bee orchids had returned to Spurn Point National Nature Reserve for the first time in 30 years. Retired police officer Judi Heaton QPM was announced as the temporary Chief Constable of Humberside Police.
AUGUST
One of the biggest stories of the year was also the worst as large-scale rioting erupted in the city centre, pictured, and Spring Bank areas. The mayhem occurred in towns and cities across the country after thugs were whipped up by far-right agitators following misinformation spread on social media about the identity of the suspect in an horrific knife attack that killed three young girls in Southport. A police officer in Hull was scarred for life in the rioting and scores were jailed. Hull Folk and Maritime Festival returned after a five-year absence.
SEPTEMBER
Hull City launched a limited edition kit as part of the club’s 120th anniversary celebrations. Residents began unearthing 700 years of the city’s history by taking part in a community dig in Drypool, and Phil Ascough revealed why megastars Coldplay, pictured, chose Craven Park as the venue for their only European shows outside Wembley in 2025.
OCTOBER
We revealed that rates of coastal erosion on the Holderness coast were eight times greater than their annual average. Columnist Angus Young also revealed how Hull man David Balfour was presented with his father Robert’s Army fork 84 years after he died defending a village in France, pictured, in the Second World War. City charity Sight Support Hull and East Yorkshire celebrated its 160th anniversary.
NOVEMBER
Hull lost a political titan when John Prescott, pictured, died aged 86. He was the UK’s longest-serving Deputy Prime Minister (1997 – 2007) and Hull East MP for his beloved Labour Party for 40 years (1970 – 2010). Also in the world of politics, city council leader Mike Ross (Lib Dem) announced he was standing to become the region’s first directly elected mayor. And Acun Ilıcalı lost patience with Hull City head coach Tim Walter, sacking him after a poor run of results left them in the relegation zone.
DECEMBER
Rubén Sellés, pictured, was unveiled as the new Hull City head coach, the club’s third in seven months. Reformed iconic Hull band Red Guitars released Ho Ho Hum, their first new single in 40 years. Plans were approved for a £120m housing development bringing 450 new homes to Kingswood, and thousands of people lined the streets to cheer on fundraising legend Kevin Sinfield as he continued raising money for those suffering from Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
