About Us — Hull Spotlight

Welcome to Hull Spotlight, an independent platform dedicated to celebrating the heart, history, and people of Kingston upon Hull. We exist to shine a light on the stories that make our city truly special — from the docks to the dancefloors, from the cobbled streets of the Old Town to the ever-changing skyline along the Humber. Our mission is simple: to preserve Hull’s past while highlighting its present. We bring together the history, heritage, and hidden gems that often go unnoticed — the tales of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, the local businesses that keep our city thriving, and the voices that deserve to be heard. At Hull Spotlight, we dive deep into the city’s character — the proud working-class roots, the humour, the grit, and the spirit that defines us. Whether it’s exploring the golden age of the fishing industry, revisiting the city’s post-war transformation, or capturing the creative energy of today’s Hull, we aim to keep the conversation alive. We also share the modern-day stories shaping our future — the entrepreneurs, artists, and community heroes who remind us that Hull is more than just a place; it’s a living, breathing legacy. Our goal is to create a platform that everyone in Hull can feel part of. Whether you’re here to read, reminisce, or contribute, Hull Spotlight is your space to connect with the city we all love. Together, we can keep Hull’s story shining bright — one post, one photo, and one memory at a time. Hull Spotlight — Our city. Our stories. Past, present, and beyond.

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The Pride of Hull: The Story of the Kirkella — Britain’s Last Great Distant-Water Trawler

There are few sights as striking as the gleaming white and yellow hull of the Kirkella cutting through the cold grey waters of the North Sea. Towering above the waves, her name painted proudly across her bow, this magnificent vessel stands not just as a trawler, but as a symbol — of Hull’s enduring connection to the sea, of its proud fishing heritage, and of a city that once fed a nation '> Kirkella represents the living legacy of a trade that shaped Hull’s identity for generations. A Modern Giant with Old-School Spirit Commissioned in 2018 , the Kirkella — officially registered as UK Fisheries’ Hull-based freezer trawler H 7 Kirkella — was built to bring the golden age of Hull’s fishing fleet into the twenty-first century. She was named in honour of the old fishing trawlers that bore the same name before her, continuing a proud line stretching back decades. Measuring 81 metres in length and weighing around 4,000 tonnes , the Kirkella is no ordinary trawler. She’s a s...

Hull at War: The City That Burned and Refused to Break

The night sky above Hull once glowed not with stars, but with fire. Between 1940 and 1945, the city endured one of the most relentless bombardments in Britain — yet for decades, its suffering went largely unspoken. While London, Coventry, and Liverpool became symbols of wartime endurance, Hull’s devastation was quietly buried beneath bricks, dust, and pride. But the scars remain — in its streets, its skyline, and in the collective memory of those who refused to be beaten. 🔥 The First Bombs Fall On the night of June 19, 1940 , the peace of a warm summer evening was shattered. German bombers, following the curve of the Humber, descended on Kingston upon Hull for the first time. Searchlights pierced the clouds, sirens screamed through the night, and the city that once thrived on shipping, fish, and trade became a front line. Hull was a vital port — a gateway for supplies, fuel, and industry. It was also dangerously exposed. Just 20 minutes’ flight from occupied Europe, it became an easy ...

The Arctic Corsair: Hull’s Proud Guardian of the Cod Wars

The Arctic Corsair: Hull’s Proud Guardian of the Cod Wars When you stand before the Arctic Corsair , moored in the heart of Hull, you’re not just looking at a ship — you’re staring at a living monument to a city that once ruled the seas. The proud trawler, with her black hull and towering mast, embodies the spirit of Hull’s fishing heritage — resilience, defiance, and a deep bond with the cold northern waters that shaped generations. The Dawn of a Legend Built in 1960 by Cook, Welton & Gemmell at Beverley, the Arctic Corsair was more than just another trawler. She was designed to be a modern marvel of her time — fast, tough, and capable of surviving the brutal conditions of the Arctic Circle. At over 200 feet long, she joined Hull’s mighty deep-sea fishing fleet during a period when the city was known as one of the fishing capitals of the world. For Hull’s fishermen, these weren’t just ships — they were lifelines. The Arctic Corsair quickly became a legend among them for her s...

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