God's Own County

Kingston upon Hull the 4th largest Yorkshire city is better known as Hull. As we move into a post pandemic era I would like to think Yorkshire folk will help support our less fortunate communities and that would certainly include Hull.

Issues for Hull

• Hull is commercially and socially poor with higher than acceptable unemployment.
• Since the damage caused during the blitz Hull has experienced intermittent decline over several decades. This has led to systemic deprivation, low educational attainment and high levels of crime in comparison to other cities.
• Transport links do not match the aspirations of a a thriving port and a city once the UK’s capital of culture (2017).
• Hull feels though it punches below its weight (despite John Prescott). It should move from the lightweight to the super heavyweight division

Positives for Hull

• As a port on the humber estuary Hull has strong links with Europe and fishing industries. An idea place for a Freeport?
• The location augers well for development of ‘green industry’ to augment existing employers and technology work.
• William Wilberforce was a leader in the abolition of the slave trade. A first BLM advocate.
• The Museums Quarter and civic art galleries show that culture can be found in and around Hull There is nightlife and excellent football and rugby teams. The cities facilities should help it be a more attractive holiday and trip location.

Give Hull your support as a visitor or tourist,  we will be there again soon

Old Light Ship on the River Hull

The Northern Horticultural Society based in Harrogate was in a bit of state in 2001 when it was subsumed by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). The grounds at Harlow Carr could have benefited from more investment but what garden couldn’t? Still the RHS had the muscle to boss the ‘merger’ and take the lead in changing Harlow Carr.

I volunteered for a few years but progressively became less impressed with the political nature of the RHS. To a volunteer it appeared to be run very much as a business but with some of the waste and excesses of poor organisation. On my Gardeners Tips website during 2017 I posted the following comments:

‘Negatives or ‘What The RHS is not Good For’

• As a charity benefiting from the tax breaks and ‘public’ support is it fulfilling all the requirements to enjoy this support.
• The society has £96 million held in cash and investments which is well in excess of the annual income of £73m. Even bearing in mind the new garden in Salford this seems excessively conservative.
• On one level the RHS is a glee club for the county and wanabee set. Evidenced by all the luvvies at Chelsea where social climbers out number horticultural climbers and scramblers.
• There is an appearance of commercial and personal vested interests & cliquishness.
• The Chatsworth flower show could be renamed a clothes show with flowers.
• My experience as a volunteer at the RHS was frustrating due to the corporate ethos and management of the time (2005-2009).’

Humble Pie New Thoughts

• Compared to other charities and public organisations RHS have avoided negative publicity. They have not fallen into ‘woke’ and culture issues that detract from the core purpose unlike the National Trust, Oxfam or Education establishments.
• The Harlow Carr grounds continue to improve every year and are a gem in the Yorkshire gardening tradition.
• In 20 years much has been achieved with buildings and extensions to the facilities. If that was at a cost to old traditionalists then so be it, we await the next decade with more anticipation.
• During the 2020 Covid crisis members have had as many opportunities as could have safely been made available.