| City of Kingston upon Hull | |||
|
|
|||
|
|||
1. East Riding of Yorkshire (Unitary) 2. Kingston upon Hull (Unitary) |
|||
| Coordinates: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom | ||
| Constituent country | England | ||
| Region | Yorkshire and the Humber | ||
| Ceremonial county | East Riding of Yorkshire | ||
| Admin HQ | Kingston upon Hull | ||
| Founded | 12th century | ||
| City Status | 1897 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Type | Unitary authority, City | ||
| - Governing body | Hull City Council | ||
| - Leadership: | Leader & Cabinet | ||
| - Executive: | Liberal Democrat | ||
| - MPs: | Alan Johnson (L) Diana Johnson (L) John Prescott (L) |
||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 27.6 sq mi (71.45 km²) | ||
| Population (2005 est / Urban 2006) | |||
| - Total | 256,200 (Ranked 33rd) | ||
| - Density | 9,028.7/sq mi (3,486/km²) | ||
| - Ethnicity (2001 Census) | 97.7% White |
||
| Time zone | Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+0) | ||
| Postcode Area | HU | ||
| Area code(s) | (01482) | ||
| ISO 3166-2 | GB-KHL | ||
| ONS code | 00FA | ||
| Website: www.hull.gov.uk | |||
Kingston upon Hull (pronunciation ), most frequently referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England.Kingston upon Hull. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica (2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-29. It is located on the north bank of the Humber estuary, near the Yorkshire coast 25 miles (40 km) from the North Sea, on both sides of the River Hull at its junction with the Humber.
During the 700 years of its existence, the town and city of Hull has served as market town,Brief history of Hedon. Hedon Town Council: Working for You. Hedon Town Council (2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-22. military supply port and staging area,History of Hull. Hull City Council. Hull City Council (2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-22. trading hub, fishing and whaling centre, and industrial metropolis. Hull was an early theatre of battle in the English Civil Wars, and was the backdrop to events leading to the abolition of the slave trade in Britain.Slavery: unfinished business. Wilberforce 2007: Hull. Wilberforce 2007: Hull (2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-23. After suffering heavy damage during the Second World War, Hull weathered a period of post-industrial decline; however, the city has recently embarked on a programme of regeneration and renewal.City Centre. Hull Citybuild. Hull Citybuild (2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-23.
Contents |
History
Kingston upon Hull is situated on the north bank of the Humber Estuary at the mouth of its tributary, the River Hull. Although the situation was attractive because of its ability to give access to a prosperous hinterland and navigable rivers, the site itself was less so. It was remote and low lying with a virtual absence of fresh water. Recent archaeological surveys in the wetland environment of the Hull valley have discovered that the area has been inhabited since the early Neolithic period. Despite the existence of a large number of small sites and many finds dated to the Roman period, little evidence exists for a substantial settlement in the area where the town of Kingston upon Hull was founded.Wetland Heritage of the Hull Valley. Wetland Archaeology and Environments Research Centre, Dept. of Geography, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull HU6 7RX (2006-02-16). Retrieved on 2008-02-16.
Originally an outlying part of the nearby hamlet of Myton, the site was chosen in the late 12th century by the monks of Meaux Abbey to develop as a new town named Wyke upon Hull. The River Hull provided a good haven for shipping whose main trade was in the export of wool from the abbey and other local landlords. The town was acquired from the abbey by King Edward I in 1293. The king granted a royal charter, dated April 1, 1299, that renamed the settlement King's town upon Hull, or Kingston upon Hull. The charter remains preserved in the archives of the city's Guildhall.Shop in Hull: History. Shop in Hull. Shop in Hull (2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-22. In 1440, a new charter incorporated the town and instituted local government consisting of a mayor, a sheriff, and twelve aldermen. The charter specified that the aldermen also be justices of the peace for the town and its county.
Initially the port served as a base for King Edward's Scottish campaigns but later developed into the foremost port on the east coast of England. It prospered by the export of wool and woollen cloth and the import of wine and also established a flourishing commerce with the Baltic ports as part of the Hanseatic League.The city of Kingston upon Hull'. A History of the County of York East Riding: Volume 1: The City of Kingston upon Hull (1969). Retrieved on 2008-02-16.
Sir William de la Pole was the town's first mayor.Point 4: River Hull Walkway. BBC Humber. British Broadcasting Corporation (2005-10-05). Retrieved on 2007-09-22. A prosperous merchant, de la Pole founded a family prominent in government. Another successful son of a trading family was bishop John Alcock, who founded Cambridge University's Jesus College and was a patron of the grammar school in Hull. The increase in trade might have had an unfortunate consequence, however: the town's maritime connections are theorised to have played a part in the introduction of a virulent strain of syphilis into Europe from the New World. Keys, David (2000-07-24). English syphilis epidemic pre-dated European outbreaks by 150 years. Independent News and Media Limited. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
The town prospered during the 16th and early 17th centuries. The memory of Hull's affluence at this time is preserved in the form of several well-maintained buildings from the period, including Wilberforce House, now a museum documenting the life of William Wilberforce.
In the Civil War the strategically important port was prized by both sides.Very early in the war, on 11 January 1642, the king named the Earl of Newcastle as governor of Hull and ordered Capt. Legge to assist him, while Parliament nominated Sir John Hotham and asked his son, Capt. John Hotham, to secure the town at once. Sir John Hotham and Hull corporation declared support for Parliament and denied Charles I entry into the town; this action deprived the king of the weapons in Hull's sizeable arsenal. Named a traitor, Hotham was eventually executed, in spite of a pardon issued by Parliament. Ironically, Parliament carried out the execution when Hotham attempted to switch his loyalty. Charles I responded to these events by besieging the town. This siege helped precipitate open conflict between the forces of Parliament and those of the Royalists.
Whaling played a major role in the town's fortunes until the mid-19th century. Hull's prosperity peaked in the decades just before the First World War; it was during this time that city status was granted in 1897. After the decline of the whaling industry, emphasis shifted to deep sea fishing until the Anglo-Icelandic Cod War of 1975–1976. The conditions set at the war's end initiated Hull's economic decline. However, the city's role as a major port remains, with mainly bulk commodities shipped and commercial road traffic transported by RORO ferry to and from the Dutch ports of Rotterdam and Zeebrugge to Europe. Hull also retains importance as a centre of food-processing for the United Kingdom.
The city's port and industrial facilities, coupled with its proximity to Europe, led to extremely widespread damage by bombing raids during the Second World War; much of the city centre was completely destroyed. Research indicates that Hull was the most severely-bombed city or town apart from London during World War II, with 95% of houses being damaged or destroyed. Listed status for bombed cinema. BBC News (2007-02-02). Retrieved on 2007-02-02. Of a population of approximately 320,000 at the beginning of World War II, approximately 192,000 were made homeless as a result of bomb destruction or damage. The worst of the bombing occurred during 1941. Little was known about this destruction by the rest of the country at the time since most of the radio and newspaper reports did not reveal Hull by name but referred to it as a "North-East" town or "northern coastal town". Geraghty, T. (1989). A North East Coast Town. Mr Pye Books, p.7. Most of the centre was rebuilt in the years following the war, but it is only recently that the last of the "temporary" car parks that occupied the spaces of destroyed buildings have been redeveloped.
Governance
The city returns three Members of Parliament to the House of Commons and at the last general election elected three labour MPs: Alan Johnson, Diana Johnson and John Prescott who was the Deputy Prime Minister until his resignation on 27 June 2007. John Prescott To Quit As Deputy PM. Sky News (10 May 2007). Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
Hull's administrative status has changed several times. It was a county borough within the East Riding of Yorkshire from 1889 until abolition under the Local Government Act 1972, on 1 April 1974 when it became a non-metropolitan district of Humberside. When that county was abolished on 1 April 1996 Hull was made a unitary authority.
The governing body of the city is now Hull City Council, headquartered in the Guildhall in the city centre. Contact us. Hull City Council. Hull City Council. Retrieved on 2007-09-16. The council has several subcomponents with differing responsibilities:
- Cabinet: The Cabinet makes most day-to-day decisions. It consists of the council leader, council deputy leader, and eight other councillors (called Portfolio Holders), all elected by the full council.
Decision-making structure. Hull City Council. Hull City Council. Retrieved on 2007-09-16.
- Cabinet Committees: The Cabinet appoints councillors to Cabinet Committees to handle specific responsibilities, such as granting of contracts above a certain monetary value.
- Task Groups: The Cabinet can form temporary units called Task Groups, usually to deal with specific issues. These can contain members from outside the council, such as persons expert in the issue or members of the public.
- Area Committees: These committees are responsible for different geographic areas of the city. They advise the Council and perform certain duties assigned. The Area Committees hold public area forums, in which citizens can participate directly.
- Regulatory Committees: Required by law or by the nature of the function for which they are responsible. These functions include planning, licensing, standards, school government, and civic affairs.
- Overview and Scrutiny Committees: Designed to allow citizens greater say in council oversight, these committees hold public hearings into issues of local concern.
The council was designated as the UK's worst performing authority in both 2004 and 2005, but in 2006 was rated as a two star 'improving adequate' council and in 2007 it retained its two stars with an 'improving well' status in its latest corporate performance assessment. Council is worst in the country. BBC News Online (2004-12-16). Retrieved on 2006-11-09. Audit Commission Comprehensive Performance Assessment - Two stars for Hull. Hull City Council. Hull City Council (2007-02-22). Retrieved on 2007-10-01. CPA 2007 - Hull on the move again, as Council now judged to be "improving well". Hull City Council. Hull City Council (2008-02-07). Retrieved on 2008-02-08. "Two Stars For City Council". This is Hull & East Riding (7 February 2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-07. The Liberal Democrats won overall control of the City Council in the 2007 local elections, ending several years where no single party had a majority. Lib Dems take Hull with big swing. BBC News Online (2007-05-04). Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
Geography
At (53.741, -0.333), 154 miles (248 km) north of London, Kingston upon Hull is near the east coast of the United Kingdom, on the northern bank of the Humber estuary, with the city centre being close to the Humber. The city is surrounded by the rural East Riding of Yorkshire, isolating it from the rest of the United Kingdom. The boundaries of the city are tightly drawn and exclude many of the metropolitan area's nearby villages, of which Cottingham is the largest. Hull Bed and Breakfast: Local Information. BedandBreakfasts.co.uk (2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-30.
Much of Hull lies on reclaimed land at or below sea level. The Hull Tidal Surge Barrier is at the point where the River Hull joins the Humber Estuary and is lowered at times when unusually high tides are expected. It is used between 8 and 12 times per year and protects approximately 10,000 people from flooding. Hull Tidal Surge Barrier - Facts and Figures. Environment Agency website. Retrieved on 2006-11-09. Due to its low level, Hull is expected to be at increasing levels of risk from flooding due to global warming. Yorkshire's grim future: Fires, floods and drought. Yorkshire Post Today (10 December 2005). Retrieved on 2008-02-08. Hull was hit particularly hard by the June 2007 United Kingdom floods, with the local topography resulting in standing water over a wide area affecting 20% of the city's housing and damaging 90 out of its 105 schools. The plight of the city at that time was largely overlooked by the media, which focussed upon the more dramatic, localised, flooding in Sheffield and Doncaster, leading council leader Carl Minns to declare Hull the "forgotten city" of the floods. Flood-hit Hull a 'forgotten city'. BBC News (2007-07-04). Retrieved on 2007-09-19. Damage to schools alone was estimated at £100 million. Hull pleads for aid after floods leave one in five homes damaged. Guardian News and Media Limited (2007-07-05). Retrieved on 2007-09-19.
At around 01:00 GMT on February 27 2008, Hull was 30 miles (48 km) north of the epicentre of an earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter Scale and lasting for nearly 10 seconds. This is an unusually large earthquake for this part of the world. Earthquake felt across much of UK. BBC News Online. BBC (27 February 2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-27.
Climate
| Climate chart for Kingston upon Hull | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
51
7
2
|
38
7
2
|
46
10
3
|
42
11
5
|
44
15
7
|
50
18
10
|
38
20
12
|
49
20
12
|
52
18
10
|
47
14
7
|
57
10
4
|
52
8
2
|
| temperatures in °C • precipitation totals in mm source: Met Office | |||||||||||
|
Imperial conversion
| |||||||||||
Located in Northern England, Hull has a temperate maritime climate which is dominated by the passage of mid-latitude depressions. The weather is very changeable from day to day and the warming influence of the Gulf Stream makes the region mild for its latitude. The average total annual rainfall is 565 millimetres (22 in) with rain falling on 109 days of the year. January is usually the coldest month and November the wettest.The warmest month is August and the driest is February.UK climate and weather statistics. Met Office. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.
Demography
According to the 2001 UK census, Hull had a population of 243,589, a decline of 7.5% since the 1991 UK census. City of Kingston upon Hull profile of 2001 census. Office for National Statistics (2003). Retrieved on 2007-11-04. The population figure has subsequently been re-estimated to 249,100 as of July 2005. Quinary age groups and sex for local authorities in the United Kingdom; estimated resident population; Mid-2005 Population Estimates. National Statistics Online. Retrieved on 2006-11-09. In 2001 approximately 53,000 were aged under 16, 174,000 were aged 16–74, and 17,000 aged 75 and over. The 2001 census shows that the population is 97.7% white and that 97% were born in the United Kingdom. The city is 71.7% Christian with 18% of the population indicating they were of no religion while 8.4% did not specify a religious affiliation.
| Population since 1801 - Source: A Vision of Britain through Time | |||||||||||||
| Year | 1801 | 1851 | 1901 | 1911 | 1921 | 1931 | 1941 | 1951 | 1961 | 1971 | 1981 | 1991 | 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population HullKingston upon Hull UA/City: Total Population. A Vision of Britain Through Time. Great Britain Historical GIS Project. Retrieved on 2007-12-20. | 21,280 | 57,342 | 199,134 | 236,772 | 281,525 | 295,017 | 309,158 | 302,074 | 295,172 | 289,716 | 284,365 | 266,751 | 266,180 |
Economy
Hull is a very busy port, with 16% of the UK's seaborne trade passing through. Hull - Investment Opportunities. Hull.co.uk (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-21. Several well-known British industrial firms, including BP, Smith & Nephew, Seven Seas, and Reckitt Benckiser, have facilities in Hull. Hull Developing Our Economy. Hull.co.uk (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-21.
There are three large shopping centres in Hull city centre - the Prospect Centre, Prince's Quay and St. Stephen's, the last of which opened on 20 September 2007 and is home to several large stores including Zara, H&M, Next, Jane Norman, and Topshop. Shops prepare for St Stephen's opening. Yorkshire Forward (2007-09-19). Retrieved on 2008-02-08. Princes Quay, built on stilts in the former Prince's Dock, is also due for redevelopment in the near future. Restaurant Opportunities - Princes Quay/Quay West. Hull Citybuild (2007). Retrieved on 2008-02-08. The Quay West development, due for completion in 2010, will see Prince's Quay extended with another 60 shops and two new department stores (John Lewis and Debenhams are tipped to lease these) and other leisure facilities. The centre includes a new Vue cinema which opened on 21 December 2007 and is the first fully digital cinema in Europe.Vue to open first all digital cinema in Hull. Vue Corporate. Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
The indoor Trinity Market which is due for renovation features around fifty stalls and is situated next to the city's Holy Trinity Church and the historic Hepworth's Arcade. Shops in Hull took £484m ($991m) between April 2006 and 2007, a rise of £13m over the previous 12 month period. "". This is Hull & East Riding. Retrieved on 2007-09-21.[dead link]
Below is a table of trends of regional gross value added for Hull at current basic prices. Regional Gross Value Added (PDF) 240-253. Office for National Statistics (2005-12-21). Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
| Year | Regional Gross Value Added (millions of GB₤)[a] | Agriculture[b] | Industry[c] | Services[d] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 2,748 | 5 | 1,014 | 1,729 |
| 2000 | 3,231 | 3 | 1,205 | 2,023 |
| 2003 | 3,711 | 6 | 1,406 | 2,299 |
- a Components may not sum to totals due to rounding
- b includes hunting and forestry
- c includes energy and construction
- d includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured
Education
Universities
Kingston upon Hull is home to the University of Hull, founded in 1927 and received its Royal Charter in 1954, which has a student population of 16,000. Facts and Figures. University of Hull webpage. Retrieved on 2006-11-09. Associated with the university is the Hull York Medical School (HYMS), which took its first intake of students in 2003 as a part of the British government's attempts to train more doctors. About HYMS. The Hull York Medical School. Retrieved on 2007-10-05.
The University of Lincoln grew out of the University of Humberside, a former polytechnic which was based in Hull. Through the 1990s the focus of the institution moved to nearby Lincoln, where the administrative headquarters and management moved to in 2001. The University in Lincoln: History of the University. The University of Lincoln (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-07. The University of Lincoln retains a small campus in Hull city centre. University of Lincoln Campuses. The University of Lincoln (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
Schools
Hull has over 100 local schools; of these, Hull City Council lists 14 secondary schools and 71 primary schools. Hull City Council: Education and Learning: Schools. Hull City Council (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-07. Schools independent of the city council include Hymers College Welcome to Hymers College: Hull's Premier School. Hymers College (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-07. and Hull Collegiate School, the latter formed by the joining of Hull Grammar School and Hull High School. Hull Collegiate School: Home. Hull Collegiate School (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-07. There is a large further education college, Hull College, Welcome to the Hull College Website. Hull College (2006). Retrieved on 2007-10-07. and two large sixth form colleges, Wyke College Wyke Sixth Form College: About Us. Wyke Sixth Form College (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-07. and Wilberforce College. Wilberforce Sixth Form College. Wilberforce Sixth Form College (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-07. Hull Trinity House School has been offering pre-sea training to prospective mariners since 1787. Hull Trinity House School: History. Hull Trinity House School (2005). Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
Hull has had low examination success rates for many years and was often found near the bottom of government league tables. Education - A measure of success. BBC News (1998-12-01). Retrieved on 2007-10-24. City's poor school results bring renewed pressure for change. Yorkshire Post. Johnston Press Digital Publishing (2006-03-01). Retrieved on 2007-11-04. In the 2007 league tables the city moved off the bottom of the league tables of pupils who achieve five A* to C grades, including English and Maths, at GCSE by just one place, coming 149th out of 150 local education authorities. However, this represents an increase from 25.9 per cent in 2006 to 30 per cent in summer 2007 – an improvement of 4.1 per cent – which is amongst the best in the country. Results are 'step in right direction' for Hull. Yorkshire Post. Johnston Press Digital Publishing (10 January 2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-23.
In 2003, the city established a Youth Enterprise Partnership to help support enterprising young people. Teams from Hull formed under this partnership (K H Smilers, Avian Enterprise, Tops Off, and Force-7) have reached the National Finals of Young Enterprise, with two teams winning and continuing to the European Finals. The partnership also facilitates events with high-profile speakers during National Enterprise Week, and has established a drop-in facility at the BeSPoKe Centre in Bransholme for young people to learn more about setting up in business. The city has also established the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank to give financial support to qualified individuals. The John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Centre. Retrieved on 2007-09-14.
Religion
Hull is in the Diocese of York and has a Suffragan Bishop. In 2001, the city had the lowest church attendance in the United Kingdom. Martin, Wroe (November/December 2001). Empty pews full agendas. Sojourners Magazine. Retrieved on 2006-11-09.
Unlike many other ancient English cities, Hull has no cathedral. It does, however, contain Holy Trinity Church, which is the largest parish church in England when floor area is the measurement for comparison. The church dates back to about 1300 About Holy Trinity. Holy Trinity website. Retrieved on 2007-11-28. and contains what is widely acknowledged to be some of the finest mediæval brick-work in the country, particularly in the transepts.
There are several seamen's missions and churches based in Hull. The Mission to Seafarers has a centre at West King George Dock. Ports Worldwide: Hull. The Mission to Seafarers. The Mission to Seafarers (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-28. The St Nikolaj Danish Seamen's Church is located at 104 Osborne Street, Hull and has services (in Danish) every Sunday. Local Congregations: Danish Services. Lutheran Council of Great Britain. Lutheran Council of Great Britain (2006). Retrieved on 2007-10-28.
Transport and infrastructure
The main route into and out of Hull by road is the M62 motorway, which is one of the main east–west routes in northern England. It provides a link to the cities of Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds as well as the rest of the country via the UK motorway network. The motorway itself ends some distance from the city; the rest of the way is along the dual carriageway A63. The east–west route forms a small part of the European road route E20.
Hull is close to the Humber Bridge, which provides road links to destinations south of the Humber. The bridge was constructed between 1972 and 1981 and at the time was the longest single-span suspension bridge in the world. It is now fourth in the list. Longest bridges - Suspension Bridges. Pub Quiz Help. Retrieved on 2006-11-09. Note: lists some incomplete bridges. Prior to construction of the bridge those wishing to cross the Humber could either take a ferry or travel inland as far as Goole.
Public transport within the city is provided by two main bus operators: Stagecoach in Hull and East Yorkshire Motor Services. A smaller operator, Alpha Bus and Coach, provides one of the two Park and Ride services in the city, whilst East Yorkshire Motor Services provide the other. Generally, routes within the city are operated by Stagecoach and those which leave the city are operated by EYMS.
Hull Paragon Interchange, opened on 16 September 2007, BBC News (2007-09-16). "City's new interchange is open". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-09-19. is the city’s new transport hub combining the main bus and rail termini in an integrated complex. It is expected to see 24,000 people passing through the complex each day. St Stephen's Hull (2007). St. Stephen's reveals Hull's new high street. Retrieved on 2008-02-08. From the railway terminus, services are provided to the rest of the UK, including direct services to London, provided by Hull Trains.
P&O Ferries provide daily overnight ferry services from King George Dock in Hull to Zeebrugge and Rotterdam. Services to Rotterdam are worked by ferries Pride of Rotterdam and Pride of Hull, the largest ferries operating in the United Kingdom.
The nearest airport is Humberside Airport which is 20 miles (32 km) away in Lincolnshire, this mostly provides charter flights and also has four KLM scheduled flights to Amsterdam and Aberdeen each day. Robin Hood Airport in South Yorkshire is 48 miles (77 km) from the city centre and provides low cost flights to many European destinations.
Hull has the most 20 miles per hour zones and speed bumps in the UK, in an attempt to increase safety in its residential areas. UK Commission for Integrated Transport (2007). Balanced Use of Road Space. Study of European best practice in the delivery of integrated transport: report on stage 3 - transferability. Crown. Retrieved on 2007-10-31. Every 20–mph speed limit sign in the city displays artwork created by school children. Frauenfelder, Mark (2004-06-24). Gallery of "Slow Down" signs painted by kids. Boing Boing: A Directory of Wonderful Things. Happy Mutants LLC. Retrieved on 2007-10-31. Mason, Simon (2007-07-27). 20 mph Picture Gallery. 53°44'N 0°26'W. Mason, Simon. Retrieved on 2007-10-31.
Road transport in Hull suffers from delays caused both by the many bridges over the navigable River Hull which bisects the city and can cause disruption at busy times, and from the remaining three level crossings in the city. The level crossing problem was greatly relieved during the 1960s with the closure of the Hornsea and Withernsea branch lines, the transfer of all freight to the high level line that circles the city, and by the construction of two major road bridges on Hessle Road [1962] and Anlaby Road [1964].
Public services
Telephone system
Hull is the only city in the UK with its own independent telephone network company, Kingston Communications. Its distinctive cream telephone boxes can be seen across the city. The company was formed in 1902 as a municipal department by the City Council and is a fine example of municipal enterprise. It remains the only locally operated telephone company in the UK, although it is now privatised. A History in Words, Kingston Communications - The Hull telephone people.. Kingston Communications. Retrieved on 2007-10-05. Initially Hull City Council retained a 44.9 per cent interest in the company and used the proceeds from the sale of shares to fund the city's sports venue, the KC Stadium, amongst other things.Full Circle. Hull in print. Kingston upon Hull City Council (2003). Retrieved on 2007-12-05. On 24 May 2007 they sold their remaining stake in the company for over £107 million. Council Completes KC Shares Sale. This is Hull & East Riding. Retrieved on 2007-05-24.
Kingston Communications were one of the first telecoms operators in Europe to offer ADSL to business users, and the first in the world to run an interactive television service using ADSL, known as Kingston Interactive TV (Or KiT).Pace signs new contract with Kingston Communications. KCOM Group (2003-09-13). Retrieved on 2007-12-13. In recent years, Kingston Communications has expanded and diversified its service portfolio to become a nationwide provider of telephone, television, and Internet access services, with close to 180,000 customers projected for 2007.Kingston Communications on target to expand its broadband base. Broadband News. Top 10 Broadband (2007-04-02). Retrieved on 2008-01-13.
Policing
Policing in Kingston upon Hull is undertaken by Humberside Police. In October 2006 the force was named (jointly with Northamptonshire Police) as the worst performing police force in the United Kingdom, based on data released from the Home Office. Humberside 'worst police force'. BBC News Online. The British Broadcasting Corporation (2006-10-24). Retrieved on 2006-11-09. However, after a year of "major improvements", the Home Office list released in October 2007 shows the force rising several places (although still among the bottom six of 43 forces rated). Humberside Police received ratings of "good" or "fair" in most categories. Police force sheds 'worst' label. BBC News Online. The British Broadcasting Corporation (2007-10-09). Retrieved on 2007-10-09.
HM Prison Hull is located in the city and is operated by HM Prison Service. It caters for up to 1,000 adult male prisoners. HM Prison Service: Hull. Ministry of Justice (2004). Retrieved on 2007-10-08.
Culture
| This s |
