BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.

Subject: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 03:48 AM

This week Hull was named and shamed as the most stupid place in Britain.

The Humberside city is as both the poorest and cheapest to live in.

The report graded locations using a combination of statistics including exam results, numbers of locals with degrees and performance in BBC IQ quiz Test the Nation.

In reality Hull is a sad story of unemployment, teenage preganancy, heroin addiction, crime, violence, and rampant self-neglect. The landscape is flat and boring, the seemingly endless housing estates, the architecture - which is most flatteringly described as ‘municipal’ in style - and the narrow minded, attitudes of the vast majority of the populace.

There are two fine members here from Hull, Les and Paul, but then you have the other one at the opposite end of the scale.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 04:10 AM

What worries me about such "naming and shaming" is that it makes the rest of the country feel smug and complacent. Not to emtnion that there are at least 18 different kinds of intelligence, most of which are not measured by the simplistic, food-for-the-brainless approach used by programmes like "Test the Nation" and such.

The fact remains that all the sad characteristics of Hull that you mentioned above are also to be found in ample supply in hundreds of other towns and cities. Hull may (or may not) be the biggest spot; but the whole country has the measles.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 04:11 AM

I should explain: "emtnion" is how we spell "mention" in Chesham...

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: John O'L
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 04:18 AM

There are such cities all over the world and every city has a bit of what's worst about Hull. I really don't see the point in rating such things unless it is for the purpose of improving the problems. P{resumably there is no such intention on this occasion...

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 04:52 AM

Thought that's how it was spelt in Salonika !

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 05:00 AM

be interesting to know who these idiots think are the cleverest citizens of our fair land - apart from themselves. Hull should pay no attention to what are obviously a gang of rat's arses in human form.

As I've said before on this page, I think the entrance road to Hull is one of the most beautiful of any city in England - having the estuary to your right and the view of the Humber Bridge.

The citizens of Hull have always impressed me with the civility and decency they have shown to me. Also the compassionate welcome they gave to the group of disabled people that I was travelling with as a helper was quite outstanding.

As the original home of the Watersons and the The Hull Truck Theatre Company AND Philip Larkin's preferred place of domicile (now there was a man who knew what was inherently valuable in English society) - Hull has a lot to be proud of culturally.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 05:40 AM

....but Hull has the highest concentration of Mudcatters....
Shome Mishtake shurely???

RtS
(apologies to Private Eye and jOhn from H***)

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 05:58 AM

Don't be silly Roger, 'catters don't concentrate, they much prefer the scattergun approach.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: GUEST,jOhn
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 09:42 AM

fick off guest, arsole.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 09:50 AM

I went to Hull once, it was shut, apart from that it was OK.

eric

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Les from Hull
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 11:00 AM

Eric - Hull has only been closed once, on 23rd April 1642. You must be really old! click 'ere

I don't know what that original poster's comment about two fine members and the other end of the scale, but if that was meant to be a dig at my mate jOhn then you are so very far from the mark, as the many Mudcatters who have met and correspondend with jOhn here will testify. Anyway, there's MANY more than three mudcatters in Hull.

Sure we're ignorant, stupid, ugly, pregnant, drug-addled, violent, criminals but - It's Never Dull in Hull.

Sorry about out architecture, but you should blame the Luftwaffe for that. And as for the flatness of our landscape - well perhaps some of the towns with more than their fair share of hills will kindly donate some of them to us, we'll arrange pickup.

Thanks also for the support of fellow Mudcatters who have a better idea of Hull. I've had the pleasure of showing parts of our fair City to quite a few fellow 'catters (including visitors from the States and continental Europe) and they've seemed happy enough.

So if anyone wants a better impression of Hull, come and visit. Let me know when you're coming and I'll show you the sights.

Les

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 11:27 AM

You know, I might take you up on that some day, Les.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Paul from Hull
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 02:54 PM

Well there was the other, time when 'Ull was all but shut in 1980, when Hull Kingston Rovers & Hull FC met at Wembley for the Final of the Rugby League Challenge Cup.

Today happens to be the last day of the Annual, 8-day long Hull Fair, the largest travelling funfair in Europe.

Hull used to be the largest fishing port in Europe too.

Its also said to have the largest Council Estate in Europe, but thats hardly such a proud claim (& a bit meaningless....does Continental Europe have Council Estates?)

In 2003, there was a book & a website entitled 'Crap Towns, & Hull came top of that list too.

So, it may or may not be a grot-hole, but if it is, its OUR grot hole, its built on a swamp, after all, & it doesnt matter what OTHERS think of it, as you need to be here to judge it.

...& Guest who started this, I'm pretty sure that Les would hardly be 'flattered' by the praise of an anononymous individual, & nor am I, nor, I'm sure, does j0hn feel much slighted.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 03:10 PM

My wife has a lifetime friend, who lives in Hessle, and, from our experience on the many occasions that we have visited, I would say that the conclusions highlighted by the opening post are very wide of the mark.

I have found that the people I met there have a very specific sense of fun. Could it be that they have invented their own idiosyncratic way of taking the p*ss out of the patronising jerks who produced that program?

If so, I heartily applaud. Go on folks, GIVE'EM HULL!

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 03:33 PM

I think it is disgusting of whoever decided that Hull should receive such press. Having been to Hull and many other places in UK...I just don't see how they can judge! I would certainly rather live in Hull than some of the other places I visited.
Like I was talking to this guy in Scunthorpe about what it would be like to live there as I had heard there was drug and violence problem....He said no more drug prob than anywhere else and little violence.....I asked him what he did for a living and he said.....
Tail gunner on an ice cream van.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 03:38 PM

George put it well. Lists like this do no one any favour.

The GUEST who started this thread could do with a bit of "naming and shaming"

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 03:44 PM

I thought Hull was the place in Quebec where people from Ottawa go to find cheaper strip joints.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Les from Hull
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 03:51 PM

No, we are talking about Kingston upon Hull in the UK, known to its friends and enemies alike as Hull, and to its residents as 'ull.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 03:56 PM

Oh.

What are the strip joints like there?

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 04:00 PM

And of course it's the birthplace of William Wilberforce, without whom a lot of now-free Americans would still be slaves (that's just in case our nameless gutless guest is a Yank).

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 04:08 PM

Don't forget their favourite son Deputy Prime Minister The Rt Hon John Leslie Prescott.

Although born in Prestatyn, Wales he gained a BSc in economics and economic history at the University of Hull.


He was elected the Labour Member of Parliament for Hull East in 1970.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: terrier
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 04:51 PM

I can't believe Rt Hon John Leslie Prescott is Welsh, his accent doesn't fit. I just assumed that he was an Alien being sent to Earth to wreak havoc on the Labour Party and when his mission was accomplished,his people would come and take him home again. Hopefully!!

I've been to Hull and Hessle to visit friends on several occasions and it was always open when I was there. Does Hull still have its own micro brewery? Lovely place but I did miss the hills of Wales.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: GUEST,IBO
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 08:33 PM

Leave hull alone,Newcastle is the stupidist place.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 09:48 PM

I can't believe that everyone has failed to mention that it is the flamenco capital of England. And furthermore, it is sunny. But then again, I went to Casablanca for the waters...

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: bbc
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 10:26 PM

Well, I wouldn't give credence to anything said by Guest, so it shouldn't be surprising that my experience of Hull differed from its. I had a great time visiting there & really appreciated Les, my kind host & tour guide. I'd be happy to visit again & see more of the city.

best,

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 03:48 AM

AS far as stupidity is concerned, Hull isn't even in the top twenty, my home town Halifax in West Yorkshire is a total shithole, and the town council seem determined to make it worse.

Hull eh! it's got nowt on Halifax, if the world needed an enema they'd stick the tube in Halifax.

eric

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 04:32 AM

Can we please accept and understand that this story about Hull was released in several national newspapers, it was not made up by the guest. Thank you.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 04:43 AM

Whatever, Hull does seem pretty good at picking up these type of awards. I've found the following articles from following Mudcat threads up.

Sky 2006

BBC 2005

BBC 2004

Guardian 2003

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: GUEST,Ancient Briton
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 06:10 AM

Remember the Dalesman's Littany:

From Hell
and Hull
and Halifax
Good Lord deliver me

Either town, even in its present condition, has more about it than most of the rest of the UK.

Why did Wellington raise his best regiment from the Halifax district?

Both towns are suffering as a consequence of the politics, local and national, of the last 50 years. Their people deserve better.

AB

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: ard mhacha
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 08:10 AM

After yesterdays result in the Rugby League final their representitives on the Old Trafford would qualify, St Helens 26 Hull KR 4.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: greg stephens
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 08:17 AM

I'd sooner live in Hull than Wilmslow

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 08:18 AM

Wellington chose Yorkshiremen because they are too bloody minded and awkward to let anyone best them.

eric

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Betsy
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 08:25 AM

So THAT'S why I always felt so comfortable visiting Hull ?.
Who has the time and resources to develop such ridiculous statistics.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 08:42 AM

So THAT'S why I always felt so comfortable visiting Hull ?.

I suppose it all depends on ones perspective. John has told us why it is the best place in the UK.

Subject: BS: Hull= best place in the uk.
From: jOhn from Hull
Date: 11 Aug 05 - 11:19 AM

i seen a telly programme, it says hull got more fish and chip shops than any other city in uk [about 200],and it also got about 200 kebab ships ans curry ships.
and only 5 gyms [gyms are rubbish].

and in hull we got a smoking club, a binge drinking club, and a ferret club.waht more could anybody want in a city?

and hull got loads of pubs as well.

and pound shiops and charity ships.

I do notice that while Hull is good for fish and chips, kebabs and curry, the pizza business can be somewhat dodgy:

Subject: RE: BS: Headbutting.. how ?
From: GUEST,jOhn
Date: 16 May 05 - 01:03 PM

car keys are good, i used to do pizza delivery on a night in hull, was often aproached by druggies and similar types,trying to steal pizza/money, they never got far! and usua;lly ended up with car keys dragged across their face or smacked across the head with a Maglite, only time that neither of these approaches worked was on a guy high on drugs armed with a craft knife, nothing would stop him, so i ran to my car and ran him over.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Folkiedave
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 09:40 AM

After yesterdays result in the Rugby League final their representitives on the Old Trafford would qualify, St Helens 26 Hull KR 4.

It was Hull F.C. not Hull K. R.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: ard mhacha
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 09:46 AM

Wouldn`t Hull FC wish it were so.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 01:08 PM

"this story about Hull was released in several national newspapers, it was not made up by the guest".

So it was made up by someone else to fill an empty place in a throwaway rag, and passed on by a nameless and faceless one.

Chesterton once wrote something relevant to this business of not liking the place you live in. Pimlico in this case, but it might as well have been Hull or Halifax or wherever:

It is not enough for a man to disapprove of Pimlico: in that case he will merely cut his throat or move to Chelsea. Nor, certainly, is it enough for a man to approve of Pimlico: for then it will remain Pimlico, which would be awful. The only way out of it seems to be for somebody to love Pimlico: to love it with a transcendental tie and without any earthly reason ...If men loved Pimlico as mothers love children, arbitrarily, because it is THEIRS, Pimlico in a year or two might be fairer than Florence."

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 01:19 PM

How true, Kevin. Thanks for this!

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 01:46 PM

McGrath of Harlow, we could all put our heads in the sand over this and any other issues we care not to hear.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 02:13 PM

GUEST, I believe you have misunderstood "love" for "letting things be" in Kevin's quote; no, it is "approve" that means that. Therefore, the only road left for "love" is "doing something about it". Read and comprehend before rubbishing.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 03:33 PM

'HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.'

Is your Parliament in Hull? If not, those who chose Hull for this insulting title are wrong, surely.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 03:38 PM

"Don't forget their favourite son Deputy Prime Minister The Rt Hon John Leslie Prescott."

Just goes to show, nobody can get it right ALL the time, but it does kind of prove that they will welcome outsiders, even John "thug" Prescott.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Bassic
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 04:10 PM

It doesn't help when they steal one of our Universities and give it to Lincoln! Grrrr!! Likewise, its rather hard to assess the intelligence of a city when a substantial proportion of the people who live and work there, and have done for generations, don't actually live within the city boundaries. They live within about 3 miles of it though! Lets see them assess the intelligence of the population of Hull AND the Haltemprice villages. I bet you would see the region (and we are only talking about an area that is about 10 miles across)shoot up the relevant league tables if Hull AND its natural hinterland and commuter belt were assessed as one!
p.s. Haltemprice is where the hills are ;-).
p.s.s. As for nameless guests cowardly judgemental-ism about a member from Hull that I suspect he has never met, I personally invite him to Hull to meet the aforementioned Hull Catter. If you don't like him after that Mr Guest, then I am sure our Hull Catter will happily reciprocate and give YOU an unsolicited character reference, one that I suspect would contain a great deal more wit and insightfulness than you could manage, once he knows who you are of course ;-).

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: GUEST,sportsguy1981
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 04:42 PM

Why all this tittle tattle about a valid news report ? It seems to me it took time to compile and ALL UK cities came under the spotlight. Just accept the findings and drop it.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 05:07 PM

"...a combination of statistics including exam results, numbers of locals with degrees and performance in BBC IQ quiz Test the Nation."

The methodology involved in this was more or less equivalent to sticking a pin in a map.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Peace
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 05:09 PM

The stupidest place in Canada is split between places: The Senate and the House of Commons. There are subsidiary areas like Provincial Legislatures, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Sorcha
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 10:12 PM

I quite enjoyed my time in 'Ull and my walking tour with Sir jOhn. Even 'enjoyed' the Adelphi!!! LOL! And thanks to Sir jOhn and Bassic, I didn't end up in the local hoosegow! It was a reall possiblity!

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: number 6
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 10:17 PM

Hull ... sounds like it could be the sister city for Saint John.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: GUEST,Jane, Thisisull.com
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 10:30 PM

Check out the REAL 'ull - what the scaremongering papers ignore -

www.thisisull.com

Subject: RE: BS: HULL . The most stupid place in Britain.
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 02:54 AM

Having lived for some days in Barrows upon Humber I took the chance to visit Hull and get a guided tour by a fellow Mudcatter.
It's a lovely town - where else can you read poetry while doing your business in a public lavatory?
But really marvellous are its museums, especially the one of Modern Art. And a lot of nice people I met there! Hull is not only UK but also OK.

P.S. Not to forget the whelks.