Aspects Of Hull  published in 1999

This was the first proper book that I was involved with, and was made up of a selection of articles by several local historians, on various aspects of Hull's history. I wrote two chapters and every one else just one. Quite a good read and I would suggest Volume Two is well overdue.

Lost Pubs Of Hull  published in 1999

I had the great pleasure of working with my late friend Graham Wilkinson on this one. Sadly Graham died in 2007, but I think this and two of his other books – FORGOTTEN HULL and FORGOTTEN HULL TWO, stand as worthy tributes to his knowledge of Hull's social history, an expert on Hull's public houses, and unrivalled knowledge of the Hessle Road and Myton area. It was a pleasure to know and work with Graham, and it is a shame that the council (who published the book through their Kingston Press department) hasn’t seen fit to reprint what is one of the most in demand books in Hull. This was the best selling book in Hull over Christmas 1999, and is very hard to get hold of now.

A Toast To The Town : A History Of Beverley's Public Houses published in 2001

The second and final book I produced with Kingston Press, which sold very well despite the dodgy title (nothing to do with me). Using pictures from my collection once again, it records the history of every known pub and brewery in Beverley, and is still available in charity shops, car-boot sales and on eBay I believe. I have also made it available in the Pubs and Breweries pages on this website, as it seems particularly hard to find second-hand. 

Kingston Upon Hull : The Second Selection first published in 2002 (reprinted in 2005)

The first book I wrote for Tempus Publishing, which sold very well and was soon reprinted. Just a good selection of old photographs of Hull from my collection really. The 'first selection' was produced by the late Ben & Mavis Chapman, hence the title of mine being 'the second selection', and their's was good too. Mine is still available in its reprinted form although Ben & Mave’s is harder to find – try the car-boot sales and eBay.

Hull Pubs & Breweries first published in 2004 (reprinted in 2006)

The second book that I wrote for Tempus Publishing, and the most successful, selling out the first run inside a year. Still one of the most regularly stolen books from the libraries in Hull apparently, and was also the best-selling book in Hull in Christmas 2004. I think its probably the most comprehensive and well illustrated books on the subject, even if I say so myself, and had many glowing reviews from even the hardest of the local history critics. Still available in the reprinted form and contains the best selection of old Hull pub pictures produced so far (mostly from my collection).

Then & Now Beverley published in 2006

This was the third book that I wrote for the Tempus group, and sold very well; it features old pictures of Beverley from my collection, matched with modern images that I took of the same scenes in 2006. Still available in all good bookshops!

The Anlaby Road published in 2007

I was hired to produce this by a local group 'The Friends of Lonsdale', to raise money for their cause, and it was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Covering the complete history of the road from Hull to Anlaby, and all of the streets that run off it, I think it stands as a good piece of research. Anyway, it won me an award from the Hull Civic Society for being "an exceptional local history". I ended up not just writing and researching the book but also designing it and laying it out to a print-ready stage - a steep learning curve, but well worth it, as the finished article sold 2,000 copies in just over six months. It still appears on e-Bay every now and then should you want one – or you could be old-fashioned and look it up in the libraries.

A companion website, containing the full book as well as photo albums for the streets, can be found here: www.anlabyroad.com

Wilberforce Women published in 2007

I was hired by the Wilberforce Women group to layout and design this fascinating book. It contains many marvellous photographs produced by women in Hull and women in Hull’s twin city of Freetown in Sierra Leone. It was a pleasure to meet the women and some of the ladies from Freetown, and was a very rewarding project. The credit for the project lies with Lee Karen Stow, a local photographer and reporter, and the sales raise funds to continue the photographic exchange between the women of the two cities – SO BUY ONE!

Go to leekarenstow.com for details

Hull Then & Now published in 2008

Once again I was hired to research, write and design this one to a print-ready stage. This time by the Carnegie Heritage Action Team, a local charity that I helped create, and still work with and support on a voluntary basis. It is another luxuriously presented book – similar to The Anlaby Road, and with it's presentation I think the benchmark has been set for the quality of local history books in this region. Produced mainly due to local sponsorship it has sold 2,000 copies in two years, raising much-needed funds for our charity, which maintains The Carnegie Heritage Centre (see www.carnegiehull.co.uk). At the centre, the public of Hull can trace their family history or study aspects of Hull’s history at thier own pace in an informal setting, and mostly free of charge. 

The Carnegie Heritage Centre : a Brief History published in 2009

This is a short history of the old Carnegie Free Library on the Anlaby Road, near West Park Gates. I compiled it for the charity of which I am a founding member: 'The Carnegie Heritage Action Team', which was formed to save the building from dereliction in 2006. Please visit our website for more details, and even get involved if it turns you on ... www.carnegiehull.co.uk.

Heritage Panels installed in 2009

In 2009 I was asked to supply artwork and historical text for a number of heritage panels that were to adorn areas of the old town in Hull that were due for redevelopment. Working in association with Hull Forward, several panels were produced in Humber Street and Wellington Street/Queen Street. The image here shows the Wellington Street corner panel being fitted, and all of the panels feature historical information about the area.

Heritage Panels 2 installed 2010

A second selection of panels for Hull Forward, that were erected to inform the public at large regarding the history of the vacant land in Blackfriargate that is awaiting redevelopment. This photograph shows one of the panels on the south side of the plot.

Nya Jee Salone : My Mother Sierra Leone published in 2010

Another publication that I designed and published on behalf of Lee Karen Stow, this illustrates the work of one of the Wilberforce Women - Francess Ngaboh-Smart. Francess is a young lady from Freetown who is making a career for herself as a photographer in circumstances so difficult that it's impossible not to admire her.  

Go to leekarenstow.com for details

Hull Then & Now 2 published in 2010

How quickly two years passes, and the 2,000 copies of Hull Then & Now are all but gone. We are grateful to everyone who has supported us by buying their copy, so thank you. The second volume of images will be available to buy w/c 7 June 2010. Hull Then & Now 2 will have more pages, more old images (over 300) and more text than volume one. The images are taken mostly from my personal collection as a trustee of the charity, and I have again been hired to write and design the book. 

In this second volume I have tried to respond to the many requests to feature other areas of Hull. In volume two you will be taken on a circular route around the city, beginning at the most requested area The Avenues. The other chapters of the book will be Prince's Avenue (including the Dukeries and Pearson Park) St John's Wood & Newland Avenue, Newland & The Cottingham Road, The Road to Stoneferry (including Cleveland Street, Wilmington and the Groves), Market Gate, Low Gate & High Gate (three old town streets in detail), and Myton (with images from North and South Myton). The introduction will feature an appreciation of a very important person in the history of our centre. Please consider buying a copy and support our charity.

See carnegiehull.co.uk for details