Collection Of Photographs Capturing Hull’s Rich Fishing Industry Goes On

A unique and intimate exhibition capturing the history of Hull’s fishing community has opened i the ciity.

The Hessle Roaders: Hull’s Fishing Community by Dr. Alec Gill MBE will be on display at Hull History Centre throughout June, before the two men behind the exhibition hope they can take it worldwide.

Alec Gill began photographing the Hessle Road community in 1971.

His pictures captured children playing on the streets, neighbours gossiping in the terraces and life at sea on board a trawler.

Before photographing people on Hessle Road, Alec travelled as far as Turkey and Israel taking images before he says he became “a tourist in my own city”.

Dr Gill said: “I am a psychologist, and also a psychologist with the camera. What you see with these photographs on the ‘the Hessle roaders’ is an emphasis on the people. I have always been interested in people and it is an extension of that.

Alec said the collection captures the “community spirit” of Hessle Road singling out one photograph which shows a shopkeeper advertising a community trip to Blackpool and another image which captures the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations.

The exhibition, all in black and white, is curated by photographer Paul Berriff.

Paul met Alec five years ago at one of his own exhibitions of black and white photos of rock legends taken in the 1960s.

Paul said: “He mentioned to me that he had a collection of 6,000 photographs taken of people on Hessle Road on a camera similar to the one I used to take my photographs on in the 60s, and I knew those cameras produced great images.

“I was very impressed with them. Alec isn’t a professional photographer but I think this is one of the best collections of street life photography I have ever seen. It is absolutely terrific stuff and I hope it goes well in Hull because the people of Hull deserve something like this, it shows some great memories.

“It is a great exhibition and a great legacy for the city.”

Paul and Alec both said they hope they can take the exhibition worldwide.

The exhibition is free to attend and runs throughout June.

Hull History Centre is open from 9.30am–5.30pm Tuesday to Friday, and from 9am–4pm on the first and third Saturday of every month.

Martin Green, Director of Hull 2017, said: “It is wonderful to have such an extensive collection of photography on display celebrating the rich heritage of Hull’s fishing community.

“These images offer a unique insight into what was obviously such a warm and caring community. It is something that Alec, Paul and the people of Hessle Road can be incredibly proud of.”