Dull and uninspiring

Hull folk of a certain age will know this as the Spencer Arms on Spencer Street. It had a  reputation as being not salubrious shall we say. After failing and reopening several times it ended up as Circus-Circus. The B.O.G.O.F (buy one get one free) notices on the door attest to a desperation to attract customers, effectively they pay you to enter! It did no good because whatever it was called and whatever offers made now it's shut permanently and even the plumbing has been taken out. 

The site was planned to be redeveloped as offices but in a move that was not lacking in irony the Planning Committee turned the plans down because they were too dull and uninspiring. Silly developers clearly didn't know that 'dull and uninspiring' can become 'exciting and futuristic' by the payment of a fee to the right person. (You didn't hear that from me).

Big Black Box

 

I showed you this hotel while it was being built and it was still covered in scaffolding (here). Well here it is all opened up and ready for business. As for appearances whatever fee they paid the architect was too much; it's location however, at the junction of four main roads, makes good business sense.

The Hour of the Flower

Hull's very own floral clock stands at the junction of four busy roads and must be seen and ignored by thousands as they make their way into and out of Hull. This year's display is looking a bit tatty in the centre and it's certainly not as complex as previous years. Possibly the result of,  dare I say, pruning of budgets.

David Whitfield

No, I don't suppose you've heard of him either. David Whitfield was a tenor singer in the 50's apparently very popular. Anyhow he was born in Hull and so here is his statue unveiled a few days ago. The £50,000 cost was paid for by donations from members of the David Whitfield Appreciation Society so he must still have some following.

His biggest hit Cara Mia was number 1 in 1954 (before my time) and if you're interested it's on YouTube here; it comes complete with Mantovani and his orchestra and chorus. Different times, different tastes.

From the train

Harpham is a little village about half way between Driffield and Bridlington. The train goes whizzing past so this is about as much as you can see. Harpham's claim to fame is that St John of Beverley was born there in the 7th century, they've been dining out on that ever since.

Chrome plated

Passed by a flash black Jaguar and took a pic of the silver cat on the bonnet. Then I saw the chrome was flaking and pitted. Looks like a cheap piece of tat.

I came across a wedding

All lined up in a wedding group

 'Ere we are for a photograph 

We're all dressed up in a morning suit 

All trying hard not to laugh ...

I took this a while ago and never had a chance to use it until  the monthly theme for  City Daily Photo landed on 'people watching'. The bride looks a picture if a tad worried and the groom ... well, where is the groom? Maybe's he's done a runner.

You can find other 'people watchings ' here. If you use Facebook then you can find links on the group page here.