East Riding Town Crier and Triple World Champion Michael Wood's thoughts on Hull City of Culture 2017

WE ARE HULL by Michael Wood

A helluva hullabaloo it has so far been

UK City of Culture 2017,

The first year’s nearly over, "WOW" we’ve said a plenty

in three years time we can party like its 2020,

For now let us remember all that we’ve enjoyed

a programme that's amazed, bemused and, yes, annoyed.

The year began with joyful tears in Queen Victoria Square

a film to show us who we are – but notably who we were,

Siemens gave a salute there, to this city of three crowns

with barmy brilliant BLADE, that brought both smiles and frowns.

Amy Johnson aviator, cut from a different cloth

flew in a flying machine, called Jason, a Gypsy Moth,

a replica was produced, Paragon Station is its base,

will it stay or will it go, you’ll have to watch this space.

Queens Gardens alfresco ballet, ELO at the KCOM,

trapeze artists in graveyards displaying grace and aplomb,

The making of Hull Minster, an LGBT celebration,

so much fun to enjoy, except Hull City’s relegation.

 “Everyone back to ours”, the posters had all trilled

City of Culture Team, your motto was fulfilled,

And the gig to end all gigs, that maybe out-gigged them all

Radio 1’s Big Weekend at Burton Constable Hall,

The photo of the year that surely beat the rest…

the Queen’s royal wave to Hull dressed in her Sunday best.

Turner Prize is it genius, or is someone having a laugh?

“Whatever you think, you’re right”, said Ferens Art Gallery Staff,

Every grumpy philistine, each typical artless whinger

they would have changed their mind seeing Land of Green Ginger,

Ditto watching The Hypocrite, at the renowned Hull Truck,

a play that exemplified Hull's independent pluck.

We’ve shouted up our city of Kingston upon Hull

we've proved to a watching world its true it’s never dull,

BBC Look North and the Hull Daily Mail,

Radio Humberside too, have also without fail,

together with Hull people and especially The Volunteers

made Hull so justly proud, which deserves a loud three cheers…

Hip-Hip Hooray Hip-Hip hooray Hip-Hip Hooray.

To finish here’s some words that you won’t often hear

well done Hull City Council, you deserve an extra cheer… 

Hip-Hip Hooray