FLYING ADVENTURE

HAUL YOURSELF TO HULL FOR A WEEKEND BREAK

It may have been a while since we Channel hopped, but Martin Ferid takes himself to ’ull – birthplace of Amy Johnson…

Generally speaking, those of us that enjoy a bit of Channel hopping tend to stretch the end of the touring season from around the end of this month well into the next. It's hard to think that a whole year has come and gone without a spaghetti alla carbonara, a paella or a bouillabaisse in their countries of origin. In fact, to be honest, a simple steak frites would have done.

I concluded that rather than capitulate to umpteen negative feelings, as aviation is made more complex, difficult and expensive, I should attenuate things with a more relaxed approach. I've failed, of course, in fact quite abysmally, and get ever more frustrated with each bureaucratic attempt in the irrefragable ‘death by a thousand cuts’. Much as I haven’t quite reached the stage Above Hull Beverley is a pleasant grass airfield but a taxi ride from town. Photo:

FLYER

where I believe in sightings of Elvis and conspiracy theories, I can see how others well might.

Joining the PCS

One way of getting the most out of this world we indulge in is not to wait for aleatory inputs, but by attempting something new or challenging. Although I’ve been teaching independently for a long while now, after a chat with National Coach Chris Thompson, I'm about to join the LAA team of coaches. Having read some of their bios, as far as aviation goes, I will certainly be in some prestigious company and can only hope that I can hold my end up and do the rest of them justice.

My passion has always been Continental touring, so I’m all for less hangar-time and more air under those wings. Hand in hand with that, I'm hoping for greater uptake of the

Wings Award Scheme and seeing more of you on our fly-outs next year. If you have yet to make your first Channel crossing, it may be just the boost that’s needed. By way of an incentive, I plan to automatically award LAA members their Wings Award as part of the biennial for all that meet the criteria.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk/Wings/index.html.

For those with, let’s say, a censorious disposition, sitting in a favourite armchair, feet up, lamenting the ‘good old days’, there are still alternative options to the pipe and slippers. There is an unsurpassed wealth of flying and engineering experience among the readership that really shouldn’t go to waste.

Velleity alone will not produce results, so if you’re a bit handy with the spanners, consider getting involved with the LAA courses which, as you will see elsewhere in this issue, Brian is hoping to breathe some expansive air into. Others who have flown far and wide could find an instructor’s course not only sharpens up the flying but provides a perfect platform to pass on those skills.

My next personal challenge is to get more comfortable with test-flying and I have already spoken to Dan Griffith, about the previous LAA courses. I’m not sure if test pilots come as a special breed, with inbuilt celerity and natural ability, or whether their nerves are just extracted sometime post PPL. All I can say is that when everything is flashing red, overheating or sounding wrong, I’d like an easier way of handling it. This was the case the last time I was at this month’s destination, Beverley, test-flying a Bristell NG5.

Heading to Hull

We hear about the North/South divide, but heading north the things I tend to notice are that prices get cheaper and the people more friendly. In Yorkshire itself, in fact, anywhere you meet a Yorkshire man/woman, they are proud to tell you where they’re from, ‘born ‘n bred’ in fact.

Although Hull is part of the East Riding of Yorkshire, it has always had an independent streak and operates its own council. Originally called Wyke-upon-Hull, it sits on both banks of the River Hull, that flows into the Humber. Pronounced ’ull by the locals, its full title is KingstonUpon-Hull, after Edward I expropriated it from the monks of Meaux Abbey in 1293 and renamed the medieval wool port. Following the exportation of wool, it was fishing, whaling and shipbuilding that became the mainstays of the area’s economy. The fishing industry flourished after a charter signed by King Henry II in the 12th century, and shipbuilding became a major industry during the 1600s. Captain Blythe’s HMS Bounty, made famous by the mutiny, was built in its docks and, following a visit some 300 years ago by Daniel Defoe, he was so inspired by the frenetic activity that his fictional Robinson Crusoe departs on his adventures from the port. You’ll also find some well-known household items that were developed in Hull, including Lemsip, Gaviscon, Bonjela, LCD screens and, back in the 19th century, boiled sweets. Being Yorkshire, it would be incomplete without a maker of Yorkshire puddings and Aunt Bessie’s factory is based in the town, employing a staff of 350. During WWII, Hull took a battering, with up to 90% of its buildings and much of its historic architecture destroyed, making it the most bombed city after London. If you know where to look, bullet holes can still be seen on some of those buildings that were left standing.

Walking around, you’ll notice that its telephone boxes are painted creamy white and are devoid of the usual crown. The colour choice was down to the Hull Corporation Right One of the most famous woman pilots of all time, Amy Johnson, who was born in Hull.

Below William Wilberforce MP, born in Hull and the instigator of the movement to abolish the slave trade.

Phone Department’s independent streak, and the lack of the crown pays tribute to the events of 1642 when Charles I was refused entry to the city. That little episode led to the start of the English Civil War (22 August 1642 – 3 September 1651).

The world-famous Humber Bridge was a feat of engineering in its day and set the record for the world’s longest suspension bridge at 2,220 metres when it opened in 1981. In more recent years, as Hull’s fortunes have improved, in 2017 it was voted UK’s City of Culture, which was quite an accolade for what was at one time, quite a rundown city.

Famous sons and daughters

Two well-known and truly remarkable Hullensians, as they are known, were: William Wilberforce MP (24 August 1759 – 29 July1833), the drive behind the movement in abolishing the slave trade. His mission began in April 1791, when he made a four-hour address before Parliament for its suppression, although it took until 1807 for the objective to be achieved. The second is aviatrix extraordinaire, Amy Johnson CBE (1 July 1903 – 5 January 1941) who gained her PPL in July 1929 (No.1979) and her Ground Engineer licence the following year. Her notoriety began on 5 May 1930 with a solo flight in Gipsy Moth G-AAAH from Croydon Airport, culminating in Darwin, Australia. The aircraft, which she named Jason, is a permanent resident at London’s Science Museum.

Now, many of us may like to tour, but none of us is in the

Right Hull Minster dates from the 14th century and miraculously survived the extensive bombing of the city in WWII. same league as this woman! In July 1931, she made a day trip in Puss Moth G-AAZV, which she called Jason II, with co-pilot Jack Humphreys. Whereas we may manage a ‘Le Touquet lunch’, Amy’s was the 1,760 miles from London to Moscow in 21 hours. And, we are talking no Information Services, no weather forecasting, no radio, no GPS and no help if things went wrong. She also made flights to Japan, South Africa and the USA before the start of the war. In 1940 she naturally joined the ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary), ferrying aircraft for the RAF. On 4 January 1941, leaving Prestwick on a ferry flight to RAF Kidlington in an Airspeed Oxford, she spent the night in Blackpool with her sister Molly. The following morning, against advice, she departed Blackpool in poor weather and, since then, there has been much conjecture as to what followed. Had she run out of fuel avoiding bad weather? Was she shot down by friendly fire? Or was she on a secret mission? Whichever, she was spotted parachuting into the Thames Estuary by HMS Haslemere. The Captain, Lt Cmdr Walter Fletcher dived into the freezing water in a rescue attempt but duly succumbed to hypothermia and lost consciousness. Sadly, he died a few days later and Amy was never seen again. Her watertight flying bag, containing her logbook and other personal effects, washed up on the shore and were recovered shortly after. amyjohnsonartstrust.co.uk/her-life/. The airfield at Beverley is at the end of a long track with no public transport links, so expect to call a taxi, although in my experience of Yorkshire folk, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the locals offers you a lift – and stops for a chat and a drink.

To help you blend in and arrive in stealth mode, with sayings other than ‘that’ll do’, here are a few colloquial words to get you started with the lingo – chowed at, mafting, siling, nithered and perishin. For a more extended glossary on Yorkshire speak take a look at: marketplace.i-yorkshire.com/yorkshire-sayings/

If you plan to visit both Beverley and Hull, the Northern Line train runs every 30 minutes, taking around 15 minutes or, for a more leisurely journey through the countryside, the 246 bus takes about 40 minutes.

A bite to eat…

Restaurant prices are moderate but don’t expect hautecuisine. The likelihood is that you’re going to end up going for a curry, as we did last time we were there. The other main choices are basic pub food or one of the many cultural restaurants. Kuchnia was the first Polish Restaurant in Yorkshire, about a 30-minute walk from the centre. 226 Beverley Road, HU5 1AH. 01482 446495 www.kuchnia.co/. The Aegean A popular Greek Taverna, to the west of the city centre. 521-523 Anlaby Road, HU3 6EN. 01482 568866 The Humber Fish Co The restaurant is the exception to the rule, making full use of its location on the fashionable marina and near the town centre. They serve fresh fish in a nice setting, but at a price. Humber Street 01482 326136. humberfishco.co.uk/. Fish & Chips In much of the country, we eat fish and chips covered in salt and vinegar, with maybe even a pickled onion on the side. Many places in the north are known to serve it with mushy peas and gravy. Well, in Hull, you’ll likely be eating it covered in chip spice. Officially known as American Chip Spice, it is nothing to do with America, but a 1970s product from Hull, and the spicy shake is catching on. For those who've never tried it, when in Rome, eh…?

A bed for the night…

Here are several choices, with Leven being close to the airfield and a couple in Beverley. In the other direction, the village of Coniston is about halfway to Hull, but with little else around, and there are three in different price bands in Hull.

Leven

The New Inn is a bar/restaurant with rooms a couple of miles from the airfield and is ideal if you just need a bed for the night, something to eat, or an early start the following morning. 44 South Street, Leven, Beverley, HU17 5NZ. 01964 542223 newinnleven.co.uk/

Beverley

Minster Garth Guest House is right in the centre, with rooms for around £50. 2 Keldgate, HU17 8HY. 01482 882402 beverleybedandbreakfast.com/ Best Western Lairgate prices start at around £80 but in many respects are better value for money compared to some of the cheaper places. 30-34 Lairgate, Beverley HU17 8EP 0333 003 4184.

Coniston

The restaurant at The Gardeners Country Inn is in Coniston Village and serves pub-style food, with a roast on Sundays. Double rooms start at around £60, with the nicer ones at about £100 per night. Hull Road Coniston, HU11 5AE. 01964 562625 thegardenerscountryinn.com/

Hull

The Embassy Hotel at around £45 per night is at the budget end, with basic rooms but a few minutes from the centre of town. 367 Hedon Road HU9 1RA. theembassyhotelhull.co.uk/ Ibis Hull City Centre is right in the city centre at the heart of everything, costing around £65 per night. Osbourne Street HU1 2NL. all.accor.com/hotel/3479/index.en.shtml Kingston Theatre Hotel has standard rooms for around £90, but for an extra £30 the Junior suites provide that extra bit of luxury with breakfast included. 1-2 Kingston Square, HU2 8DA. kingstontheatrehotel.com/rooms/

Out and about… Beverley

Beverley is considered the jewel in Hull’s crown with pleasant old buildings, twee shops and insouciant walks. Being close to Hull, it’s where people seem to gravitate as they move up the social scale and get a bit more ‘brass’. Try following the Painting Trail, a collection of 22 paintings by local artists Fred and Mary Elwell dotted around the town. Sights like St Marys Church, Beverley Minster and Market Cross are among the most popular. Market day is on Wednesdays and Saturdays and almost obligatory if you're in town. alifewelltravelled.co.uk/2019/06/12/15things-to-do-in-beverley/. The Westwood Restaurant is a more upmarket restaurant in town whose set menu is good value at £26.95 for three courses, though not available Fridays and Saturdays. New Walk, Beverley HU17 7AE. 01482 881999 https:// www.thewestwood.co.uk/menus

Hull

Left Hull’s renowned association with the sea is celebrated in its Maritime Museum.

Above right The Streetlife Museum includes everything from horse drawn carriages to aeroplanes, this carrying the registration of 1928 Blackburn F2 Lincock, G-EBVO. This was thanks to the devastation caused by the Luftwaffe primarily between March and May 1941. Somehow, the 14th century Hull Minster in the centre managed to escape destruction and is open to visitors. hullminster.org/ Museums in Hull are free, so there is no excuse for not indulging in a day of culture, as most are conveniently located close to each other in the museum quarter. Hands-on History Museum is in the Old Town, South Church Side 01482 300 300. Ferens Art Gallery features art and artefacts from the UK and Europe from the 18th century to the present day. Queen Victoria Square, Hull HU1 3RA. 01482 300300 Streetlife Museum is my personal favourite, documenting 200 years of transport history from horse drawn carriages and trams to aircraft, with shops and insight into things as they used to be. High Street HU1 1PS. Wilberforce House Museum is located in the house of the former politician. It is very informative and educational, although the exhibits have undergone changes and alterations. Gone are the shackles the slaves once wore and the graphic images depicting the daily brutality in their lives, from their capture, transportation and eventual demise. Hull and East Riding Museum takes you on an anthropological journey from the Jurassic period through the ages up to the Celts and Romans.hcandl.co.uk/ museums-and-galleries The Deep Aquarium is the largest in the UK, with over 3,000 aquatic species including sharks, rays and turtles. It also provides a bird’s eye view into the prehistoric underwater world, from the darkest depths to crystalclear tropical seas. thedeep.co.uk/ ■

About the author

Martin Ferid is a Class Rating Instructor / Revalidation Examiner, specialising in advanced tuition and confidence-building flights in your aircraft throughout Europe and the UK. These adventures can be taken as simple day trips or a few days at a time.

A browse through the ‘favourite destinations’ on the website below should inspire tyro and experienced pilots alike. For amusement, try the 'bit of fun' section on the ‘contacts’ tab. Email: lightaircrafttraining@yahoo.com Tel: 07598 880 178 Website: http://www.lightaircrafttraining.co.uk