Monocle hosts free public exhibition dedicated to intrepid explorer Karl Bushby

WELL TRAVELLED: Karl Bushby using a winter rod to cross Serbia

By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor

A special exhibition dedicated to Hull’s intrepid explorer Karl Bushby will open in the city next week, showcasing personal belongings, images and diary entries from his 28-year journey around the world.

Ex-paratrooper Karl, now 57, was 28 when he set off walking from Punta Arenas in Chile, South America, on November 1, 1998, with one rule – to walk all the way home without using any form of transport.

He will be given a hero’s welcome as he returns to Queen Victoria Square in Hull city centre from 10am on Monday, November 2, led by civic dignitaries including the Lord Mayor of Hull and Admiral of the Humber Councillor Maria Coward, volunteers, residents and visitors.

Now, the team from Allenby Commercial are opening the doors of their landmark Monocle development in the city centre for a free public exhibition to honour Karl’s incredible journey.

Prints of original images from Karl’s time in South America, Canada, Mongolia and Serbia will be on display throughout the exhibition, which runs from Tuesday, November 3.

It will include “The Beast” – Karl’s trusted trolley which has carried and protected his belongings – maps of the Bering Strait and Caspian Sea, diary entries on various pieces of paper which he sent home to his father Keith over the years, maps that pinpoint where Karl slept at various points on his journey, and his swimming kit.

Charlie Allenby, director at Allenby Commercial, who suggested the exhibition to Keith, said: “I’ve been following Karl’s inspiring journey for as long as I can remember and we wanted to do something to mark his incredible achievements.

“This exhibition is an incredibly rare opportunity to see original documents that have travelled the world with Karl.

“We’re showcasing what he has achieved and it’s important for people from far and wide to see and learn about what he has experienced, especially with his personal belongings being on display.

VENUE: Monocle, in Hull city centre

“If Karl’s story can inspire one young person to take a chance and do something out of the box, it’s absolutely worth it.

“We’re so proud of Karl and he has put Hull on the map alongside so many other great people from the city over the years.”

Karl reached British soil on October 5 after swimming across the English Channel to Shakespeare Beach near Dover.

When he reaches Queen Victoria Square on Monday, it will be more than 10,000 days since he left Hull, and he will then make his way home to his mum’s house in east Hull to complete his epic adventure.

The exhibition, which is sponsored by Hull print company Jaden Press, will run until early 2027.

Developed by Allenby Commercial, Monocle is the former six-storey Europa House building located next to Paragon Interchange in the city centre, and recently marked its first anniversary.

Charlie said: “Many people document their travels online through the internet, blogs or social media.

“When Karl left Hull 28 years ago, social media wasn’t part of daily life, and he has gone out there and experienced the real world outside of a phone and the internet.

“We want to  ensure there is a space for people to come and see what Karl has seen, and Monocle is the perfect space to do that. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone.”

• The exhibition will be held in the Monocle Gallery, 184 Ferensway, Hull, HU1 3UT, from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays.