‘Spreading the love’: Our City event to return in 2027
COMMUNITY: Our City in front of Hull Minster. Picture: Abbie Jennings
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Communities across Hull are being invited to help shape the next Our City event, which is returning in 2027 after a successful launch this year.
Organised by Hull-based arts charity Back to Ours and supported by Hull City Council, it will take place in the city centre on Saturday, March 13.
It is billed as “a celebration of community and creativity”, and an engagement programme for local families – called ‘What’s Your HU?’ – is being launched this October half-term, when residents are being invited to help shape how the event could look and feel like next year.
As part of the programme, Back to Ours will pop up across the city with bubbles, chalk and some special guests, encouraging people to share what they love about their local area.
The engagement programme launches on Friday, October 23 as part of the ‘We Are Orchard Park’ exhibition and will run into November, visiting neighbourhoods across the city from HU1 to HU9.
CELEBRATION: People taking part in Our City this year. Picture: Luke Hallett
Louise Yates, artistic director and CEO of Back to Ours said: “We’ve got plenty of ideas bubbling away for next year, but our vision for Our City is always to co-create with people in Hull. Local pride – not just for Hull as a whole, but for the neighbourhoods, streets and places we live in and pass every day – is a core part of what we do, and it will be important to next year’s event.
“We’ll be asking people some fun questions. Why is your area the best? What’s your favourite place? And if your HU (area) were a song or a dance, what would it be?
“We’ll also be bringing some special friends of BTO, as well as a post-box where people can send notes of positivity to people in other areas of the city. This is about spreading the love, not rivalry! We hope everyone will come and say hello and join in the fun.”
Councillor Jackie Dad, deputy council leader, said: “We’re very proud to be supporting Our City again, giving us all the opportunity to celebrate where we live and bringing everyone together.
“Back to Ours’ new engagement programme this half-term will bring a lot of excitement and energy – it’s fantastic that the word will start spreading about next year and residents are being encouraged to share what they love about their communities. We look forward to seeing those ideas and stories help shape what comes next for Our City.”
Back to Ours will be visiting neighbourhoods until Saturday, October 31, giving residents the chance to say what they love about their local area.
Timings and locations are:
Friday, October 23:
We Are Orchard Park exhibition, Orchard Centre, 1pm – 3pm
Saturday, October 24:
Gipsyville Roundabout, HU4, 11am – 1pm
King George V Playing Fields, HU6, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Monday, October 26:
Gower Park, HU4, 10am – 12pm
Pearson Park, HU5, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Peter Pan Park, HU4, 1pm – 3pm
Waterloo St Play Park, HU2, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Tuesday, October 27:
Bean St Park, HU3, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Cemi Park, HU3, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Wednesday, October 28:
East Park, HU8, 11am – 3pm
Pickering Park, HU4, 11am – 3pm
Thursday, October 29:
Shannon Rd Shops, Longhill, HU8, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Alderman Kneeshaw, HU9, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Friday, October 30:
Wymersley Park, HU5, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Church St, Sutton-on-Hull, HU7, 11am – 1pm
Western Library, HU3, 1pm – 3pm
Elmbridge Parade, HU9, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Saturday, October 31:
Bransholme Chat, North Point Shopping Centre, 1pm – 3pm
Kingswood Green, 4pm – 6pm