Goodbye ‘Jacko’: Hundreds attend funeral of Adelphi founder Paul Jackson

‘EXTRAORDINARY GIFT FOR MUSIC’: Paul Jackson’s coffin being carried into the crematorium

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

Hull said goodbye to one of its favourite sons today as hundreds of people gathered in warm spring sunshine to pay their respects to Adelphi founder Paul Jackson.

Dozens had already assembled outside the club in De Grey Street an hour before the cortège left at 1.10pm, with sustained applause breaking out as soon as his coffin, draped in an Adelphi flag, was brought out to be placed in the hearse.

With a funeral director walking ahead, the procession made its way down De Grey Street as people lined the route clapping. It stopped the traffic briefly in Newland Avenue before travelling down Goddard Avenue and onto the crematorium in Chanterlands Avenue, where hundreds more waited patiently to pay their respects.

Their number included family and close friends, pop stars, Emma Hardy MP, and countless others from Hull and beyond whose lives “Jacko” had touched, and for many, changed. Paul Heaton was among the pallbearers.

Paul, who died in Dove House Hospice on March 31 aged 71, had helped choose the music for his funeral, and It’s what I want to do, Mum by Mogwai played as the chapel began to fill.

RESPECT: People gather outside the Adelphi before the cortège leaves

With the seats and balcony full, others stood against the walls to hear about the man who gave his life to music and running the venue.

Hundreds more listened as the service, called One For The Road, was broadcast outside, online, and at The People’s Republic in Newland Avenue, Paul’s favourite bar.

Paul’s brother-in-law John began by welcoming everyone and said the Adelphi was “more than a venue, a place where we all belong”.

Paul’s sister Rose then gave a euology, talking about Paul’s upbringing and early life. She said he had an “extraordinary” gift for music and liked to listen to it loud – so loud that his Mum “could hear him playing music as she walked home from Cottingham Station”.

After leaving school at 16, Paul worked for 13 years as an exports and imports clerk for Fenners, where he also played for the cricket team, which along with fishing was one of his other passions.

But aged 30 he gave it up to follow his dream, buying the Adelphi in October 1984, where he could put his “kaleidoscopic” knowledge of music to good use.

APPRECIATION: People applaud as the cortège begins its journey

Rose said it had been “a source of regret” for Paul in later life that his commitment to the club had kept him from attending family events.

The next part of the service was the first of three instalments of Reflections – a series of personal video tributes recorded specially for the funeral. They were funny, poignant and heartfelt and from friends and musicians, including messages from Beautiful South guitarist Dave Rotheray and Radiohead drummer Philip Selway.

The next piece of music was Silver Sounds by Hull group Fonda 500, one of Paul’s favourite bands.

The second eulogy was in the form of a letter to Paul read by Housemartins drummer Hugh Whittaker.

One of the most moving parts of the service came next as everyone stood to sing along to The Housemartins’ version of Caravan of Love, some hugging as they did so, some wiping away tears.

HUGE TURNOUT: Crowds outside the chapel as the hearse arrives

Paul had initially chosen Happy Hour by the Housemartins for this part, but changed his mind after Rose convinced him people would sing along to Caravan of Love, she said.

The next piece of music was Matter of Time by The Low Anthem.

Jane, a chaplain at the hospice, then gave a prayer and committal before John said some final words and he and Rose then walked over to Paul’s coffin clapping as the chapel erupted in applause.

Melted Moon by Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore played as the chapel emptied.

So many people were expected at the wake at the Adelphi that it had to be split into three sessions – 3.30pm to 6.30pm for family and close friends (wristbands only); and between 7pm and 9pm and 9pm to 11pm.