Step back in time to 1952, a pivotal year for both the city of Hull and the United Kingdom as a whole. This photo gallery offers a unique window into daily life, capturing moments of celebrity, civic pride, industry, and more.
For Britain, 1952 was dominated by transition. King George VI passed away in February, marking the start of a new Elizabethan age and placing Queen Elizabeth II on the throne, with her highly anticipated coronation just over a year away. Rationing, a lingering consequence of the Second World War, was still a feature of life, though the nation was steadily rebuilding.
In Hull itself, the signs of recovery and community spirit were everywhere. We see the impressive architecture of the historic Guildhall, the centre of civic life, proudly hosting the procession for the Easter Quarter sessions luncheon parade in April. Elsewhere, passengers queue at the now long-lost Botanic Gardens station, waiting for the steam train service to Withernsea.
Industry was at the heart of the city, exemplified by the activity at St Andrew’s Dock. Meanwhile, the city’s commercial and sporting fixtures feature prominently: Thornton Varley, a once-famous department store, is pictured in the summer, while local football fans will have many fond memories of Boothferry Park, the former home of Hull City AFC.
This collection of photographs shows Hull as it entered the second half of the 20th Century and a new era for the country as a whole.