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The beat goes on
A day-long music festival brought the Wilberforce 2007 commemorations to a rousing finale, but Hull's fight against racism and modern slavery continues ...
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Scottish band The View in performance at Hull City Hall |
More than 2,300 young people gathered at Hull City Hall to hear a succession of live bands.
During the day more than 500 people saw local bands The Paddingtons, The Cliques, Gullnaz, The Talks, Lil Hako, End of Level Baddie, Hayokee and Someone and the Somethings.
In the evening - in association with national campaigning organisation Love Music Hate Racism - a further 1,800 people packed the venue to hear national headline acts The View, Sonic Boom Six, Fire Cap, and The Neat.
Organised by The Warren young people's project, Hull Youth Council, and supported by Hull City Council, the music festival on December 22 enabled young people to commemorate William Wilberforce and mark a fitting end to a year of anti-racism and anti-slavery campaigning in the city.
"It was great that so many bands got the chance to play at the City Hall in one day," says Stewart Baxter, a development worker from The Warren and the lead organiser of the whole event.
"It shows we have a really creative city, which is buzzing with talented young people, and to have over 2,000 people coming along to oppose racism and slavery and have a great time in the process was sheer magic."
What a year!
2007 is a year Hull will never forget.
The city was a buzz with activity with heads of state, religious figures, and stars from the world of film, music and sport visiting the city to add their backing to the Wilberforce 2007 commemorations.
Not only that but the Wilberforce 2007 anti-slavery petition gained more than 50,000 signatures, from people in Hull and across the country.
Meanwhile, the petition has the chance to gain even more backing as it is carried around the globe by the crew of the Yorkshire Forward Hull and Humber Clipper as they take part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2007/08.
Promoting the city
Lasting for ten months and competing over a 35,000-mile course, the competition is the most gruelling yacht race on the planet.
The yachts race over seven legs and visit five continents and 14 cities en-route.
As well as competing in the race against vessels from New York, Singapore, Durban, and Western Australia to name but a few, the Clipper also has another important role to play.
It will serve as an ambassador for the Hull region, promoting the name of the city wherever it goes, and advertising the region as a place to visit, invest, and do business in.
The yacht departed Singapore on Sunday January 27 and is now due to reach Qingdao in China on Thursday February 14.
Meanwhile, on board are young people from the Hull area, who through their teamwork are gaining skills and experience that will stand them in good stead for their future lives and careers after the race.
'Sign It' campaign
It is expected that civic dignitaries at ports en-route will add their names to the campaign.
And children in Hull's 71 primary schools are also being invited to gather as many signatures as possible to be in with a chance of winning a personal lap top and a whole IT suite for the school.
Look out for the launch the month of the 'Sign It' campaign which is being run in conjunction with radio station KCFM .
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