Trees take root

More than 2,000 trees were planted in and around Hull last year – and many more are set to be planted over the next 12 months.
It's all thanks to the HEYwoods project which brings together Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the Forestry Commission, Kingston Communications, Government agencies, community organisations and environmental charities.
These partners are working together to create new and improved green spaces.
Volunteers helped plant 1,000 trees in East Park recently as part of the project.
Other major areas of planting include the former Hedon Airfield and Castle Hill Hospital.
"Trees and woodlands create valuable habitats for wildlife and absorb airborne pollutants.
They also improve urban, rural and industrial landcapes in and around the city," said Tim Beckley, Hull City Council's arboricultural officer.
www.heywoods.org.uk

Truck's treble honours

It's officially the top building in Yorkshire!
Hull Truck Theatre has scooped three awards from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), including an award for 'green' architecture.
The £15m theatre, which opened last April, beat off competition from buildings from around the region, including Leeds City Museum and the Royal Hall in Harrogate.
"This is the culmination of many years of hard work," says operations director Paul Marshall.
"We always wanted this building to be a striking piece of city centre architecture, but also one that was welcoming and accessible for our audiences and other visitors throughout the day."
Designed by Wright and Wright architects, the theatre uses natural ventilation, groundwater cooling and low-energy light fittings.
For more information visit www.hulltruck.co.uk

Working together

Hull has earned a top national award in recognition of partnership working in the city – for the third consecutive year.
One Hull, the city's Local Strategic Partnership, picked up the Commissioner's Award at the 2009 Compact Awards thanks to its work in setting up the One Hull Compact.
The compact is a Government-led initiative designed to promote closer partnership working between the public, voluntary and community sectors to improve quality of life and local services for people across the city.
Kath Jones, chair of One Hull Compact, said the award was 'excellent news' for Hull.
"We take great pride in the work being undertaken by all partners involved in One Hull," she added.
"Everyone from the public, private, voluntary and community sectors, individual organisations, and residents are making partnership working such a success."
www.onehull.co.uk

Liberty lecture

An extra hundred tickets were printed to meet demand to see civil rights campaigner Shami Chakrabarti deliver a Wilberforce lecture at The Guildhall.
Ms Chakrabarti, who is director of Liberty, the National Council for Civil Liberties, gave a lecture entitled "Common Values: the Defence for Rights and Freedoms in Britain."
She was later presented with the 2009 Wilberforce Medal, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Liberty.
Cllr Colin Inglis, chair of the Wilberforce Lecture Trust, said: "Our annual lecture is one of many ways in which Hull commemorates the legacy of William Wilberforce.
"Shami is a leading light in the field of civil liberties and gave an excellent and compelling lecture."
To hear or read the lecture, visit www.wilberforcelecturetrust.co.uk

A 'starr' is born

Ferens Art Gallery has unveiled an addition to its permanent collection – an early portrait by Hull-born artist Sidney Starr (1857-1925).
'Study,' a portrait of an unnamed girl, was painted in the 1880s in London soon after Starr finished his training at London's Slade School of Fine Art.
It was purchased with a grant of £18,000 from The Victoria and Albert Purchase Grant Fund, which helps museums and galleries across the country develop their collections.
A further £15,000 came from The Art Fund, an independent national charity, while £7,000 came from the Ferens Endowment Fund, which supports the purchase of historic and contemporary art for the Gallery.
"Our thanks go to The Art Fund and the V&A Purchase Grant Fund for their generous support," said Cllr John Robinson, Hull City Council's portfolio holder for culture.
"It's a wonderful addition to the city's impressive art collections and the strong local connection makes it all the more exciting."

Cash boost for library

Young people from Orchard Park have been the driving force behind plans for a new teenage space at Greenwood Avenue Library.
The teenage space, costing £25,000, includes funky furniture, computers, a Wii and new multi-media items for teenagers to use and borrow.
Orchard Park ward councillors agreed to fund the development through the community initiatives budget.
Councillor Terence Geraghty said: "We are pleased to have funded this development, as it is something that local young people have said that they want and I am sure they will benefit from."
Community groups, charities and council departments can apply for funding from the community initiatives budget for projects that benefit local neighbourhoods.
Other examples of projects funded from this budget recently include activities at Ings Environmental Day and improvements to changing facilities at Hull and East Riding Sports Club.