Hull in print

A Hull pensioner whose home is packed with her lifetime of family mementos has been featured in a new book and BBC television news reports.
Ivy Naylor (76) from Battersea Close, east Hull, says she rarely throws anything out and collects items such as mugs, plates and fridge magnets bought for her as holiday souvenirs by her six children and 11 grandchildren.
A new book called Living Normally, written by her nephew Trevor Naylor, focuses on Ivy and 14 other people across the country and allows them to say what they feel is important about life at home today.
Coverage in the book led Ivy to be interviewed by BBC News 24 from her home of 42 years, and in the same week she was whisked off to London for an interview from the BBC Breakfast News couch.
"When my nephew said he was writing a book and wanted me to be in it, I never thought it would come to this," said Ivy.
"The book is about how modern television programmes keep telling people to sling out their possessions, have a home 'makeover', and start again. But if people did that in years to come they'd have no memories to look back on.
"I do the opposite, and collect and treasure family mementos and keep mugs, plates and all sorts of things. After all, a house should be a home and not look like a show house."
Ivy, a former council tenant who now owns her home, said she was "treated like royalty" by the BBC and taken for an all-expenses-paid train journey to London and chauffer-driven through the capital to the BBC Breakfast studios.
"Appearing on television was an amazing experience. The presenters and cameramen were lovely but the rushing around made it tiring. It all seemed a lot to take in as I see myself as a typical person - nothing out of the ordinary."
Now back to normal life in Hull with her feet planted firmly on the ground, Ivy has one main job planned for her home.
"Central heating - I'm looking forward to getting it put in through a scheme that does it for half price."

Image supplied by photographer Niki Medlik


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