Happy New Year and I hope your 2019 is full of happiness and merriment and all your wishes come true. Did you make the obligatory resolution? No? Me neither. But I am determined to make sure I don’t miss any of the splendid activities, exhibitions and displays that will be on in our city over the next twelve months.
As for the end of 2018, I had a wonderful weekend away on the P&O Ferry to Rotterdam. I was hosting Tribfest At Sea which was just an incredible couple of days of great music and entertainment. Some of you may know that Tribfest is arguably the world’s largest Tribute band festival and is held annually in August in the grounds of the stunning Sledmere House.
It attracts thousands from the area and across the UK and I am very fortunate to be the main stage host. Well one of the many spin offs we have is a crossing to the Netherlands with two nights of great acts. Six comedians, five acoustic singers and six amazing tribute bands spread over the Saturday and Sunday night. Once again hundreds of you came and once again you danced, sang, laughed and shopped on board and in either Rotterdam or Amsterdam.
As for myself, I went across to Rotterdam with a few friends from Argie Images and we had a thoroughly enjoyable time. If you haven’t been I can heartily recommend Rotterdam for a weekend, or just a day trip as it has so much to offer. For a start it is has such wonderful buildings and frequently wins awards for its architecture. Secondly, it has the most amazing food market, which is enormous, and has row upon row of stalls and shops selling almost every food you can imagine. And, thirdly, it has the nicest people you could wish to come across.
We popped into a few shops and everyone chatted to us and wanted to know more about where we were from and to thank us for visiting their hometown. One local I chatted to returned the compliment by telling me about his trip to Hull. He had visited during the summer with his family and loved it. He commented on the friendly people, the great history and even the great beer on sale in Hull’s Old Town. It was so lovely to hear somebody from overseas give their take on Hull and to hear such a positive review.
Well not long to go now until the ( summer ) rugby league season gets underway with Hull FC and Hull KR going head to head in their first game of Super League XXIV. It’s brilliant for the city to have two sides with such rich history and fantastic support. Derby day at Craven Park or the KCom are always highlights of the sporting year and sees family loyalties split, with fans of both teams sharing buses and cars down to the ground.
Back in the 1980’s we got very used to seeing both sides vying for honours and on several occasions playing against each other in the final. I had many a trip to Wembley, Elland Road, Headingley, Boothferry Park etc to see the two clash and it was something magical and a great time for sport in Hull. Let’s hope both sides have a great season and are in the frame when it comes to silverware towards the end of the season. Rivalries aside it’s great for the city and great for the game that both Hull and Rovers are a force to be reckoned with. I hope they do us all proud in 2019. Enjoy.
Darren.
www.darrenlethem.co.uk
