Cycling into Poverty History Monday 27th June 2005 By Martin Deane

Photograph Gallery   Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Gallery 3,   Gallery 4,   Gallery 5,   Gallery 6,   Gallery 7,   Gallery 8,   Gallery 9,   Gallery 10.

"Don't tell the other towns, but Hull was the best reception we ever got!" Bright and early, by some measures - ok, 9am - 24 cyclists from Hull gathered by the café and then made their way over the Humber Bridge. The River Humber, she what drains a fifth of the country and puts more freshwater into the North Sea than any other, looked absolutely "gorgeous"! I know, hard to believe, but there it was, reflecting the morning sunlight, and never looking bluer.

We were off to meet the 22 Jubilee cyclists who had begun cycling from London a few days earlier, campaigning to Drop the Debt and Make Poverty History. The 372 miles from London to Edinburgh would become nearer 450 as they dropped into towns along the way.

Due to the good offices of Bryan Berue, who noticed that Kingston upon Hull was not on their itinerary, they dropped in to Hull too. Nearly 50 cyclists then followed Hull Road and then Hessle Road into Queen Victoria Square for a short civic reception. Hull City Council had pushed the boat out, laid on a stage, printed a massive "Make Poverty History" banner, prepped an area for the bikes and some welcome refreshments.

Lord Mayor of Hull, Bryan Bradley, said a few word to welcome the cyclists. (He also spotted the police filming us (!!!) and "went to have a word." Cheek!). A dozen of the Jubilee Scotland cyclists performed a 10 minute Merchant of Venice on the theme of debt. Suddenly "The quality of mercy…" speech came over as such a powerful prayer and the square was silent, listening, hopeful.

John Waters, of Swanland spoke on behalf of Swanland School in Nairobi, Kenya, that he and friends support and had a stall in the square for people to learn more. (1) Bryan Berue spoke from the stage, rising to the occasion of his first organised event. Martin Deane, Green Party, also spoke, reminding all of the reasons for being there, the 30,000 children dying a day, one for every click… one every 3 seconds, and of the giant effort across the country to pressure the G8 to MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY.

A stall from the One World Shop by the side of Methodist Central Hall was also in the Square, run by Chris and Peter Church, both firm supporters of MPH. (2) After the speeches, the bands took over, Revolver leading the way, and as the cyclists made their way off, there was Nora texting the schools ahead to let them know when to bring the children out on to Beverley Road. One of our intrepid number, John, embellished still his intrepidity by arranging to join the cyclists on the remainder of their trip to Scotland. John reported back - on the coach returning from Make Poverty History - that the Jubilee crowd were really impressed with their reception in Hull.

Of all the cities they visited, he said, Hull was the one that really stuck in their minds. There was such a good reception, and the children who came out to wave them on along Beverley Road, just completely made their day. Some of these hardy cyclists had a tear in their eye as they made their way on to Beverley. But Hull didn't desert them on Beverley High Road either - Ruth, Tom and Zakir, among others, cycled on that glorious day to Beverley with them. And as for John, see you in Edinburgh!

Martin Deane martin@hullpeace.fsnet.co.uk 1. www.bbc.co.uk 2. www.oneworldhull.co.uk

Photographs courtesy and Copyright © Mo thisisUll.com

Photograph Gallery   Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Gallery 3,   Gallery 4,   Gallery 5,   Gallery 6,   Gallery 7,   Gallery 8,   Gallery 9,   Gallery 10.

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