Love Tea?

The GreatTea Blender

After a very disappointing encounter with some disgusting tea bags, Marion Ring has not drunk tea from tea bags since then  – "they were so disgusting I threw them away" – she has stayed away from all bagged brews and has set up a business selling "proper" tea in the Hull Trinity Indoor Market.

Ms Ring's loose leaf tea enterprise stocks about 120 blends and is growing all the time, she said.
"I have teas from all over the world – the latest one in this week is a Rwandan Rukeri tea,"

Marion stall stocks Earl Grey, Liquorice, Mango, Bergamot, Orchid and Rhubarb Green Tea that tempts the taste buds of tea drinkers.

The stall also sells orange cookies, chocolate and peanut butter, butter truffle, and jam flavours in the mix, Ms Ring reckons she can find a tea to suit anyone's taste – even someone who says they are not a tea drinker.

"I go to a UK supplier for my teas and they always have new ones. I've got access to about 900 different ones," said Ms Ring, who liveswith hr 16-year old daughter Molly in Beverley.

"You are not going to like every tea, but there is one out there for everyone.

The fruit teas are caffeine- free and the redbush teas are low in tannins – some people who have had surgery are advised not to drink tea because of the tannins, but they are allowed to drink redbush teas.

Ms Ring offers teas to suit the seasons – Christmas sees a number of varieties on sale, including a mulled wine tea, while in the summer, cucumber and marmalade come to the fore, perfect for serving iced.

Black teas need freshly boiled water, but green teas need water at 80 degrees or the leaves can be burned and that can lead to bitterness.

Marion developed a new East Yorkshire Brew to help celebrate her first year in business.

"The idea behind it was that Harrogate has its Yorkshire tea, why can't we have East Yorkshire tea?" said Ms Ring.

"It has been blended to cope with hard water and it is ideal for people who like their tea strong.

"It's a great everyday brew, made from Assam, Ceylon and Rwandan tea leaves."

The Tea Shop supplies teas to Urban 44 coffee shop in Hessle and the Travellers Rest in Beverley.

Trinity Indoor Market

Kingston upon Hull HU1 2JH

07491 157260

Photo's and story courtesy of Hull Daily Mail

More Ghost Hunts At Annisons Funeral Parlour

For those of you that missed the ghost hunt at Annison's Funeral Parlour, there are many other hunts taking place at this venue. Check out the below sites to book your place now!!

Annison's Building was a funeral parlour for over 100 years and was built on the same location as the North Blockhouse which was part of the fortifications of the River Hull during1540-1640. Here numerous Catholics were tortured and left to die in its cellars or hanged. In the 1700's the blockhouses and fortification were demolished. 

In 1876 the Annison family bough the land and built the building we see today. Originally built as a Wheelwright & Cart business (livery), the family built horse stables on the top floor with horse stairs. The Annison family has already lost most of their business interests in a fire and had operated as cycle makers, cabmen and mechanics.  

On July 30th, 1891, 20 year old Mary Jane Langley, visited the location to have her photo taken but later that day she was murdered. Her throat was slit and her body was found in a ditch in Long Lane, Preston. The killer was never  found

The building has also suffered a number of deaths. Mr. Edward Steward Annison and his daughter Sarah Annison died in the building, and a horse, that bolted during the Blitz, killed itself by running into the walls of the stable, leaving blood stains on its rampage.

A large amount paranormal activity has been recorded, from apparitions of male figures walking across the hayloft to loud heavy bangs on the wooden floor. Lights often turn themselves on and off, doors open on request, with knocks on the doors, and  a glass moved of its own accord across a coffin lid. 

During one investigation they caught what appeared to be legs on a thermal imaging camera and voices  are heard over the various spirit boxes, EMF fluctuations are recorded in empty rooms, temperature fluctuations, the sudden scent of flowers or perfume, whistling, and people getting nudged.

26 stables still survive upstairs and the livery stables on the second floor and courtyard are part of the tour.

Do you dare to visit??

September 2016

Friday 2nd September Yorkshire Ghost Nights
Friday 9th September Haunted Britannia
Saturday 10th September Haunted Britannia
Saturday 10th September 10am-6pm Heritage Open Day (FREE)
Friday 16th September Shadow Seekers Midlands
Saturday 17th September Pitch black Investigations
Friday 23rd September Black Magic
Saturday 24th September Xtreme Paranormal Events 

October 2016

Friday 7th October Simply Ghost Nights
Saturday 15th October Really Haunted
Friday 21st October Haunted Happenings
Friday 28th October GhostCallers

November 2016
Friday 11th November Lost Ghost Nights (Charity)
Friday 18th November Eerie Evenings

December 2016

Saturday 10th December Simply Ghost Nights

Updates

Hi Guys & Gals,

I have just updated the Paranormal Section and Hull Events with some upcoming Ghost Tours and Events in Hull, such as the Hull Colour Run, Freedom Festival, Photo Competition, HIP Photography Festival and Big Bus Day.

Please keep reviewing on a regular basis to find new and upcoming events in Hull and surrounding areas.

Ye Old Blue Bell Pub History

"Ye Old Blue Bell" in Hull's historic old town, is neatly tucked away beside Trinity Market and Hepworth Arcade. The date of this building is unknown, but we understand that local carrier carts left the Blue Bell on their way to Cottingham, Hornsea, Kimswell, Patrington, Rimswell and Roos from 1791.

Early records show that early ownership was to John Banks who leased to William Lambert (grocer), Betsey Fearne a spinster, John Fearne (Linen Draper), James Watson (Cheese Factor) and John Thompson (Gentleman) in 1798. It appears that Betsey Fearne sold her share to Lambert in 1798. 

The next occupier was a man named Henry Neve, who in 1774 tenanted the Blue Bell site until 1808 when Samuel King an Ironmonger bought the site and turned it into a public house know as "The Blue Bell Inn"

By 1889  it had passed to Rev. Edward Thomas Mortlock of Snailwell who then sold the pub on to J G Smithson (Brewer) and J W Tindall (Bottler). The property remained unchanged during this period, however some outbuilding where offered to let in 1884, including two workhouses and a workroom.

In 1899 J W Tindall was a ale and port merchant and the Blue Bell was occupied by James Tunbridge with James Jenkins as his tenant. Tindall then erected a sign in the form of an ornamental bell over the entrance in Market Place, constructed of metal and coloured glass, and was hung from an iron stay. As Tindall was an acting agent for Smithson's Tower Brewery, the Blue Bell was tied to them, so in 1901 Hull Brewery took over Smithson's but the Blue Bell passed to Allsopp & Sons who merged with Ind Coope & Co in 1934. After experiencing financial difficulties Ind Coope sold a lot of their properties in Hull to Linsleys in 1912 and the Blue Bell was bought by J W Cameron & Co before the early 1960's.

In 1962 the Hull City Council wanted to expand the market and these plan included demolishing the Blue Bell Public House. Luckily Cameron had applied to convert the first floor into a living accommodation. At first this was rejected on the grounds that the site was required as part of the markets development and that it was unsuitable for living accommodation. In 1964 the council approved plans after Cameron rejected an offer made for alternative lease on a building on the east side of Market Place. 

In 1967 Hull City Council agreed to rent part of the rear of Blue Bell, 13 Hepworth Arcade. As of today you can access the beer garden of the Blue Bell via the indoor market, 

Today you can see many changes including the demolished snug in the main bar, to the right, The original front entrance has been blocked up and entrance to the main bar is now oposite the snug on the left of the building at the front entrance. The telephone room as it was known is now where the darts board is with an extended staircase to the ladies toilets and pool room. The alcove between the snug and the lounge was originally where stairs lead up to the first floor and down to the cellar. And the scullery at the back has been split into two, creating a storeroom and the men's toilets which was originally just a urinal accessed by the passage.

In 1985 Sam Smiths took over the Blue Bell and refurbished it at a cost of £50,000. This included a redecoration of the lounge with Draylon upholstery, a larger service area in the lounge with hand pumps, the billiard tables where moved from the cabin in to the bar, and the cabin was turned into a snug. New bar back fittings and fixed seating where added and the pub re-opened in 1986.

Pictures to follow

Coltman Land and 114 Coltman Street

As I live off The Boulevard, this post will be dedicated to a piece of history I see on a daily basis during my route to work.

Based on Saner Street, this stone has both intrigued and fascinated me and lead me to look further into the history of the Coltman's.

Coltman Street itself was named after the Coltman family who owned the land. Reverend Joseph Coltman of Beverley left this land to his son, Sir Thomas Coltman, a Judge, when he died in 1837.

The street was developed in the 1840's from the Hessle Road end and was a thriving community, with Greek Revival style houses and a Gothic style Trinity Wesleyan Chapel, with an added Sunday School in 1895,  which was unfortunately destroyed in the II World War and demolished in 1953. The Coltman Street Day Hospital later occupied the site.

As there is already lots of information about this street and it's colourful past, I have provided some links here:-

Coltman Street History
Coltman Conservation
Coltmanstreet Directory

In 2013, BBC2's "Restoration Home" with Caroline Quentin featured a house on Coltman Street being renovated to its former glory. Built in 1953 and once home to Christopher Pickering, A fish merchant,  trawler owner and philanthropist, who also gifted Pickering Park in 1911.

In 1921 it became The City of Hull School Clinic until 1970.

The Kelsey Family now own this property and are currently in the process of renovating this grand building .After being turned into 5 flats the couple wanted to return the house back into a single dwelling, and after meeting with the council their plans have been approved.

Please check out their FB page below to see how they're getting on.

114ColtmanSt

Edwin Davis Company, Bond Street and Before..

The Edward Davis Company Shop on Bond Street is a familiar site to most people living in Hull, but many of us do not remember it being open, and have seen it derelict for decades.

I personally work across the road to this interesting building and see it on a daily basis. I wish someone would purchase it and bring it back to life, as the building itself looks solid. Currently a house for pigeons, It could be made to look rather nice, as either flats or another department store. (Come on John Lewis!!)

Delving into the history books, the actual company has a far greater history that precedes this particular site.

The original store was established in Hull's Market Place in 1840 and expanded to both sides of the street. It was re-fronted in 1910, but during World War I it was bombed by a Zeppelin and the building was completely destroyed.

The original store on Market Place / South Church Street Corner

A new store was constructed on Bond Street in the 1920's, but not in the place you see now. It was built on the corner of Bond Street and Albion Street and was bombed during the II World War.

The store we see today was constructed around 1952 and remained open until 1978. Revived during the 1990's as an Amusement Arcade  called "2 The Point" and then Evolution Nightclub.

In its hayday

Closure in 1978

August 3rd 2016

August 3rd 2016

Evolution club nights had such DJ appearance by the legendary Carl Cox and also held "Dreamscape 5" on the 18th December 1992 - check out this review of the night here. Playing mostly Rave and Acid House it was closed down due to numerous drug busts as have been closed ever since.

Hollybrook Ltd who previous owned the store did submit plans to build apartments and parking spaces but it never came to be. It was then put on the market in 2010 to the tune of £1.5 million (OMG!!)  In February of 2015, Hull City Council issued a legal notice, asking the current owners (Alpha Properties) to carry out repairs but we have yet to establish if any were done. It is currently being advertised by Garness Jones for £1 Million.

Recent speculation has implied they could be an Ice Arena built on the site and an Olympic sized swimming pool, however the latest news is that they are revisiting plans to use the site for accommodation for the up coming 2017 City of Culture.

Photos courtesy of Hull Daily Mail, & L. Abel

Read more: http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/pictures/flashback-edwin-davis-store-hull-s-bond-street/pictures-27515801-detail/pictures.html#ixzz4GMsJT4sm 

Hull Ghost Hunt - Annison Funeral Parlour 30th July 2016

Brought to you by Really Haunted

Annison Funeral Parlour £29 - Saturday 30th July 2016

Event Time: 9:00pm - 3:00am, Address: Witham, Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire HU9 1AT

Available Qty: 27

This former funeral parlour in Hull, which can be found at the junction of Great Union Street and Witham Street, was once home to the City of Hull Mounted Police, and would certainly look at home in any horror film, the buildings reputation more than matches its grim appearance.

The funeral parlour which survived for over 100 years, closed more than 30 years ago and the ground floor of the building is now used by an Late Night Pharmacy. The pharmacy staff apparently refuse to go upstairs alone, and admit to feeling nervous when they alone in the building. At other times in its history parts of the building have been used by a photographer’s studio and Ringtons Tea.

Surprisingly, it was the Photographers studio that became the focus for one of the most gruesome tales connected to the building, the murder of 18 year old Mary Jane Langley. The young lady visited the studio to have her picture taken in 1891 and was not seen again until her body was discovered. Her was found laying dead in a ditch. Many suspect she became the victim of Frederick Bailey Deeming a notorious murderer who had recently been released after serving time for murdering his wife and children, and burying them under the floorboards of his home. Deeming was eventually hanged in 1892 for another, unrelated murder.

While the part of the building occupied by pharmacy looks like any other modern building, the first floor is an entirely different story. The mortuary room and the embalming room remain untouched since the funeral parlour closed its doors for the last time.

Mary Jane’s ghost is reputed to haunt the old funeral parlour to this day, but she is not alone. There are regular reports of poltergeist activity and a chair in one of the upstairs rooms is often found to have been moved, or in some cases thrown against the opposite wall. So often has this happened that tape markings are now left on the floor to allow staff to check whether the chair has shifted while they are out of the room.

Voices are over heard coming from rooms which are known to be unoccupied, and staff are frequently faced with the effects of supernatural activity. The old funeral parlour attracts visitors from around the world keen to experience a building with such a unique and macabre history.

What Happens on our Events 

• Ghost hunting vigils and séances.
• Lone ranger vigils for brave guests.
• Dowsing Rods
• Cool stuff including table tipping, ouija board, glass divination & rem pod experiments.
• Latest ghost hunting equipment, including EMF Meters, Mel Meters, K2 Meters, Rem Pods, Spitit Boxes etc.
• You are more than welcome to brings your own equipment with you on the hunt.

Also

Refreshments (tea, coffee, pop) will be available along with a designated smoking area (outside).

When travelling to your ghost hunt please allow for possible delays during your journey.

We recommend you bring enough layers of clothing with you to keep you warm throughout the night.

There are NO sleeping facilities at our events unless otherwise stated by Really Haunted.

Over 18’s only please.

Welcome to my Blog

Proud to be "The City Of Culture 2017",  Kingston Upon Hull, or 'Ull as we all fondly call our fantastic city has been a major part of my life having lived here for 34 years. As a young girl growing up on the West Side of the City, I have always been interested in our history and heritage, reading books from Harry Cartlidge, to looking at postcards from Kenneth F. Elsom. The well known "Memories of Hull" books filled me with excitement, pouring over the amazing photographs of our town in the II World War days and seeing buildings I never knew existed.

Born in 1981, I can remember the ABC Cinema on the right, next to Paragon Railway Station,  Although I never visited this cinema, I do recall it being demolished in 2004 when St Stephens was being built.  In the mid 1990's I regularly went to Cecil Cinema where I watched "The Brady Bunch", "Monkey Trouble" and "Baby's Day Out! I was also a regular visitor to the UCI on St. Andrew Quay before it's closure in 2004. Megabowl and Jazzbo Browns where a major part of  growing up in my teens, playing pool, drinking underage and playing on the punching machine. 

Before the days of  photo ID, my first ever drink was at Tower Nightclub, or "Tower for an Hour" Grab a Granny at the age of 15. I was drinking in town from about 1998. I loved the Marina at this time and used to go for Friday Night drinks in Pepis, Tropical Nights, Baltic Wharf and Green Bricks, before moving onto George Street to either visit Dram Shop, Venu, Biarritz, Room, Planet Earth or Sharkeys.  Another favourite of mine was Circus Circus, Oasis, LA's and the Eclipse Nightclub on Anne Street.  Do you remember the original "Retro" bar, Central Park" and "Chequers/Bedroom"? 

Hull Cheese and Macy's were also a popular destination, along with Yates and The Sandringham on Paragon Street. 

Living in Hessle later in life I enjoyed drinking in  Norland, Plonkers, Marquis Of Granby, Admiral and Top House.

As you can see I love a good drink and hope to bring you more information on Hull pubs and lost pubs of Hull, although you can visit, Paul Gibson's site for lots of Hull's old pubs and nightclubs.

I will also be dedicating posts to Hull Photographers, Authors, Hull City A.F.C,  Charities, Tradesmen and more, so feel free to contact me to have a feature spot on my blog. I will also be reviewing products, giving information on upcoming events, telling tales of hull ghost sightings and paranormal activity, posting photographs and reporting on all things Hull that I can find.

I really hope you will subscribe to my Blog, like the page on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, share with friends, family and relatives, and be proud to be from Hull.