Understand
Residents of Hull's Orchard Park estate share memories and photographs for a new exhibition
Overview
Residents of the Orchard Park housing estate in Hull are sharing their memories, photographs, and stories as part of a project led by the charity Back to Ours. Built in the 1960s as an ambitious 330-acre development based on the Radburn design, the estate initially promised numerous amenities that never materialised. While the area has faced modern challenges, including being highlighted as a 'left behind' neighbourhood with issues such as anti-social behaviour, many residents fondly remember a strong sense of community and a positive upbringing. The collected stories form an exhibition at the Orchard Centre before transferring to the Hull History Centre.
Key points
- Orchard Park in Hull was developed in the early 1960s as a 330-acre model estate based on the US Radburn design, which separates pedestrians from traffic.
- Initial plans for the estate promised amenities like a cinema, dance hall, and bathing pool, which were ultimately never built.
- Charity Back to Ours has worked with locals to curate an exhibition of memories and photographs from the 1960s to the present day.
- The exhibition is on display at the Orchard Centre before moving to the Hull History Centre.
- Despite being highlighted in 2022 as a 'left behind' neighbourhood experiencing anti-social behaviour and drug issues, many long-term residents maintain fond memories and praise the strong sense of community.