Thoughtless Acts in Hull city centre

A big afternoon in Hull city centre. Not that you'd notice it amongst the shoppers ambling through Victoria Square while pirates (strongly resembling jobbing students earning beer money) gave out balloons to children, and parents put their hands in their pockets for those same kids to have fairground rides. But down on the docks were some major heritage-driven maritime celebrations, including the appearance of a replica HMS Bounty, and over at the KC Stadium Hull (fourth in the Super League and proud in their gleaming hi-tech West Hull home) were hosting the Rugby League season's last Humberside derby, versus Hull Kingston Rovers (illustrious but poorer relations from the city's East side, struggling to keep their place in the Super League at the end of their first top-tier campaign)

As happens in derby games, Hull capitulated and humble KR romped back across the river 42-6 winners. I, footsore from yesterday, was drawn towards the stadium by the sound of the crowds, past barriers surrounding the enormous and close to completion St Stephens development, and got there in time to catch the flow of Hull fans crossing the bridge over the Bridlington line onto Londesborough Street, trying to catch their mood, confusing myself about which team was which and remaining in confusion even after I'd heard the result. It was, after all, unexpected and it is, after all, what this afternoon will be most remembered for by most occupants of this city for some time to come.

The route home provided a group of teenaged Hull fans with the means to make noise (a harmless way of venting their disappointment at the result), running their plastic flagpoles along factory railings and superstore building site fences, pinging plastic bottles off items of street furniture (road signs, crossing barriers). These Thoughtless Acts reminded me of Jane Fulton Suri's categories of ways we interact with our environment, and got me wondering about what, in her terms, these boys were doing - reacting ('we interact automatically with objects and spaces that we encounter')? responding ('some qualities and features prompt us to behave in particular ways')? or co-opting ('we make use of opportunities present in our immediate environment')? I thought maybe they were doing the latter, though further observation may have revealed more; but my hurting feet carried me back to my digs and left the lads to continue making a city centre din out of a derby day defeat.

Comments

[Chris]

I think you've mentioned before, but rugby is one of the nearest things we have to an ubiquitous religion in the M62 corridor. Between the oval-shaped ball and the similarly-sized round one, most people's passions and beliefs round here are given the opportunity to live.

Anyway, less of the pseudo-poetic ramblings. When you get to Leeds please let me know, it would be great to meet you and maybe show you some of the local sights around the M62 (I live in Dewsbury). I was at Greenbelt, but unfortunately realised I'd missed an opportunity to meet you there too late - in the car on the way home. If you need a guide for this part of West Yorkshire's stretch of the motorway just let me know.

[John Davies]

Yes, pity I'm passing through at the back end of the RL season; unlikely to see a game which, if I did, would be a first for me....

[Catriona]

I hope you find your M62 walk to be rewarding. Last summer I walked the TPT for charity in ten days - a good physical challenge and also a tremendous insight into the diversity of something not exactly the tourist world.

Enjoy and be inspired

[Kathryn]

Hi John...Monday morning and we're fully back to normal after the heights of GB. Even the weather has turned brisk and businesslike.
Hope the sore feet were comforted by a good night's sleep. I used 3 of your Common Prayers yesterday as I tried to share the concept of heaven in ordinary with the evening congregation - and we prayed for you and the walk too.

[Mark Coleman]

I get a sense that you are in dangerous territory, beyond the safety of Liverpool (Ha! You may well say). Be careful of the hot sun, the geezers with £600, and the noisy bottle banging fans. I hope you meet a many sweet angels. I read in the Bible that Yorkshire folk can be mediators of the divine too ! You will know soon whether this is true.

Journey well

[John Davies]

Thanks, all for lovely supportive comments etc. No fears, Mark, being one-quarter Yorkshire I think I can hold my own here. Feet recovering and thankfully the mean old sun's calmed down.