Hull CC News

Hull’s Time Ball returns after 100 years

Following a major restoration, Hull’s Time Ball on the Guildhall is working for the first time in over 100 years.

Gill Osgerby from the Hull Maritime team talks about the major restoration of the Guildhall Time Ball:

“The Time Ball’s a unique feature on Hull’s skyline. It was installed on the new Guildhall in 1915 and operated until 1922. But we haven’t seen it drop in over 100 years.”

“So, it’s just completed over two years of restoration work and today at 1pm we’ll see it drop for the first time.”

“The ball rises at the mast at 12:57pm every day. It’s held there until precisely 1pm when an electromagnet releases the ball and catches it three-quarters of the way down, and the last quarter it slowly lowers it back down into its cup which holds the ball until the next day when it will rise again at 12:57pm.”

“The Guildhall Time Ball is a unique element of Hull’s maritime heritage.”

“It’s linked to the Hull maritime project. It’s a key element of the project in terms of telling an interesting part of Hull’s maritime story.”

“The project is also funded by Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.”

“It’s part of over £30 million worth of investment that’s happening in our maritime assets. That includes the Maritime Museum, North End Shipyard, our two historic ships, the Spurn Lightship and Arctic Corsair and the renovation of Dock Office Chambers next door to the museum.”

Click here to learn more about the major restoration of the Hull Time Ball.

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What it’s like fostering with Hull City Council

Hull City Council is celebrating national Fostering Fortnight this month. The council is calling on people to join its fostering community and provide homes to children and young people in care.

Talking about fostering with Hull City Council, Charlie Smith, Advanced Social Worker & Practice Educator, said;

“It’s been a journey that we’ve all been on. We’ve been really supported as employees of Hull City Council. What we’ve had huge support with is through our managers, and for us to be able to work more flexibly.”

“I think the importance of that is it allows these children and young people to remain in Hull because sometimes we’re having to look further afield.”

“That might mean that children having to move out of area. This could mean changes of schools, away from their family networks, away from anything that they know really.”

“By us helping just a little bit, I hope that we’re able to keep children where it’s safe to do so.”

“For me, it’s about being part of almost another community. We have our fostering social workers that support us. We’re invited to lots of different celebrations.”

“There’s lots of time for the children and young people to get together as well and spend some time together.”

“There are payments for the children in your care. That money is ultimately for the young person, but allows you to provide a home from home kind of experience. And I think that’s the most important thing for us.”

“What we first did was reach out to a team manager within the fostering team. They then progressed that application and you’re allocated an social worker who comes to visit you.”

“It’s all done in a kind way, in gathering that information to make sure they’re getting the evidence you can also be a foster carer.”

“We’ve sat in training with people all walks of life who want to come into fostering, ultimately because they want to help children.”

“It all comes from a very lovely place and it’s just about how they can fit that into their own life. Working with Hull City Council they have that understanding and support that they can offer.”

If you’d like to more information this Fostering Fortnight, please contact Hull Fostering to learn more.