Barton upon Humber’s close links to the city across the water, Kingston upon Hull,  are highlighted in several talks included in this year’s programme put together by the town’s Civic Society in recognition of that city’s City of Culture 2017 status.

Not surprisingly the first in the talks that complement Hull’s year in the spotlight, on May 19, focusses on the River Hull, one of the rivers that flow into the Humber Estuary.

Civic Society chairman Richard Clarke, linking with the City of Culture’s Roots and Routes season, explores the landscape, history, and importance of this river that rises to the west of Driffield in the East Riding through to the centre of Hull where it meets the Humber.

The following month, on June 16, Kirsten Simister, the Curator of the recently re-opened Ferens Art Gallery will  tell its history from when it was first opened in 1927 after it was founded by the then Hull East MP Thomas Ferens to the present day following its £4.5 million refurbishment and, looking ahead, to its hosting of the Turner Prize from October along with its outstanding permanent collection of paintings and sculpture housed within the building.

Rounding off the Society’s UK City of Culture 2017 celebrations Hull Reflections will follow its Annual General Meeting on July 21.

Memories will be shared of Barton’s numerous historical and contemporary links with the city including market boats that sailed daily across the Humber until the 1950s, ropes made at The Ropewalk were shipped worldwide from Hull with the raw mateirals making the inward journey.

Generations of Bartonians have worked and studied in the city many of whom will have fond memories of the Hull to New Holland ferry.

The north bank theme continues with the Society’s annual outing which this year is to the Elizabethan mansion, Burton Constable Hall that has been home to the Constable family for more than 600 years

The Society’s programme of talks continues  until November 17 and are held at the Assembly Rooms on Queen Street unless otherwise stated with free entry for Civic Society members and £2 for non-members.

More details of the 2017 programme can be found on www.bartoncivicsociety.co.uk