This is the second half of our summary of a year of news in Hull from July to December.
In the first half of 2024, there was the tragedy of the Legacy Independent Funeral Homes investigation, local election results, and the continued fallout of the cost of living crisis which saw many businesses closing down.
And late summer was marred by the riots, which put Hull on the map for all the wrong reasons. While the past 12 months have been difficult, there were a few stories of hope, resilience, and extraordinary kindness too.
Below are some of our most-read stories of the year from July up until December.
July 2024
Tommy Coyle’s dad’s fruit stall burns down
The news that someone had set fire to the fruit stall owned by the late Chris Coyle shocked people across Hull. Retired boxer Tommy Coyle said the much-loved fruit stall had been kept open by the family in memory of Chris.
It remains a much-loved part of the city and people were appalled when it was set on fire overnight. Humberside Fire and Rescue Service put out the fire and Humberside Police later said they had arrested a 26-year-old man in connection with the incident.
Fight to save the ‘life-changing’ community centre for people with dementia
Campaigners said relatives diagnosed with dementia were “truly happy and thriving” at a day care centre as they fought to get enough funding for it to remain open. Endike Community Care Association in Orchard Park has been battling to stay open after the Council changed how it awarded funding.
Jo Ashbridge, who raised more than £2,000 for the care centre, said the year her mum was diagnosed with early onset dementia was the “most anxiety-inducing time of my entire life”. She said her mum was constantly frightened and would go wandering on her own before they found Endike, which massively improved quality of life for the both of them.
August 2024
Aftermath of rioting in Hull city centre, showing looted and damaged shops and vehicles Credit: HullLive/MEN
(Image: HullLive/MEN)
The Hull riots
When a rave of riots broke out across the UK, Hull was one of the worst affected cities. Humberside Police estimated it had cost the force at least £270,000.
In shocking scenes, shops windows were smashed in, bins and Shoezone in Jameson Street were set on fire, and people looted Lush and Greggs. A man described how the crazed mob charged at his family and forced them to shelter inside a garage while the cars left outside were set on fire.
It was a day that was supposed to be celebratory, with many people enjoying the festivities at Humber Street Sesh unaware of the violence happening just a mile away. The following day, volunteers gathered to help clean up the city and the police began the long process of identifying and charging the rioters.
September 2024
Coldplay announce Hull tour dates
Local fans of Coldplay admitted being shocked when the world-famous band revealed Hull Craven Park was the only UK pit stop on its world tour other than Wembley Stadium in London. Frontman Chris Martin revealed the band was retiring and 2025 would be the final chance to see them live.
The reaction in Hull was one of amazement, even among fans. Hull Kingston Rovers Chair, Dr Paul Sewell, posted on social media: “Thank you Coldplay. They could have gone anywhere but chose the city of Hull, Hull Kingston Rovers and Craven Park. I have been asked ‘why’ a lot yesterday, and would like to think that, in part, it was just some decent people choosing some decent people.”
October 2024
Family ‘overwhelmed’ at support for toddler fighting cancer
The family of a little boy from Hull who beat cancer said they had been bowled over by the support they’d received to pay for treatment abroad.
Louie Turner, two, was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer known as high-risk neuroblastoma in June last year, and given a 50 per cent chance of long-term survival. He was successfully treated in the UK and given the all-clear but his parents hoped he could get extra treatment in the United States which they hoped would reduce the chance of the disease returning.
Amazingly, they managed to raise more than £100,000 on Just Giving to fund the trip. Dad Daniel said it was overwhelming and he “can’t believe how kind people can be”.
November 2024
Brave primary school boy donates hair
An inspirational 10-year-old boy from Preston, East Yorkshire, donated his hair to make wigs for children with cancer in November. Joseph Smith said he was inspired to help after watching his mum lose her hair while undergoing treatment for cancer.
He told Hull Live: “I feel excited but also quite nervous. The hair is going to made into a real hair wig for children who have lost their hair in cancer. I’m doing it because my mum lost her hair from cancer.”
Former deputy prime minister John Prescott
(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
John Prescott dies at age 86
Hull Guildhall lowered its flag to half-mast when the sad news broke of John Prescott’s death. Lord Prescott was Hull East’s MP for 40 years and politicians from around the world paid tribute to a man described as “a titan” and a “staunch defender of working people”.
US former Vice-President Al Gore said Lord Prescott had “an inherent ability to connect with people”. He said: “I’ve never worked with anyone in politics – on my side of the pond or his – quite like John Prescott.”
Former prime minister Gordon Brown described Lord Prescott as “a colossus, he was a titan of the Labour movement.” Former prime minister Tony Blair said in tribute: “There was no-one quite like him in British politics.”
December 2024
Jonathan Hutty killers sentenced
The killers of “popular and well-liked” Jonathan Hutty were sentenced in December. Ian Smalley, who admitted murder, and Gavin Leaning, who was cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter, were sentenced at Hull Crown Court.
Jonathan was brutally beaten into a coma after he was wrongly accused of stealing a bank card from Smalley, when it had actually been stolen by Leaning who pinned the blame on him to divert suspicion away from himself, the court was told. Leaning encouraged Smalley to attack Mr Hutty, who was “left for dead” at his flat.
Smalley was sentenced to a minimum term of 17-and-a-half years in prison and Leaning was jailed for 13 years.
Hull woman comes 8th in World’s Strongest final
A real-life superwoman from Hull came eighth in the World’s Strongest Woman contest in the United States after recovering from breaking her ankle twice. Nikki Ellerington, 45, from east Hull, was once told she may never walk again after her ankle snapped “like a matchstick” in a rugby game.
But now the mum-of-four who can carry a 270kg car on her back is stronger than ever. She said she hoped more women would get into weightlifting and said it has huge benefits for mood and health.
“Anybody can do it. Don’t worry about what you look like or what other people think,” she said.