18 February 2022
Hull artist Erin Ledsom submitted her embroidery of Alan Boyson’s ‘Three Ships’ to the Ferens Open Exhibition and won the ‘Future Ferens Young and Emerging Artist prize’. The work was from her project ‘Through my Eyes’, where she created seven colourful embroidered landmarks in Hull. The work was also featured in a BBC article about the project in July 2021
18 February 2022
Due to popular demand, Esther Johnson’s SOLD OUT chapbook, ‘SHIPS in the SKY: the Co-op Connection‘ was reprinted by ‘the modernist’.
26th November 2021
SHIPS in the SKY: the Co-op Connection. Linking to the launch of this publication, we’re excited that the fab folk at the Co-operative Archive will undertake a @shipsinthesky63 Instagram takeover for a week from Friday 26th November 2021. We’re dead chuffed about this particularly as Esther has undertaken extensive research in their fascinating archives.
20th November 2021
SHIPS in the SKY: the Co-op Connection. We were delighted when the modernists approached us to do a book related to the SHIPS project and thought it only fitting to focus on one strand of the project that also relates to Manchester – our beloved Co-op.
In celebration of the co-operative movement and the direct connection that SHIPS in the SKY has to the Co-op Society, Esther Johnson has produced a 44 page full-colour booklet published by the modernist, and available to buy online and at their Port St HQ in Manchester. The booklet brings together a selection of project donations associated with the former Hull Co-operative Society Central Premises, alongside an assortment of delightful CWS and Co-op ephemera through the ages.
15 November 2021
Hull Kingston Rovers announce that their new away strip will feature ‘Three Ships’ on its ‘Icons of Hull’ away strip. Needless to say, we are absolutely delighted. The shirt is available to pre-order
26 July 2021
For her project ‘Through my Eyes’, young Hull artist Erin Ledsom has created seven colourful embroidered landmarks in Hull , winning an award from Ferens Art Gallery in the process. Alan Boyson’s ‘Three Ships’ is one of her beautifully embroidered landmarks and was amongst those featured in this BBC article.
8th November 2020
SHIPS in the SKY reprise the fundraising t-shirt design and tote design, FISH + SHIPS.
Collaborating again with 1 of 100, Esther Johnson designed three T-shirts and a Tote bag to celebrate the city’s entwined maritime, sporting and cultural legacy, whilst raising money for UK foodbank organisations — The Trussell Trust and FareShare. his time the t-shirts were designed in Hull’s three teams colours.
17 Aug 2020
SHIPS in the SKY is featured in BBC Radio 4 programme Sketches: Stories of Art and People — Lost and Found first broadcast 16:00, 17.08.20. Esther chats about all things ‘Three Ships’ in the programme, and about how Alan Boyson’s artwork has inspired her own work.
7 Aug 2020
After selling out of our second printing run of t-shirts and totes, and printing an additional surprise item in the form of a vinyl slip mat, we were delighted to announce that we raised £1,982.50 (+Gift Aid) for charities Fare Share and The Trussell Trust. That’s a lot of kind folks wearing one of the best bits of Hull on their chest, arm, or turntable.
29 May 2020
Launch of SHIPS in the SKY charity t-shirt and tote campaign FISH + SHIPS. Collaborating with 1 of 100, Esther Johnson designed two T-shirts and a Tote bag to celebrate the city’s entwined maritime and cultural legacy, whilst raising money for UK foodbank organisations — The Trussell Trust and FareShare. Esther created an accompanying promotional film editing lockdown readings of Philip Larkin’s, ‘The North Ship’ from Vicky Foster, John Godber OBE, Jennifer Hodgson, Reece Shearsmith, Matthew Sweet and Dean Wilson. This fundraising endeavour has the slogan:
FISH + SHIPS x CULTURE ÷ NORTHERN GRIT = HULL
16 April 2020
BBC Radio Humberside Culture Night coverage of #MuralMemories in which ‘SHIPs in the SKY’ released a project oral history interview each Monday during the Covid-19 lockdown. Esther also discussed #ThreeShipsLockdown in which the public were encouraged to submit images of, or connected to, the Three Ships mural during lockdown.
27 and 31 December 2019
BBC Radio Humberside broadcast a special ‘Ships in the Sky’ documentary all about the project. The hour long broadcast includes Esther Johnson talking about the genesis of the project; oral history clips from folk discussing their personal experiences of the former Hull Co-op/BHS building; and memories and music clips from the buildings rooftop nightclubs, The Skyline Ballroom, Baileys, and Romeo’s & Juliet’s .
10 December 2019
Esther has been invited to deliver a talk at Hull History Centre about the SHIPS in the SKY project on Tuesday 10th December at 12.30-1.30. We will be showing some raw film footage and chatting about what the project is about and what’s happened so far. We’ll share our vision for SHIPS in the SKY for the 2020 and have some ephemera on display. More information on our Facebook page
22 November 2019
Issue #2 ‘Brill’ of The Critical Fish launches and includes a feature ‘Fish and Ships’ about SHIPS in the SKY. The magazine includes a centre fold-out poster illustration by Hull artist Jake Machen drawing on research featured in timelines on this website.
21 November 2019
GRADE II LISTING status awarded to Alan Boyson’s ‘THREE SHIPS’ mural by Historic England and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). List Entry Number: 1468073
7–31 October 2019
DROP-IN RECORDING SESSIONS for folk to record their personal memories of the former Co-op/BHS building will take place at:
INGS LIBRARY Savoy Road, HU8 0TY · Tel: 01482 331 250
Monday 7 October 9.30am – 1pm
Thursday 31 October 2.00pm – 5.00pm
3 October 2019
Exclusive ‘SHIPS in the SKY’ film footage shows Alan Boyson’s ‘Fish’ mural, after the unsafe wooden corridor surrounding it on the 4th floor, had to be demolished. Esther Johnson has been working with Hull City Council to record the building’s journey, and it was during one of the meetings that the Council revealed that there would be another unique opportunity to record changes and unique view’s around one of Boyson’s Hull work’s. Esther and Chris from OctoVision Media have worked together to capture a unique view of the Fish mural and 4th floor.
Footage of the Fish will feature in the forthcoming trailer – along with an excerpt of Vicky Foster’s specially commissioned poem – later this autumn. In the meantime, Esther has created a teaser for the trailer, which can be viewed here. The Council told us that the mural was well protected during works and is in very fine condition. We also know from our research with Christopher Marsden and EP Andrew, the building’s architect, that there’s no need to worry about the mural being exposed to the elements; as what eventually became a corridor was originally designed to be an outdoor balcony, as Philip’s original architect boards show on the photograph below.
Esther will be talking to Joe Hakim on BBC Radio Humberside’s Culture Night on 3rd October at around 8.15pm.
Esther said of her working relationship with the Council, “The Council let us know about the Fish mural being revealed so we were able to grab a unique opportunity to film it. Hull City Council have also provided us with unique materials which, just like the film footage, give us a one-off insight into the physical journey of this building. I’m very excited about getting into the building itself when asbestos removal is finally complete. It’s been a massive job.”
22 September 2019
The 2019 Hull Marathon and Relays race is maritime themed and takes in lots of iconic Hull landmarks, including Alan Boyson’s ‘Three Ships’ mosaic mural at 16.5 miles.
We’re absolutely delighted to have a flyer in the runner’s registration packs inviting them to contribute photo’s of themselves running by the Three Ships mosaic. Runners and spectators can send in Three Ships related race-day photo’s by tagging us on our three social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – see below for links ) or use #ShipsInTheSkyHull. hashtag.
here will be a SHIPS in the SKY postcard inside the runners race pack at the finish line with more information about how to get involved, which will be especially relevant to locals.
We wish all the runners and everyone involved on the day the very best of luck. Thank you Hull Marathon for your generosity in involving us.
2–27 September 2019
A SHIPS in the SKY exhibition will take place at GREENWOOD AVENUE LIBRARY 220 Greenwood Avenue, Hull HU6 9RU · Tel: 01482 331 275
DROP-IN RECORDING SESSIONS for folk to record their personal memories of the former Co-op/BHS building will take place on:
Wednesday 11th September 2.00pm – 6.00pm
Monday 23rd September 2.00pm – 5.00pm
15 August 2019
Esther Johnson and project-commissioned poet Vicky Foster chatted with Joe Hakim about the project on BBC Radio Humberside’s Culture Night show. Listen to the programme from 13.32 until 14 September 2019.
14 August 2019
DROP-IN RECORDING SESSIONS took place from 1 – 4.30pm at HULL CENTRAL LIBRARY Albion Street, Hull HU1 3TF · Tel: 01482 210 000 for folk to record their personal memories of the former Co-op/BHS building.
5–31 August 2019
A SHIPS in the SKY exhibition took place at EAST PARK LIBRARY East Park, Central Pavilion, Holderness Road, Hull HU8 8JU · Tel: 01482 318 830
DROP-IN RECORDING SESSIONS for folk to record their personal memories of the former Co-op/BHS building took place on:
Monday 5th August 10.30am – 1.00pm
Wednesday 21st August 2.00pm – 5.00pm
10–15 June 2019
A blitz of SHIPS in the SKY DROP-IN RECORDING SESSIONS took place with Untold Hull at four venues over six days, as well as vox-pop’s in King Edward Square in front of the mural.
HULL CENTRAL LIBRARY · Monday 10th June 10am – 2pm
LONGHILL LIBRARY · Thurs 13th June 9am – 12.30pm
HULL CENTRAL LIBRARY · Friday 14th June 10am – 2pm
KING EDWARD SQ VOX POP · Friday 14th June 4.30pm – 6pm
AVENUES LIBRARY · Saturday 15th June 10am – 12pm
KING EDWARD SQ VOX POP · Saturday 15th June 12.30 pm – 2pm
These dedicated sessions were for folk to record their personal memories of the former Co-op/BHS building. Each session had it’s own Facebook Event for contributors to register their interest.
3–30 June 2019
A SHIPS in the SKY exhibition took place at LONGHILL LIBRARY St Margaret’s Church, Shannon Road, Hull HU8 9PD · Tel: 01482 331 530
DROP-IN RECORDING SESSIONS for folk to record their personal memories of the former Co-op/BHS building took place on:
Thurs 13th June 9am – 12.30pm
17 May 2019
Esther Johnson’s article ‘Hull’s Ships in the Sky’ is published in Tribune Magazine.
9–31 May 2019
A SHIPS in the SKY exhibition took place at BRANSHOLME LIBRARY Goodhart Road, Hull HU7 4EF · Tel: 01482 331 234
DROP-IN RECORDING SESSIONS for folk to record their personal memories of the former Coop/BHS building took place on:
Thurs 9th May 1.30 – 5pm and Mon 20th May 9.30am – 12.30pm
18 April 2019
Jessica Leathley from Hull Libraries and Untold Hull is interviewed for BBC Look North chatting about the SHIPS in the SKY memory recording sessions at Western Library, Hull.
17 April 2019
Esther is interviewed by James Hoggarth on BBC Radio Humberside ‘Drivetime’, encouraging listeners to go along to Western Library to share their memories of the former Co-op/BHS for SHIPS in the SKY.
1–30 April 2019
A SHIPS in the SKY exhibition took place at WESTERN LIBRARY 254 Boulevard, Hessle Road, Hull HU3 3ED · Tel: 01482 331 217
DROP-IN RECORDING SESSIONS for folk to record their personal memories of the former Coop/BHS building took place on:
Mon 8th April 1 – 6pm and Thurs 18th April 1 – 6pm
6 April 2019
Hull’s 5th annual MASS PILLOW FIGHT took place in front of the THREE SHIPS at 11am sharp. Esther was there to capture the fun and frolics.
3 April 2019
Esther and Leigh attended the Hull City Council Planning Committee meeting at Hull Guildhall. The Planning Committee vote to approve the current application with conditions to save the THREE SHIPS if viable, and save and relocate the Fish and Sponge-Print Tile murals.
“The outline planning application, which was approved today, includes plans to retain the BHS Three Ships Mural, as well as two internal handmade Alan Boyson murals.” Hull Daily Mail BBC Article
1–4 April 2019
Esther undertook several interviews for SHIPS in the SKY and was interviewed by Russ Litten about the project on West Hull fm 106.9.
April 2019
Half of the former Edwin Davis department is now demolished. The store is situated directly behind the former Hull Co-op. You can see the magnificent concrete shell dome of the Skyline Ballroom in the photographs below.
12 March 2019
BBC Look North – East Yorks and Lincs featured a broadcast about SHIPS in the SKY urging the public to get in touch with memories and/or artefacts relating to the former Hull Coop/BHS store
27 February 2019
Hull City Council confirm that they intend to repair and restore Alan Boyson’s FISH and SPONGE-PRINT tile mural situated inside the former Hull Coop/BHS store. The council reported that they intend to,
“retain the external Three Ships mural that sits on the exterior face of the BHS building. Like the internal murals in the Co-Op building, this will follow structural surveys and investigations. As more investigations are carried out on the Three Ships mural, other options including reducing the size of the existing panel, replicating an exact match with modern materials or replacing with new work through commission or competitions may be investigated, the council said.”
27 February 2019
Our •••SOLD OUT••• SHIPS in the SKY launch at Hull Central Library took place with a panel including: E.P. Andrew (Hull Cooperative Central Premises Architect); Leigh Bird (project research assistant, HHAG); Paul Dakeyne (DJ for Romeo’s & Juliet’s); Ann Day, Sandra Hare and Carole Murray (Cooperative Store Window Display Artists’); Esther Johnson (project artist and filmmaker); Christopher Marsden (ceramics and Alan Boyson historian), hosted by Dave Lee (writer and filmmaker).
16 February 2019
House of Mirelle , a website dedicated to a high end fashion house that existed in the Hull between 1938 and 1978, publishes an article and interview with Esther about SHIPS in the SKY.
14 February 2019
Demolition commenced of the former Edwin Davis department store on Bond Street, Hull, situated to the rear of the Hull Co-op building.
13 February 2019
The 100 seat capacity project launch event with Untold Hull fills up within a day of being launched on social media. If you can’t attend , please use Eventbrite to return your unwanted ticket, so someone else can use your place.
12 February 2019
Esther and a group of special guests discussed SHIPS in the SKY at an evening event on Wednesday 27th February, 6pm , Hull Central Library, Albion Street, Hull, HU1 3TF. The evening was hosted in conjunction with Untold Hull to launch the project. Dave Lee led a panel of specially invited guests who all have history with the building.
Guests included:
EP Andrew, Architect – Christopher Marsden, ceramics and Alan Boyson historian – Paul Dakeyne, Romeo’s & Juliet’s DJ –
Ann, Sandara & Carole, the three Co-op Display Artists who stood in front of the Fish mural in 1961.
Book your free place at hulllibraries.eventbrite.co.uk. We have 100 places, but in the event of of the launch being sold out, please keep checking the Eventbrite link and our social media channels, as returns will result in tickets being re-released.
29 November 2018
James Reckitt Library Trust announce that they “are delighted to be funding arts heritage project SHIPS in the SKY.
The Untold Hull team at Hull Libraries will be working with artist and filmmaker, Esther Johnson, recording memories for an upcoming film and touring exhibition.”
Esther and Leigh spoke to Kerrie and Loren on BBC Radio Humberside’s Culture Night about the James Reckitt Library Trust Award, Dodda Maggý’s installation ‘Alda’ and the news that Hull City Council have found Alan Boyson’s third mural.
Listen to Dodda Maggý’ from 23:15 and Esther and Leigh from 32:51.
19 November 2018
Dan, our excellent project oral historian from Untold Hull commences interviewing capturing memories of Romeo’s & Juliet’s.
16 November 2018
Hull Libraries advertise for a creative person with experience of digital media to assist Untold Hull and Esther with Phase 1 of SHIPS in the SKY .
Applications must be in by 30th November for interview on 11th December.
24 October 2018
The launch of the Modernist Society Leeds at Colours May Vary was a sell-out night. The Leeds chapter of the Modernist Society hosted a Live Q&A with Esther and Leigh from SHIPS in the SKY and Alan Boyson expert, Christopher Marsden, Attendees contributed to the evening, as did Jack Hale and Eddy Rhead, Modernist Society founders. Esther also showed some footage of the SHIPS in the SKY interview with E.P. Andrew – the Co-Op building’s architect – as well as an exclusive video of Alan Boyson talking about his Fish mural in Hull, which was kindly provided by Alan’s son, Matt Boyson.
8 October 2018
theCV announce the launch of the Modernist Society Leeds. The Leeds chapter of the Modernist Society launches with a Live Q&A with Esther and Leigh from SHIPS in the SKY and Alan Boyson expert, Christopher Marsden, at Colours May Vary on Wednesday 24th October, 6-8 pm. Jack Hale and Eddy Rhead – Modernist Society founders – are attending to support the Leeds launch event. theCV article with full information and links to tickets. *NOW SOLD OUT*
October 2018
Commence gathering and recording of oral histories with members of the public who have strong memories connected to the Hull Co-op/BHS.
27 September 2018
Esther Johnson chats to Kerrie Marsh and Loren Fox on BBC Radio Humberside’s Culture Night about Alan Boyson’s third mural on a programme dedicated to film. She also manages to spill her tea, but lets not dwell on that…
21 September 2018
“Save Two. Get One Free… New Boyson Mural Discovered.”
Neil Mudd of Culture Vultures reports on the discovery of Alan Boyson’s third mural. He chats to Christopher Marsden and Esther Johnson about how the discovery happened after a days filming with EP Andrew.
19 September 2018
Angus Young reports in the Hull Daily Mail about Christopher Marsden’s third mural discovery following his involvement on the SHIPS in the SKY film. “A third ‘forgotten’ mural could still be inside Hull’s old Co-op building”.
19 September 2018
Esther Johnson and Christopher Marsden chatted to Amanda White on BBC Radio Humberside about SHIPS in the SKY and Chris’ discovery of a third Alan Boyson mural as a result of project filming. Listen in from 37.14
14 September 2018
The first days filming of SHIPS in the SKY with EP Andrew (CWS Architect of the Jameson Street store) acts as the catalyst for Achitectural Historian and Alan Boyson expert, Christopher Marsden, to discover the existence of a third Alan Boyson mural, which may still be in the empty store. If any significant part of it survives it will be the most existing complete sponge print tile work of Boyson’s.
After the surprise discovery of a Kodachrome slide showing an unknown artwork, Christopher Marsden realised that the slide’s number meant it was in a sequence of other Hull photos. He found the mural’s location in the bar area of the former Skyline Ballroom using the architectural drawings. The mural was completed by March, 1963 and is decorated with Alan Boyson’s signature graphic style. Marsden said, “Similar sponge print work was done for new buildings in Salford, Walsall, Wolverhampton but they are all either lost or severely damaged”.
Esther Johnson said, ”When I started this project I hoped that people would dig out shopping bags, ticket stubs or posters from the nightclub and tell me about everyday recollections of their time in the shop or at gigs. To find the existence of a third mural is a dream come-true. If Chris hadn’t set up our wonderful day with Philip Andrew, he may never have found it. It’s thrilling to think SHIPS in the SKY was the catalyst for Chris and Philip’s discovery.”
Christopher passed on his findings to Hull City Council so that they can conduct an effective search for the mural. He went on to say, “If it is there it will be on a partition wall so it would not be a great challenge to salvage, conserve and remount the work.”
September 2018
Article in Culture Vultures: Esther and Leigh talked to Neil Mudd about the SHIPS in the SKY film, fried egg butty’s and the Leeds Modernist connection. “The past may be a foreign country, but we do things exactly the same here…”
23 August 2018
Esther chats to Kerrie Marsh and Loren Fox on BBC Radio Humberside’s Culture Night about SHIPS in the SKY.
Listen to the programme from 0:50:28 until 21st September.
19 August 2018
It was announced that SHIPS in the SKY is dedicated to the memory of Alan Boyson, who died on Sunday 19th August, 2018. “We’re deeply saddened to hear of his passing; his THREE SHIPS mural is the inspiration for SHIPS in the SKY and we hope that we can do him proud.” – Esther Johnson and Leigh Bird
The wonderful photograph here of Alan was taken in his workshop on January 31st, 2013 by Christopher Marsden.
August 2018
It was announced that the first phase of SHIPS in the SKY would be supported by Hull Culture and Leisure Hull Libraries.
11 August 2018
Coop News publish an article about the SHIPS in the SKY film and exhibition.
24 July 2018
Filming starts! Esther’s first interview is a day spent with the warm, sharp and witty E.P. Andrews, CWS architect of the Jameson Street store. The interview was set up by Alan Boyson expert, Christopher Marsden – already a generous friend and contributor to the Hull Heritage Action Group campaign – who was also invaluable during filming. Both Philip and Chris unearthed some treasures which were a privilege to see and shoot. It was wonderful to hear Philip’s memories about his time at CWS and to record his recollections of Alan Boyson’s work; his respect and fondness for Alan shone through.
15 July 2018
Esther chats to Neil Rudd on BBC Radio Humberside about SHIPS in the SKY. As a result of the HDM article and radio interview we have some wonderful stories sent in. Listen to the programme from 1.44.20 until 14th August 2018.
11 July 2018
An interview with Esther about the project is written by Angus Young and published in the Hull Daily Mail.
10 July 2018
Esther starts her search for stories, memories and photographs about the construction of the THREE SHIPS, store and nightclub. She’d love to hear from people who have worked at the Co-op and BHS stores as well as artists and nightclub-goers who went to the Skyline, Bailey’s and Romeo and Juliette’s. You can submit your memories on our contact page and sign-up to our newsletter.
9 July 2018
Our article, ‘Building Ships in the Sky’, about the THREE SHIPS, is published in issue 27 of The Modernist,
July 2018
We will shortly begin the process of looking for SHIPS in the SKY project participants. We’re looking for any stories connected to the mural, be it shoppers, Co-Op/BHS workers, and workers involved in construction of the building or mural. The history of the Skyline Ballroom in it’s various incarnations as Romeo’s & Juliet’s and Bailey’s is also of interest. If you have any stories photo’s, posters, gig tickets and other ephemera you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch via the Contact Us page.
18 April 2018
Our article, ‘Building SHIPS in the SKY’, about the THREE SHIPS, for issue 27 of The Modernist, will be published in July 2018.