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CURRICULUM
VITAE
ALEC GILL
BSc. MSc. HETC
1946
Born: Saturday 2nd.November as Alexander Gill in Hull's Old Town off Lowgate at 24
Salthouse Lane. The middle child of George Alexander and Clarice Ann (nee
Barkworth) - with two older sisters (Ann &
June) and two younger brothers (Peter & Ian).
1952-54
Park Avenue Special School for the Physically Handicapped - erroneous
placement with only slight deformity of both hands.
1954-56
Clifton Street Infant School - for 'normal' children.
1956-58
Blundell Street Junior School (not allowed to sit 11+exam).
1958-62
Wilberforce High School for Boys.
1962-64
First Job: Messenger boy and, later, an Export clerk with Armfield's
Transport Agency (Hull) Limited.
1964
Left job to stay in Berlin, Germany.
1964-67
Export/Import Clerk at Thomas Meadows & Co. Shipping & Forwarding
Agents in Hull.
1967
Hitch-hiked through Europe to Malta and stayed there for two months.
1967-69
Import Manager at Lep Transport Ltd., a TIR Ro-Ro firm, King George Dock,
Hull.
1969-71
Export Manager at Gentransco Limited in Hull; and became an Associate Member
of the Institute of Freight Forwarders - qualified after passing nine-subject examination
- became actively involved in IFF Committee work.
1971
Travelled to Eire / Ulster.
1972-74
Hull College of Commerce as a mature student where gained five 'O'
levels:
Mathematics;
English Literature;
Human Biology;
English Language; and
General Knowledge Paper.
And three
'A' levels:
Social & Economic History;
Sociology; and,
English Literature.
1973
Flew to Israel and hitch-hiked back to U.K. via various
Islamic and European countries.
1974-77
- Psychology student at Hull University where gained BSc. (2/i).
- Elected Chair
of the Hull University Photographic Society for two years. Also involved in production of
student TV programmes.
1974
Began long-term photographic-documentary study of Hull's Deep-sea Trawling
Industry and its related Hessle Road Fishing Community.
1978-79
Full-time involvement with above photographic project with first (of twenty)
solo exhibitions: 'The Kids of Hessle Road' in Hull's Posterngate Gallery (1979).
1980-84
University of Wales (UWIST) Cardiff, Applied Psychology Department research
in Environmental Psychology conducted at various hospital wards.
1980
Second major exhibition: 'The Elderly of Hessle Road' at Hull Central Library
(and other sites).
1981
- Academic visit to United States: Memphis - conducted research in three
Tennessee hospitals and held two solo exhibitions of photo-documentary work.
- Also that
year, held three UK exhibitions - (a) the biggest called 'Fishermen's Year' at Hull's Town Docks
Museum for the centenary of the Royal National Mission to Deep-sea Fishermen;
(b) another was
an exhibition at the University of Hull in connection with the Department of Social &
Economic Studies.
1983
- Academic visit to Soviet Union. Attended conference in Moscow and stayed mainly
in Tallinn with Estonian psychologists in similar research field.
- Held two solo
exhibitions at: (a) The Beaford Art Centre, Devon; and
(b) School of Architecture, Cardiff,
Wales.
1984
- Gained Master of Science degree at University of Wales, Cardiff.
- Lectured as a Psychologist at Hull University and Humberside College of Higher
Education, and conducted various Adult Education classes.
- Researched and wrote first book
about the people involved in Hull's Fishing Community.
1985
Hull University Press published book: 'VILLAGE WITHIN A CITY: The Hessle Road
Fishing Community of Hull' with sketches by artist Gary Sargeant.
1986
Gained Certificate to teach adult-education classes (YHAFTE).
1986-87
Joint travelling exhibition with Gary Sargeant, 'Village Within A
City', which
toured nine venues within the Humberside region - including various schools.
1987
- Formed WORDSPIN with Hull poet Audrey Dunne to make creative writing available
to disadvantaged groups in the community (mainly the elderly).
- Second book published: 'HESSLE ROAD: A Photographer's View of Hull's Trawling
Days'
(Hutton Press).
1988
- WORDSPIN published a booklet called, 'Unlocked
Memories' - a collection of
illustrated reminiscences by elderly members of the Burlington Day Centre at Bridlington -
jointly edited with Audrey Dunne.
- Four years research at H.M.Customs & Excise continued and data gathered for next
(third) book.
1989
- 'LOST TRAWLERS OF HULL: Nine Hundred Losses 1835-1987' published by Hutton Press.
- Co-founder and inaugural Chair of STAND - the Action Group formed to save the old
St.Andrew's Fish Dock buildings as a Heritage Park for future generations (within which is
envisaged a Garden of Remembrance in tribute to the Lost Trawlermen of Hull).
1990
Fully occupied with STAND campaign work - success in that dock site was granted
Conservation Area Status; part-time Psychology lecturing reduced so as to focus upon STAND
and own research / writing work.
1991
- Fourth book: 'GOOD OLD HESSLE ROAD: Stories of Hull's Trawling and Community
Life' (Hutton Press) - a collection of newspaper articles first written for the
HULL TARGET: 'Hessle Road Corner' series.
- Stepped down from Chair of STAND after two years campaigning.
The group has gone from strength to strength and has successfully secured the old Hull sidewinder trawler Arctic
Corsair - and future prospects look good in 2003.
- Began research for fifth book about fishing superstitions. families. Also give
numerous slides talks about the community 'Hessle Road in its Heyday' - and design of bone-chine wall-plate featuring
'Hessle Road'.
- National Fishing Heritage Centre at Great Grimsby - Consulted and commissioned me to
write the text for:
(a) the display boards in the two large exhibition rooms and other text
used throughout the heritage centre; and
(b) the 'Walkabout Guide' printed in
a 1950's
tabloid newspaper format.
1992
- Conducted numerous oral history interviews for anecdotal material of fishing
family superstitions and taboos. This was in conjunction with extensive research of
archive material and photographic work for next book.
- Designed and marketed second wall-plate:' Women of Hessle
Road'.
1993
Fifth book published: 'SUPERSTITIONS: Folk Magic in Hull's Fishing
Community',
(Hutton Press). Biggest book to date. It also opens up my work into the area of universal
beliefs.
1994
- Gained commercial sponsorship from Chartered Surveyors Thomson Stott for a
series of talks during year (continues into 1998).
- Embarked upon new phase of article writing for national outlets Varying success from
The Guardian, Yorkshire on Sunday, to The Shetland Times. This led to some television and
radio appearances on Channel Four's The BIG Breakfast and BBC Radio Two's John Dunn Show.
Currently, various magazine articles are in the pipeline.
- Began lecturing at Hull University: 'I Remember When Reminiscence' Writing Course and
'Introduction to Psychology'.
1995
- Wrote, produced, presented and edited my first-ever video in conjunction with
Dovedale Studio (Robert Walters). It is called 'HESSLE ROAD' and sold its first 1000 very
quickly.
- Hull University published 'I Remember When' book edited with Audrey Dunne. We also had
a go at writing a television series, but not yet worked out.
1996
- Second video 'TREASURE TROVE: Historic Buildings of Kingston upon
Hull' produced.
But this did not sell as well as the first one.
- Teaching at Hull University continues.
- Gladly ended involvement with the STAND Committee. Time to move on.
1997
- New tutoring phase at Adult Residential Colleges throughout country at various
converted Manor Houses set in splendid countryside. I offer five main topics:
Happy-go-Lucky English;
Our Grannies' Superstitions;
I Remember When - Reminiscence
Writing Workshop (later = UNLOCKED MEMORIES);
Arctic Trawling & Fishing Families of Hull; and Psychology for
Beginners.
Very good move with bookings into 1999.
- Additional sponsorship from NIGHTINGALES Homecare Service based at Woodleigh
Residential Home where I lecture to the staff about Psychology in their workplace.
1998
- Adult Residential College teaching much more established and now able to
organize publicity ahead of event.
- Studying for Higher Education Teaching Certificate (HETC) for Part-time Tutors at the
University of Hull.
- Actively involved with the Kingston Square Association (local
residents) to protect area from being swamped with public houses and clubs.
1999
- February: awarded HETC teaching qualification - with
distinction for my Project "Teaching Text on the World Wide Web".
- Continued to enhance my website which later became approved by the BBC
Education Website Guide.
- Hull University lecturing at 'I Remember When' Reminiscence
Writing course continues from strength to strength. Indeed, in the
October, after a burst of publicity, the enrolments and I ran a second class -
on Wednesday morning and afternoon.
- NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Psycho-therapy work began
- but not promoted enough to attract lots of clients.
- Adult Residential College weekends still busy, but need to
re-promote in some areas. Lots of Public Speaking and WEA work.
- Third video written and produced: 'The
Fishing Families of Hull' (Dovedale Studio).
2000
- New Millennium optimism.
Started filming for my fourth
video
'ARCTIC TRAWLERMEN: Last of the Hunters' (Dovedale Studio - released May).
- More public speaking than ever and Hull University classes
going well.
- Spring holiday in Canada and New England, USA - great time
with Audrey.
- Established own PC at home with dial-in system to Hull
University. This opens up new possibilities.
- Began filming interviews for fifth video but, as it was too
late for the Christmas sales, it was postponed for release next year.
- Writing Workshops with Audrey Dunne presented during Hull
Literature Festival.
2001
- Website (finally) updated and enhanced.
- Trip to Belgium.
- Obtained certificate in Desk Top Publishing and other computing skills.
- Completed my fifth video: "THREE DAY MILLIONAIRES: Hull Trawlermen
Ashore between Trips"
2002
-
Continued reminiscence writing project along with
Audrey Dunne at the George Ashton Centre in North Hull. Working toward a book of
member's memories.
- Terminated several years of teaching I REMEMBER WHEN Writing
Course at The University of Hull.
- Presented many Adult Residential Colleges course around the country.
- Began Writing Course at Endike Community Centre with Audrey Dunne.
- Conducted interviews and completed video called HULL FISH DOCK: Workers on
St.Andrew's Dock with Dovedale Studio.
- Motoring holiday in Eire, Ulster and Scotland.
- Began work at The University of Hull as part of the team of Study Advice
Services
2003
-
Paid royalty for new book HULL'S FISHING
HERITAGE with Pen & Sword Books - intensive writing work.
- Continued with HAPPY-go-LUCKY ENGLISH: The Colourful Evolution of Our
Mother Tongue course with Centre for Lifelong Learning at The University of
Hull - a thirty-week programme
Website URL: www.hull.ac.uk/php/cesag
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