[ d u n g c a r t d o t c o m ]A place for the stuff that leaks out of my head

Rank Outsider from duncmc via flickr.

The Clarence Flour Mill on the east bank of the River Hull, next to Drypool Bridge. Rumour has it that the building is earmarked for demolition, to make way for a 24 storey residential development. The building has been empty for some time, and is one of the most characterful of the remaining riverside mills in Hull. Many of them have been left derelict and decaying. Many have been destroyed to make way for modern industrial units.

We should be learning from places like Gateshead in Newcastle, where the old Baltic Flour Mill has been sympathetically redeveloped into the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts. Like the Clarence, the Baltic was once a Rank Hovis mill.

The Clarence Flour Mill has particular cultural significance for the city of Kingston-upon-Hull. It was originally owned by Joseph Rank Ltd., a large flour milling business built up by Joseph Rank. His son J. Arthur Rank was born in Hull and went on to inherit the family business and also to found the Rank Organisation, which became a major force in British film making.

The family business became Rank Hovis McDougall responsible for some of the best known consumer brands on the supermarket shelf – Hovis, Bisto, Mr Kipling, Paxo and Sharwoods to name but a few.

The Rank Organisation, founded by J. Arthur Rank in 1937, owned five leading film studios, including Pinewood Studios. As well as employing several major British film directors of the day, it launched the careers of many British actors. The company also founded or owned many of the brands that are household names in the entertainment and multimedia industries – Butlins, Haven, Oasis, Rank Xerox, Wharfedale, Tom Cobleigh Inns, Mecca Bingo, Hard Rock Cafes and Hotels.

And it all started in Hull!

I once heard it mooted that the old Clarence Flour Mill ought to be redeveloped into a national museum for for movies and film, because of its association with J. Arthur Rank. I think that would be an excellent idea. But at the end of the day it comes down to vision and money, neither of which seem to be available in the required quantities.

Oh, and a heads up to James (theholyllama). When I found both my batteries wanting for power he selflessly offered his own so I could get the shot. Thanks mate!

I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue from duncmc via flickr.

An amazingly photogenic cluster of rotten timbers protruding from the Humber foreshore at Hessle Haven.

Across The River And Into The Trees from duncmc via flickr.

Although not necessarily in that order…

It’s been a while since I posted, which is very remiss of me. Just another Humber Bridge shot I’m afraid.

Note to self: Must blog more often!

Surface Tension from duncmc via flickr.

We got up early on Sunday and briefly escaped the cosseted convenience of Center Parcs. Twenty minutes down the A66 and we hit Ullswater. With the weather as it was we had low expectations, and I was fully prepared to be uninspired by the dull, flat, winter light. As it happens things turned out better than I had hoped.

Clouding The Issue from duncmc via flickr.

The cooling towers of the mighty Drax power station populate the skies of East Yorkshire with their cloudy emissions.

Convergence from duncmc via flickr.

Don’t you just love it when everything comes together?

Last post of 2007. May you have a very fine and fortunate 2008.

Heart Of Oak from duncmc via flickr.

Tucked away at the north west corner of Beverley Westwood is a small area of Oak woodland known as Burton Bushes. There is evidence to suggest that this is a surviving patch of ancient forest, such as would have once covered the entire Westwood and beyond.

Zephyr In The Sky from duncmc via flickr.

I spotted this nice bit of sky over the Humber on the way to work this morning.

My EF-S 10-22mm wide angle lens is currently heading west out of Morrocco on the Hull Freedom Trail and it feels like I’ve lost my right arm. It does mean I have the opportunity to try out my new eBay acquisitions. This shot was taken with a Russian made Jupiter 135mm prime lens that is built like a tank and smells like a mechanic’s overalls. However I’m blown away by its sharpness. I need to do some tests against the Canon EF 28-135 which is my usual lens for this range, but I’m pretty sure the Jupiter is going to come out on top for image quality - not bad at under £14 all in.

In The Blink Of An Eye from duncmc via flickr.

Probably my favourite of this series from Newcastle. The Millennium Bridge on Gateshead Quays, with the Baltic Centre For Contemporary Art behind.

Dark Angel from duncmc via flickr.

Here’s a little tribute to all those who ran the Great North Run last Sunday. This was taken on a visit to Newcastle a couple of weeks ago to the opening of a short film “About Running” by Suky Best at the Baltic Centre For Contemporary Art. The wife ran the GNR last year and was interviewed by the artist making the fim. Her voice was one of many used on the final soundtrack.