We are delighted to announce that, on Saturday 31st December, at 11.59pm, the Lord Mayor of Hull will welcome the assembled company in Trinity Square to the start of 2017, Hull’s year as UK City of Culture.
Councillor Sean Chaytor will make the announcement from the West Door of Holy Trinity into the newly-revamped Trinity Square. At midnight the bells of Holy Trinity will ring out to welcome in 2017.
It will be a celebration of the start of a remarkable year in Hull and also marks the completion of the public realm work in the square.
The work in the square has been accomplished through a highly successful partnership between Hull City Council and Holy Trinity Church. The revitalised space, with its innovative water features and exceptional lighting scheme, will bring a new vibrancy to the historic Old Town of Hull.
The announcement by the Lord Mayor will be preceded by a Watchnight Service in Holy Trinity, starting at 11.00pm. At this service the Lord Mayor will give a civic welcome to 2017, and we will pray for the coming year and all that it will bring for Hull. We will look forward to the city becoming the UK City of Culture and of new investment into the city and the opportunities that this will offer to the people of Hull. We will also celebrate the fact that 2017 will be the year in which the Archbishop of York will designate Holy Trinity as Hull Minster.
At midnight on New Year’s Eve, the bells of Holy Trinity will ring out to welcome in 2017.
The Vicar of Holy Trinity, the Reverend Canon Dr Neal Barnes said, “This is a unique moment in the history of our city – indeed we will be part of history in the making.
“I am thrilled that Holy Trinity will play a central role in the cultural life of the city in this coming year and look forward to welcoming the world to enjoy one of Hull’s most historic and iconic buildings.
“We would like to congratulate Hull City Council’s contractors Eurovia for completing the works in the square on time and overcoming a number of challenges during the project.
“Our celebrations on New Year’s Eve will mark the achievements of the past year and look ahead with eagerness and optimism to the exciting events of 2017.”
Lord Mayor of Hull and Admiral of the Humber, Councillor Sean Chaytor, said: “On behalf of the people of Hull, I am delighted to be invited to mark the start of what is going to be a momentous year for the city.
“With Holy Trinity set to become a Minster in 2017, it is fitting that its bells will ring in Hull’s year as UK City of Culture, providing a moment for us all to reflect on our city’s proud history and exciting future.”
The historic City of Culture year officially launches at 4pm on Sunday, 1st January, with Made in Hull, a journey through almost 100 years of the city’s history. Bafta-nominated documentary filmmaker Sean McAllister is creative director of this major event, which will see local and international artists using large-scale projection, soundscapes, site-specific art installations, animation, archive material and interactive live performance to transform iconic buildings, streets, the skyline and other public spaces around Hull's city centre. The event is free and unticketed and runs over seven evenings (1st-7th January).
The first night will culminate with In with a Bang, presented in association with Arco, a spectacular fireworks display over the Humber at 8.17pm (20.17), to be attended by 25,000 ticketholders.