Fishy clue to park key ‘found in antique shop’

The key, which is emblazoned with Hull’s coat of arms and also bears a fish motif, is thought to have been used to open the gates of Pickering Park in 1911.

It was found alongside two other items at a shop in South Cave which have been bought by Hull Council’s civic office for a total of £580.

A report said: “In view of the fish motif also on the key, and the context in which it was found, with a medal commemorating the opening of Pickering Park, it is probable that this is the key used to unlock the gates of Pickering Park in 1911, and which the council knows to have existed from the newspaper reports of the time.

“An alternative provenance could be that it was the ceremonial key for the adjacent Fisheries Museum opened in 1912.”

The medal, which also displays the coat of arms, has the words “Councillor Pearlman, Parks Committee” inscribed around the edge. On the back is an etching believed to be of the park and the words “Pickering Park, Opened 13th July 1911”.

The third item which was bought from Olde English Furniture Antiques and Collectables is a decorative pin with a picture of the ship in the centre. It is inscribed with “Hull Publicity Club” around the edge, “Past President” on the top, and “Alderman Benno Pearlman 1931” on the back.

The report says the three items, which are now on display in the Lord Mayor’s Parlour, were purchased after being brought to the attention of the Lord Mayor, Coun Colin Inglis, by a member of the council.

However, the civic office is seeking reimbursement for its outlay from the Alderman Rupert Alexander Alec-Smith Trust Fund, which was set up to buy objects of historic or artistic interest linked to the city.

The report said: “It has now come to light that it would be more appropriate to have purchased these items using the fund.”