Hull blitz tale to help fund new war memorial

Local best-selling author Val Wood releases a new short story tomorrow called ‘Steven’s War’, which centres on the bombing of Hull during the Second World War.

Proceeds from sales go to the independently-run Hull People’s Memorial Fund whose memorial bearing the names of those who lost their lives during the Blitz is due to be installed opposite the City Hall.

Alan Brigham, chairman of the Fund, said: “Her writing will shine a light on a side of the city’s history that is often overlooked.

“We want people to know that Hull, in both wars, received the second highest number of bombs to fall on any place in the UK.”

Wood used a combination of historical fact and fiction to help bring the tragic story of the Blitz to a wider audience.

She said: “I found the story of the Blitz both terrifying and fascinating and the story of Steven’s War came from my research.”

Steven’s War will be launched at a book signing tomorrow at the Kardomah94 cafe-bar in Alfred Gelder Street from 1pm.

The event will be opened by the Lord Mayor and special guests include Labour MP for West Hull and Hessle, Alan Johnson, who has written the book’s foreword.

Re-enactors will mingle with the crowd and provide information on the artefacts which will be on display, such as Second World War bombs and bricks and tiles from the city’s destroyed Prudential building.

A second book signing will follow on Saturday, the day of the 75th anniversary of the bombings, at the People’s Memorial Trust in Whitefriargate from 1pm.