Project casts net wide for tales of ‘pattie slappers’

The “pattie slappers” of Hull, who churned out fish and potato cakes on an industrial scale, look set to finally enter the history books as a result of a new Heritage Lottery-funded project.

While the city’s fishing industry has been extensively researched, less has been written about the women who worked in food processing factories around Hessle Road, in the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

Project Coordinator Gill Kapka, from regional social enterprise CERT, which has been awarded £44,100, said people had different definitions for the term: “One person I spoke to said it was the ladies who produced the potato patties; someone else said it was a colloquial term for anyone who worked in food factories in Hull, particularly around the Hessle Road area. If you mention pattie slappers most people think of them as ladies in white wellies, overalls and head scarfs...ladies you couldn’t argue with.”

Simon Ward, of Hull-based fish supplier F.Smales, said: “The Hull pattie is just smashed up potato with herbs in it. Some will do breadcrumbs others will batter and deep fry them. As far as I’m aware there are no companies that mass produce them now, although some shops will make their own.”

One long-time resident of Hessle Road - who didn’t want to be named - said the cakes they produced wouldn’t be allowed now: “They used to use the lugs of the fish, the bones of the neck. But they never killed nobody.”

The project will work with volunteers to collect stories from people who worked in the frozen food industry to create a website, a book, an oral archive, and an exhibition at the city’s Streetlife Museum next Spring. Children from Sydney Smith School will also take part.

Fiona Spiers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund, Yorkshire and the Humber said: “This project will enable the women who were part of this industry to share their memories, preserving this unique heritage by bringing its stories to life. Our industrial heritage is something we can all take pride in, and makes us who we are today.” Anyone who can help is asked to call 01469 572313.