Relic of Blitz could become memorial

The clock will be turned back nearly 70 years tomorrow when campaigners officially launch plans to save one of the last surviving ruins of the Blitz in the country.

The bomb-damaged National Picture Theatre, in Beverley Road, Hull, is virtually in the same state it was after enemy aircraft attacked the city on March 17 1941.

Campaigners have so far raised 500 towards a new planning application aimed at turning it and the adjacent Swan Inn into an educational facility and memorial to the 1,200 people who died during air raids on the city.

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They hope more donations will flood in as they prepare to hand out thousands of leaflets urging "Your Heritage Needs You!"

Re-enactor Dominic Barron in an air-raid warden's uniform will be joined at the launch by organiser Alan Canvess, chairman of the Hull branch of the Campaign for Real Ale and committee member of the National Civilian WW2 Memorial Trust.

Mr Canvess said: "There does seem to be a groundswell of support. We need 1,500 to 2,000 for the planning application and we have a professional architect who is working for nothing.

"We are meeting Lottery people next week in Leeds; we are trying every angle we possibly can. The owner has given us six months to get our act together – but you can't move without money."

For more information, or to make a donation to the appeal, visit http://ncww2mt.freewebspace.com/

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