Why Hull is always on the BBC weather map
Sometimes it was there, sometimes it wasn’t, and it annoyed the heck out of a lot of Hull people. There appeared to be no rhyme nor reason as to why the port of Hull was not a permanent fixture on TV weather maps. That was until the situation was brought to the attention of former BBC director general Tony Hall.
Fleeting glimpses of the name Hull on some forecasts and not others bothered locals who had never had an explanation for the sporadic nature of it. Then Hull was announced as the UK City of Culture 2017 and along with its GBP32m cultural budget and a host of attractions and events – including hosting the prestigious 2017 Turner Prize – Hull was bestowed a permanent place on the BBC’s weather maps. Read more: Top tips to keep your dog safe and well when wintry conditions descend
In 2016, at the announcing of Hull’s successful City of Culture bid, then BBC director general Tony Hall (he has since been succeeded by Tim Davie) told an audience at Hull Truck Theatre that Hull would be on every BBC weather map from January 1, 2017. It was part of the plan to make the Beeb “unashamedly Hull-centric in 2017” during the city’s year in the cultural spotlight. He said: “Someone stopped me earlier and asked me why Hull is missing from the weather map.
Sometimes it’s there, quite often it is not.
Former BBC director general Tony Hall (Image: PA)
“Well, I’ve made a phone call and I can reveal that Hull will definitely be there on every weather map, national and local.” Mr Hall praised Hull for the “most well-prepared, well-funded and thought-through legacy programme” he had ever seen and said, as he was talking about legacy, another would be Hull’s place on weather maps going forwards.
Read next: