It is incredible to think that it has been four decades since the iconic structure of the Humber Bridge was first opened by Her Majesty the Queen in 1981.

Connecting two counties, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire but more importantly connecting people.

As part of the Humber Bridge’s 40th Anniversary year celebrations, the bridge board launched a competition inviting local schools in East Riding of Yorkshire, Hull and Lincolnshire to design a mural that captures that connection and inspiration, by exploring the theme ‘What the bridge means to me’. 

The Art Department at Hessle High School felt it was important for our students to be involved in this special celebration, especially considering our close proximity to the bridge.

 

Our staff and students see the iconic bridge everyday as they travel to and from school. The imposing North Tower can be seen from our classrooms and grounds and we have extraordinary views from our second floor Art Terrace.

Our Art department created a special project for all our students studying Art and Photography in Year 7, 8 and 9 to celebrate the anniversary of the bridge opening. Many of our students' families helped to build the bridge and some continue to maintain this wonderful structure.

During this project our students researched the history of the bridge, looked at artists who have been inspired by the bridge, spoke to a practicing digital artist Richard O'Neill, then recorded their and their families memories of the bridge. Having gathered all their research they created a piece of artwork to Illustrate what the bridge means to them and Art and Design teachers, Miss Moore and Mrs Bleazard submitted the artwork to the Humber Bridge Board for the mural competition. 200 fabulous artworks from this school were entered!

There could only be four winners - one in each key stage: KS1, KS2, KS3 and KS4 and we are thrilled that the two ultimate winners were from Hessle High School and Sixth Form College: Sinead S and Kelsey AY. Well done Sinead and Kelsey and to all the students who were involved - the standard of entries was incredibly high and we are immensely proud of you all!

The winning pictures will be enlarged and be printed onto 2 metres x 1 metre boards and be displayed on the bridge walkway as part of the 40th anniversary commemoration.

Representatives from the Humber Bridge board visited school on Thursday 15 July to congratulate the winning students. They advised us that they were so very impressed by all the entries, that they have made them into a collage, and this will be printed onto boards as a collective and displayed on the bridge too.

If you are walking across the bridge during the summer holidays look out for them.

Miss Moore

Art and Photography Teacher