Culture And Memory

We are Orchard Park

Orchard Park Estate (OPE), Hull, was built in 1963 in response to slum clearances, yet it has been unfairly labelled as dangerous over time. This project seeks to challenge that misconception by capturing the estate’s true identity and celebrating its cultural roots. We'll bring together diverse groups of residents, investigating the estate’s history from 1963-2013, encompassing the much-maligned yet much-loved tower blocks later demolished. Working hand-in-hand with the community, we'll gather personal stories and oral histories reflecting OPE’s strong traditions and maritime heritage, tracing how many residents moved from Hull’s fishing community to the new estate. With an artistic reconstruction of the demolished blocks at its centre, our final exhibition will preserve and showcase these memories, providing a fairer reflection of OPE’s lived experience. By recording this intangible heritage, we will build pride, bridge generations, and offer OPE's people a renewed sense of belonging within the wider story of Hull.