One of the joys of working at the Mail is the occasional visit to our library. Like Indiana Jones entering the Temple of Doom, you never quite know what might be lurking around the corner.

A recent venture into our archives was a case in point.

While looking at old photographs of Queen Victoria Square, I came across this image of a proposed facelift on either side of Queens Gardens.

The photo, which dates from 1970, features a model due to go on show at Ferens Art Gallery showing a proposed museum on one side and a new winter gardens complex on the other.

In case you can't get your bearings, the museum is where Gosschalks solicitors' office is today, while the Wilson Centre occupies the site earmarked for the winter gardens.

In all my 30 years at the Mail, I had never heard of these plans until my trip to the library.

Obviously, neither the museum or the winter garden venue was ever built. Money – or the lack of it – probably had something to do with it.

I can only assume the museum was intended to house the city council's maritime collection, which ended up in the former Dock Offices building overlooking Queen Victoria Square when that reopened as a museum four years later.

That move no doubt saved us all from a chunk of ugly early- Seventies architecture blotting the landscape across Queens Gardens for years to come.

As for the winter gardens, the same blessing probably applies.

A giant greenhouse sounds like a great idea but a Seventies design might not have worn well.

It anyone has any more information on this particular project that never was, I would love to hear from them.

Down at Hessle Town Hall the other night, the official launch of the Hands Off The East Riding campaign was momentarily drowned out by LMFAO's Party Rock Anthem.

The largely mature gathering of town and parish councillors involved in the campaign found themselves up against a zumba class booming away merrily in a room next door.

For a moment, I had visions of that Specsavers advert where a hall full of pensioners are treated to an unexpected zumba class courtesy of a short-sighted instructor coming to life before my eyes.

Fortunately, I was spared the sight of John Dennis and Brian Jefferies shuffling as they gamely did their best to concentrate on matters at hand.

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WITH a sense of the inevitable, many parts of Hull feature in lower reaches of a map ranking the best places to live in England and Wales.

Compiled by the Daily Telegraph, the index rates 7,137 places using official data on average weekly incomes, crime rates, health, home ownership and economic activity.

While there are many good performers across the region, many parts of Hull are helping prop up the table.

The area around Londesborough Street, off Anlaby Road, came in 7,120th.

The likes of Preston Road, Orchard Park and Bransholme also came below 7,000 in the list.

In sharp contrast, the Brough and Welton area appears to be one the best places to live in the country, coming out 68th overall.

The discrepancies are highlighted by Driffield coming 5,055th while Little Driffield, just a short distance away, comes 2,112th – a difference of nearly 3,000 places.

Once again, the city is having to defend itself against another largely negative table.

Residents around Londesborough Street are baffled by the area's lowly standing.

Beverley Ullah, landlady at the Clarendon Pub on the street, said: "I love this area and I don't understand this map.

"It is very friendly and everyone knows everyone else."

Stephen Ullah, who also works at the pub, said: "It might not be the richest place but there is a great community feel round here.

"There is very little trouble even though we are close to town."

David Hooper, of Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, is positive about the city.

He said: "Hull still has its issues around housing and unemployment but the feeling in the business community is of enthusiasm and positivity.

"There has been a lot of success in the city in recent months and employment should improve with the arrival of Siemens.

"There are also plans to improve rail links and infrastructure and more houses are being built.

"There is becoming a greater focus on areas like Anlaby Road, which have been in decline in recent years.

"For me, it isn't such a surprise to see such contrasts. If you travel two miles from the city centre it can all look very different."

Mr Hooper isn't surprised the likes of Brough and Welton have fared well.

He said: "There is an enterprise zone at Brough that is attracting more business and jobs.

"It is also an area where people commute into the city so there is more home ownership."

City councillor Martin Mancey, portfolio holder for energy city, also believes Hull is becoming a much better place to live.

He said: "Hull has experienced a phenomenal few months and the city is in the midst of celebrating a series of positive announcements and developments which are set to deliver a massive jobs boost, teamed with continuous economic growth."

Meanwhile, the launch of Hull 2020 could also help level the playing field and reduce the contrasting fortunes between areas only be a couple of miles apart.

The project, launched last month, aims to bring public services together and to improve health and wellbeing among city residents.

Emma Latimer is Hull Clinical Commissioning Group chief officer and is heading Hull 2020.

She said: "This is about bringing services together and talking to people about what is important to them. This map does highlight the need to do more.

"Londesborough Street is in Riverside and this will be one of the first areas we are targeting.

"There are inequalities within East Yorkshire, particularly around life expectancy and this is something we want to address."

Back at the top of the table, chairman of Elloughton-cum-Brough Town Council Bryan Davies is delighted the area has been rated so highly.

He said: "I am surprised in some respects that we are so high up but I am also very pleased.

"I thought Beverley may have been ahead of us.

"The area tends to be good for most things.

"We have a good link to the railway and the A63 and there has been massive expansion in recent years, although not everyone thinks that is a good thing.

Visit www.telegraph.co.uk to view the map.

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@hulldailymail there were a number of Non city fans from Belgium mixed in with the crowd being escorted. These were the trouble causers

— Rich Fussey (@richfussey) August 22, 2014

CRICKETERS playing in East Yorkshire believe they have been the victim of a suspected thief targeting sports clubs across the country.

Five Scalby players returned to the changing room at Sewerby to find a total of £155 missing from their wallets.

The culprit is believed to be Anthony Tye, who is alleged to have carried out a spate of thefts in Bristol, Preston in Lancashire and the West Midlands.

Paul Hesp, 40, assistant secretary of the cricket club in Scarborough, said: "We were elated as we had won the game and been promoted to the Premier Division.

"We got back to the changing rooms and one of the lads checked his wallet and asked who had played a joke and taken his money.

"After a couple of minutes we found out five people had money taken. It could have been more, but there were people sat around outside who might have scared him off."

Mr Hesp could not believe it when he searched for cricket ground theft on the internet and a familiar photograph turned up on a newspaper website in Bath.

"I was dumbstruck. It looked like the same man," he said.

"Not long after our arrival at the ground, we became aware of an older grey-haired gentleman sitting on the benches under the pavilion who seemed quite talkative.

"We thought he was a Sewerby supporter. At one stage he even helped carry the juice during the drinks break.

"We've seen him come out of the changing rooms with a toilet brush.

"We asked a couple of Sewerby players who the man was, but they didn't know."

Humberside Police have confirmed they are investigating the link between this theft and others around the country, believed to have been carried out by Mr Tye.

Mr Hesp said: "I would advise all sports clubs to be very wary of this man and if seen inform the police."

The theft took place in the away team changing room at Sewerby between 1.30pm and 5.30pm last Saturday.

The police spokesman said: "A man is circulated as wanted for similar offences across the country and Humberside Police would also like to speak to him in connection with this incident."

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting crime number 2062800.

AVON and Somerset Police are also among the forces wishing to speak to Anthony Tye about the thefts.

They have described the 60-year-old as having greying brown hair, who dresses casually and usually carries a black rucksack.

PC Margaret Wood, of Bath's Priority Crime Team, said: "No valuables or money should be left in changing rooms. Put them in a bag and give it to a nominated and responsible person."

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THE new manager of an iconic music venue has vowed the nightclub is here to stay. The former Tower nightclub, which reopens tonight as Funktion, has been the victim of many failed investment schemes in recent years.

Hull-born Emmerdale star Gemma Oaten will officially open the club, in Anlaby Road, tonight.

Adam Smith, general manager at the club, said: "I have a passion for Hull and it will be a proud moment when the doors open tonight.

"We are here to stay. We have leased the building from the owners and are trying to come up with something that will appeal to everyone.

"We will push it and keep going, offering something new and fresh.

"Basically, we have listened to what people want. Drinks prices will be cheaper and the entry fee will be cheaper."

The venue was once a luxury cinema, with a live orchestra playing soundtracks to silent movies.

Five decades later and the grade two listed venue became a mecca for modern music, with the likes of New Order and The Housemartins taking to the stage.

Tokyo took over the venue in August 2012, and there was a £1.2m investment.

It reopened with a performance by global dance star Example.

However, despite bringing the likes of rapper and singer-songwriter Professor Green to the city centre venue, it struggled.

Mr Smith, who worked at Tokyo, is confident Funktion can once again be a successful venue.

He said: "I've basically had no life for four months refurbishing the venue and adding a bit of colour.

"We want to bring the big acts, live acts and get local businesses involved, as well as doing work for charity.

"We want to bring something different to Hull and try to offer something to suit everybody, from student nights, to rock nights.

"Probably in the past it has been too expensive, so that is something we hope to change.

"I've been trying to get the club for a while. It is a beautiful club with the best main room in Hull."

Miss Oaten is due to cut the ribbon at 10.30pm.

"There will be fire eaters and angle- grinders on the night," Mr Smith said.

"Gemma was meant to be on holiday, but she has rearranged it to be here to open up the club.

"Tomorrow we have Chipmunk performing at the venue."

Chipmunk, who has had several top ten hits, including the number one hit Oopsy Daisy, posted on his Facebook page: "Hull let's go."

The venue will be opened at 10.30pm tonight and entry costs £6, or £4 if you are on the guest list.

The Chipmunk event takes place tomorrow and starts at 10.30pm. Tickets cost £9, or £11 on the door.

• Visit facebook.com/funktionhull for more information.

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A YOUNG model left blind in one eye after bleach was thrown in her face has thanked the public for their support.

Victoria Smith, 17, has received thousands of messages from around the world after she was attacked on Wednesday at the junction of Albert Avenue and Cobden Street, west Hull.

The teenager said she has suffered burns across her body and lost the sight in her right eye following the attack, which happened after she left a house party.

Writing on Facebook under the name Toria Melody, she said: "Thank you everyone so so much for all your support.

"It means the world to me, I really appreciate it.

"It is nice to know there's so many caring people about.

"I don't know what I'd do without you all honestly, every single one of you have helped me a lot."

The former Malet Lambert pupil says she fears the attack will ruin the confidence she built up after enduring several years of bullying.

Thousands of people posted on the social networking site to offer their support to the teenager, with messages coming from as far afield as Mauritius and Australia.

Liz Tait said: "Having read the articles regarding your attack I wanted to say I cannot begin to imagine how terrifying it must have been.

"Well done for speaking out and I hope the consequences for whoever attacked you are a fitting punishment for the crime.

"There have been so many incidents like this in recent years and it is absolutely disgusting. There needs to be something done.

"I've also followed the story of Katie Piper following her acid attack and feel that she is also a massive inspiration. Good luck to you, I hope you can still follow your aspirations and I wish you a speedy recovery."

Victoria was treated at Hull Royal Infirmary after the attack at 9.20pm.

Posting on Facebook the next day, she wrote: "One of my eyes is now physically impaired and I am blind in it, I will most likely never receive my vision in my right eye again.

"The outer layer of my eyes are permanently damaged and my hair has turned green from the bleach and has fallen out at the front.

"I have burns on my body from all the acidic chemicals inside the bleach.

"I am in excruciating pain in my eyes. They are red raw, it went in my mouth, up my nose and I couldn't breathe."

The post was shared by hundreds of people, with thousands expressing their sympathy for her.

In a message of support, Dominic Peter Barron wrote: "Like many other people I don't know you, but felt I had to comment as I read the story and your status and I wanted to say how proud I am that you seem to be dealing with this quiet well.

"I hope you make a speedy recovery and hope that the people who have done this to you truly understand what they have done.

"Hold your head up high as you seem to have a huge support. Do take care and I hope you have a speedy recovery and that your eye sight does recover."

Humberside Police confirmed a 17-year-old girl who was arrested on suspicion of attempt to cause grievous bodily harm with intent has been released on bail.

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting log 709 of August 20.

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STAFF who were told their jobs were on the line at Boyes' North Point shopping centre store are celebrating after bosses signed a new lease on the building.

Six months ago, employees at the shop on Bransholme were given official notice their jobs could go because terms on the lease could not be agreed.

At the time, managers from the company started looking for new premises to save as many jobs as they could.

But now a new long-term lease for the Bransholme store has been signed, while the family-owned firm is pressing ahead with plans to open a new city centre store in Whitefriargate.

It means 35 jobs have been saved in Bransholme with another 20 posts are being created at the new store in Whitefriargate, which is due to open next month.

Joint managing director Richard Boyes broke the news to staff in Bransholme yesterday.

He said: "Giving out those notices was a horrendous time for everyone involved, particularly the staff here.

"We had been struggling with getting a new lease, time was running out and we had no option but to issue redundancy notices.

"It was at that point we decided to look for another site in Hull to try to safeguard as many jobs as we could.

"We found the unit in Whitefriargate, discovered it had super landlords and started preparing to open there.

"However, we continued to negotiate over a new lease here and now we are in a great position to be able to stay in Bransholme and open our 52nd store in Whitefriargate."

Mr Boyes, who is the fifth generation of the family to head the company, paid tribute to the attitude of the staff at the Bransholme over the past few months.

"They have been absolutely superb and very supportive of what we were trying to do for them.

"We also received massive support from our customers here and other businesses in the centre who organised and signed a petition against the possible closure.

"Boyes was one of the first tenants here and we are delighted to be staying."

Mrs Liz Precious, 58, of Southcoates Lane, east Hull, has worked in the Bransholme store for the past 38 years.

She said: "It's a great place to work and this news is a big relief to all the staff here.

"We are all very happy to be staying. It has been a very stressful time for all of us but the company has kept us informed on a regular basis and the support from our customers has been great."

The Whitefriargate store will open on September 19.

Hull City council leader Steve Brady has welcomed the decision by Boyes to open a new store in the city centre.

The company's new Whitefriargate department store will open on September 19, in a unit previously occupied by Peacocks and, before that, Woolworths.

As well as fronting Whitefriargate, it will also feature a customer entrance off Trinity House Lane.

Cllr Brady said: "I think it will be a great addition to the area.

"Hopefully it shows a bit of confidence is returning to that part of town. Boyes is a big name and is very popular with the people of Hull.

"The company has obviously seen the potential of the area and what we are looking to do in terms of the regeneration of Trinity Square."

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WITH £12m burning a hole in their pocket from the sale of Shane Long, it seems Jordan Rhodes is top of the list to replace him at Hull City.

And he would be a fantastic signing if they can get the Scottish international to come to the KC.

I've known Jordan since he was 12 when I was at Bradford City and his dad, Andy, was the goalkeeper coach. His dad also played for St Johnstone when I was at Aberdeen.

You could not meet a nicer lad than Jordan as he has had to overcome some knock-backs in his career, coming through the lower leagues to become a top Championship striker.

As well as being a proven goalscorer, his movement is incredible and if you give him the ammunition, he will score goals, even in the Premier League.

He will be a pleasure for Steve Bruce to work with too if they do complete the signing before the transfer window closes.

The only concern I have is if the chances aren't being created for him. He needs to work on being more of a team player but I'm surprised a Premier League side hasn't taken a chance on him before now.

If City get him for £12m then that will be a great deal, but I'm sure Blackburn will want more.

You have to feel for Championship managers like Gary Bowyer at Blackburn because Premier League sides have until after the transfer window shuts before finalising their 25-man squads.

So, if Blackburn do lose Rhodes before deadline day, it doesn't give them very long to find a replacement. I suppose that's just the way it is and clubs have to deal with that.

Clubs always have irons in the fire if their players are attracting interest from elsewhere.

City still have until next Monday to strengthen their squad and if they don't get Rhodes, then I'd like to see Kenwyne Jones join the Tigers from Cardiff City.

He's already off and running with a goal in the season opening draw at Blackburn and two more in the 3-1 win over Huddersfield.

Jones would be ideal for City because he is a physical presence in attack and makes life difficult for defenders. He reminds me of Emile Heskey and, for all the criticism he received, I'd have had Heskey in my team because of his contribution to the side. He may not have scored bags of goals, but his work led to others scoring around him.

Jones and Rhodes would be great business and a strike-force fans would get excited by.

With four games played, City have scored three goals and it looks like being a problem again this season.

I hope we're not talking about the lack of goals throughout the season, like we did last year.

But if they signed both Jones and Rhodes, I don't think that would be a problem. There are plenty of providers in the City team to supply the ammunition needed to find the net with Ahmed Elmohamady, Tom Ince and Robbie Brady and I'm certain Rhodes has the natural instinct to be a City success.

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THEY have toured extensively, playing headline sets in the UK, Japan, Europe and Australia. Now, TOY has been named as the first headline act at this year's Hull Trinity Festival.

The band will be on the festival trail in France, Spain and Italy, before arriving in the city to headline on Saturday, September 27.

Local acts lined up to support the five-piece London outfit on the main stage, in Trinity Square, include Black Delta Movement, Mother and Copenhagen.

Kathryn Shillito, Hull Bid city centre manager, which funds the festival as part of its work to support city centre businesses, said: "The festivals in Hull are going from strength to strength.

"Hull Trinity Festival was one of the best last year and promises to be a highlight once again, with some first-class performers from the Hull area and some highly rated national bands.

"King Charles and Dodgy both put on brilliant shows at last year's event and we're expecting great things from TOY."

This year's festival, from Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28, promises to be bigger than last year, with 28 pubs, clubs and café bars presenting live music over the weekend.

Ms Shillito said: "The main stage will run from 1pm to 9pm on the Saturday and Sunday, after which the focus will switch to the 28 pubs, clubs and café bars that will present live music from top local talent.

"That's a big increase on the number of venues a year ago and it underlines the success of the festival."

Hull Bid has recruited The Warren and sound and lighting specialists HPSS to organise the event.

Stewart Baxter, arts development worker at The Warren, in Hull city centre, said efforts are under way to confirm a well-known band for the Sunday night. Last year the slot was filled by Britpop stars Dodgy.

He said: "TOY have had a lot of media coverage in the past couple of years.

"Coming out of London, they've toured extensively, including headline sets in the UK, Europe, Japan, and Australia.

"They've also made many festival appearances, including the John Peel stage at Glastonbury last year and supporting slots for The Horrors, The Vaccines and British Sea Power, among others.

"They are a very cool band to have on the bill, with guitars and electronic effects combining to create a lot of noise and give a psychedelic feel to the music.

"We've booked the sort of local bands who fit with that style, guitar-based indie rock bands.

"The approach for the Sunday will be a bit different. We'll be putting a well-established band on the bill, supported by an eclectic mix of high-quality local performers."

The festival is also working with Dean Shakespeare, of promoters Under the Influence, to bring these headline acts to Hull's Old Town.

Mr Shakespeare said: "We're very honoured and excited to have secured a Saturday headliner who are gaining acclaimed media attention for their live shows and recent album release."

Hull Trinity Festival will also feature a gig in Holy Trinity Church on Friday, September 26, to raise money for Church funds.

Performers will include The Mighty And The Moon, Jody McKenna and Emily Moulton.

The festival is free to attend and tickets are not required, with the exception of the fundraising event at Holy Trinity Church.

Full line-up details will be released soon.

A man has handed himself into police in connection with the theft of a bag a corporate box at the KC Stadium during Hull City's match against AS Trencin earlier this month.

Police released an image on Wednesday of a man they wanted to speak to about the theft during Hull City's Europa League clash against AS Trencin on August 7.

A 42-year-old man handed himself into police yesterday and was arrested on suspicion of theft. He remained in custody last night.

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A North Hull daycare centre with almost 100 pensioners on its books may be forced to almost triple its daily charge in order to cover costs.

Endike Community Care in 21st Avenue has been open, in various forms, for 25 years.

It has 96 clients on its books, with an average age of 85, although some are in their late nineties.

Manager Eileen Wright says, due to funding cuts and rising energy costs, she is likely to introduce a steep rise in the daily charge next April.

Mrs Wright said: "Pensioners pay £7 at the moment, which includes daycare, meals, snacks and activities.

"I believe we will have to increase this if we are going to sustain the current level of service.

"I have staved if off for as long as I can, because this is lifeline for a lot of vulnerable people in the local community."

Mrs Wright has pledged to keep any rise as low as possible, but could not rule out a significant increase.

"I have not worked it out yet, but the charge may have to increase to £19 a day for means-tested clients," she said.

Mrs Wright said this would be in line with similar daycare providers.

"I would feel terrible doing this," she said. "But I may not have any choice.

"We are working to the tightest possible budget. We have an annual budget of £110,000, which has to cover everything.

"My staff have not had a pay rise for years and we are making savings everywhere we can."

The centre, which receives funding from Hull City Council, is open seven days a week from 8.30am to 4pm.

Mrs Wright says she realises numbers visiting the centre would likely drop if the rate rises.

"A lot of people will not be able to afford to pay £19 a day," she said.

"That is a worry.

"These people would stay at home and vegetate.

"Our clients live independently at home. Coming to us keeps their minds alert. They get a nutritional meal and social contact, which is very important."

Mrs Wright said a £19 charge might be applied to poorer clients who qualify for financial help from the council.

But she suspects some of her clients would be reluctant to ask for help and may simply stop coming to the centre.

Mrs Wright said: "We are talking about a very proud and private generation.

"People do not want to say, 'I need help'. These people do not want to be means- tested."

In a final attempt to stave off a significant increase in the charge, Mrs Wright is appealing for business to sponsor the centre.

Hull North MP Diana Johnson said: "These proposed steep increases are another consequence of the unfair treatment on funding that Hull is getting from the coalition Government.

"I know the users of Endike Community Care value the service they receive from the excellent staff and manager and this will be a difficult and uncertain time for them all.

"I am sure councillors are looking at every possible way of making efficiency savings and seeking alternative funding to maintain services such as the ones at Endike Community Care.

"But losing a quarter of the council's funding from central Government over five years makes some tough choices unavoidable."

Anyone able to help should call Mrs Wright on 01482 809473.

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