From an unelectable Jeremy Corbyn rally in Hull

Opinion: A dreadful wet Friday night in Kingston-Upon-Hull made for a gloriously sunny Saturday as the people of Hull welcomed Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn to the city.

Of course the whole city did not turn out and also noticeable by their absence were Hull's three Labour MPs Alan Johnson, Diana Johnson and Karl Turner.

But an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people turned up and team Corbyn did not disappoint.

​ The free event was staged in the front of Queen's Gardens, in a pretty floral area complete with fountain and slap bang in front of BBC Look North offices in the city.

Will the BBC report the event?

Who cares?

A team from Channel 4 news was present other news agencies and bloggers such as this writer will fill in the gaps.

There were three of us in our party, all pensioners. We arrived around 12.30 and as my husband, 65, settled with my elderly neighbour, 85, on a low wall I, 64, scooted off to get close to the action.

But the crowds moved in and we spent the afternoon in separate areas.

Our neighbour and my husband were not too far from the stage but at one point of the event I was actually on it!

The Hill-billy Troupe kicked off the rally with some good rallying songs; a young singer and poet Joe Solo, the leader of Hull City Council Darren Hale, an East Hull councillor with some links to famous local woman Lil Bilocca, a multi-cultural Islington councillor and a couple of young speakers were all spot on.

They provided a good mix of black, white and brown; and young, old and those in between, but the message was clear; Jeremy Corbyn offers a return to real Labour Party policies and hope for many.

Ahead of Mr Corbyn speaking Leeds MP Richard Burgon gave a speech full of fire and passion and the crowd loved it.

I had managed to get a leg up into the back of the sound wagon along with a couple of other women and as Jeremy waited for his time at the microphone the three of us gave him a wave and he responded with a smile.

Heaven only knows what he thought!

Jeremy Corbyn spoke from the heart, included some humour and information pertinent to Hull and the crowd loved it.

His greatest assest shone through - he is a genuine caring individual.

---

The Day Jezza Came To Town

Been on a high today
Not yet come down
Rally in Queens Gardens
'Cos Jezza's been to town.
The Hillbilly troupe and Mick
Kicked the proceedings to a start
That powerful voice blasting out
As Mick sang from the heart
Followed by Jo Solo
Not heard him before
But on that performance
I'd like to hear him more
More speeches followed
Just to pave the way
Until Jezza arrived
And captured the day.
Suddenly in politics
I feel I have a choice
I heard a politician
Give my thoughts a voice.
I'm a Corbynista
Which I'm not afraid to say
Fed up of politicians
And the games they play.
Jezza left the stage
To an approving cheer
And I sloped away
For a cooling beer.
I'm still feeling excited
My emotions in the air
Jezza came to town
And Sue and me were there

[Local poet Terry Ireland sums up the day for him and partner Sue]

It was a real family affair with young children, families, teenagers, individuals and older citizens.

After Corbyn had finishing speaking I was close enough to get on the stage to try for a close up.One woman who had brought her 85-year-old mum got Jeremy to talk to the older lady and pose for a photo. This wise older citizen told Jeremy how angry she was when she witnessed the "bastards" (her words) behind him in the House of Commons attacking him. She said I know you do kinder politics but I say this for you.

She was a sweet looking elder citizen but spoke for many of us.

I managed to shake Jeremy's hand, wish him well and so did others as his team tried to prise him away for the journey to Leeds for a rally tonight.

I was slightly sad for my neighbour that she had not been closer. If the crowd had not moved in she could have been seated near the other older lady.

But the crowd dispersed a little and we decided to go for a cuppa.

And there he was!

As we retraced our steps across the top end of Queens Gardens Jeremy was being mobbed in rock star style by a large group of good looking young women.

In never say die style I managed to push my neighbour through the crowd saying "retired teacher coming through" and bless them they helped her.

There she was face to face with Corbyn, shaking his hand.

She is one happy lady who tells me she will not sleep tonight.

Using my old digital camera the images and footage I captured on the day will hopefully complete this story. Bear in mind they are as they come-not cropped, photo-shopped or tweaked but simply an accurate record of the event.

Note: The Hull Daily Mail reports a crowd of 1500 but journos there on the day set it much higher http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/jeremy-corbyn-to-lead-1-500-strong-rally-in-queens-gardens-hull/story-29567764-detail/story.html

[Footage will be added later]