The first fish and chips I remember (mid 50s) were from Constable Street just across from my first school. As I recall, a school dinner was a shilling per day but chips were thruppence a bag and I think a piece of fish was a bob or less. A lot of kids used their shilling to buy chips and the other 9d to buy sweets, comics or other seasonal **** such as fire-works. Fifty odd years on, I can't remember if they were any good or not.
Although my mum often served fish with the skin on, we never ate it. As an eight year old, I was dispatched to a boarding school near Harrow. Having eaten my first Friday, fried fish served with mash and rock hard dried peas, I pushed my plate to the side leaving only the tidily left skin and bones. Subsequently, I was told to eat the skin and when I asked if I had to eat the bones too (made as much sense to me) I was beaten with a monstrous slipper for impertinence.
That was the start of many beatings, regularly for having a "disgusting northern accent" and because they made me a non conformist. To this day I hate southern ****s who parse on the grarse and have a barth and a larf. They go out for free or fower pints wiv their Chinas because they're a bunch of merchant bankers. Now you've got me started.
Back to fish and chips, Gainsborough in the town centre used to be good but I haven't been to Hull since 1979 so I wouldn't have a clue but I'm thinking about a nostalgic return next year. If it comes to pass, I'll be looking for help regarding daffodil, bluebell and primrose viewing, a good pint and a coincidental football match as my last City game was away to Darlo in 2001 (I think). **** game but we won 2-0 (John Eyre) as I recall.
By the way, I cannot stand those anaemic white chips that are served with wonderful battered fish and mushy peas. Why don't they blanche the chips, reheat them and serve them browned ... so much more appealing.