Any news on when the new Secret Leeds website is to come active.

jim · Post by **jim** » Mon 16 Jun, 2014 1:20 pm

We must agree to disagree Phill. You have the facilities you seek with SL2. Why throw the baby out with the bathwater here?

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Mon 16 Jun, 2014 1:24 pm

jim wrote: We must agree to disagree Phill. You have the facilities you seek with SL2. Why throw the baby out with the bathwater here? Personally I don't need S.L or S.L2.I just enjoy seeing other people interested in local topics. I'd have a few photos to reclaim from Secret Leeds, not too many. But if it were to go off line now once I saved them it would be no great loss to me personally. I feel it's a shame for others really. Any change here isn't for my benefit, it's merely a suggestion how to keep this forum lively and online for others.

Loiner in Cyprus · Post by **Loiner in Cyprus** » Mon 16 Jun, 2014 1:26 pm

I was hoping that we could get some first hand feedback from Lurkers to see what they think. I am an unashamed 'lurker' of both sites. I visit both sites almost daily. I find both interesting in their different ways. I don't read all the threads, only the ones I think will be of interest to me, (but always read Blakey's input as I find his anecdotes on any topic well presented, interesting and amusing where appropriate). I only post when I have something that I think is of interest to the forum. I've not lived in Leeds since about 1980 and not visited the centre for about 20 years, so many of the topics covered I have no knowledge. I am also not very verbose - some would say an archetyopal Yorkshireman; see all, hear all, say nowt etc. I certainly don't feel intimidated when inputting to the site even when corrected on a topic where my memory has failed me e.g. Stevenson hooking for Leeds. I look forward to seeing the new format SL and enjoying future input to both sites.

Post by **cnosni** » Mon 16 Jun, 2014 1:51 pm

Loiner in Cyprus wrote: I was hoping that we could get some first hand feedback from Lurkers to see what they think. I am an unashamed 'lurker' of both sites. I visit both sites almost daily. I find both interesting in their different ways. I don't read all the threads, only the ones I think will be of interest to me, (but always read Blakey's input as I find his anecdotes on any topic well presented, interesting and amusing where appropriate). I only post when I have something that I think is of interest to the forum. I've not lived in Leeds since about 1980 and not visited the centre for about 20 years, so many of the topics covered I have no knowledge. I am also not very verbose - some would say an archetyopal Yorkshireman; see all, hear all, say nowt etc. I certainly don't feel intimidated when inputting to the site even when corrected on a topic where my memory has failed me e.g. Stevenson hooking for Leeds. I look forward to seeing the new format SL and enjoying future input to both sites. Thanks for that Loiner, any others?

kango · Post by **kango** » Mon 16 Jun, 2014 2:40 pm

I certainly agree with the "scared of going off topic" sentiment. There seems to be quite a few posts ending with apologies and "Mods feel free to remove", statements. At times it feels like walking on eggshells for fear of appearing a lack-wit in some way.My feeling is stand by a contribution or don't post at all, the latter choice seems to be in the ascendency.The original premise of the site, as I understand it, was partly for example to rediscover lost parts of Leeds, structures and features of the landscape that kind of thing, which would seem to concentrate purely on the physical the tangible the concrete and clay to paraphrase the old 60's hit. I have always thought that the secrets which Leeds held lay mostly in the Leeds citizens themselves their recollections their life experience etc which could be neatly tied in with the physical manifestations of the landscape. It is these secrets which will be lost if not documented when those said people pass on. Whilst a picture or map can be copied stored etc when "Old Tom " passes on what happens to his secrets?In short there are only so many interesting manhole covers to photograph or failed pubs to dutifully list without repetition creeping in and it would be nice to learn something of the human element involved without worrying about wandering off topic or should another thread be created. I may not posses for example the engineering background of some of our members or the skills of commerce or the building trade, but like all here present I have lived a life and have things to say and comments to make on posts and contributions but whether it's my personal hangup or the way I feel the site is run, I find, like many others, that the only SAFE contribution to give to a rare and unknown photograph for example is.." Nice shot Phil" or whoever, when in reality I, like many others I suspect, would love to add something more to the discussion but feel the metaphorical stare of disapproval looking my way. I wonder also is this why many female contributors have disappeared over the years.The forum should evolve into something more people centric yet still tied into the landscape, I feel, if we have to have yet another post about failed boozers then lets have some of the human element thrown in, the people who frequented them, the old wives tales etc, otherwise it's nothing more than a list and hardly a secret.A rant maybe but as I said at the beginning stand by your post or don't post at all.If the site folds I will be sad as I have been here from the start under one name or another but hopefully it won't come to that.Here's to the real secret Leeds, it's citizens.

Post by **cnosni** » Mon 16 Jun, 2014 3:26 pm

kango wrote: I certainly agree with the "scared of going off topic" sentiment. There seems to be quite a few posts ending with apologies and "Mods feel free to remove", statements. At times it feels like walking on eggshells for fear of appearing a lack-wit in some way.My feeling is stand by a contribution or don't post at all, the latter choice seems to be in the ascendency.The original premise of the site, as I understand it, was partly for example to rediscover lost parts of Leeds, structures and features of the landscape that kind of thing, which would seem to concentrate purely on the physical the tangible the concrete and clay to paraphrase the old 60's hit. I have always thought that the secrets which Leeds held lay mostly in the Leeds citizens themselves their recollections their life experience etc which could be neatly tied in with the physical manifestations of the landscape. It is these secrets which will be lost if not documented when those said people pass on. Whilst a picture or map can be copied stored etc when "Old Tom " passes on what happens to his secrets?In short there are only so many interesting manhole covers to photograph or failed pubs to dutifully list without repetition creeping in and it would be nice to learn something of the human element involved without worrying about wandering off topic or should another thread be created. I may not posses for example the engineering background of some of our members or the skills of commerce or the building trade, but like all here present I have lived a life and have things to say and comments to make on posts and contributions but whether it's my personal hangup or the way I feel the site is run, I find, like many others, that the only SAFE contribution to give to a rare and unknown photograph for example is.." Nice shot Phil" or whoever, when in reality I, like many others I suspect, would love to add something more to the discussion but feel the metaphorical stare of disapproval looking my way. I wonder also is this why many female contributors have disappeared over the years.The forum should evolve into something more people centric yet still tied into the landscape, I feel, if we have to have yet another post about failed boozers then lets have some of the human element thrown in, the people who frequented them, the old wives tales etc, otherwise it's nothing more than a list and hardly a secret.A rant maybe but as I said at the beginning stand by your post or don't post at all.If the site folds I will be sad as I have been here from the start under one name or another but hopefully it won't come to that.Here's to the real secret Leeds, it's citizens. Certainly plenty of food for thought there Kango.I think your points hiliight the many differing interests of the members of the site, one persons closing pub is anothers nail in the coffin of how Leeds used to be.Perhaps a dedicated forum with regards personal recollections could yield some dedicated threads that would be of interest to those such as yourself and myself, those who are interested in the personal stories as well as the built and historical environment of Leeds.I have a few tales regarding relatives in the Firts World War whom i have researched in great depth. I would love to have shared that research and could well have benefited from other peoples input, however i didnt see that the site as it is would be an appropriate place.There is the General Chat Forum, of which this thread belongs, but im not sure that it would be appropriate , i think a definititive forum where personal stories, tales and other similar interests would be a good idea.However, i would hope that there wouldnt be anything about ointment for chapped legs!!

kango · Post by **kango** » Mon 16 Jun, 2014 4:09 pm

Hi Chris.If I could just clarify a few points.My remarks about failed pubs is not a personal dislike in the theme itself more of an observation on how it reads at present as no more than a list of names with no historic merit whatsoever human or otherwise, I can read in the local paper if the Dog and Duck is going up you know what creek.Secondly I say again that any personal anecdotes should be allied to the concrete and clay of Leeds that way the best of both worlds can be met, otherwise the forum becomes nothing more than a talking shop.If I may be so bold as to use Jim as an example. His contribution to the site has been first rate in my opinion either by way of maps photos or factual recollection of, in the main, engineering and things railway orientated as per the sites intention. but having first met Jim many years ago (1972) and again in the mid 80's I do know that he has also a wealth of interesting personal anecdotes allied to his work and other interests in Leeds that never seem to come out in his posts.Tilly is someone whom I have had the pleasure of working with who also has an abundance of memories that could be brought out in many topics conjoined with the physical entity being discussed but I don't recognise the man I worked with based on his restrained style of posting which is a shame.You mention Chris that you had WW1 relatives but somehow think the site not appropriate Really? Did they live and work in Leeds? where? what did they do for recreation and where? did they have a part to play in the building of past Leeds? I'm sure there is a connection somewhere to the bigger picture of Leeds that could be interesting and at the moment is a secret. Do you see what I'm getting at?To Jim and Tilly if my use of you as examples , in this post, embarrasses or offends you in any way then accept my apologies and,contrary to an earlier statement about standing by my posts, I will happily remove it.

Post by **dsco** » Mon 16 Jun, 2014 4:12 pm

Hi folks, looks like I better jump in here with an update then...The new SL site is in need of some polishing up but is essentially ready. It's been delayed because life and work got in the way. Sorry about that, it's creeping back up to the top of my to do list though.Phill you make some valid points as usual. Further integration of Facebook into SL is part of my plan for the site - as you mention it's already started in a small way, with like and share buttons on posts and that sort of thing. Just making content easier to link to and hopefully pulling in new users. Nothing too radical though, so please don't worry non-Facebook folks! Ultimately however, what I have in mind for SL goes way beyond anything that would possible using Facebook, mainly around the new geo-location/mapping features and the SecretLeeds wiki. Once those are in place we'll be able to do all sorts of new and interesting stuff.Hopefully those things should go some way to resolving a few of your many issues with SecretLeeds Phill. FYI we still receive more than 20K visitors a month and have had a rash of new users sign up in recent months. So we're not dead yet.Must say it's really funny to see you telling cnosni to calm down and be polite on that FB thread - oh the irony!

Post by **cnosni** » Mon 16 Jun, 2014 5:02 pm

kango wrote: Hi Chris.If I could just clarify a few points.My remarks about failed pubs is not a personal dislike in the theme itself more of an observation on how it reads at present as no more than a list of names with no historic merit whatsoever human or otherwise, I can read in the local paper if the Dog and Duck is going up you know what creek.Secondly I say again that any personal anecdotes should be allied to the concrete and clay of Leeds that way the best of both worlds can be met, otherwise the forum becomes nothing more than a talking shop.If I may be so bold as to use Jim as an example. His contribution to the site has been first rate in my opinion either by way of maps photos or factual recollection of, in the main, engineering and things railway orientated as per the sites intention. but having first met Jim many years ago (1972) and again in the mid 80's I do know that he has also a wealth of interesting personal anecdotes allied to his work and other interests in Leeds that never seem to come out in his posts.Tilly is someone whom I have had the pleasure of working with who also has an abundance of memories that could be brought out in many topics conjoined with the physical entity being discussed but I don't recognise the man I worked with based on his restrained style of posting which is a shame.You mention Chris that you had WW1 relatives but somehow think the site not appropriate Really? Did they live and work in Leeds? where? what did they do for recreation and where? did they have a part to play in the building of past Leeds? I'm sure there is a connection somewhere to the bigger picture of Leeds that could be interesting and at the moment is a secret. Do you see what I'm getting at?To Jim and Tilly if my use of you as examples , in this post, embarrasses or offends you in any way then accept my apologies and,contrary to an earlier statement about standing by my posts, I will happily remove it. Just on the pub subject i did undersand what you meant with regards what appears to be a sterile list of names of pubs that are closing and using it as an example, but this is obviously a subject that is dear to the hearts of some of the members and it is there way of putting some sort of record of those pubs on a type of database so to speak.Im sure that if there were stories that members had with regards to certain establishments then those stories would be more than appropriate to be added, however if there are no such recollections that members have then its going to be as it is im afarid.I would have to say that Jim and Tilly, as far as i can recollect, have ever been told to reel in with their recollections so i cant speak for why they Tilly would write in a restrained manner only to speak for myself that i certainly dont converse on here as i do with my friends etc, i try to be polite and even handed even when i feel the complete opposite.Im concerned to see that you are personally not able to make comments and contribute personal anecdotes,i was wondering if you had experienced behaviour on here to cause you not to contribute.I dont recall anyone making an issue, correct me if im wrong,with anyone being subject to accusations of going off topic etc with anecdotes if such anecdotes were relevant to a particular thread/ subject then such anecdotes should be encouraged.There was an issue with some thread being started that were far away from even anecdotal relevance to the forums titles which did lead to some bother. I have a feeling that this may well have put some people off contributing.There have also been numerous "spats" in the past that got a bit tasty, tasty enough for some Mods to either lay low or throw it all in. Im pretty sure that lost some memebers.As for my WW1 relatives i do see what you are getting at, it does still remain a secret in a way.As im sure you have seen im no shrinking violet but i could not see a forum where my research would have been appropriate and as i had previously mentioned WW1 related subjects , for example a possible campaign to get a memorial for the Leeds Pals on the battlefield at Serre, resulted in little or no response then i thought that no one would be interested.So that was my personal choice i suppose, but then i would have to say that you dont come across as a shrinking violet either, you have your thoughts and opinions by which you rightly stand. I would therefore hope that you would join in more with any recollections/debate etc that are relevant to a particular thread or by the means of starting a new.Ive had to take a few on the chin and you sound like you could too, so get stuck in and hang the consequences.

jim · Post by **jim** » Mon 16 Jun, 2014 5:15 pm

Hi Kango. I have absolutely no problem at all with anything you have written about me, and , knowing Tilly, I'm sure he hasn't either. As to the "wealth of personal anecdotes" - don't tell 'em Pike!