SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Is forty years old this week. I remember going to "open days" at Woodhouse Lane, I also remember some of the old presenters, Simon Peters - who used to do a swap shop, Tim Healy who was a former copper, Jack Wainwright who used to to RL. Frank Pagden a Methodist Minister who also broadcast various spiritual based programmes. My father in law was into theatre organs and there used to be a programme presented by Arnold Loxam (from Drigh I think) about this subject. He also used to broadcast regularly on Radio Leeds from the theatre organ that's installed in Ossett Town Hall.Anyone else with memories of Radio Leeds in the past?

Yes I too remember it starting, and in those days and for many years it was exactly what it should be - to genuinely present local news and features for the benefit of the listeners but sadly, probably for getting on for a decade or so, the rot has set in. I know that it has won many awards but I think these have been for very special outside broadcasts and the like rather than for general content.                                                                                             I still listen quite a lot but I have to say that, like many people I know, I despise its present arrogance and never ending constant "own trumpet blowing." Some of the presenters, now and recently moved, appear so self opinionated and conceited that they are almost too unbearable to listen to - but the local interest is there so its "catch 22." Also the incredible number of times per hour that the station name and the text and phone numbers and the E Mail address are rammed down our throats is almost unbelievable - I have known the text number to be rattled off as many as five times in one sentence before now. Then there is the mysterious "posh" link lady with her exaggerated accent making "Hollywood" style clips out of all proportion, and that ghastly "forceful" signature tune.Another weak feature is the traffic reports - far too much gabbling gasping and no punctuation - and one or two think that they are stand up comedians. With the weather though, at least Paul Hudson and Lisa Gallagher remain level headed enough to deliver their information properly.I do fully appreciate that supporters of the Station will quite justifiably say "well you know where the on/off switch is" but critics like me do become addicted for all the wrong reasons.I am standing by for some ripe retorts to this, but I really do wish that Radio Leeds would just display a bit of modesty and decorum - indeed some of the presenters and news readers are a breath of fresh air and come across very well - but with others there is far too much "refusing to shut up for a minute" and shouting each other down.

Quite agree, Blakey, especially about the "conceited" and "self-opinionated" presenters. They quite often spout views about subjects they know nothing about after the interviewee has gone off air and can no longer defend him/herself.

The station is certainly more professional in its presentation than it used to be – less of the hospital radio feel to it. However, there is a definite dumbing down especially with the morning news. A recent news item actually went as follows – “A woman was in court yesterday accused of ripping off the DSS of 35 grand”. Now if I was chatting to someone in the pub I would probably speak in this way but this is the BBC for gawds sake! Also, mothers are inevitably ”mums” and fathers “dads” no matter what unspeakable things they have done to their “kids”. I put up with this rubbish just to hear the weather forecast which I agree is pretty good. And don’t even get me started about Georgie Spanswick. Just don’t.        

Trojan wrote: Is forty years old this week. I remember going to "open days" at Woodhouse Lane, I also remember some of the old presenters, Simon Peters - who used to do a swap shop, Tim Healy who was a former copper, Jack Wainwright who used to to RL. Frank Pagden a Methodist Minister who also broadcast various spiritual based programmes. My father in law was into theatre organs and there used to be a programme presented by Arnold Loxam (from Drigh I think) about this subject. He also used to broadcast regularly on Radio Leeds from the theatre organ that's installed in Ossett Town Hall.Anyone else with memories of Radio Leeds in the past? I think it is about 20years ago there used to be a d j called Kevin cannot remember surname .but him and his wife Gillian took a pub at Apperlby Bridge. Her family used to own the former Cullens,and my husbands offices were next door.

On a saturday morning I used to go join in a kids show called Panjandrum(?), this was in round 1968. Radio Leeds was then on the outside of the Merrion Centre, about where the bookies is now (if the bookies is still there that is) near the Nautical Wheel (or whatever that is called now). They did all sorts of stuff, we'd have sing a longs, chat about stuff that we'd done at school etc etc etc. Very cool for a 9 yo then!    

I walked past the Radio leeds BUS this mornining. It was parked on brigate, near where the survey people stand, OH WAIT, THATS ALL OF BRIGATE, I mean just up from marks and spencers.

I used to go down on a Saturday and help out with the kids Panjandrum programme too. My mate won a competition and we were invited down and every week after.This was about 1973 or thereabouts. I remember us leaving Upper Wortley Primary school early one weekday afternoon and going into town to the studios to interview the band Sweet who at that time were number one with "Blockbuster". They arrived, complete with glitter, make up and stack heeled platforms in a Hillman Imp! After hanging around for ages, they refused to be interviewed by a bunch of kids and sneaked out of the back doors.I also got to interview Johnny Giles (a gentleman) and a guy who brought a huge parrot into the studios and which proceeded to poo everywhere much to our amusement!The presenters were Simon Peters and a nice blonde lady called Judith.

lynwoodlad wrote: I used to go down on a Saturday and help out with the kids Panjandrum programme too. My mate won a competition and we were invited down and every week after.This was about 1973 or thereabouts. I remember us leaving Upper Wortley Primary school early one weekday afternoon and going into town to the studios to interview the band Sweet who at that time were number one with "Blockbuster". They arrived, complete with glitter, make up and stack heeled platforms in a Hillman Imp! After hanging around for ages, they refused to be interviewed by a bunch of kids and sneaked out of the back doors.I also got to interview Johnny Giles (a gentleman) and a guy who brought a huge parrot into the studios and which proceeded to poo everywhere much to our amusement!The presenters were Simon Peters and a nice blonde lady called Judith. You've got a better memory than me. I think I only went 4 or 5 times. I can't remember meeting any pop stars though!

BLAKEY wrote: Yes I too remember it starting, and in those days and for many years it was exactly what it should be - to genuinely present local news and features for the benefit of the listeners but sadly, probably for getting on for a decade or so, the rot has set in. I know that it has won many awards but I think these have been for very special outside broadcasts and the like rather than for general content.                                                                                             I still listen quite a lot but I have to say that, like many people I know, I despise its present arrogance and never ending constant "own trumpet blowing." Some of the presenters, now and recently moved, appear so self opinionated and conceited that they are almost too unbearable to listen to - but the local interest is there so its "catch 22." Also the incredible number of times per hour that the station name and the text and phone numbers and the E Mail address are rammed down our throats is almost unbelievable - I have known the text number to be rattled off as many as five times in one sentence before now. Then there is the mysterious "posh" link lady with her exaggerated accent making "Hollywood" style clips out of all proportion, and that ghastly "forceful" signature tune.Another weak feature is the traffic reports - far too much gabbling gasping and no punctuation - and one or two think that they are stand up comedians. With the weather though, at least Paul Hudson and Lisa Gallagher remain level headed enough to deliver their information properly.I do fully appreciate that supporters of the Station will quite justifiably say "well you know where the on/off switch is" but critics like me do become addicted for all the wrong reasons.I am standing by for some ripe retorts to this, but I really do wish that Radio Leeds would just display a bit of modesty and decorum - indeed some of the presenters and news readers are a breath of fresh air and come across very well - but with others there is far too much "refusing to shut up for a minute" and shouting each other down. First an apology - it's next weekSecond I agree wholeheartedly with you about some of the presenters. I won't name names, but the female one on the breakfast programme seems to have verbal diarrhoea and mental constipation. On Monday because she couldn't shut up she missed one traffic slot entirely. I have it on on a morning for a. the local weather, b. the traffic and c. the local sport (good tributes to David Topliss this morning)