The Leeds Waits
| Leeds Waits, the official town musicians, were re-established by Alan Radford twenty-six
years ago in 1983, receiving official recognition by Leeds City Council a few years later. The
original Leeds Waits existed from at least as early as 1530-31 until they were disbanded in 1835.
Copies of original Leeds Waits badges now in the City Silver Collection are worn when performing,
and they are shown below flanking a picture of the Lord Mayor of Leeds with his Waits in 2008, in
18th century costume on that occasion. The arms on the badges are those of the Borough of Leeds
from 1626 to 1661.
|
The Waits perform for the Lord Mayor and Corporation, also at stately homes and heritage events
around the region, and for organisations such as English Heritage and The National Trust. The Waits
have performed on radio and television, and also have twenty-six years experience of playing
for historical dance groups including White Rose of Huddersfield and Capriol Historical Dance
Group of Oldham. They play authentic music on authentic instruments, always performing in appropriate
historical dress, and are, as in the old days, available for hire for public and private events.
