The Leeds Waits
1983-2008, Silver Jubilee Year
| Alan Radford re-established the Leeds Waits, the official town musicians
(1530-1835) twenty-five years ago in 1983, subsequently receiving official recognition by
Leeds City Council. Copies of the Waits badges,
from the City Silver Collection, illustrated here flanking a picture of the waits processing
the Lord Mayor of Leeds, are worn when performing. The arms on the badges are those of the
Borough during the period from 1626 to 1661.
|
When not on official duties for the Borough (now City of course), the Waits
perform at stately homes around the region, and for organisations such as
English Heritage and
The National Trust. The Waits have
broadcast on radio and television, and also have over twenty years experience of playing
for historical dance groups including White Rose of Huddersfield and Capriol Historical Dance
Group of Oldham. We 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.
