Light on Leeds

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I am abandoning the Corona Bloody Virus Extraordinary episodes for now in the great hope that we do not need to return to them...

I had a brilliant chat with Jeremy Morton who is the Editor of South Leeds Life - a community news channel. We talk about how it started and Jeremy gives advice about how you could start your own...

The featured track is the wonderful ""Chancer" by PG Carlietta.

https://southleedslife.com/

https://www.facebook.com/PGCiarletta

https://twitter.com/PGCiarletta

https://www.instagram.com/pgciarletta/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1SDC-HB0T7uvW9IGeipYDw?view_as=subscriber

https://www.tiktok.com/@pgciarletta?lang=en

I make no money from this podcast and all I ask is that you enjoy it, tell your friends and if you could leave me a review I would be most grateful.

If you know of someone you think would make a great guest, do get in touch - [email protected].

Do send an mp3 or a wav if you would like your track featuring on an episode. 

Send us Fan Mail

I had a great time chatting to author Richard Smyth. 

We talked about his inspiration, writing processes and the books he has published including his latest book "The Woodcock":

"It’s 1920s England, and the coastal town of Gravely is finally enjoying a fragile peace after the Great War. Jon Lowell, a naturalist who writes articles on the flora and fauna of the shoreline, and his wife Harriet lead a simple life, basking in their love for each other and enjoying the company of Jon’s visiting old school friend, David. But when an American whaler arrives in town with his beautiful red-haired daughters, boasting of his plans to build a pier and pleasure-grounds a half-mile out to sea, unexpected tensions and temptations arise.

As secrets multiply, Harriet, Jon and David must each ask themselves, what price is to be paid for pleasure?

I was sent the beautiful track "Breathe" by Stellar Anderson and is the featured song of this episode - I think you will love it. 

https://www.fairlightbooks.co.uk/the-woodcock/

https://richarddsmyth.com/

https://ditto.fm/the-book-of-stellar-vol-1

https://www.facebook.com/interstellaranderson

I make no money from this podcast and all I ask is that you enjoy it, tell your friends and if you could leave me a review I would be most grateful.

If you know of someone you think would make a great guest, do get in touch - [email protected].

Do send an mp3 or a wav if you would like your track featuring on an episode. 

Send us Fan Mail

I had a fabulous chat with Raj aka SilverFinger Singh.

We talked about his music career, Leeds 2023, Hyde Park Unity Day, his BBC Radio Leeds show, about his father, the
acclaimed percussionist, Inder Goldfinger Matharu and much more!

Raj chose to feature his new single "Lioness" out on 21.07.21 - it's a brilliant track dedicated to the amazing women in their lives - highlighting their Strength, Beauty, Love and Commitment.

"SilverFinger Singh is back with his brand new single titled LIONESS Featuring Leeds based Singer / Songwriter: G Exclusive.

Song written by SilverFinger Singh & G Exclusive and Music created by Desi HipHop Producer Harm Sandhu who has previously composed alongside -

Singer's & MC's such as DIVINE, Sikander Kahlon, Big Boi Deep, Straight Bank, Verbal Singh & many more.

This track is a global sound, with a fusion of HipHop, UK Desi Rap featuring Eastern percussion recorded by Inder Goldfinger Matharu."

https://www.facebook.com/SilverFingerSingh/

https://twitter.com/silverfinger01?lang=en

https://www.instagram.com/silverfingersingh/?hl=en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/ylP0hD1pxcFYflDjblbcWm/silverfinger-singh

https://soundcloud.com/silverfingersingh

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6bSa1w9aUMBg4g4kzktmlt

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs7rp4TEdpLZbrW623kYVHQ

https://www.facebook.com/hydeparkunityday/

https://leeds2023.co.uk/

I make no money from this podcast and all I ask is that you enjoy it, tell your friends and if you could leave me a review I would be most grateful.

If you know of someone you think would make a great guest, do get in touch - [email protected].

Do send an mp3 or a wav if you would like your track featuring on an episode. 

Send us Fan Mail

Andy Wilson is a facilitator at Andy's Man Club and connected to tell me how he got involved and what the ethos behind the club is.

"We are talking groups for men who have either been through a storm, are currently going through a storm or have a storm brewing in life.

OPEN EVERY MONDAY FROM 7PM EXCLUDING BANK HOLIDAYS."

#itsoktotalk

Andy chose to feature the fantastic track "Concrete" by Sheffield four piece Indie band The Rosadocs.

https://andysmanclub.co.uk/

https://twitter.com/andysmanclubuk

https://www.facebook.com/andysmanclub/

https://www.instagram.com/andysmanclubuk/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/TheRosadocsUk

https://twitter.com/therosadocsuk?lang=en

https://www.instagram.com/therosadocsuk/?hl=en

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2hqiN72qqxLCWxAOqsxNoP

I make no money from this podcast and all I ask is that you enjoy it, tell your friends and if you could leave me a review I would be most grateful.

If you know of someone you think would make a great guest, do get in touch - [email protected].

Do send an mp3 or a wav if you would like your track featuring on an episode. 

Send us Fan Mail

Chris Lloyd was the perfect person to talk to about Red Ladder Theatre Company where is is a producer, the joy and pain of being a Leeds United supporter and much more.

"Red Ladder is a radical theatre company with 50 years of history. The company is acknowledged as one of Britain’s leading national touring companies producing new theatre, contributing to social change and global justice.  Red Ladder is funded by Arts Council England and by Leeds City Council.

Founded in 1968 in London, the company has a colourful history rooted in the radical socialist theatre movement in Britain known as agitprop. Born into an era of riots, demonstrations and revolts, Red Ladder has grown up, kicking and screaming, into the 21st Century, where it continues to fight, to entertain, and to agitate in as equal measures as possible."

Mossie sent me their fantastic new track to feature "Time To Shine" links below to buy the track.

http://www.redladder.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/RedLadderTheatre/

https://twitter.com/redladder?lang=en

https://www.instagram.com/redladdertheatrecompany/?hl=en

https://www.mossieofficial.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/MossieBand/

https://twitter.com/bandmossie?lang=en

https://www.instagram.com/mossie_official/?hl=en

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0foBftLzBg4BHYbX95Os3k

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAafcmyiIyBBoEv5cYT9_FQ?view_as=subscriber

I make no money from this podcast and all I ask is that you enjoy it, tell your friends and if you could leave me a review I would be most grateful.

If you know of someone you think would make a great guest, do get in touch - [email protected].

Do send an mp3 or a wav if you would like your track featuring on an episode. 

Send us Fan Mail

Luke Dickson was a great person to chat to and is the Co-Creative Director at Alive and Kicking Theatre Company.

He is also playing Brian Clough in Red Ladder Theatre Company's production of The Damned United - you can see this live from 10 June - 12 June, 2021 at Leeds Playhouse.

Luke talks about the state of theatre through COVID, LUFC and much, much more.

The featured track is by Priest of Beards "This Life is Killing Me". I was offered Wotsits to feature the track although this was not necessary (as much as Wotists are ever unnecessary) as it is a corker.

https://www.aliveandkickingtheatrecompany.co.uk/

http://www.redladder.co.uk/

https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/events/the-damned-united-2/

https://priestofbeards.bandcamp.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3MhdwPGSnldHyA4aesNkRX?si=qh2VvQ2wTj-kTs__Zvx3dQ&utm_source=copy-link

https://twitter.com/priestofbeards?s=09

https://www.facebook.com/priestofbeards/

https://www.instagram.com/priestofbeards/

I make no money from this podcast and all I ask is that you enjoy it, tell your friends and if you could leave me a review I would be most grateful.

If you know of someone you think would make a great guest, do get in touch - [email protected].

Do send an mp3 or a wav if you would like your track featuring on an episode. 

Send us Fan Mail

I really enjoyed my chat with Paul Handley of Grindhouse:

"The first movie-themed bar in Leeds has opened in the city centre following a film-like journey through lockdown.

Grindhouse Bar on Upper Briggate is the creation of Dave Holmes [founder of Santiago] and Paul Handley, [formerly of Santiago and Mojo].

Work started on the bar in February 2020 and it was due to open in May when lockdown hit. The team continued working on the build and the idea to ensure they could be up and running when restrictions were lifted but everything went on hold until now.

“The hospitality industry has taken several hits over the last 14 months, and we were no exception,” says co-owner Paul Handley.

“It’s been a really difficult, wonderful, challenging, exciting time full of setbacks which slowed us down considerably, even out of lockdown it has affected the build because materials were harder to come by – but we’ve done it and we can’t wait to get started properly.”

The walls of the bar are adorned with movie posters - mainstream, arthouse, and of course grindhouse. The table lamps light up original film cells, there is a large screen showing films on a loop and film soundtracks - popular and less known – play all day."

Grindhouse Bar is now open

Find it on New Briggate just down from The Grand Theatre

Opening times

Mon to Thurs – 9am to midnight

Friday and Saturday - 9am to 1am

Sunday 11am to midnight

 Paul chose to feature the song "Close as The Ceiling" by L.D.Moses

https://www.facebook.com/grindhouseleeds/

https://twitter.com/grindhouseleeds?lang=en

https://www.instagram.com/grindhouseleeds/?hl=en-gb

https://www.facebook.com/LDMOSESband

I make no money from this podcast and all I ask is that you enjoy it, tell your friends and if you could leave me a review I would be most grateful.

If you know of someone you think would make a great guest, do get in touch - [email protected].

Do send an mp3 or a wav if you would like your track featuring on an episode. 

Send us Fan Mail

I had a great time chatting to Yvonne Carmichael the Director of South Square Heritage Arts & Community Centre in Thornton Bradford.

"South Square Centre is a collection of 19th Century Grade II workers cottages.

In 1979, following a period of dereliction, 30 unemployed people and graduates from Bradford College came together to transform the building and Thornton and Allerton Community Association Ltd was formed pioneering the building’s restoration in partnership with Bradford Metropolitan District Council and the Manpower Services Commission.

The unique U-shaped building is one of the last surviving examples of this courtyard feature in the region.

Renovated as a community arts and heritage centre in 1982, South Square Centre is now home to ten studio spaces for a variety of artists, an art gallery, community spaces, an Antiquarian Archive, fine art framers, a bar, and café. It is committed to providing a platform and opportunities for new artists and curators.

Leeds-based Brooks Ecological worked alongside South Square to conserve The Bronte Bats.

The Capital Works project is being carried out by Ilkley-based company Dobson Construction.

Thornton is famous as the birthplace of literary family the Brontë’s and its impressive 20-arch viaduct – it also features on the famous Brontë Stone Walk.

The Brontës birthplace is still standing and lived in - part of it is now a café called Emily’s.

Charlotte, Emily, Anne, and their brother Branwell were born in the house and would later move to nearby Haworth where the Brontë Parsonage Museum still celebrates their work.

The capital project is also supported by Arts Council England, Garfield Weston Foundation and Bradford Council. "

Yvonne chose to feature the track "Spiral Halt" by the excellent band Kuunatic.

https://www.facebook.com/southsquarecentre/

https://twitter.com/south_square?lang=en

https://southsquarecentre.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/southsquarecentre/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=kuunatic

https://www.instagram.com/kuunatic/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/kuunatic

https://kuunatic.bandcamp.com/album/kuurandia

I make no money from this podcast and all I ask is that you enjoy it, tell your friends and if you could leave me a review I would be most grateful.

If you know of someone you think would make a great guest, do get in touch - [email protected].

Do send an mp3 or a wav if you would like your track featuring on an episode. 

Send us Fan Mail

Camilla Asher and Anita Adams remotely connected with me to tell me about "Theatre For A New World" 

"Presented by Leeds Community Arts Network and The Carriageworks Theatre, Theatre for a New Word is a season of five pieces of theatre, Songs for a New World, Stake-Out, The End and The Last Five Years.

Rehearsed entirely in lockdown and recorded live and COVID safe on the Carriageworks stage, this season has been created with the astonishing commitment, talent and drive of Leeds Community Arts Network, who are committed to keeping the arts alive for everyone. 

Enjoy this Performance and the entire season safe and sound in the comfort of your own home. 

This is extraordinary theatre created by extraordinary people in extraordinary times.

https://leedscan.wistia.com/medias/31rzinf06e

Buy tickets for each of the events (Songs for a New World, Stake Out/The End, Skylight and The Last 5 Years) for the discounted price of £27.50

Tickets for all the shows in our festival:

bit.ly/CWXLCAN

Anita chose to feature the excellent song "Dance for God" by James Sigdwick and Robert Sanders (Spoitify link to the whole album below).

https://www.facebook.com/TFANW/

https://www.carriageworkstheatre.co.uk/whatson-event/songs-for-a-new-world/?venue=2882

https://www.carriageworkstheatre.co.uk/whatson-event/stake-out-the-end/?venue=2882

https://www.carriageworkstheatre.co.uk/whatson-event/stake-out-the-end/?venue=2882

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3LvUWXrrWb8aLwyeHab2Eu

I make no money from this podcast and all I ask is that you enjoy it, tell your friends and if you could leave me a review I would be most grateful.

If you know of someone you think would make a great guest, do get in touch - [email protected].

Do send an mp3 or a wav if you would like your track featuring on an episode. 

Send us Fan Mail

The lovely Katie Hayes remotely connected to tell me all bout the great work they do down at Cloth Cat Studios. She told me about the Man About Town Project, the Get Your Act Together Project, their Repair & Recycle Workshop and loads more.

Katie chose to feature the brilliant track "Try That" by The Slates - a band completely made up of 15 and 16 year olds and they are very impressive!

"Cloth Cat is a music/education charity based in inner city Leeds supporting those at most disadvantage living in neglected parts of the city. Building from the bottom up where support is needed most, music, people, confidence building and empowerment are at the heart of our activities.

We help people to gain control over their lives and find avenues into employment, further education and other positive social activity by providing a range of inclusive and creative projects, courses and events so that people gain the opportunity to learn a range of musical and personal skills."

https://clothcatleeds.org.uk/manabouttown/

https://www.instagram.com/clothcatleeds/?hl=en

https://www.twitter.com/clothcatleeds

https://www.facebook.com/ClothCatLeeds

https://clothcatleeds.org.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/wearetheslates/

https://www.wearetheslates.wordpress.com/

I make no money from this podcast and all I ask is that you enjoy it, tell your friends and if you could leave me a review I would be most grateful.

If you know of someone you think would make a great guest, do get in touch - [email protected].

Do send an mp3 or a wav if you would like your track featuring on an episode.