A Bygone Radio Manufacturer in Leeds

[AussieLad]

Mr. Bill Carvis? (Shot in the dark!)

[AC/HL]

William Carvis often had "Valves Wanted" ads in the periodicals of the time. The uncommon name stuck in my mind.

[short wave]

Had a trip to see Queen Victoria at Woodhouse yesterday and today.
1st trip i didnt take a copy of the photo relied on memory (not good). The statue is not in the best condition , bad cracks and the castings look brittle. Some letters in Au(v)stralia are missing most inportantly the "U/V". So looking at the leaves , berrys and scrolls on the plinth i am sure this is the same statue... "mi lud".The building in photo cant be over the road since the old libary , now pub, is in the way of sight (i cant find when it was built) So im thinking it was taken ,as said by Barry/Aussi Lad, in "Victoria Square" There is a statue in India by the same sculptur , Sir George Frampton , ...Long shot did Cyril go to India?

Link to statues... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...Queen_Victoria
do you have any other photos?
Regards Andrew

[AussieLad]

Thanks Andrew - your visit to Woodhouse Moor confirms that the Queen Victoria Monument in Victoria Square, Leeds was the location at which Cyril Ratcliffe set up his wireless receiver and speakers on 23 April 1924, to receive George V's speech broadcast from Wembley. That the King's broadcast was received at Leeds is confirmed by Briggs, Asa (1961) 'The History of Broadcasting in the United Kingdom' Vol. 1, p. 265. Also confirmed by reports in the Leeds Mercury & Yorkshire Post/Evening Post which state the broadcast was received at Victoria Square, Leeds (in front of the Town Hall) and at the Mansion in Roundhay Park.

To the best of my knowledge, Cyril never visited India and unfortunately, we have just the two photos already published on this forum.
Regards, Barry

[AussieLad]

Re: Alpha Radio Supplies Company

Received confirmation from a member of the Carvis family that Alpha Radio etc was founded by William Carvis in the late 1940s, at the suggestion of Mr Popper, owner of a wholesale & distribution company in London. Apparently, Mr Carvis always operated from premises at 103 North Street, Leeds, but as he distributed his catalogues overseas as well as throughout the UK, may have used the Vinces Chambers address for that purpose only. He retired in the early 1970s and sold his business to Farnells, now Farnell Electronics?

It is clear that Alpha Radio was not connected with Cyril Ratcliffe.

Barry

[RF Burn]

Aussielad, Farnell were going long before Alpha Radio, a quote from Wikipedia "The company was founded by Alan Farnell and Arthur Woffenden in 1939 in Leeds under the name of A.C. Farnell Limited."

I do remember 1960's advertisements in Practical Wireless or Radio Constructor for 'Alpha Radio' I'll see if I can dig one out when I get a spare moment...

[short wave]

Hi all,
found this photo of Queen Victoria originally outside Leeds town hall. Imagine the aerial that could be put up between Victoria and the top of the clock , and the red tape it would create today!
The sub statue (on Victoria`s left) is missing at Woodhouse Moor but the one on opposite side is present .

Regards Andrew

[Station X]

Here's a picture of Queen Victoria's statue being moved. It clearly shows the surrounding buildings.

http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/...-photo/3206957

[Station X]

Thread reopened at short wave's request.

[short wave]

Thank you for reopening the thread Graham. On our local Facebook group someone posted a photo go of the statue outside the town hall.

[Radio Wrangler]

Yep, you can see the context of where his receiver was set-up. The old buildings in the original photo will be on the other side of the Headrow.

It all fits together now.

Studying in Leeds, I did a lot of wandering around the city centre in the early 70's. I never paid any attention to the buildings opposite the town hall.

David

[PJC58-Hythe]

This https://www.secretleeds.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=5024 seems to suggest that the date is 23 April 1924

[short wave]

Interesting read Peter👍
Another photo of Leeds Town Hall from a different perspective