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In 1949 Walter Farrer, G3ESP, put an invitation in Short Wave Magazine for local people with
interest in radio to attend a meeting at the Swan With Two Necks public house, on Westgate Wakefield. Wakefield & District Radio Society was
established, and meetings were solely for discussion and exchange of ideas, as the private room had no radio facilities.
In the early 1950's the Society moved to Hawbrook House in Providence Street, again this was one small
room, with a locker this time. We were still unable to store equipment, or erect any aerials. About 14 members attended the meetings, amongst
them were. Walter G3ESP, Walter G8PBE, Frank G3FTV, Jack Booth G3DMP, Cliff G2AQN (whom we visited at his home in Scarborough a few years ago) and
Edwin Wilby G3RZX (who we think still lives in Horbury)
Sadly by the mid 50's the main-stays of the WDRS had moved on, and the society was abandoned for
a number of years.
Just into the 60's a few amateurs including Peter Avil, a teacher at Ings Road School re-established
WDRS at the school, both Ken G3SPX, and Granville G3OAR were members at this time.
By 1967 newer members were running the
society, Peter Avil had left, and the club moved to Zetland Street, Wakefield
where there were still no facilities for aerials & equipment. New members
included Ernest G3VDR, Ray Price G3VTD, Bob Firth
G3WWF and Dave Lockwood G8FSO (now G4CLI).
In 1968 WDRS returned to Ings Road
School, where antennas were at last erected, and now on the scene were Trevor G4AAU, and Martin G3ZXZ.
The 1970's saw yet a further move, this time to Holmfield House, in Thornes Park, Wakefield. Permission
was given to install a long wire antenna and an equipment cupboard was put in an upstairs room, also drinks were available from the downstairs
bar. Talks, demonstrations, and radio operating were all now possible. New members included
Rick Sterry G4BLT, Richard G4FBA, Gordon now G0ISJ, Steve G4CPC, and Rae Firth G4JMT. Unfortunately Holmfield House was refurbished, and
decorated, hence our rent was increased beyond the modest means of the Society.
Which brings us to the 1980's. The next move from the park, to Ossett Community Centre, with the help
of Ken G1FOC, John G4VRY, Jack G4RBY, Barrie G0OVW, John G0MJZ, John Bailes, Arthur G0MMK, and many more who came along. Funds were extremely
low, but the decision was taken to meet weekly, instead of fortnightly as we had done for so long, this was a roaring success, and we even
published our own magazine....QSU to prove it! In 1987 WDRS with some members from the amateur radio club of Alfeld, the twinned German city of
Wakefield, and some of our members returned the visit to Alfeld.
In 2008/9, the rent was hiked
again, and, under the stewardship of the chairman, Ken Quinn 2E0SSQ, the society
cemented its relationship with the 23rd Wakefield Scout Group by accepting an
invitation to join them in their headquarters behind 253, Barnsley Road,
Wakefield, WF1 5NU where we were to have a purpose-built shack and would provide
MUCH better access that we had at the Community Centre.
With the 1990's came the Northern Cross Radio Rally, a great event, and fundraiser for the club, we
made lots of new friends, with the influx of new members, sadly we also lost a few dear friends as well.
Photo's From the Past
Click on the picture to enlarge.
If you would like to add info, or a photo to this page, please contact
The Webmaster
(Dave G4CLI)
A big THANK YOU to the people that have supplied the info and pics
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