A MUSICIAN who died in 1858 was being honoured today by his modern-day counterparts. Dressed in 17th century cos- tume and playing authentic 17th century instruments, the Leeds Waits were processing through Beckett Street Ceme- tery to the graveside of Thomas Crawshaw, last of the old cor- porate waits. Waits were official town musicians and they existed in Leeds from at least 1530 until their demise in 1835, patrolling the streets, playing at civic occasions and hired by private citizens
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Revived
Thomas Crawshaw contin- ued as a musician and music teacher for a further 23 years until his death aged 74. He lived in Harper's Yard, off Kirkgate (alongside the Duck and Drake pub). The Leeds Waits tradition was revived in 1983 by Alan Radford and other enthusiasts. Dr Radford said: “Press reports show that musical hon- ours were paid to Thomas Crawshaw at his funeral in November 1858, and we have long wanted to recreate that event. Thanks to the help of Friends of Beckett Street Ceme- tery and Leeds City Council, we shall he doing that.”
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