Local Faces - Jeremy Paxman

An extra post today. I've just been looking in the Evening Post and it's Jeremy Paxman's 60th birthday today. He's on the Local Faces panel so we couldn't let the day go by without wishing him HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Born in Leeds and brought up in Worcestershire, Jeremy was educated at Malvern College and St Catharine's College, Cambridge. He began his career as a journalist covering Northern Ireland. After three years in Belfast he moved to London where, between 1978 and 1985, he was a reporter for Tonight and then Panorama. He's principally known as the anchorman of Newsnight, a role he has had since 1990. Since 1994 he has also been the presenter of University Challenge. His numerous books include the 1990 bestseller Friends in High Places: Who Runs Britain?, Fish, Fishing and the Meaning of Life (1994) and The English (1998). Extract from our database in 2000.

As well as being vice-chairman of the Wild Trout Trust conservation charity he's a Leeds United fan, so hopefully he's a happy bunny today.

Hand stitched on printed fabric by Myra Turner (3 1/2 hours).

Local Faces - John Battle

I heard on the radio yesterday that John Battle stood down as Member of Parliament for Leeds West so, thought it relevant to put him on the site today.

He first entered Parliament in the General Election of 11 June 1987 and stood down on 12 April this year when the election was announced.

John is one of the few who appears on more than one panel. In 2000 he was at the forefront of the Leeds Jubilee 2000 Network 'Drop the Debt Campaign' and appears holding the banner on the Community Spirit Panel.

Both pieces were printed on fabric. Drop the Debt was embroidered by Jackie Barron and Janet Taylor in 46 hours and the John Battle from the Local Faces panel was hand stitched by Sheila Eagleton in 32 hours.

Don't forget to vote.

Local Faces - Richard Whiteley

Richard Whiteley, a man known for his sombre clothing was the first face seen on Channel 4.
When the panel was first on display, without a key to it, a visitor was overheard saying 'that doesn't look a bit like Richard Whiteley'.
This piece was hand painted and stitched by Ann Brown and took 40 hours to complete.

Any reminiscences of the man and his career? I know he's greatly missed by the Countdown fans out there.

Where are they now?

The Local Faces panel was made between 1995 and 2002. The great and good were chosen by a research team and by nomination by members of the public. Historical figures from the City were portrayed in black and white, while the living were stitched in glorious technicolour.
Would the same people have been nominated a mere eight years later?