Leeds nostalgia: Your letters

It is extremely interesting to see you are highlighting the wonderful Chippendale Desk, (Tuesday Retro, January 26), now on show at Temple Newsam House. I do wonder why this beautiful piece of furniture ever left Harewood House in 1965 and maybe this was a reluctant, but essential, sale at the time. Our city fathers managed to raise the cash and snapped it up at auction which has turned out to be a very wise investment.

I have very vivid memories of the late Arthur Negus, who died in 1985, on one of his appearances on the Antiques Roadshow, when he valued an antique Writing Desk. He complimented the owner of the desk, gave his valuation and then said: “The finest writing desk I have ever seen is a large one one by Chippendale, from 1771, made from a combination of woods and this is on view at Temple Newsam House in Leeds”. Arthur, who was originally a cabinet maker, was well qualified to value special pieces. Perhaps I may be considered “biassed” - living, as I do, on the edge of this magnificent Parkland at Temple Newsam. However, please take my advice, visit the estate and beautiful house when it opens again for the summer at the end of February. The large Chippendale desk can be seen in Mr Wood’s Library and there are other pieces of Chippendale on loan from the Chippendale Society. The friendly staff will give you a warm welcome and you will not be disappointed.

Marjorie B Godson

Following your feature on old nightclubs in Leeds, the best night club of all had to be Cinderellas/Rockefellas in the early 1970s. I remember going to the opening night and dancing with Georgie Fame. It was at the time the height of sophistication with lots of stars from Yorkshire TV spotted there. Prior to that, it was The Spinning Disc (Mecca) in County Arcade. I even used to go Saturday lunch time, sneaking from my Saturday job at Waynes Shoes in the market.

Christine Jagger