I was lucky enough to work with Allan in the early days of Radio Leeds 1968-70.

Go into the production office at Radio Leeds in Wade Lane and it was dominated by one man. Sitting at the top of the room surrounded by teleprinters, phones, newspapers and scurrying reporters was Allan Shaw.
As news editor Allan was responsible for the flagship “Leeds and the world at One.” a full half hour of news and current affairs in which all the staff, no matter what their background, were required to contribute.
Then there was the first local radio hourly news bulletins mixing local and national news, once again Alan's responsibility.
As if that were not enough Allan was also part of Phil Sidey's black propaganda team, spreading the local radio word to anyone who would listen.

Allan was a big man, both in stature and in character. He was the first to let you know if you were not performing well enough, to be followed by a beer in the General Wade. He was never afraid to have his say even if that meant unpopularity. I had more than one occasion to be grateful to him for saving me from the worst of Phil Sidey's wrath.

A man of high ideals, he told me that far from old age mellowing him he was becoming more radical as the years went by.

In many ways we remember the public Allan, loud and full of certainty. But, we also remember the private Allan, quiet, concerned, supportive and full of warmth,

I shall miss both of them.

Allan was a rather special local radio manager of the old school.  Anyone who met him, or worked for him, would have very positive memories of hisenergetic, spirited enthusiasm for everything (well, maybe not quite everything!)  we did in local radio. I met him in my days as a News Producer at BBC Radio Derby (1972-79) - and later, when I had moved to BH in London.

A good man.

paul leighton