Save Our Studios

Kate Horton · Post by **Kate Horton** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 1:41 pm

Please help us save our Studios in Leeds by putting your name to this petition before the 6th June:

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/SaveYTV/

Thank you on behalf of The Countdown Team and everyone who works in the TV industry in Yorkshire.
Kate x

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 1:45 pm

Done.

David O'Donnell · Post by **David O'Donnell** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:43 pm

Likewise.

Naomi Laddiman · Post by **Naomi Laddiman** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:48 pm

Me too.

Julie T · Post by **Julie T** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:09 pm

Done, and I'll ask my adult kids to sign it too.

Did you do a typo, Naomi, or is it a coincidence that there's a 'Nicola Addyman' on the signatures?

Kate Horton · Post by **Kate Horton** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:22 pm

Thank you everyone! We really do appreciate your support. xxx

Richard Priest · Post by **Richard Priest** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:13 pm

Done. Hope it makes a difference.

Allan Harmer · Post by **Allan Harmer** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:15 pm

Done! I wil lget the family to respond when they get home too.

Best wishes Kate.

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:17 pm

I did it just after Corby, just didn't realise we had to come and show off about it here

Hehe, good luck though Kate!

David Williams · Post by **David Williams** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:22 pm

I remember persuading my MP to sign the Early Day Motion to have Countdown restored to its 4:30 slot. (To be honest, she said she would, but she didn't.) Still waiting.

Kate Horton · Post by **Kate Horton** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:30 pm

[quote="Matt Morrison"]I did it just after Corby, just didn't realise we had to come and show off about it here

Thanks for signing petition, Matt, and for making me laugh!!

George Jenkins · Post by **George Jenkins** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:38 pm

-Done, and if the money grubbers take notice of this petition, it will be a first. I've got me smelling salts ready if they do.

Lesley Jeavons · Post by **Lesley Jeavons** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 5:05 pm

Done, and posted a link to it in my MySpace, facebook and bebo profiles too. *fingers crossed*

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 5:18 pm

Done. Hope it really does make a difference.

Martin Bishop · Post by **Martin Bishop** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 6:48 pm

Done.

Gary Male · Post by **Gary Male** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 7:03 pm

Innis Carson · Post by **Innis Carson** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 7:13 pm

Done.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:32 pm

Matt Morrison wrote:I did it just after Corby, just didn't realise we had to come and show off about it here

It keeps the topic bumped, idiot. Plus, since I was the first to post that I did it, I will conclude that anyone who subsequently signed only did so because they read my post

Kai Laddiman · Post by **Kai Laddiman** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:01 pm

Jon Corby wrote:
Matt Morrison wrote:I did it just after Corby, just didn't realise we had to come and show off about it here
It keeps the topic bumped, idiot. Plus, since I was the first to post that I did it, I will conclude that anyone who subsequently signed only did so because they read my post

*bump*

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:03 pm

Also done. Let's hope it makes a difference.

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:05 pm

Saw this on Look North tonight. Let's hope it gets a bit more national coverage as well.

(Shouldn't have to say 'done' really, should I?

)

Jimmy Gough · Post by **Jimmy Gough** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 11:35 pm

Really hope we can make a difference. Good luck

(done).

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 11:45 pm

Kai Laddiman wrote:*bump*

*bump 2*

I signed this earlier on today, but only just logged in now.

David Williams · Post by **David Williams** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:26 am

The petition does not close for three months, during which time plans will continue apace. It is addressed to the Prime Minister, who has no power or influence over the decision, and will have no problem whatever ignoring it, as he ignores many other such petitions. It would be more useful to all hold hands and think really, really positive thoughts.

Back in the seventies people might have taken a bit of time out from being (non-swearing) racists to picket whichever studios the jobs were being transferred to, ensuring that no-one would take a co-worker's job in such circumstances. Mind you, the whole of ITV would be on strike anyway, so it would all be a bit hypothetical. But we're all Thatcher's children now, so that ain't going to happen.

Boycott anyone that advertises during the show. Write to Jeff and Rachel demanding they resign in protest. Refuse to go to auditions. Let Kirk announce he's not going anywhere but Leeds for his finals and CoC. Use this forum to do something useful. Of course that means making sacrifices, and still will almost certainly fail. But signing a worthless petition? You're just a bunch of WIBLI's.

Martin Gardner · Post by **Martin Gardner** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:31 am

Ben Wilson wrote:Saw this on Look North tonight. Let's hope it gets a bit more national coverage as well.

(Shouldn't have to say 'done' really, should I? )

Is Lincoln far enough north to get Look North? Hmm.

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:37 am

Martin Gardner wrote:
Ben Wilson wrote:Saw this on Look North tonight. Let's hope it gets a bit more national coverage as well.

(Shouldn't have to say 'done' really, should I? )
Is Lincoln far enough north to get Look North? Hmm.

Admittedly it was billed as the 'Yorks/Lincs' Look North but it still counts. Goes down as far as King's Lynn in fact.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 8:20 am

David Williams wrote:The petition does not close for three months, during which time plans will continue apace. It is addressed to the Prime Minister, who has no power or influence over the decision, and will have no problem whatever ignoring it, as he ignores many other such petitions. It would be more useful to all hold hands and think really, really positive thoughts.

Back in the seventies people might have taken a bit of time out from being (non-swearing) racists to picket whichever studios the jobs were being transferred to, ensuring that no-one would take a co-worker's job in such circumstances. Mind you, the whole of ITV would be on strike anyway, so it would all be a bit hypothetical. But we're all Thatcher's children now, so that ain't going to happen.

Boycott anyone that advertises during the show. Write to Jeff and Rachel demanding they resign in protest. Refuse to go to auditions. Let Kirk announce he's not going anywhere but Leeds for his finals and CoC. Use this forum to do something useful. Of course that means making sacrifices, and still will almost certainly fail. But signing a worthless petition? You're just a bunch of WIBLI's.

You forgot "(done)" at the end.

D Eadie · Post by **D Eadie** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 9:12 am

What is a WIBLI?

I've never seen it on In The Night Garden.

Iggle-Piggle yes.

I have to agree with you David. It's probably a pointless exercise but done with good intention nonetheless.

Now, has anyone seen my Og Pog?

David Williams · Post by **David Williams** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 9:47 am

Wouldn't It Be Lovely If . . .

Nothing wrong with good intentions (apart from their use in paving the road to hell). But better if they were applied in some way that had a remote chance of achieving something, and just possibly this forum and the ingenuity of its members could come up with a few ideas.

Les Butterworth · Post by **Les Butterworth** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 9:56 am

As said elsewhere have just got back from hectic Blues Festival too many late nights too much Guiness and my ears are ringing but signed up to the PM petitions let's hope we get a result some have had an affect.

Andy Wilson · Post by **Andy Wilson** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 2:14 pm

Signed, although it only seems to want UK citizen signatures. I lied and said i'm an ex-pat. Haven't traced my family tree but with a name like 'Wilson' i must have a bit of blighty in me.

Hannah O · Post by **Hannah O** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 6:48 pm

Done! Since the Government officially changed Countdown's slot in the schedule back to normal after it was placed at an inconvenient time (earlier), I don't think this could end up as good intentions- something may happen! With the amount of signatures now, I'd be surprised if this petition was overlooked.

Gary Male · Post by **Gary Male** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 6:51 pm

David's right. We need to do something that will make people realise that the change in ITC regulations that lead to the creation of a mass ITV that also tries to serve the regions was a huge mistake. Having separate regional stations that can pool together when necessary for a greater aim whilst still retaining autonomy worked perfectly well up to the early 90s. Now to do such a thing the government would have to see there's a huge groundswell of support, the best way probably being a petition.

So David's right. The best way of going forward is not to sign this completely meaningless petition, but instead to sign the petition!

Oh, wait a minute...

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 11:40 pm

Ben Wilson wrote:Admittedly it was billed as the 'Yorks/Lincs' Look North but it still counts. Goes down as far as King's Lynn in fact.

Indeed it does, although most of us would prefer to watch Look East & ITV Anglia!

Lee Simmonds · Post by **Lee Simmonds** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 5:45 pm

Added my signature, hope it helps to make a difference.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:11 pm

I just want to make everybody aware since the word isn't spread yet, especially Damian and Lara!

I would sign the petition if I could, but I live in the US.

I don't mean to talk like I'm better than everyone else, but I felt very proud of myself for delighting Des O'Connor and impressing him because they have such international viewers as me. That will be something I will remember for the rest of my life!

Steven Briers · Post by **Steven Briers** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:59 pm

I've signed. Incidentally, is there some sort of target figure for the amount of signatures?

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:16 pm

I hope not, Steven!

And you want Des Lynam, Carol, Jeff and Rachel to remember you, right?

If there is a target figure for the petition, then the only chance you might have of appearing on a game show is when you appear on Wogan's Perfect Recall!

Sadly, we don't know if that show will get renewed yet!

Steven Briers · Post by **Steven Briers** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:25 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:I hope not, Steven!

And you want Des Lynam, Carol, Jeff and Rachel to remember you, right?

If there is a target figure for the petition, then the only chance you might have of appearing on a game show is when you appear on Wogan's Perfect Recall!

Sadly, we don't know if that show will get renewed yet!

Some of these petitions have a target (10000 for example), and I didn't see anything like this on the website. Of course, the more support the better I say.

And the application for Wogan's Perfect Recall is being completed as I speak.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 1:54 am

I almost feel like crying until someone reassures me that everything is going to be ok!

Meanwhile, kudos to Kate for posting this thread! That's one more reason why she is a great lady!

Kathleen Batlle · Post by **Kathleen Batlle** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:33 am

Does anyone take notice of an online petition? I'm wondering if it might be an idea for everyone to write a 'snail mail' letter, preferably on a specific date so that they all arrive at 10 Downing Street together and cause havoc with the mail delivery. I'd be very happy to do that, although I'm not sure that I'm legally allowed to receive Channel 4 programmes in Spain. Kate, let us know if there is anything else we can do.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:18 pm

I'm sorry, everyone, this post made no sense.

Gary Male · Post by **Gary Male** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:21 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:Kathie, unfortunately, there is no negotiating that the ITV Yorkshire studios will close in a few months.

Jason, you and you alone can save ITV Yorkshire studios! Get your mother's credit card and buy them! It would make a lovely gift for her. And you could make it so the Countdown team are allowed to make international phone calls to you.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:42 pm

Gary, you are kidding! You just want to show me your sense of humor.

But, I am not kidding. Nobody minds if I make international phone calls to the Countdown team. Least of all, Kate, because she knows I'm calling for a good reason.

If you think I can actually buy the ITV Yorkshire studios, that gives me just one more reason to make me laugh because I know it's too expensive for me to live in England anyway!

Roxanne · Post by **Roxanne** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:58 pm

What with the economy being so fantastic, there being no wars going on, and poverty, disease, and crime all being things of the past, I can't possibly imagine that Gordon Brown would ever ignore the plight of a daytime TV show being relocated.

Kate Horton · Post by **Kate Horton** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 6:10 pm

Roxanne wrote:What with the economy being so fantastic, there being no wars going on, and poverty, disease, and crime all being things of the past, I can't possibly imagine that Gordon Brown would ever ignore the plight of a daytime TV show being relocated.

It's about the entire studios in Leeds being closed down and 192 people being made redundant.

Ben Hunter · Post by **Ben Hunter** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:40 am

Roxanne wrote:What with the economy being so fantastic ... I can't possibly imagine that Gordon Brown would ever ignore the plight of a daytime TV show being relocated.

It's being relocated (and 192 people losing their jobs) because of the 'economy being so fantastic'.

Davy Affleck · Post by **Davy Affleck** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 9:51 pm

Ben Hunter wrote:
Roxanne wrote:What with the economy being so fantastic ... I can't possibly imagine that Gordon Brown would ever ignore the plight of a daytime TV show being relocated.
It's being relocated (and 192 people losing their jobs) because of the 'economy being so fantastic'.

I work in the Fire Service - phrases such as "modernisation", "relocation", "improvements in service" "rationalisation", etc are bandied about by management. They invariably mean cuts.
I have signed the petition. Best of luck.

sandie simonis · Post by **sandie simonis** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 11:59 pm

signed - Leeds and Countdown go together like Yorkshire and Pudding.

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 12:10 am

sandie simonis wrote:signed - Leeds and Countdown go together like Yorkshire and Pudding.

...delicious swimming in gravy?

David Williams · Post by **David Williams** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 1:04 pm

Closing date was 6th June. How did it go?

David Williams · Post by **David Williams** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:31 am

David Williams wrote:Closing date was 6th June. How did it go?

This wasn't entirely flip. The Government website says

"Once your petition has closed, usually provided there are 500 signatures or more, it will be passed to officials who work for the Prime Minister in Downing Street, or sent to the relevant Government department for a response.

Every person who signs such a petition will receive an email detailing the Government's response to the issues raised."

With 1703 signatures the threshhold was easily met, but I assume no-one has received an email. It never occurred to me for a moment that a petition would achieve anything, but you'd think they'd have the courtesy to tell you.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:22 pm

David Williams wrote:
David Williams wrote:Closing date was 6th June. How did it go?
This wasn't entirely flip. [ . . . ]With 1703 signatures the threshhold was easily met, but I assume no-one has received an email. It never occurred to me for a moment that a petition would achieve anything, but you'd think they'd have the courtesy to tell you.

I have just received my e-mailed response to this petition. They took their time, but "better late than never" and other such clichés.
The response is here: http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page20557

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:20 pm

So, they were being honest, but it turned out things were most unfortunate.

Can one of the higher-ups prove this?