Yorkshire Sound Service

As previously reported here on the YSS news page, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are re-writing their legendary purple book, the event bible for many show and event organisers. HSG 195, the official title for the document, has for many years been aimed specifically at sporting events and music concerts in permanent stadia, arenas and indoor venues. Recognising the large number of outdoor events in the UK and their unique requirements, the HSE people have enrolled the help of organisations such as ASAO, who have a voice and authority in the outdoor event industry. Here at YSS, we keep a close eye on the developments being made in the all new 195 document, and can offer show organisers a no nonsense approach to many of the chapters involving issues such as crowd control, crowd safety, crowd management, communication, emergency planning (specifically how the PA system can be used) and other topics relating to pubic address systems.

Mid September brought a new event to the Yorkshire Sound Service team. Nidderdale Show at Pateley Bridge is one of the last shows in the Yorkshire season. Set on the permanent showground at Bewerley Park, hard roads and a covered grandstand ensure that this historic event is geared up to typical British Autumn weather. YSS provided the double deck trailer, which over the last 4 months since its début, has  proved a great success. With our now famous “Whole Area Coverage” PA systems the entire showground was brought to life for the first time ever, with emergency messages and announcements being transmitted to all areas. Separate PA systems in 8 further areas provided local commentary for such areas as the cattle tents, sheep pens, pigs, goats, WI marquee, dog show and the local cricket club pitch. To find out more on YSS and how we can improve your show, please contact us today.

Last weekend Yorkshire Sound Service did what they do best; Provide high quality PA systems and supporting infrastructure to not one but three events simultaneously, with the same high standards of workmanship and customer service at each one. The first event is Hodder Valley Show, in the beautiful Trough of Bowland in Lancashire. We have been associated with this show for well over 20 years now, and every year it is a pleasure to return to work alongside such a hard working and friendly show team. Second on the list was one of our motocross venues, Milton Malsor, Northampton. YSS have been travelling down the M1 to this popular motocross venue for just over a year now, and with three successful visits under our belt, it has become one of our specialist venues. The culmination of the 2011 BYMX championship was battled out over the 1100 metre track, with youth champions being crowned in every class.

By far our biggest show is Penistone. This year additional challenges were provided for us by the show management team. No fewer than 12 PA systems, one double deck commentary box and a two camera visual presentation system were required, along with a fully controlled 40 radio system for important communications and emergency planning. A full report on Penistone will follow.

August has historically been a busy month for Yorkshire Sound Service, with PA systems and commentary units spanning the UK at agricultural shows and events. August 2011 has been no exception, with Tockwith, Gargrave, Malham, Barrowford and Kilnsey shows all catered for in our usual first rate style! Kilnsey show, in Upper Wharfedale chose to use our new double deck trailer in the main ring, which proved a great success, and somewhat of a spectacle at this true Yorkshire Dales show. YSS have been working at agricultural shows for over 25 years now, and have more experience in this area than any other. If you are thinking of moving your business to a new sound supplier, give Yorkshire Sound Service a call today.

Events on the World stage need special attention to detail, and a special team of staff. This Weekend, Yorkshire Sound Service ticked all the boxes for a truly global event. Providing PA systems for motocross has become one of our specialities. Providing PA systems for the British round of the world championship - that’s something new. However, with our professional and hard working staff driving all night to reach the venue, and with the best equipment in the business, we had full confidence in successfully completing the job. With over 3000 metres of cable laid, and over 28 horn speakers on one single PA system, Matterley Basin circuit came to life. And even over the roar of those 450cc motorbikes, every word of race commentary could be heard. Youthstream technical ops. team were extremely pleased with our sound quality, and the helpfulness of our crew, and of course our new double deck commentary unit brought the “WOW” factor to our arrival. Taking a Northern sound hire company to the South of England is an achievement in itself, with competition high in the Souther half of the UK, however to take a northern company 290 miles down the road, to the one of the biggest motorsporting events in the UK outside of F1 is a real achievement, and highlights the quality of service that Yorkshire Sound Service can bring to the table.

Last week, Yorkshire Sound Service teams left Skipton in the early morning darkness heading North. Duns, just across the Scottish border was our destination, for round 7 of the Maxxis ACU Britich Motocross championship. Riders and teams from the very best of European motocross descended on the sleepy market town over the weekend to battle on the famous circuit. YSS have now become resident PA company in Duns, and provided yet another excellent service. Our new double deck commentary unit provided housing for the commentator and officials, with a large horn and cabinet speaker PA system providing crystal clear voice and heavy music to add to the ambience. Staff at the ACU (Auto Cycle Union) [who govern two-wheeled motorsport in the uk ] were once again over the moon with the professional service offered by our engineers on site.

This week, still with Motocross on the brain, YSS travelled through the night, 290 miles South, for the British MX GP. This round of the World championship was yet another chance for YSS to work to an international audience. With Live TV also beaming directly into your TVs from the venue, YSS had to get everything right first time! A detailed report will follow.

At the mid point of our outdoor event season, Yorkshire Sound Service are beginning the build up to the Yorkshire Dales show run. With large show fields to cover with crystal clear sound, we can only use one specific piece of equipment- our trusty horn loudspeakers. With our collection now having grown to 55 large exponential horns, and 48 smaller type units, we can proudly announce one of the largest stocks of horn speakers in the UK. Where whole area coverage is now becoming more common place, and event planners and organisers calling for more sound coverage, our horns provide the perfect solution. Where less professional companies regularly offer column or cabinet loudspeakers for arena sound, YSS stays true to their roots and offer only the highest quality professional equipment. Tired of poor quality sound? Give YSS a call to discuss how we can make a difference.

Yorkshire Sound Service have been called upon by nationwide events company Lodestar to provide PA systems and sound solutions for a number of corporate staff days they were hosting for a large UK PLC. YSS travelled last week to Lincoln, and will this week be in Lancaster for the events. Here we provided our small commentary unit, alongside a split PA system, with both horn type loudspeakers and cabinets for effective voice and music reproduction. A full compliment of 6 radio microphones were handled and controlled by on of our A+H Zed mixing desks, which allow greater flexibility when working with a large number of audio inputs.

Yorkshire Sound Service travel extensively. Last weekend was no exception, as three of our commentary units were spread across the UK. Our medium sized twin axle trailer was delivered on Friday morning to Lichfield, for the annual “Cars in the Park” event. Here, over twenty acres of classic and vintage cars, along with displays of new models were on show to the public over the two days. YSS were praised once again by Barry Strong of the Lichfield branch of the Lions club, for an excellent job. Our second unit travelled to Haddington, just south of Edinburgh, for the annual “Haddington Show.” YSS provided a six speaker configuration for the main arena, along with small PA systems for the sheep area and craft marquee, and a call up system for the horse showing arenas. This included a remote loudspeaker in the horse box park. Staff and committee members thanked YSS for an excellent job, and we look forward to travelling north again next year.

Canary Wharf provided the venue for the grand finale of the 2011 Halfords Tour Series. YSS have travelled to all eight of the events, staged in Durham, Aberystwyth, Peterborough, Colchester, Stoke, Oldham, Woking and Canary Wharf, providing our double deck commentary unit and full range PA system. The event has provided new challenges for us as a company, all of which have been approached and dealt with, with the professional and logical attitude that has firmly placed us at the top of the list, when it comes to outdoor sound. Events that are located entirely on temporary venues, with very little in the way of permanent infrastructure and supplies require special expertise, not only from an organisers point of view, but also from the contractors and support teams working alongside the event staff. YSS have this outdoor expertise as a built in function-our staff and engineers understand the needs of the events we support, and realise that there will be problems presented before us which must be overcome. Halfords Tour Series management thanked our staff for the hard work they have put in over the past month, at some events going “above and beyond the call of duty” to ensure the smooth running of the races. And from YSS HQ, we say thank you to our staff also, for upholding our reputation as one of Britains top outdoor PA contractors – Thank You.

Just because we are Yorkshire Sound Service does not restrict our operating area to the Northern County of Yorkshire. For several years now we have been operating far and wide, covering each corner of the UK. Last week was no exception to the rule, with our double deck commentary unit travelling with The Halfords Tour Series to Peterborough on Tuesday, and Colchester on Thursday. Following the ferocious weather we encountered at Aberystwyth, the sun and temperatures of 25 degrees were very welcome. Both events went extremely well, and as usual, YSS provided high quality sound for the race. If you want to see more, have a look at itv4 on Wednesday or Friday night at 8.00pm for full race TV coverage.

Yorkshire Sound Service have launched themselves into the beginning of the 2011 show season with more energy and enthusiasm than ever before! Otley show was the first agricultural show of the season for the crew, with main ring PA and commentary handled by our number 5 unit. At 17 feet long, and with ample working space internally for up to 6 people, the BSJA judges and commentator were well accommodated alongside the arena as the sun shone and brought the crowds out in their thousands.

Elsewhere on the site our small number 1 unit provided a working base for roaming professional commentator Robert Heneage, who dedicates his day to commentating on the countryside activities area of the show, which is set alongside a beautiful lake, in the grounds of a large country manor. YSS also provided a small PA system for the equestrian arena with horse-box area call up and a number of two way radios.

The day went without drama, and like a duck in water, YSS were well at home on this early season West Yorkshire event.

YSS travelled down to Aberystwyth for the second round of The Halfords Tour Series on Thursday. What nobody could predict was the extreme weather that met the entire set-up crew for the event. Wind speeds blew around 65mph as teams battled to get the equipment rigged in time for the 1.00pm start. Local dignitaries and town chiefs lined the course as local school children raced during the afternoon. The main adult elite race came under threat as the wind speeds increased, with a real chance of injury to both spectator and rider. A decision was made to run the race at a reduced 45 minutes duration, and the town people lined the start and finish area. Yorkshire Sound Service once again provided their double deck commentary box and a series of tripod mounted loudspeakers providing music and voice reproduction.

Yorkshire Sound Service have begun the 8 part Halfords Tour Series of cycling events with style. The new double deck commentary unit arrived in Durham City centre early yesterday morning to begin the build up process for this remarkable racing series. Top cycling teams from across the UK and Europe follow the event over the next 4 weeks around the country. Next stop in Aberystwyth tomorrow, where the big race begins at 7.00pm. Also on hire at the event are 40 Motorola radios, our 20kva silent generator and a pair of high power flood lights on the podium.

Yorkshire Sound Service can finally announce that the much awaited double deck commentary box is now complete.

The UCI Mountain Bike World Cup held in Dalby Forest North Yorkshire was the first public appearance by the new unit which stands an impressive 6 metres high when in the up position. This gives commentators and staff a full 360 degree panoramic view of the event from a high vantage point. The unit is towed by our new tractor unit, which comes with built in 20 kva generator unit.

Pictures will follow here shortly.

The sun shone on Milton Park near Northampton on Sunday as round four of the ACU Maxxis British motocross championship got underway. Flags flew in the breeze, at what is a truly international motorsporting event, and crowds packed into the circuit for its first major event. Wok on the circuit and infrastructure was evident since Yorkshire Sound Service last visited in October, and a new position for the commentary box was much welcomed. The team worked hard over the two days before the event to ensure the PA systems were set up to perfection. With three systems to be integrated, its not as easy as it looks, and with the SKY TV cameras on hand, everything had to be perfect first time. Of course, months on the planning and a focused rigging crew made sure of this, and once again Yorkshire Sound Service ruled supreme around the village of Milton Malsor.
Motocross has become one of our specialities, and we are focussing attention on how we can improve our coverage of these events, both here in the UK, and also on the continent, where motocross has a large following. If you think we can help, get in touch to discuss your requirements further!

Yorkshire Sound Service were in action this weekend at Finningley, near Doncaster, covering round two of the ACU British BYMX championships. The weekend was the first real event of the year for out motorsports team, and provided a good pre-season test for the equipment. Our sound systems used at motorsport meetings have to work harder than their counterparts in the agricultural show line up, overcoming the constant background noise of the engines. Recordings taken at Finningley showed levels of up to 105 dB in the ambient surroundings of the track. Thats just less than the noise of a rifle shot at 1 metre!! The weekend was a great success, and temperatures soared to 20 degrees, and in April too! Yorkshire Sound Service also provided a commentator for the first time at this type of event.

Yorkshire Sound Service can offer a full range of commentary boxes for hire, either with or without PA systems. For full details, please contact us. Don’t forget to have a look at out new photo gallery!

Following winter discussions with many new customers, YSS are pleased to welcome old and new events to 2011.

This year promises events further from base, with new challenges to overcome and new plans to be made. Of course, YSS take challenges in their stride. Attending a brand new showfield is always an exciting prospect.On arrival, the YSS engineers assess the layout of the ground and make suggestions about best practise and making best use of the equipment. Whilst preliminary plans may have been made some months earlier, the exact way that we achieve our goals is often fine tuned on the day. The team will help wherever possible, and following set up of our own equipment, they are often called on to do other small jobs around the site. One key objective for our on-site engineers and technicians is their familiarisation of the ground, to enable them to travel around on show-day making changes and adjustments wherever needed. We sometimes have to modify PA systems to cover different uses throughout the day, and all these plans are put in place on the day before. Often, two-way radios are distributed the day before show day, allowing the organises full communication at what is a crucial time.

Our two way radios operate on licensed frequencies, meaning private uninterrupted communication is guaranteed. For coverage over a larger area, we have a mobile UHF repeater unit, which effectively bounces the signal from hand-held radios over a larger area. Once again, this system operates on licensed frequencies, giving you total piece of mind. An antenna is mounted high on a mast, and can give coverage over a 12 mile distance. Even in towns, or built up areas, the coverage area is still very impressive. Why not contact us now to discuss communications and PA equipment.

Following a recent meeting with officials from the health and safety executive (HSE) Yorkshire Sound Service have learned more on the proposed changes to outdoor events, and in particular, crowd safety and evacuation of the site.

Of course, the thought of having to evacuate a showground whilst the event is in full swing  is a horrifying thought. But in the event of a terrorist attack or bomb scare, just how well would we cope? Yorkshire Sound Service are one of a handful of companies nationwide who have the equipment inventory and the expertise to offer “Whole Area sound Coverage.” No matter what size your showfield is, We can cover every part of it with a Public Address System. For further details of our services, or to discuss the proposed changes in legislation, contact us today.