There probably isn't a person living in West Yorkshire who hasn't read the words of local journalist Pete Lazenby. His traditional 'old hack' style of reporting means he has been at the forefront of many social and political issues in the region. However, Pete's desire to expose and infiltrate the darker issues in local society hasn't come without its troubles.In 2006 his face appeared on the homepage of neo-fascist website 'Redwatch' and he has seen a previous residential address in Guiseley published on the internet. He has also found himself confronted physically in the street on many occasions.
"In some ways being on 'Redwatch' is recognition that as a journalist you must be doing something right and it makes you more determined to keep going."
Pete has worked for the Yorkshire Evening Post (YEP) since 1972, writing at least five million words in the process. Be it the last remaining mole catcher in the Dales or reporting from the front line during the miners strike, Pete has pretty much seen it all.
"I have always loved the written word and even at the age of 10 my head teacher recognised my journalistic endeavour. I was always writing at school and that's just stayed with me ever since. In fact, I was so eager to get in to the industry that I started my role as a trainee for the Wharfedale Observer the day after I sat my last O-Level exam!"
Pete's 'old-school' style of reporting and enthusiasm to get out and about in the local community has meant he was the man to cover many of the major stories to have happened around the region.
"My 'break' really came during the Miners Strike. The media was seen as being biased towards the government, however I was able to get into the mining communities and report their side of the argument. Ever since then I have worked closely alongside trade unions and social groups."
Over the years, Pete has also reported from India, Uzbekistan and following his time spent in reporting from Red Square he was given an honorary Russian citizenship.
"I feel so lucky to have been able to travel and meet so many people through my work. Something that has really stuck with me is when I went to South Africa to report on Nelson Mandela’s election in 1994. Not only was the occasion wonderfully historic but I ended up staying with an ANC activist couple. They took me round to see the places the cameras never showed and I got a glimpse of the true South African state."
Despite all these adventures though, Pete has remained devoted to working and reporting on social issues around Leeds.
"I'm really very interested in homelessness, the poverty caused by unemployment, benefit cuts and racism around Leeds. I've found that I have become much more active and involved in anti-fascism and anti-racism over the years due to my desire to combat the increasing extremism in the area."
This enthusiasm means Pete arrives for work at half past six every morning to see that his stories make the days print and he averages about 4,000 words, each shift. He also writes columns for the Guardian online, the National Union of Journalists magazine (of which he is 'Father of the Chapel' - like a shop steward - for the region) and many other magazines and publications. He was also an instrumental figure in the recent strikes at the Yorkshire Post Newspapers which fought to protect staff from redundancies. However, as he nears his 60s, Pete is looking forward to a more relaxed way of life.
"Next month I'm taking myself down to part-time here at the YEP which will be great as it will allow me to plough some new fields, rebuild some old contacts and focus on the stories that matter most to me. My wife and I have formed Red Lead Media, a freelance journalism operation, which again is really exciting as it's a bit of a change and there are all kinds of different areas we're hoping to branch into. Journalism still gives me that buzz, until that energy dissolves I intend carry on writing and digging for the truth."
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