Feedback Mail

Excellent web page on the sailing trip I took with you. I like the way you mix the photos & mysketches. First time I've ever been called an 'artist' so thanks for that too! See you around - Derek Ray

I wish I had known about the"Three Forts Special" Boat Trip sooner as it really is the ideal one for me & I cannot get time to do it! Any chance of this one sailing in next years season? I know a few people who will be interested in sailing on the cruise - Dave Roberts

There are a few more sailings before the season closes this year, the season begins in April -October & we will be running a number of three Fort Specials, details will appear on the Boat Trips Page

Superb day out, the whole family had a wonderful time - Steve

Happy days, watery wireless, big old towers, can't wait to listen to the CD's I bought from you - Greg

Thanks for an interesting narrative, hadn't realised how much history the forts had - Carrie

The trip was absolutely superb in every way & thanks for organising it. Never having seen the forts before, I can't tell you how exciting it was to see Knock John coming into view. It brought back lots of memories of avid pirate listening. It was as if the last 40 years had not happened. Over those years, I sometimes wondered if I was the only one to whom that era meant something. Thanks to the internet, I now know there are a lot of us out there, & it's great that we can share our memories, pictures, recordings etc.

Your commentary certainly enabled me to put lots of memory fragments together & I learned things I didn't know before. All in all, a day never to be forgotten. My wife still thinks I am mad but I'll get her her own anorak and she'll be fine. Keep up the good work. Best wishes - Barry Howard

Thanks for an amazing evening trip took some lovely pictures, had a brilliant time & learnt mare about radio on the sea - Ricardo Ricardo Insua-Cao - Artist & Designer

Hi The trip was great, my wife and I really enjoyed it. I also managed to get a lot of awesome photos, a wonderful trip out to the forts & windfarm - amazing - Errol Sidlesky

Thanks very much for Saturday, I had a great time & managed to get a few decent shots - Dave Tyler

I can't thank you enough on behalf of my brother and my friends for one of the best days we've ever had. the chat in the cafe and on the way home was non-stop! I've completed 11 world cruises on the qe2 taking in a variety of sights but Ican honestly say this one was the best. keep the flag flying & many many many thanks. Sincerest wishes & kindest regards - Mark Hutchins. ps: I think a barge trip is on the horizon

Many thanks for your commentary successful on photography. I have enjoyed reading Making Waves, the reproduction quality of the photos is excellent. Good luck with the Red Sands project, I look forward one day to be able to climb up into the control tower! - Neil Edwards

Thanks for a lovely day out on the briny, memories of happy radio days - John, Peter, & Paul

Fredericia & Mi-Amigo - Radio Caroline

Caroline Early Days - Nice one, remember Caroline coming round the coast to the IOM. I used to run a 1kW pirate station in Brighton in the early 60's, all respectable & licensed now! - Andy

Olga Patricia/Laissez Faire - Britain Radio England, 355, Dolfijn 227

Nice site you do have, we are on this moment one of the greatest Easy Listening Radio Stations in Holland. Okay The others are not agreet with this, because they are afraid of the Dutch Radio 227.

Greetings from Ton Polderman - Presenter of the New Radio 227

The Swinging Radio England item has really touched me, what a fab commemoration of one of the best 60s offshore stations! PS I thought AFN & all the US stations were on our doorstep - Keith

Thanks a wonderful surprise SRE/Britain piece! Look Boden of Radio 227 www.radio227.nl

By the centre a grand piece - Arthur

Just a note to say how much I'm enjoying the feature about SRE, certainly one of the best, if not the best 1960's offshore station.Larry Dean was my favorite jock, tight with great production skills. SRE was light years ahead of what was happening at the time. I listen to a lot of British radio & with a few exceptions, in my mind they are all a bad copy of Lazer 558, Atlantic 252, & of course the Grand daddy of them all, Swinging Radio England.

Today's radio can just about do the slogans, but lack the pace & fun element that made stations like SRE great a sound that even now would knock the socks off whats currently on the dial in Europe. Looking forward to Part 2! Warm Regards - Steve Marshall

Red Sands Maunsell Army Fort home of Radio's Invicta, KING & 390

12/2/07 - Radio 390 Red Relics I was interested to read your comments about the 4HF. I also had one in the early sixties & experienced exactly the same symptoms with the variable speed that you mention, only silent running at maximum speed, which was too fast, with a nasty rumble, getting progressively worse as you slowed it down, which you had to do, to get it to run at the correct speed. Very annoying. I have always though that mine must have been faulty - I couldn't imagine that GARRARD had produced a product with such fundamentally poor performance. It now seems that this was, in fact, a DESIGN fault. Oh dear. Love the site, having always been an avid fan of offshore radio All the best regards - Roger Morley

29/4/06 - Another very interesting & enjoyable article. The words, photos & audio clips bring it all back to life again....mmm, great days indeed. Many thanks for all the work you do in producing them - Dave Brown

Many thanks for the recent order the books and video are fascinating a whole episode of history (not just the pirate radio stations) that seems to have been overlooked. I've seen on the web the information about Project Red Sands - Seatribe which if it succeeds would be a tremendous achievement. These forts are certainly as much a part of British history as some of the candidates on the recent BBC 'Restoration' series. I'll be in touch about purchasing some more items from you - as soon as funds allow!!! Regards - Mike Leonard

Just found the pictures of Red Sands in 68/69 seeing Jim, Steve, Patacake, Robin etc certainly brought back some memories. I was part of the Seatribe adventure and lived on the towers for many months in 1969. Part of the time I was with Malcolm Addison and some of the time I was alone. The memory of waking alone on Red Sands early on a summers morning still ranks as one of life's most beautiful moments . The memory of wild stormy nights on those Towers is almost beyond comparison. Malcolm and I wrote a log when we we out there and Steve used to have it, I dont know where it is now.I may have some pictures of the time and certainly have some poetry written while I was out there.Thanks for the memory. Yours - Hugh Ratzer - Wales

Congratulations on the site update, the pictures inside the Tower Aboard Redsands 2 are very interesting, glad you made it back in one piece. I liked the bit on Seatribe & have visited the website for the Red Sands Project. They have a lot of good wishes but not by the look of it cash, probably the main requisite, time will tell no doubt. Having filmed out of one of the Air Industries blimps, more years ago than I care to mention as it flew over Red Sands I was wondering how people will get out? Incidentally flew from Southend by helicopter for camera trials using an early hand-held video camera attached to a multi-mount, more often used with a Panavision camera than an EMI! Our flight path took us over the Mi Amigo - which was a bit of a treat. I wonder where the films are now? Congratulations on a splendid job keeping us all informed - Derek Smith

Thanks for the pictures of Aboard Red Sands much appreciated. I 've worked out the boarding bit you're spiderman in disguise! With best wishes - Tom

Well done once again interesting stuff as usual. Aboard Red Sands the water looks so calm around the forts, but it must have been quite scary for the presenters in the middle of winter though! Nice audio of Jonathan Hall (very posh) - Steve Hibbert, Ealing, London.

You sure know how to stir up the envy in my fort 'anorak', I have just looked at your new Aboard Red Sands entry & now eagerly await the next. The forts have long been an interest of mine & your Sealand VCD went some way to satisfying the curiosity about what being on board the forts is like today, but now you've gone and stirred me up again with Red Sands. Regards - Mike Cox

I spent time looking at every thing on the site it brings back lots of memories of being at UKC from 65-68.Of course that included the launch of radio one, the sanitised version of what the pirates were doing. My personal favourite of the time was Caroline. It was fascinating to see the primitive conditions in which people worked yet produced exciting radio.

At the old "City of Canterbury" pub at the end of University Road, we met a man called Ron Bean. He told us he was one of the backers of Radio City and how nasty things became when Post Office engineers came aboard and smashed the equipment. All else I can remember about him was that he dressed like a country squire, smoked a cigar and had daughter who played a harp. Do you remember him? He was very bitter about those parts of the story that the public never heard about - Patricia Smith Chicago USA

Think you are refering to Lawrence Bean who was an engineer on Radio 390

Do I remember reading that the original Garrard 301's & desk from Radio 390 were retrieved from storage? Did anyone ever do anything with them or are they going to be left in unrestored condition? If nothing's happening to them, I wouldn't mind a crack at restoring them. Just a thought - Rob Ashard

There's nothing left on the Red Sands fort see Fort Fax for all the details. Everything was sold including the RCA BTA 10J 10.5kw MW used by Radio 390 which went to RNI

But the good news is that yes the 301's have been found & lurk locally. These could be made be available for you to revive!

Okay Bob, Aboard Red Sands I give up, how did you get up on the tower? Off the topmast or sprit of the Greta? - Dave Parry

Aboard Red Sands How the hell did you get on the Forts? I work on Foulness Island Essex and see them every day! I've always wanted to have a look on them. I have been around the forts via the Waverley & Balmoral Great photos - Dave Bullock

Just to let you know that I eep an eye on your site. The latest Aboard Red Sands pictorial is great, I am on the Minster cliffs and it is fascinating to see Red and Shivering still looking so inviting. The radio history of those forts adds to the mystery, we tried to board one in the way back from a Mi Amigo dive but were reported to the police due to the fact that it was the one with the PLO coastguard telemetry! - Ray Copeland

Always good to refresh one's memory of Redsands Rendezvous some 38 years ago . Good stuff Bob. Warmest regards, as ever - John R-B

Are you aware of anyone still doing trips out to the estuary forts? - Paul Griffith's

See "Scrapbook" pages Boat Trips for cruise details.

Shivering Sands Maunsell Army Fort home of Radio's Sutch & City

12/12/06 - Dear Sir, Going through the 10 parts of the Radio City 299 history a few questions remain open:

1. I cannot see any of the metal guy ropes which should hold the mast. Difficult to imagine the engineer could do without them. As space on the fort was limited, I imagine, stabilizing the mast was a problem. Or not?

Answer 1 - Of course the mast was guyed ,there are some pictures showing the detail if you look carefully

2. Shivering Sands can be seen from the coast, but there are no photographs which confirm that the coast can be seen from the fort

Answer 2 - You're not looking in the right place, there are pictures of the forts with coast in background, navigate from Boat Trips pages, there you will see this detail

3. Radio City was not directly related to the history of World War II but I have been asking myself why the forts were set up in the open sea where they could easily be spotted by hostile planes. I think three miles did not make a great difference, neither for the British nor for the Germans. But admittedly this question is beyond Radio City 299

Answer 3 - Fort Fax page has all the detail of why the forts were built, we also have books CD's & DVD's for sale which are ideal to learn more

4. Why was the power of Radio City only around 2 kW (?). If any saving on installations was deemed necessary in those days then least of all on the transmitter, I think. Because any off-shore station manager or owner of the Sixties knew that kilowatts meant coverage, and coverage meant revenue from advertisement

Answer 4 - Radio City was not cash rich as our equipment testifies, the TSA was primarily London & SE of UK, but we had good reception in other parts of Britain & a good part of mainland Europe

The 299 mmw ex-US Naval rig was rebuilt & greatly modified by our 1st engineer Don Witts, later TX engineers Phil Perkins & Ian West did a fantastic job making even more of the original equipment. City never had a decent RCA like the other stations, but managed a very acceptable signal for the required TX footprint. Radio 390 despite opinion seldom ran their 10kw at more than 5, like City the huge masts did their job very efficiently making the signal sound more powerful thatn it actually was - ED

11/12/06 - Interesting story so far ten parts of Radio City, navigate from Radio Sutch & City Pics 1. The drawings are impressive. Unfortunately, this station was in contrast to Radio 270, Radio 390 & Caroline South too weak to be received in Northern Germany. I felt, however, that there was a station in the background. Only once on a Sunday in 1966 it broke through with a fairly strong signal & was captured with a tube-powered radio built in 1937 but was impossible with any Japanese transistor. It is regrettable that no attempts have been made to revive Radio City 299 after the pattern of Radio Caroline and BigL. DVB-S MPEG-2 in a London studio could not create the atmosphere of an off-shore fort, vinyl & the adventurousness of the staff, I think. Sincerely - Gerrit Thiessen - Germany

Much more to come with our Sutch & City rolling feature - ED

4/12/06 : I enjoyed the new material & especially the bits about Macca. Radio Sutch & City Pics 10 I have lost contact with him over the years. In fact quite a few of my "Offshore" colleagues have left the studio & are now working for the big sender in the sky. I was shocked to find out how many have passed on. Unfortunately I have never been a great correspondent & now regret not having kept touch with my former colleagues, what I am saying here is, your web production is a 'gem' with all its history & for me, many great memories of some really good times, I hope you keep up the steady stream of memorabilia, for one reader (me) it is precious. Thanks - Ross Brown

1/12/06 : Regards Radio Sutch & City Pics 10 Remember you asked me what I knew about the 299 transmitter, when I told you Tony & Sam took it down to the station in our band wagon? I'm pretty certain that they picked it up from Southampton, which would make a lot of sense, as Reg was based there for a few years & obviously had contacts there, also it being a NavalPport & the transmitter an ex-US Naval item. Keep up the good work - Tom Long - Pinkertons Assorted Colours

30/11/06 : Radio Sutch & City Pics 10 Interesting stuff. I'd forgotten all about that mucking about stuff after close-down. The first photo on the page is a great shot of the towers with the big mast of Radio City in 1967 - Ian MacRae

25/5/06 - I Live in Minster Isle-of-Sheppey, a freind of mine told me the other day that her dad (Peter Lane of Eastchurch) used to be involved with Radio City Possibly deejaying, sadly Peter passed away a couple of years ago. I did a search but couldn't find him. She could tell me Peter used to go out to the forts often. I will try to get some more information from Peter`s family & forward maybe it will jog somebody's memory, many thanks - Paul

1/5/06 - I believe there is a tape of a guy called Dave Jackson who went on Radio Sutch about 1964/65 from Kings Agency. He came from Liverpool & was only onboard for about two or three weeks, I'm told he was very upset when he arrived at the Record Shop ready to go out to the fort, they told him that he will not be able to take his bottle of vodka onboard, but when he came of it was late at night he'd left his bottle as the shop which was shut so couldn't get it back, do you have any information on him.- Dave Elliott

Web Site Message from: Mike Craig (aka Mike Watts, Herr Vont's Kutting, The Castaway on Radio City) Excellent stuff on Radio City a station I fondly remember, being my first experience of offshore radio at the age of 15. Having nicked a boat from Whitstable's Tankerton beach & getting stranded on the fort for three days. Somewhere there's a recording of me on-air having been put on during a test transmission after the 'gods'. Tony Pine may remember this it was my very first broadcast on radio, the bug bit - Best Regards, Mike

I would like to thank you for your website. I acquired a TCK-7 transmitter the same model you Radio City guys used. I'm in the process of building a high level plate modulator which the original TCK-7 did not have. I plan to get it on the air this spring. Thanks again from your friends across the pond - Bob Bartola Radio Sutch & City Pics 10

Great to read about Martin Green, I was 2nd Projectionest at the Oxford Cinema, next door to the Radio City Shop in Whitstable for three years and Martin used to come in whenever in port and have a cuppa tea and a chat - a great pal nearly 40 years ago, we both got married and lost touch. Warmest Regards a Happy New Year - Bill Pryor PS I am still in the Cinema trade

Oh how the memories came flooding back whilst browsing your pages ! I started listening to offshore radio from approx 1965 (when I was 15). Lived in Bristol at that time, and was able to get Caroline N and S, Big "L", and Radio England very well, then I discovered Radio City in 1966 when I believe the transmitter power was increased to 50Kw. City became my favourite station, I found it more even personal than the others, and I thoroughly enjoyed the antics of Ian Mcrae. I can remember a time when someone on the station caught a lobster, and supposedly let it loose in the studio when Ian was "on air", so many fun things happened and we, the listeners, shared it. I can still sing the Silexine (sp?) paint advert ! Those were the days ! Such a shame radio isn't so exciting now. Thanks to the offshore broadcasters & Radio City in particular, I realised what I wanted to do for a living and at the age of 16½ I wrote to the Denmark Street office asking for a job on the station, a few days later Radio City ceased broadcasting after the government finally succeeded in deeming it inside territorial waters :-( What a tragic year 1967 was, all the pirate stations except Caroline closed down and life seemed very empty. With the ambition to get into radio, I started as a DJ in discoteques, which led to my meeting three of the DJ's I had heard on the pirates, Roger Day, Johnny Walker, Dave Cash and a few from Radio One, at a venue in Taunton where I was resident DJ. I was offered the chance to work for an agency in Europe and eventually ended up in Denmark in 1975. The radio situation there was very much like the UK before offshore radio, the state radio and nothing else ! In the mid 80's the Danish government decided to allow local radio stations, and I witnessed a situation a bit like the early UK pirate days, lots of little stations popping up, some good, some terrible. At last I was able to achieve my ambition, and managed to get a station started in our area in 1987. I bet, in those early days of offshore broadcasting, none of you guys realised the long lasting effect you would have on some peoples lives! Once again, thanks for providing such a superb and informative website - John J

Hope all is well with you. I still drop by your web pages to get all 'anoraky' again! Keep up the good work. I've just met a lady who says she did programmes on Radio City? As you are the official expert can you remember Bob a Barbara (or "Babs") and "Pam" who did a show, apparently recorded in a studio in St Johns Wood? sponsored by Gulliver of Camden? - Dave Burke

Hi Dave, It was the "Gulliver Record Request Show", I don't believe they gave name checks. The other programme with a female was the "Basildon Request Show", all very amateur & as you say recorded.

Thanks for arranging the Radio Sutch City Reunion. It was really nice to chat about things close to me. Have just looked at the piccies. Very good & great fun. Hope you enjoyed the rest of the day and didn't drink too much!!! You weren't driving were you - Candy Calvert

Hi Bob, I thought the Sutch/City Reunion was really good. All those guys turning up. It was a shame that Phil, Ian and Tom Edwards couldn't make it. I noticed that Tom managed to come to London for the Caroline re-union though. I think the pictures by Martin Stevens are absolutely superb. Great to see Martin Green too but I've lost his address as you might recall, towards the end, things began to get a little hazy. It was nice to see Tony again but I must admit I would not have recognised him if I had met him ‘on the street’.(That’s the Whitstable Street of course) See you soon. Rgds - Dick Dixon

Whitstable Steet is a spit of shingle built up by tides that stretches 1 mile out to sea, uncovered in part at low tide

The real thanks are to you Bob for getting the City Reunion off the ground, hope you plan to put some of your pics. on your site. It'd be great to see them . Howard Garstka ( Michaels) in S.A. is looking foreward to seeing them too! Best wishes - Jonathan Walker.

Many thanks for recent email and the up-date, very good stuff thoroughly enjoyed our Radio City Reunion. Many thanks for all your efforts and of course to Dicks.It was super meeting up with some of the old friends. Yours - Paul Elvey

It was a great pleasure for me being with the Sutch/City Reunion. Many, many fantastic memories came up when I spoke with the "old" Radio City crew and I realised that the time has flown! For me it was the start of everything I was going to do until now, including my job. We'll keep in touch and I'l be waiting for the next reunion! - Martin Green

Thank you all for a really pleasant afternoon at the Radio City Reunion at St Katherines Dock. Well the people there were part of the Radio City story, it was also part of our bands story. Thanks to Reg Calvert our manager Radio City promoted us very hard and through its connections with the other stations we were often heard on pirate radio. We wouldnt have had the success we did without them - Tom Long - Pinkertons Colours

Hi Bob, Just got home..sorry I couldn't make tothe Radio City Reunion day. I did text you which hopefully you received and that my "hellos" were passed onto everyone. When time allows do tell me all the news etc, how it went and who was there. Obviously I'd love to see the photo's too. Hope you all had a grand day my thoughts were with you all..hope you got the vibes! Take care my friend - "Tatty" Tom Edwards

Just a line to say how much I enjoyed the Radio City Reunion.You know, I was joking when I mentioned sailing, I had no idea you practised the dark art of yachting. Perhaps it's just the way you carry yourself, and maybe the sailing cap with' Dolphins Are Sexy' emblazoned above the peak that gives you away! Sad story about Medway F.M. At least the money took away some of the sting, but din't let it ruin your enthusiasm. You are a natural. How I hate you......Best regards - John Edward "Flux"

Thank you! It took a lot of your time and effort to bring us together. It was realy good to see everyone again and I hope to keep in touch with them now. Thank you again for organising the City Reunion, in itself it has become part of the story. Best wishes - Martin Stevens

Glad the City Reunion went well. Know that pub was talking about Radio City's old frequency yesterday and realised that all the stations that have occupied that frequency since, in the old Radio City coverage area, such as the country music station, have all failed. Is there a jinx on 1034/1035 now?

Thoroughly enjoyed looking at the photos of your Radio City Reunion, it's nice to know that the union of old friends is still alive and well 40 years on. Aboard Redsands Part 2 was great too. Regards - Steve - Ealing

Thanks for the update I enjoyed the Sutch & City Reunion pictures. My own contribution to the anniversary in a day committed by SAGA 105.7 to Offshore Radio - ah happy days! Regards - John Ross-Barnard

What a wonderful photo's of your Radio City Reunion Regards from a very hot Amsterdam - Rob Olthof

While listening to a one hour recording of Edward Cole on 390 I realy enjoyed the photos of the great Radio City/Sutch Reunion. Amazing how you got these people together, even the son of late Ed Moreno & Candy Calvert. The photos show the very good mood people were in 40 years after it all started. Looking forward for part 2 Aboard Red Sands 2003.

Greetings from Overschild were we now live 10 km from Groningen population 500 - Paul de Haan

When I was a teenage would be pop-pirate, I went out to Shivering Sands Fort with friends & boarded it via ladders which led to a trap door. The thought of that now makes me cringe! On a more recent sailing trip we passed Red Sands and noticed all the catwalks & ladders had been dismantled.Which begs a question. How the hell did you get on the roof? Was there any sign of a radio station inside the fort? Kind regards - Tom Lees Ascot, Berks

Trade secret Tom; see Fort Fax for detail on how the forts are today & what's not left inside

Congratulations for the upcoming 40th Anniversary of Radio Sutch & City this May. I never worked on the Fort Stations but enjoyed listening in. It was a wonderful time back then as I also have some great memories of working on Radio Caroline mainly on the North ship during the time of 1966 & 1967 even marrying Ugli Ray Teret's sister Janet on air on Sept 20th 1966. I took over Ray's spot on Caroline which then became Mick's 3 to 6 show, while he went to open up his Ugli Bug Boutique in Douglas on the Isle of Man. Thanks for your interesting site and your good words on Broadcasting.

Do keep in touch & stay happy & healthy Your Canadian Soul Brother - Mick Luvzit

Out of curiosity I have been trying to find out more technical details regarding Radio City's equipment - especially the transmitters. I have managed to find a link on the internet which shows a TCK-4 type naval
transmitter. It is virtually identical to the one on Shivering Sands. I assume that this was used as a "front end" to a more powerful linear amplifier. In your Scrapbook article Sutch & City Pics 1 the picture shows a Dexion rack with what looks like 4 x 813's lurking on the middle left? Thanks for a very interesting and informative website.All the best - Ian Francis

Well what can I say? except what a truly informative and bloody good site Bob! the Radio Sutch & Radio City stuff really captured my imagination, listening to the audio clips and looking at the photos was great. Cheers! - Steve Hibbert from Ealing in London

Your website most excellent. Congrats on a superb website. I've just spent far too long looking at it and enjoying the clips. What colour! Great Radio City pix. As for Eric Martin's VO... Almost as good as Roy Bates' for Channel Airways (which was complete with swooshing effects, as their Tiger Moth flew over!) Regards - Gerry Zierler (Guy Hamilton - Radio Essex 222)

ENJOYED the latest scrapbook on Radio Sutch! Sutch City Pics 2 By the way THANK YOU for the link. Karl, who helped me (the field photo is actually of his wife's parents farm, near St. Louis FAR from here) and I, both got a kick out of how you used the sign with the middle of nowhere. Anyway, I have NOT set up my "Tom's Friends" links yet but AS SOON AS I DO you will be there! Have a good week. THANK YOU! - Tom (Konard)

Thanks so much for the cassettes. I've been listening to Sir Johnnie Walker this morning. The memories came flooding back. I had forgotten how much the payola had taken over Caroline by that stage - not just Major Minor but President Records as well. Half the programme is what Johnnie wanted to play, the other half was what he had to. Shame about the lack of Everett but the rest was great. I don't think I ever heard Tony Withers, as far I can remember. He obviously had someone else driving the desk for him and, I believe, even on Radio London, he usually managed to persuade one of the other guys to op for him. A great DJ though - even if not at his best on Caroline. I received an email yesterday from the daughter of one of your old Radio City colleagues - Alexander Dee. She has promised to write back and tell me what he has been up to since his offshore days. I'll keep you posted. many thanks again, all the best - Jon The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame www.offshoreradio.co.uk

Superb photos from the Shivering Sands I've never seen before. This jungle walk is amazing, could connect the towers once again. Still listen to the old City and 390 tapes, these two on the forts were excellent radio stations, each in its own way. Greetings from Groningen - Paul de Haan

Great section in your scrapbook on Radio City - thanks a lot! - Keith

Thanks for all the interesting updates, just looked at Sutch & City Part 5, good stuff. Regards - Steve Hibbert, Ealing, London

Thanks for the update-- wonderful stuff as usual. Couldn't agree more about the state of current UK radio-- it's either so good I could weep for joy, or blander than...errr...Harlow? I can't believe I'm saying this, but the best stuff I heard while I was home all came from BBC Local stations...GLR seem to do a good job (jocks who know their music and their audience, maybe) and...wait for it...BBC Radio Suffolk, despite a somewhat yukky playlist, is always a good listen, because of the presenters. Who would have thought one of the yellow coats from "Hi-De-Hi" would wind up doing the warmest, friendliest, most listenable Beeb local show I've heard in years? BTW, just been looking through your scrapbook, and found a picture of Eric Martin; Sutch City Pics 2. You can't fool me....it's John Junkin wearing glasses! All the best - Shaun Brennen USA

Knock John Fort home of Radio Essex 222 & BBMS

Just writing to say I've really enjoyed viewing your site, Radio Essex really interesting. I would have loved to have been around at that, time broadcasting from the forts (real pirate radio). I will soon be adding some material on my site about 80's London Pirate Stations & if its ok would like to add a link to your site so people can see how the pirate thing really started with you lot in the 60's. All the best and please keep adding material to your most interesting site - Gordy www.globalfunkradio.com

I have read your articles on the Radio Essex in 2002 with great interest, and I would like to just say how much I enjoyed them. It's great to read a web site that has been so well researched. As a radio buff (involved in presentation and production), I can honestly say if it hadn't been for the likes of yourself and many other offshore DJs, I and many others would never have had the chance to do something so enjoyable as radio. Best wishes to you - Andrew Hesford

Saw Radio Essex piece the tried to join your website.How? hoping to see you on Friday 16 at Maunsell Offshore Forts talk. I wish to purchase the jingle CD. Johnnie Walker mentioned it this morning just after 8am then played "Caroline" & All You Need is Love" it was 35 years ago today. Saw Dave Cash at Reculver last Sunday working for Radio Kent talked about Big L.

P.S. Family enjoyed seeing you & your shows last year at Clacton - John

It's done John to join just mail & we'll ad you to the monthly distribution

You may be interested to know that as part of the revamped Radio Essex film with new recent interviews. I am also creating some 3D animation that will take the viewer on a journey around the fort. This will include exterior and interior views such as the dormitories in the legs, the engine room, studio, living areas etc. I don't know when I'll get it finished because it will have to be done when I have spare time time, however, I have made a start. Do you have any material I could use/borrow to refresh my memory or remind me of scale? All the best to you for Christmas and the New Year - Mark West (Wesley) Radio Essex 222

Just found your pictures of the Radio City Crew when we boarded Knock John for the first time organised through Eric Martin in Whitstable at the Record Centre. You have a picture of me there, I was on board for the first 2 weeks getting the place cleaned up. We made a big sign on the side of the gun, Powerful Advertising. As for me I'm in picture no 8, 3rd in from the left, the guy to my left, in the black jacket was Jerry also out for the 2 weeks. All the best - Cliff Cuttelle

Sunk Head Fort home of Tower Radio

29/6/07 - Thanks for the really good read about Radio Tower, and all the other stations you feature on this website. Best regards - Bill Everatt

Web Site Message from: Cally Cass Hi, Please hurry with parts 2, 3 & 4 of the Tower Radio history. It's so very interesting and I am so very impatient! ;-) C. Cass

Fantastic updates to your website, especially the Tower Radio series, Best wishes and many thanks for a great website .... always look forward to the updates - Dave

Are there any photos of Sunk Head fort as it is today? I remember seeing one on an anorak trip a few years back in someone's album - just the jagged remains of the legs were visible. Thanks - JOHN

Dear John, Yes we're running a feature on Tower Radio/Radio Tower Television from the Sunk Head Fort you're right only a few feet of the leg stumps remains visible above the surface - Ed

Ross Revenge - Radio Caroline & Monique

Nice web pages I have enjoyed reading & looking on the pictures of Caroline. I was on board the Ross Revenge helping out in London. Maybe thats why I started my stations in September 1995, who knows? Pipeline 1 is album music, 2 dance, 3 is all an music station with no presenters - Tom Mackenzie - Norway

I was talking to some younger colleagues at my place of work recently and found myself explaining about the way that Radio Caroline changed the face of radio in the UK. Also the fact that people like myself for years said that we needed more specialist radio stations.

Ironically that brings me round to concluding that this has happened and it was quite wrong, what is needed is stations which play a wide variety of music and nationally. Specialist radio to my mind pushes the radio audiences in to too small clusters and dilutes the effect of radio in peoples lives. Oh for the days when you could tune in to one radio station and stay with it and enjoy it all day.

Sites like your own are invaluable for stimulating debate and providing a contemporary written archive on thoughts on radio production and broadcasting in Uk and around. Yours - Wirless waffle

I hope you don't mind me contacting you, but I was impressed as to what you said at the Radio Caroline 2000 meeting. I am wondering what you think of the developments in Radio Caroline. I keep hearing a jingle which includes "Greatest and Best" just like all the ILR stations. I am saddened by this as I think it is only a little step to become one of the bland commercial radio stations that around in the UK today. I also hear music played by certain people that can only suggest that they at least want to see Radio Caroline as a "Disco" or "Pop" station. I also hear they now play the ex-charity song by VA "Perfect Day"! Lou Reed is the best. Also I hear on the play-system many to me unsuitable "Pop" or light weight songs being aired that as World Space is now the latest goal it will in my opinion put off people that have been bored by ILR and Commercial radio for too long. I have no objections to the personal songs being played by DJs that is what makes Caroline unique but to keep playing the crap available elsewhere to me is the kiss of death or is there some within who want to destroy the beloved Radio Caroline! Best regards - Johann

Is there any change that you will again make programmes for Caroline? Malcolm is a nice person, but no manager. I mailed Nigel and Malcolm & offered them money for a commercial played every hour, but up till now no anwer. Sorry for Caroline. Perhaps in future you might be the boss - Rob - The Netherlands

Thanks for your updates Monique, I will look forward to them. I'm very interested in photos of female offshore presenters ...I love the one of Samantha, what a shame we lost her. I enjoyed seeing the pictures of Caroline's tenders along side the Mi Amigo/Ross Revenge and in harbours. I'm fascinated with fishing trawlers and harbours, last month I was on holiday at my favorite seaside town - Weymouth in Dorset, it was great chilling out on the harbour, looking at the trawlers, listening to great music on my cd walkman and catching live music around the habour pubs. Its a shame when Caroline people fall out and end up leaving the station, a few years ago I fell out with Malcolm over the way the Ross was not being used at all, but we have since patched things up, but I will always stand by my views that programmes should come from the Ross even if they are recorded, its only fair on the supporters who give their money to renovating the ship and the good people at the Northern repair group. Keep up the great work, cheers for now - Paul Johnson.

I was amazed that I was called the only female dj on Monique because I remember Mirjam Verhoef going aboard the Ross. But maybe that was on radio 558, it's a while back.:) You have a very nice picture of me in the Monique studio, can I have a copy please? Yours truly - "Elly" van Amstel

I enjoy your site, great fun! Greetings from Wim Vriezen aka Wim de Valk (Monique)

Where are you now?

I've just been looking through some of your pages on the old pirate stations and noticed a picture of Mike Craig Mike Bass Tribute & Monique 2 I was good friends with Mike in Herne Bay around twenty five years ago but lost touch with him when I moved to the USA. Do you know of his whereabouts or how he is doing these days if you have any info I would appreciate it. Many Thanks - Chris Palmer

We've also lost contact with Mike if you've detail please email & we'll re-unite Chris & Mike

Mike Bass

Thanks for the Mike Bass feature. I knew of Mikes Caroline involvments but was unaware of his connections with the 60s forts etc -a really fascinating article. I only met Mike once in 1979. Regards Mark - Sounds Alternative Birmingham

Very intersting tribute on Mike Bass, I will get back to scan more of your website soon. Why are you not on Caroline anymore, when will you be back? it's a pity you are not still on I enjoyed your programmes. Best wishes - Pete Anderson Churston Torbay

Thanks Peter you must know about Caroline politics surely!

You might be interested to know what we were doing at Belsize Park? I was in town during a week off the ship & had gone to visit Buster (Surely Caroline's most faithful, & probably most well know listener!) who was very ill, and in the Hampstead Free Hospital, unexpectedly I bumped into Tony & Mike in the Hospital so we visited poor Buster together (Hey, perhaps we really did have loving awareness in those days!?) later that day, I got to meet Tony's Parents in Central London - Norman Barrington

I only had the opportunity to meet Mike on one occasion we had a fine weekend working together arranging all the programming of film & material for Zeezenders 20 which was held in NoordwijkerhoutI found Mike a very intelligent, calm as well as humorous guy. I sent two photos from my personal archive from that weekend - Hans Knot - Goningen Holland

Thanks for your very interesting scrapbook. During the time of the Caroline revival in the early seventies, Mike was working with Chicago on board the Mi-Amigo in Holland preparing the transmitters for operation at sea. That reminds me I visited the Mi Amigo, when she was a Pirate Museum in Zaandam NL. We were allowed to see every corner of the ship & as I'm interested in radio I headed for the transmitter room. I could see people working there and I remember a shelf on the wall with a lot of radio tubes. In the background I could see the coaxial cable from the transmitter and it was cut not too far from the transmitter. Anyhow, when I tried to climb down the stairs to the transmitter room, I was stopped. I asked if I could come down to the transmitter. But the answer was NO. Why? I asked. The boss says so, was the answer. Maybe it was Mike working there? And of course a couple of weeks later I had the answer to why I was not allowed there. Mi Amigo back at sea! Regards - Per Stockholm Sweden

Very nice tribute to Mike. Keep the pictures coming! I knew Mike over the past 25 years or so, but he was such a modest man that I never fully appreciated his contribution to free radio. Even on the couple of occasions I stayed at his house in Croydon, I could never get him to open up much. We had our best chats in Birmingham, over a pint, when he used to come to meet former university colleagues. Even then, he seemed more keen to talk about steam trains! The last time I met him was at a garden party in 1999. After that, our communications were limited to the exchange of Christmas cards. A great man, sadly missed indeed - Chris Mould Birmingham

I have so many fond memories of Mike. I remember when I first met him in 1970 being a little nervous about meeeting Roger's good friend. We travelled to Purley Oaks by train & Mike met us in his faithful red minivan now owned by Peter Chicago. He gave me a very warm welcome & that was the beginning of a wonderful lifetime friendship. We spent many happy hours at 84 Mount Park Avenue where we messed about picking gooseberries, raspberries & fruit from the garden. I've subsequently found out how fond his neighbors were of him too. My own son, Michael, loved Mike too & enjoyed all his weird & wonderful gadgets & the visits we all made to the Kew Bridge Steam Museum. Mike was such a brilliant, thoughtful, man, a master of understatement, & totally unique. In our time we visited many great pubs together so cheers to the memory of Miike - Helen Stettler

Ireland - Radio Nova, South Coast Radio & ERI

Great to see the South Coast Radio feature it brought back some great memories of working on both South Coast in the Metropole Hotel & later ERI, with Liam Quigley, Shaun O'Sullivan, Andrew Hewkin, Paul Graham, Stuart Scott & of course the late Don Allan, Tony Allan, Yorkie, Terry Vacani, & loads more other people....fun days :) I've worked all around Ireland & the world since then. Still working in Ireland to this day. Slainte - Steve Marshall

Just surfing & found your wonderful website with some great pictures from The Cork days. How we have all grown up The long haired man in the picture is Ian Richards the ERI overnight guy back then - Liam Quigley

I was trilled to see some what a great job that you have done on the website for SCR & ERI. I am writing to you is to ask you if you would send me some pictures of Tom Joyce. You may have heard Tom passed away on Monday 2nd of May & I'm putting together as many photos as I can for Anne Joyce. If you can help in any way I would be most grateful. Regards - Anthony Connolly - Tentsaf Technology Ltd

Pictures supplied with compliments - BLR

Just a quick line to say that your South Coast Radio feature brought back many memories as I lived and still do about 600metres away from Henchy's pub where the station was based. A few updates which may be of interest to you. Newsreader Jim Lockhart now hosts the mid morning phone in show on 96fm under his real name Neil Prenderville. Nick Richards host the breakfast show on the same station. Tom Joyce is a local counciller and is involved in a lot of business ventures.Peter Maher who had been a very successful underage athlete when back running after he left South Coast. Many of his SCR colleagues may be surprised at this as he was a big man to say the least. However he shed several stone, went back training and represented Ireland in the marathon at the 1988 Olympics in Souel. He also ran several time in the New York and London marathons. Peter still lives locally. I saw an advert lately in the local paper for some venture that Peter is involved but I cant for the life of me remember what it was ! Finally John Kenny is a sports reporter on RTE radio. I came accross these few bits recently which may be interest to you. 3 photographs and 1 newspaper cutting re SCR hope they are of use. Keep up the good work. Best regards - Pat Healy

Thanks Pat appreciate your contribution the pictures have been inserted into part 2 of the feature

Thanks for your Nova update. I received ok the jingle CD. Is there anywhere RNI last hour and raid, radio caroline's 14 Aug 12 midnight and Big L last hour. I had these once except Big L last hour. Some years ago they inadvertently got thrown away with my reel-reel tape recorder! - John Herne Bay Kent j.g.hol@talk21.com

South Coast Radio - Incredible pictures and words! I really enjoyed being transported back to the past, by the way the sales man with the birthday cake in the pic is Don Harris & the the lady with me was my girlfriend Geraldine. Thanks for the memories - Hugh Browne

Saw the Irish Radio feature. I was a newsreader at ERI in the 80's during the times of Emer Lucy, Paul Graham, Ian Richards & Liam Quigley. My word how time zooms by! Since been in ILR & BBC in England whilst chasing tornadoes in Kansas and Oklahoma. Like the site brought many memories back of the pioneering days of broadcasting in Eire when we gave RTE a good run for their money & they lost whatever happened to the RTE local op in Cork was it dropped? Keep me informed if you've heard any more tales of what's happened to the great guys/girls in those times in the years since then. All the best - Shaun Osullivan

Really enjoyed looking at the old SCR stuff. Many thanks - Scott Bingham

Looking at the photos and memorabilia of South Coast Radio brought back a lot of memories, I can tell you that! By the way, in Ireland I was known as Stevie Dunne with an E, and not as you spelt it.

The newsman? with Siobhan was called Jim Lockhart. That was the name he used. Don't know if it was his "real" name, but anyway he was a nice guy. I always enjoy looking at your site. Keep up the good work.When are we going to hear you on Radio Seagull? Kind Regards - Stevie Gordon

Thanks Stevie keep your ears open.

The South Coast Radio scrapbook pages were much appreciated. I used to receive them during late evenings at my parents home in West Bromwich, West Midlands in 1983/84 with a surprisingly good signal on am. In the early to mid 1980's I operated Sounds Alternative 1179khz in Birmingham from tower blocks in the second city. Indeed we were able to archive end fed half wave antennae between two tower blocks on a regular basis. I would not attempt it these days (much older now & more conscious of the potential interference to some residents)

I obtained a tape of the South Coast jingles and ids, & "borrowed" a few of the indents after editing and incorporated them into the Sounds Alternative package. ( the old caroline 259 more music from years ago became 255 more music-no one could tell the difference within the existing sounds alternative indents etc) From South Coast Radio the Tony Allen "music leader" phrases, & American-"being the best is everything the only thing" etc became a regular part of the West Midland airwaves on Sundays/Bank Holidays. One of our presenters Mick Richards even borrowed the Nick Richards id to use as his own believing that no one would be able to tell the difference. Not convinced however happy days. Regards - Mark

Radio Gripes!

I have recently submitted the following E-Mail to the Radio London website regarding the Station currently broadcasting as Big L & would appreciate my comments published on your site if possible. I've been a contributor & visitor to the Radio London website for a few years & have helped find also with your help a few lost DJ's. It has always been a special place for old Big L friends to meet, but is it just me or is someone intruding our space. I turn on my digital SKY radio tuner to find Big L broadcasting from Frinton-On-Sea, using original Big L PAMS Jingles, but sounding very unproffesional. This is not what anyone connected with the original station would have wanted, its cheap & nasty. I think of the likes of Tony Windsor, Kenny Everett, Paul Kaye would turn in their graves. Sorry for whinging on but I am very upset that this copy of Big L is for personal gain, am I the only one who feels like this, surely not? I am sorry if others feel that this station is a tribute, but I must air my personal feelings. Thank you for listening to my gripe. I will remember forever 3pm on August 14th 1967 when Big L closed down. The original can never be replaced. Thanks for your time - Bob Glen - Co Durham.

07/09/04 - The New BRMB, what a load of rubbish this station is, I spent last week in Birmingham in a workshop which had it on. Not only do all the presenters sound the same but the whole thing is just a poor example of radio. I don't know what the old BRMB sounded like but come on let's have some decent radio not just boring time padding links in between adverts and the same tracks every 2 hours. I am so pleased I live in Surrey where I have 675 on preset! Good site update as always - Tony

Hi Classic Gold, I've read that Tony Blackburn has been suspended for playing Cliff Richard songs on Classic Gold, how childish and boring UK radio has become. Although I am no fan of Cliff I'm sure there are many listeners who are and like to hear him on Classic Gold from time to time.

Just who makes these stupid policies that kills fun radio, my friends at work laugh at stations like Classic Gold and GWR for repeating the same songs over and over again, there is such a lack of imagination on such stations. I myself call it Borg radio...or it could be called Bored radio.

From now on I shall tune elsewhere to get a wider musical choice. In my opinion, good on Tony Blackburn, he has a mind of his own and with presenters like that, perhaps there is hope for radio. Thank you for reading, no need to reply. Name supplied to editor

My recollection goes back to the days before all this new fangled computer stuff, to when we used good old NAB carts! I was working in Commercial Production at Viking Radio in Hull at the time, and the AM split service, Viking Gold was about to go regional. The stations taking the new service were Hallam in Sheffield, and Pennine Radio in Bradford. The AM split service had been discussed by the boffin's for several weeks, and because the programmes were coming from Hull, it was decided that at each outstation, there should be a T/O who would play in the stations commercials at each ad-break. No such thing as Audisk, Ad-net, or DCS at the time!! The cue would be relayed down a separate phone line to each station, and the ad-break timed to coincide with everyone else! A good idea, until we realized on the first day of the split, that the T/O's finished their shift at 6.00p.m., and there were NO outstation ads in Hull to play after that time! At 5.54p.m. we were desperately carting up Hallam and Pennine Ads to play out after the 6.00 threshold. We got every ad for the evening on cart by 6.06p.m for the first break of the hour. Now there's a panic situation. Needless to say the Audisk machine came in pretty quickly after that. Keith Skues was the most infuriating person to screw the cues. He'd say down the line: "OK team, I'll be saying, It's Classic Gold and the time now is 2.15p.m.........."He'd then forget where he was and come out with: " Ah yes, I've passed the time when I should have said this, so if there's anyone listening that should get this message, I'll just say that this is Classic Gold and it's time for an ad-break! "There would then be frenzy at the other stations as the T/O's suddenly realized that he'd cocked it up!

Magic days though, and a taste of what REAL personality radio was all about. Trouble was, the Yorkshire Radio Network, who owned the stations, did not know at the time, how to sell the product. And of course Metro came in, bought them up, made a fortune and sold out to EMAP.....Nuff Said!! Name supplied to editor

I agree that Uk radio is as stale as anything. Digital radio with back to back music is 100 times better than pap radio on FM and AM generally speaking. Happy Easter - K

Just had to drop you a line to back up the majority of the views expressed about the state of radio in this country these days. So much choice and nothing much to listen to. Its lost it soul with no inspirations for the next generation who think its just a laugh to express toilet humor with endless mindless unidentifiable dance music well past its sell buy date that has changed much since 1989.Doesn't it make you laugh with about 250 station in the UK that magically now these stations don't cause interference with station abroad or emergency frequencies on or off land. What a lot of spinning bullshit Labour sold our generation in the sixties. My weekly greatest hits show is the last programme in the uk to my knowledge still using under licence I might add PAMS jingles. And has an offshore air about it under the name of nostalgia of course, pirating a frequency is hardly a phrase I used in public. Anyway keep up the fight against the boring sods and suits and thanks for the month updates. Best regards - Chris Baird. BBCi at www.bbc.co.uk

I took the plunge and got OUT of radio last year, because the whole philosophy, of each of the Group's stations sounding the same - but in different areas, stinks!EMAP was bad enough, when I worked with them up to 1999, and as I'd been made redundant, I was head hunted by Lincs FM, who arguably fly the flag for "local" radio ...salaried presenters, (to keep them on board, and interested in their station), local advertising, with the cream on the cake being ANY national stuff that came in... and a majority of local people...not those that simply came here cos the pay-check was better than in Bristol!!...etc etc...."Come on board", they said, "We want you for your experience and expertise",...... but I soon realized that the station is top heavy with "Directors", the ideas for local selling were appalling, and as they have grown as a group, the playlists are merely duplicated on the same 'Selector'. The group did away with it's local MD's so everything was dictated from the head office in Lincoln, and the Com-prod, although always being centralized, was only allowed to make ads that had been passed by the sales team, and NOT the CLIENT!...Indeed recently one of the Lincs FM satellite stations, 'Compass FM' in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, has had it's com-prod charges dropped altogether, The clients only pay for the AIRTIME!....the production is FREE!...talk about underselling the product!I jumped out last year, when it became plain that my thirty years in radio, (I began with BBC Radio Humberside - Hull in 1972 as a freelance), and thirty awards for Commercial Production (New York Festival/Mobeus,Chicago/London Internationals,Roses,Yorkshire/Hollywood Creative etc...under the Metro Radio philosophy of 'Creative Led Sell'), meant absolutely nothing to these Jokers....They are advertising in the Radio Magazine this week for a "Communications Director", ...someone I gather, that will enable Sales and Promotions to dovetail with Programming and up the Stations sell to blue chip, as well as local, companies....Surely this is what they should ALREADY be doing, not as some afterthought because their sales figures are on the slide....They have a really good overall sound, that is quite pleasant, although a little unimaginative, they are not into "Lads/Ladettes" radio,and in the main are just too nice to be too up front. The problem is of course that this style of 1980's pop radio is too dated to appeal to the youngsters, and not enough "Radio Two" to hit the over 30's, so it becomes wallpaper...add to it the miserable sales figures of some of the group stations, and the lack of understanding of the creative, and you can soon see a trend developing.If this group isn't a prime target for take-over once OFCOM is up and running then I don't know what is!......

Well that's got that lot off my chest...Hope I didn't bore you too much, but you can see my point I hope...

Chris Dannatt EX Viking FM/Lincs FM Commercial Production Engineer

How right you are. Not that I'd even consider tuning to Radio 1. I'm turning more to Arrow on 828 mw and 10 Gold on 675 mw (sorry am). My local commercial station I'm really getting fed up with, not just musically but with the smut/filth on the breakfast show. They're so unprofessional now that adverts for the competitor supermarket are being played when another is sponsoring the show! The sole of good radio needs to return, reference here to trawling, rather than having to trawl for good content. Keep up the good work - Robbie

Just a quicky.....At Lincs FM Group where I was working (?) until Christmas, it is not uncommon for a guy to present three shows in a day at their different stations. They pay some of the jocks £30.00 a shift, and it's all liner cards and station indents. No personality required! Because some of their stations overlap you are able to hear the same voice jocking on one station, promo-ing on another, and Station I.D.-ing the third! The stations all have Enco, some we can assume that virtually non of the stuff is live. It gerts even worse when they also run RSL's on the edge of their broadcast areas. The same jock has been known to crop up four times over the space of 24 hours!- Chris

Communicator - Laser 558 & Laser Hot Hits

3/4/07 - Read the first installment of Laser which was very interesting. Can't wait to see the next, so get those typing fingers going - John Radio Man 1952

29/3/07 - Great ScrapBook this month, seriously great ScrapBook item. I was an avid Laser 558 listener & fan as a teenager, I just can't get enough reading material & pictures of this old girl. I even made my way up to Lowestoft when she came back from Holland & had a good look around her. OK, she was in a hell of a mess then but I just had to go. I am in my glory here, thank you, looking forward to the next installment. Regards - Tony G Smith, Medway Towns, Kent, UK

29/3/07 - Hey how cool is this one a seriously brilliant tale of Pirates doing down Pirates - Sharon Osbourne - London, UK

Just had another look through your excellent site & saw Laser. When I was seventeen I listened to one of the early tests from Lazer when they used a helium balloon to fly an antenna. Being a sad sort I taped the last hour or so before they shut down ( I did not hear another test on this frequency, they began properly a few months later) Regards - Paul Billingham

As a regular reader of your website and the features on off shore radio I was wondering if there would be any chance of you including a feature on the station that got me hook on things back in the 1980's, Laser 558? I have read with interest the pages of Caroline facts but would love to know more about the Communicator. Hope all is well with you and you are keeping busy - Tony

See the "Scrapbook" for Laser 558 & Eurosiege

Thanks for the link....as always, fascinating stuff. Interesting to see the "other side" of Eurosiege...I was living in Harwich back then, and listening to way too much of Laser / Caroline's output. I guess from the luxury of a house on terra firma, what the guys out there didn't seem quite as bad! Maybe you can blame that on Charlie Wold founding totally unaffected. Ahhhh, happy days. Hope you're enjoying Malta! - Shaun

Enjoyed your article on Laser, do you anyone who has or where I can get one of those notices - the one warning boat owners during Eurosiege? it would look good in my studio (a talking point) a reasonable sum offered - Tony tony.cattani@tesco.net

I've just got round to checking out your latest update. Great photos of Laser. Especially good to see a picture of Erin Kelly. Very nice lady. I met her a few times. She was called Erin Cavanagh when we first met. I recently saw a picture of her on the WYCD Detroit web-site and noticed that she had become Erin Weber. However she now seems to have disappeared from their line-up and presumably has moved on yet again - and is probably Erin Something-else by now! all the best - Jon

Europa Radio International

07/09/04 - Thanks for the tip off via your last site update e-mail. Tuned in for the two hours - signal strong but of course fading as short wave detracted a bit. I could bet a couple of Bob on the ID of John & Red! All seemed professional with good links historically, & with the local area - I'm in CT10. Do post more broadcast times in case I don't get a chance to review the web site. Best regards - Rob Brod

Making Waves

Great stuff! The CD's & the "Making Waves" book are making up for those lost opportunities back in the 60s when I should have been tuning into the fort based stations more than I actually did. Big L seemed to dominate my listening way back then (hey I was only 12). If Radio Essex/BBMS, Radio City, Radio 390 were on air today I would most definitely opt to tune into them! Your website "Scrapbook" pages are also a great source of material. I will drop hints to my wife to treat me to one of your boat trips out to the forts for a different , close up view of the towers for my next birthday treat. Anyway Bob the magic & enthusiasm of the fort based stations comes across via your documentaries so its no suprise I keep buying your CDs. Best Wishes - Dave Roberts

7/1/06 - The books have arrived safely & I must compliment you for your book Making Waves. It was really interesting & written in such a way that you almost feel you were there on the fort yourself. I shall get back to you with further orders. All the Best for the New Year - Ronny

An enjoyable light read about life onboard the Knock John Fort in the mid 1960's & with the rather chaotic Radio Essex - Kevin Sykes

August 2005 - 'Making Waves written by David Sinclair & Bob Le-Roi. Jana & I were on a 5 days trip to the Isle of Terschelling & one morning, sitting very relaxed at the beachside, I enjoyed reading this book. It brings back a lot of personal memories, especially from David Sinclair, nowadays living in Canada. It's not only the story of the guy who went into radio but how a teenager of those days didn't want the awful years as so many others had before him. The struggle for live after World War 2 were very hard for so many people that he thought there must be better opportunities. The book tells the story of things behind the scene of Radio Essex, later BBMS, Britain's Better Music Station.

The authors tell us that Bates ran the station on army lines.David had to decide within seconds if he would or wouldn't go, from earning £12 a week, or join the fort for £8 but with free accommodation & food. He said yes but found he had much more than presenting radio programs.Like cleaning up, technical work, cooking & so on.. Also told is how the fort had to be climbed, first by very rusty ladder, which was taken away so the crew were taken up by rope. Going to the loo on the fort was an eye opener! Late one night David presented his first show, but was probably not heard as the signal of Essex Radio was blocked out in the UK after dark hours by a French station.

Really interesting small things can be found in the book like the success of the live LP Sinatra in the Sands, which sold in Essex well as the LP was played every time a tender arrived. We learn how adverts were made at the house of Roy Bates. But also strange stories about a guy who was killed on the fort during World War II who appeared several times in the generator room. Plans from Bates to start other stations & the Radio Albatross story of Tonque Sands are unveiled in the book. During time of boredom the food fighting took place and also is revealed how the menu card was almost everyday the same. Once with just 4 days food, it was 17 days before a tender came out! We learn why the station closed & how Roy started his own country Sealand. I had some remarkabley pleasant hours reading Making Waves, the story of Radio Essex on the Knock John Fort. Which is illustrated with over 50 photographs many which I've never seen before and that tells you a lot! - Hans Knot - Groningen

Really enjoying reading your book Making Waves, excellent quality pictures too - Neil

I have now had a chance to read the Radio Essex book & I really enjoyed it. After spending a few evenings in the pub with various Essex DJs, I think I have probably heard all the stories before but I have never seen them in print. I hope the book does well. It certainly deserves to. I am sure that people will be fascinated to read what it was really like - Jon The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame www.offshoreradio.co.uk

Just to let you know the book has arrived & I’ve got stuck in already, I’m at the point where Mr Sinclair has just p****d all over Roy Bates! In Nottinghamshire during 1965 /66 it was just possible to hear Radio Essex provided it was daylight & the rx had a long wire antenna in the car radio socket. I used a Roberts R200 rx and even had a school friend witness it…it was that good! The station always sounded like it needed a good antenna! Certainly the Army forts were more conducive to decent 200 or so antennas than the Navy things. 390 was a most excellent signal closely followed by City. I liked the slightly distorted sound of City.Made it sound more interesting. I have a listing of recorded field strengths taken by KW Electronics for the Radio 390 management at various locations in the UK. It’s amazing if you talk to the BBC engineers of the time, particularly those in Head Office how many measurements they made of the watery wireless and how many retirees went on to work on the ships.

Dave Porter (G4OYX) Former BBC engineer at Woofferton HF now privatized VT Communications

Merchandise

06/12/07 - I purchase a Sealand Grand Tour DVD in 2006 & I look your site everyday, it´s a great place! How I join to members list ? Thanks.Marcelo Cardoso (Brazil)

Pleased you enjoy the products & site have added you to our monthly update Marcelo - ED

4/12/07 - Recieved the mixer the other day I bought from you & am very impressed - Thanks again - Louis Raynor, Manchester

3/12/07 - Thank you for letting me know about delivery pending I was delighted with the first book, and so came back for more.
Many thanks for you excellent site and very prompt service. Best regards - Chris Shipman, Telford, Shropshire

22/11/07 - Been looking at your site which came up whilst finding info on a Garrard 4HF turntable that Iwant to set up to play my large collection of vinyl on. Are the RIAA pre-amps still available. Would you know if the pre-amp would be suitable for me to use? I have variuos valve amps: Heatkit, Mullard & some transistorized as well. But really like the valves the sound is amazing through my Rogers speakers. Enjoy browsing through your site & have a look often. Many thanks - Mark Paramore, Rotherham, South Yorkshire

22/11/07 - Thank you for your excellent service, it is so rare these days. I can recommend your operation to anyone. Cheers - David Porter, Reading, Berkshire

19/2/07 - Many thanks for the copy of Stephen Turner's "Seafort" book,very impressive, looking forward to poring over it properly. Best regards for yourself and the site - Stewart Flood, Chandlers Ford, Hampshire

15/2/07 - I thoroughly enjoyed Sealand DVD and I will begin reading the book soon. Thanks, James Markakis - Lutherville USA

25/1/07 - Driving back from Scotland I had a chance to listen to the Essex CD. Its really good thanks. I thought Dave Sinclair was funny. I think he was doing the big band show when I went out on the boat one day. I was asked if I would like to hear a record later when I got home. I was in the bath when the big band show was halted to play for me “They are coming to take me away” You remember that? By Napoleon the 2nd or someone. My old man was not amused. Best regards, Michael Bates

24/1/07 - Many thanks received the CD & book today & am very pleased with them. I look forward to reading about Radio Essex. On a clear day I can see the Knock John Fort from my house on the seafront at Holland on Sea. I also look out at the old Gunfleet Lighthouse and remember well the Mi Amigo, Galaxy and Laissez Faire sitting to the left of it. I often sailed out to the boats from the local sailing club (Gunfleet), where I still sail from, and used to pop out on the Viking Saga now & again. Also clearly remember sitting in the beach hut looking out at the ships on 14 August with the Bush radio for company. 40 years ago!! Best wishes & thanks again - Richard Walker

24/1/07 - The Sealand Grand Tour DVD was received yesterday, it´s a great job, very, very cool ! Congratulations ! All best whises. Marcelo B Cardoso - Brazil

14/1/07 - Hi there Bob: I received the Essex CD a couple of days ago and am now sitting listening to it. What a great documentary! Superb job! Needless to say, I look forward to Part 2 – if you need any commentary, just let me know. Sincerely, David Vincent

4/1/07 - I should not have sent the email yesterday - you got the message first time round. The CD's came this morning & I have just listened to and enjoyed the Tower of Power documentary. I did enjoy hearing the story - Keith Knight

29/12/06 - Thank you so much for the CD. What a nice surprise & Christmas present! Congratulations on the quality. You interviewed me so long ago I'd forgotten saying it all, so it's all news to me, even what I said! Happy new year - Gerry Zierler (Guy Hamilton)

29/12/06 - Just received Essex /BBMS part 1, . Excellent production! Can you let me know when CD's 14, 16, & 17 will be available. Many thanks - Ian Francis

15/12/06 - The Radio City T Shirt arrived today, a nice design & good quality too, thanks for the very swift service.
Thanks & have a good Christmas - Stewart Flood

14/12/06 - Brilliant Radio City T Shirt well pleased, thanks for a swift service & great commemorative item - Dave G

17/11/06 - Thanks very much, Bob - Really excited to have a CD of Loving Awareness - takes me back to my teenage years in Kent, listening late night on an old valve radio to Radio Caroline. Great days....Keep up the good work! Regards - Tim Anderson

I enjoyed the five FORTS CDs that I bought from you last month! Really good. Any news on the Radio Essex/BBMS CD? Many thanks Dave Roberts

The Radio Essex documentary is now available from the Offshore Shop

C.D's arrived today thank you for quick delivery, also discs are of top quality. Many thanks again I will certainly buy more soon. Kind Regards - Michael Crockley - Wickford, Essex, UK

2/3/06 - Thanks for the email updates, your site is fantastic it really is. I have often wondered about the fort stations as I couldn't get much information on them. Now I have learned a great deal more. Keep it up. By the way thanks for the quick delivery of my order for the 'Loving Awareness' CD, now that took me back to happy days tuned to the Mi Amigo in the 70's. Cheers & good luck in all your ventures. Trevor A Smith

22/2/06 - Well I couldn't stop myself to have a listen tonight to Radio City 2 already. I love this programme very much, the insert of the records is wonderful, essential listening. Interesting stories as well as a laugh now & then. A must for the reader to buy as well as it is time again that radio stations think about the fact a very well producer is avaialable. Congratulations on this very well production - Hans Knot Groningen Nederlands

9/1/06 - Am listening to the Radio City 2 Documentary CD in the car. Amazing, Brilliant, I can't believe all that stuff really happened! Ian MacRae

It was an amazing experience, your time was eventful, before was even more incredible, it all happened & more besides!

Like so many, I have recently become interested in the Thames Maunsell sea forts and am now writing a play inspired by them.
I have read about the pirate radio era on the forts, but am having difficulty accessing facts about life there. Some of your books, CD's and DVD's look good so I'm going to order. Just to say thank you for the package which arrived this morning the Maunsell book & the Radio Forts Revisited & the Sealand Grand Tour VCD are exactly what I hoped for. Cheers - Roger Burgess

Really enjoyed the Sealand VCD- You did a great job of showing the ins & outs of life on board (on board? You know what I mean!). Particularly enjoyed the lower depths of the towers. I was surprised at how well the fort's stood up to 60+ years of battering from the sea. Built to last! - Shaun, Oakland USA

Thanks for the "Mebo Memories" & "Flashback Two" CD's I really enjoyed hearing 220 again, many thanks & best of luck with the new projects. Regards - Roger Frayne Hammond PLC - Dover UK

Thanks for the excellent CD's & books. There's another order in the post - Paul Bailey

I heard some of the pirate radio programmes you made when they were broadcast. Delighted they're now on CD, have to say we've enjoyed hearing them again & again immensely - Tom & Lizz See Offshore Shop for more

I recently ordered a couple of cds about the Radio Forts. Bearing in mind the price of these cds, my expectations were not high. However, I cannot begin to tell you how delighted I was today when I played them. (they have been played a lot since) My next order will be with you shortly, but I had to send this and tell you how pleased I am. Take care - Phil, South Shields

Hi Bob Am listening to the City 2 CD in the car, I can't believe all that stuff really happened before my time! - Ian MacRae

General Comment

Lost contact due to quiting BBC, selling business & now living overseas. Hectic two years of change, love reading your pages - Regards - Rob Yarnold - Tenerife

20/2/07 - Thanks also for the updates list I look forward to them. Only came across your site by accident doing a google search – brilliant. Thanks - Phil M Robinson

23/1/07 - Web Site Message from: Steve Norris

Dear Bob. I have an interest in the Estuary Forts, army + navy with regard to the Pirate Radio use. I do not have any information on the internal layout, use, size etc, of the original construction. How the rooms were laid out, what purpose they served, staffing levels or whatever! As I am blind, my interest is best served by information in spoken word ie by CD,s, tapes, or other spoken word format. I have some of your documentary CDs, will you be producing anything that may cover the above. Can you perhaps suggest any other source for this sort of detail, regarding their original use and layout. Thanks a lot, regards Steve Norris

29/12/06 - Web Site Message from: Paul de Haan

3 hours of airchecks from radio personalities in 1989 and 1991, most of them former Offshore Radio deejays in the UK. All recordings made by Paul de Haan in the summer of 89 and 91 in Ramsgate Kent UK.1989: BBC Radio One Alan Freeman, GLR Greater London Radio Johnnie Walker, Capital Gold Dave Cash-Jimmy Saville-Paul Burnett-Kenny Everett-Tony Blackburn, Radio Caroline Rob Harrisson, Dave Asher, Caroline Martin, Neil Gates, Invicta Radio Roger Day, Johnny Lewis, Cable One Benny Brown-Joost den Draaijer, Radio 10FM Herbert Visser on Niews, Ferry Maat.

1991: Mellow 1557 John Doe, Andy Archer, Breeze AM Jeremy Scott, Peter Phillips, Coast Classics Invicta Supergold Bob Le-Roi, Bob Mower, Capital Gold Tony Blackburn. Kind regards Paul de Haan

I don't get in touch very often, but I always log on to your excellent site regular. Keep up the good work. Merry Christmas to you & yours - Mark Shirley

30/11/06 - Hey Bob thanks very much for a great site all round merry christmas & a very happy new year. Good luck - Trevor A Smith

31/10/06 - Just a quick note to say, your emails to check your fantastic site are still the highlight every month. Yours is one of the few websites that I bother to read "cover to cover", keep up the great work. Gordy - globalfunkradio.com

The Arborfield Old Boys Association (AOBA) is a registered charity that represents the thousands who started their careers as army apprentices at Arborfield & then went on to serve in REME. Some on them served with the HAA guns on the Maunsell Forts & I would like to use one of your photos of the Shivering Sands Army Fort to accompany an article.

Thank you for asking, we enclose the pictures that you requested - www.bobleroi.co.uk

Many thanks indeed.the pictures will be included in our OBAN magazine to be published at the start of next year, the latest issue has just gone to the printers. Obviously I'll make due acknowledgment & also send you a copy once published. Best wishes, Ken Anderson

A very big thank you, your web site is brilleant & I am very glad to have found it. Please put me on your mailing list & a big thank you to you for getting back to me. Best regords from Peter Tanker

I'm regularly scouring the scrapbook pages & thoroughly enjoying them, there's so much to read & I love all the great pictures, they keep the memories flooding back.Cheers for now.Phil - Kent, UK

2/3/06 - I think your site is fantastic. There's so much interesting information and the photo's are amazing too.I'm very much looking forward to hearing your stories at the Maunsell Sea Forts Weekend on the 8th and 9th April - See you then - Cally Cass

Great web site , enjoyed it greatly. Gerry Orchard

Let me first say how much I enjoy your web site, first class. Since '67 I have been so interested in all the pirates. One question I ask myself though is why we have no proper offshore radio museum in this country? With pirate people of the 60's getting older and some passing on shouldn't we be trying to preserve our heritage before some of it gets lost forever. Artefacts
could be loaned or donated to the museum which I suggest ought to be located in a place with a pirate connection - say Frinton or Whitstable. It would help maintain & even generate more interest in this fascinating subject. I wonder what you think? Yours truly, Les Ward.

20/12/05 - Want to say well done on a terriffic site - Graham

30/12/05 - Thank you so much for including me on your site updates; it's greatly appreciated. Take great care & have the best New Year. Love & very best wishes - Val :-) www.rainbow365.co.uk

30/12/05 - Enjoy the site very much, brings back some great memories - Andy

I must start by saying how much I like your website, its fascinating and well put together. I'm a great Offhore Radio fan involved with Bristol's Internet station - Radio Samantha A few years ago on one of your Radio Caroline programmes, you played a track called "Crazy" by Tomcat. I've been trying to obtain this brilliant catchy song without luck, any idea how I can trace it? Keep up the great work, very best wishes - Paul in Bristol.

Thanks for that Paul, sadly I no longer have the song or publishers details. It was at the time one of many new rock songs I exposed. Many were well received by listeners despite critics from those at the station who preferred a retro Caroline.

Great web site! I have a few technical questions for any of the Broadcast Engineers that worked on the radio ships. I've been poking around all the web sites devoted to these ships, &I seem to be seeing the names Stuart Vincent/Peter Chicago showing up quite a lot connected with Caroline & Laser. Is there any way to get in touch with them (maybe by e-mail)? Any other folks you would suggest? I've been a Broadcast Engineer in the US for over 35 years. The concept of putting a 50kw station on board a ship has always fascinated me. Dave Obergoenner - Director of Engineering - Zimmer Radio Group - Cape Girardeau, MO. USA

Just found your site while trawling through stuff on pirate radio, well done it's excellent - Wayne

What a Beautiful & Excellent web site. There will be a web link on Monitor Site. I'm still breathless at your site, I can't drag my self away! How I hate that word ANORAK as far as I am concerned it doesn't exist. Every one that listened into Offshore Radio gets tarred with that word,. Do we call people that listen into BBC or ILR stations ANORAKS? No is the answer, we were listeners pure & simple as that. I get very angery when ever I see that word, I know BUSTER did as well. Sorry if I've blasted off but Anorak is a coat that one wears to keep out the wind, rain & cold of the winter. Andy (Dawson) Archer has a lot to answer for a quip that he made on air back in 1983. I don't remember the fort stations as they were in my child hood years, although my mums familiar with 390. I didn't even know the fort stations even reached the Channel Islands untill recently. Did your fort station get any Channel Islands mail? Regards - Robert - http://www.monitormag.org.uk/guernseybranch/

Just a short note to say how terrific your web site is (no I don't want to borrow money) In fact it has got to be one if not the best web sites I have ever been to. No No. I cant think of another one. really .. No I am not on day release. Just to say I appreciate all the effort you must put into your wobbleU site - Alan Kidd

Thanks the latest I always have a look at your updates! Guess you'll have heard we are running the poisoned chalice known as Thames Radio. So, from taking life a bit easy I'm swamped with engineering and web things these last few months as we try to make something viable from the disaster. All the best - Trevor Brook

I like your site very much, keep up the good work. I live in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Regards Marcel

Thanks for email, always good to catch up with what's going on. Hope you are well, all the best from - Andy Archer. (still in Norwich)
Just a quick question. how much do you charge for a 30" voice-to-music ad? Good website by the way. Cheers - Rob Ashard (Radio Caroline)

Always deals available, pleased to help special RSL packages also available see Adverts & mail for more details

I hope you are well I hear your racing advert the other week on LBC are you on any other stations at the moment or are you behind the scenes. I must say since KM have taken I think the station has gone back to more local issues but I now see KM as the Capital Radio of Kent. I don't know if Maidstone's getting there station going yet but I think KM are behind 20/20 FM. I did try listening to Calypso but could not get a connection at the time - Mike Skinner

Thanks for a great website. Keep up the good work - Paul & Sally

Great site, any recent ones to add? Regards - Mike

I AM A FREE RADIO FAN SINCE 1977 AND I FIND YOUR SITE VERY INTERESTING. LATER THIS YEAR WFCC WILL START THIS IS WONDERFUL FREE COMMUNICATION COMPANY MEDIA SERVICE COMPANY IN THE INTERNET. RADIO IS ALSO A PART OF IT ALL TWO WAYS OF RADIO_ONE LIVE - MICHAEL KLOSINSKI, MIKEL AIR/WFCC, GERMANY

Enjoyed the latest update re- news, you know who was in charge of research of Hubbing for the Great Western Railway Company don't you? - Rick Hammer

Roughs Tower & Sealand

Brilliant updates to your website, especially enjoying the Sealand updates - David

The idea of an in dependant fort country wasn't actually Roy Bates, it was muted by one of his chaps long before Radio Essex had closed down but at the time disregarded. It wasn't until the Knock John was brought within British territorial waters & the Roughs Tower had been taken over the idea was given merit - PJ

Roy Bates unconventional, off beat, even eccentric aren't these the traits the British admire? - A Kerr

I don't know why Sealand has always generated so much publicity in offshore radio circles, because Sealand has never broadcast a single thing & does not belong on offshore radio pages. Bates is just an old eccentric nutter with big ideas who once broadcast on Radio Essex, a poorly heard setup that appealed to the few that could hear it. Yet from this he has managed to generate publicity for years about his nutty schemes, & offshore publications have lapped it up & wasted print & stories like he belongs in the hall of famous offshore radio stations. What Bates probably did is stop others getting on there who just might have used it as an offshore radio base. So King Nutter & his brood should be seen for what they are, and not given the publicity they crave - Johnny Radioman 1952

Sealand is the last bastion for free speach without government interference, whilst it hasn't broadcast commercial radio, it has a tangible link with the first radio pirates, this has proved to many to be interesting

We Brits like the unconventional & in many ways enjoy seeing the underdog survive against all odds, living on a fort or even ship for long periods has always proved a fascinating

When Roy Bates took the Knock John Fort from Radio City, despite enormous odds Radio Essex managed to survive with little income for 13 months. After being outlawed he & the crew stayed out there by moving over to Roughs Tower so there's a definite final pirate radio link

Whilst Sealand & all its controversy has caused a stir they've managed to occupy Roughs ever since

Roy Bates went to Roughs after the forts had been outlawed. It wouldn't have been feasible to kick off radio again, the fort being only 6nm (7) miles off the coast. Roughs could easily have been drawn inside territorial waters as they did with Knock, Red, & Shivering Sand Forts - See Fort Fax

Sunk Head being well outside the then limit at 9.75 (11+) miles & even though in a very poor condition & flooded at its lower levels would have been the next fort to be occupied. But the British Government wanted to deter would be pirates & rumored smuggling activities they blew up - Cameron

Sealand VCD is great - since I´m planning to focus on Sealand with my work. I´m going to design a new platform and living space for people living on Sealand as my master thesis for finishing my studies - Simon Stemming Hamburg Germany

Really enjoyed the Sealand VCD - you did a great job of showing the ins and outs of life on board (on board if you know what I mean!). Particularly enjoyed the lower depths of the towers. I was surprised at how well the fort's stood up to 60+ years of battering from the sea. Built to last! - Sean

About 4 hours ago, I discovered you website, & have been sitting here ever since looking through all the Sealand pages, & listening to the audio clips, there's still masses more I haven't got to yet. The Sealand pics were very interesting, as I have passed it many times on the ferry from Denmark to Harwich. So many of the passengers on the ferry wonder what the structure is, and think it must be some sort of strange oil rig, I have enjoyed seeing some of the expressions on their faces when I have told them its history - John

Thanks for the Sealand VCD, I thought it was brilliant enjoyed the tour of the fort very much. Amazing it's still there and being used - Ted

I wanted to let you know that the Sealand VCD and posters arrived safe and sound, I enjoyed the VCD tour very much. I had no idea everything would be in such good condition 60+ years on - Alan

Just a long overdue thank you for sending my order for the Sealand VCD. I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed it. I wait to see what your next production will be maybe a compilation disc of all your wonderful offshore photos would be very nice. Hope all is well with you. Thanks again - Phil Grainger

Thanks for the superb photos on your site about Sealand, what a great place for an offshore broadcaster to visit! The pictures gave a superb insight of this ex navy fort which according to the photos is still going strong. Yours - Paul

Loved looking at your web site today, I am fascinated by Sealand and also the Maunsell forts. Is it still possible to get onto the Red Sands forts? I would love to try. Also, have you ever been on Gunfleet? Best regards Andrew

Hi Andrew, Thanks for your mail & nice comments. All of the forts ladders have all but rusted away. 1 or 2 of the towers are in isolation on Red & Shivering Sands so very difficult & dangerous to board & not advised. The remains of the catwalks between them incidentally were pulled down with grappling hooks by the ministry in the 70's. The only other remaining Navy Tower Knock John is virtually impossible to board & was been sealed by welding in 1992. Fort Fax has more also have a look at shots taken Aboard Red Sands I've sailed past Gunfleet but never boarded it. There are towers of a similar design just a few metres off Harwich foreshore

I am facinated with things to do with Sealand. It was a bold step to claim it and an ardurous task to maintain it all these years - John Wright, Nashville, TN

Solent for NAB Mystery Tower & the Solent Forts

26/1/07 - Another good posting well done! Particularly interested in the Solent forts, Portsmouth being my place of birth. I went out to Spithead 20++ years ago when Billy Butlin was trying to buy them for a casino. Before his time as ever. John Ross-Barnard

I was looking at your website and I was wondering if you know if it is possible to gain access to Horse sand fort possibly to use as a film location. I notice that one can gain access to Spit sand Fort, but there is no information regarding Horse Sand fort. Yours, Fraser Jamieson

Horse Sands Fort has port radio & navigation aids on board access has been denied & the fort locked since the 1970's

Your best bet would be to approach the harbour authorities to see if they'd give permission to board www.bobleroi.co.uk

Enjoy your sight it's very good, probably the best Solent Fort pictures I have seen. I went to Spitbank about 5 or 6 weeks ago - Beata Parsons

Found your website and I think it's really interesting. I'm fascinated about all the forts and love to read anything about them that I can find. Solent, Red Sands, Knock John & Shivering Sands. I've been on a boat trip to view them, and I would love to go inside them, but I can't see that ever happening. As you've been on them, you are the only one who can satisfy my curiosity about what conditions are like onboard. Please describe them to me - what remains from the war years and what remains from the pirate station years. Would it ever be possible to go onboard now - and how? Looking forward to hearing from you. Nikki Elkington

PS I found a page within your site that showed photos of the insides of the thames estuary forts as they are today (with I think the DJs who were on them in the 60s). I can't now find that page and I'm going mad looking, so can you be very kind and email me the relevant page. I'll be eternally grateful!

Dear Nikki We've a number of CD Documentaries, Books & a Video covering the forts from design, sinking, war-time, offshore & more recent use all at reasonable prices to order go to Offshore Shop

See the slide shows there & have a look at "Scrapbook" for the ever increasing number of photographs & detail on all the forts

Galaxy - Radio London (BIG L) on 266 & "Spoof" Radio East Anglia

Nice photos of Big L etc in Scrapbook Even Stevens 2. Re those guys sitting round the table on Big L, the guy on the left might be Mike Lennox. I don't know who is on the right. Left to right they are Mike Lennox?, Mark Roman, Willy Walker, John Edward, Duncan Johnson, Keith Skues, don't know. Best wishes, Jon Pirate Hall of Fame

I especially enjoyed the BIG L 97 and RNI 99 scapbooks which brought back recent good time memories on board that now seen