BBC Radio Cumbria 'Offshore Special'

A wonderful one-hour northern offshore radio special from Tony James today (Friday), really enjoyed it, not just the usual jingles and sound checks, but good interviews.

One studio guest was an avid listener of Caroline North, he told a great story of when as a teenager he was cycling to school with his tranny and some music came on the radio that he had never heard before - River Deep Mountain High by Ike and Tina Turner and he was so amazed at it he had to stop his bike and listen. Its memories like that of offshore radio that many of us remember to these days, I certainly do..

The guest also spoke fondly about the IOM and how whenever he goes back to the IOM he stands at Ramsey Bay and looks out to sea where Caroline North used to be anchored.

Tony also interviewed Dave Cash who pointed out that England was the only country (well nearly) that had commercial television before commercial radio - a very good point.

Then came an interview with a member of the Radio Scotland crew and some clips. These clips are well known and in the best sound quality I had heard them.
He remembered that on the last trip out to The Comet the tender was overloaded and they heard the last live and taped show. Last record on Radio Scotland was Ray Davis "Death of a Clown" and dedicated to Harold Wilson.

They thought about moving anchor to the IOM but legal events scuppered that... Harold Wilson went to the Queen to get the overriding order in council to force the IOM government to outlaw the pirates. This was apparently a previously unheard of act in UK peacetime. The Radio Scotland guy said the PM was dead scared all the offshore stations would anchor by the IOM.

Then Radio 270 was covered, with a clip of Paul Burnett (again in great audio quality). Then Paul was interviewed and said he voice on air then sounded so odd as he was desperately trying to avoid being sick. He reminded us that the Oceaan 7 was a tiny ship, only the same size as Caroline's tender! Also stories of how the ship was sometimes sailed in to shore, despite the three mile limit - "our ship was probably the most piratical of them all". They sailed in and out without lights, then turned the lights
back on three miles out!

Tony's presentation was knowledgeable, he was involved with Caroline, still an anorak.

So I learnt some new things about Caroline North, Scotland and 270.

Then the broadcast from Mi Amigo was played. How calm the jocks sounded "I think we will be back one way or another" - very true, they were.

Can't have too much of this nostalgia!!! It's incredible how much media coverage there is as a result of the film.

The show is available for 7 days on iPlayer - don't miss it!

Well done Tony!

Mike Terry
in Bournemouth, UK

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/radio/bbc_radio_cumbria