Schoolchildren at Radio Caroline exhibition

ISLE OF MAN - More than 130 schoolchildren Islandwide revived the swinging 60s when they visited the Radio Caroline exhibition at the House of Manannan, Peel. Pupils from St. Thomas's School and St Mary's School in Douglas, Laxey School, Ballaugh School and Peel Clothworkers' School enjoyed dressing up in 1960s costumes for the information communication technology workshops. As well as exploring the exhibition, the children formed rock groups and posed for photographs to create their own album covers using a computer programme. And they interviewed each other to make radio podcasts on the Island's Computer Bus – adding jingles and information from the exhibition. Anthea Young, education services officer for Manx National Heritage said: 'Youth culture rapidly escalated in the 1960s. Offshore radio stations, including Radio Caroline North, broke the mould of radio broadcasting in Britain and is still fondly remembered by its listeners today. 'Accessibility to music media nowadays, through internet downloads to iPods, contrasts vastly with access to popular music prior to 1964. 'Radio Caroline North began operating from the MV Caroline off Ramsey Bay in 1964, challenging the BBC's monopoly over British radio. But it was forced off air just four years later. The free exhibition, which is due to end on August 23, marks the 40th anniversary of the ship's departure from Manx waters. Following political and legal pressure and unpaid bills, the pirate radio ship was towed away in the middle of the night with the few remaining DJs still on board. However, in those few years Radio Caroline became a watershed in British broadcasting history and provided a blueprint for many of today's radio presenters.

Pirate BBC Essex

BBC Essex goes pirate over the Easter hols

From Good Friday to Easter Monday, legendary DJs Johnnie Walker, Dave Cash, Keith Skues, Emperor Rosko, Tony Blackburn and others will be broadcasting around the clock on “Pirate BBC Essex” from the LV18 in the port of Harwich. An exhibition of pirate radio memorabilia will also be held on Harwich’s Ha’penny Pier over the Easter weekend. Visitors will be able to see, among other items, original microphones from Radios London and Caroline. LV18 was the last manned Trinity House lightvessel in service and has been maintained in her original condition. Since 1999, LV18 has been chartered and cared for by a team of volunteers and has recently been bought by the Pharos Trust charity.

BBC Essex weer op de piratentoer

De Engelse regionale omroep BBC Essex herdenkt volgende week andermaal de zeezenders met een eigen ‘piratenzender’. Onder de naam ‘Pirate BBC Essex’ zal de omroep van vrijdag 10 tot maandag 13 april op antenne gaan vanaf het voormalig lichtschip LV18 in de haven van Harwich. Een aantal deejays van de toenmalige zeezenders zullen op het station te horen zijn. Het gaat ondermeer om Dave Cash (Radio London), Tom Edwards (Radio City en Radio Caroline), Keith Skues (Radio Caroline) en huidig BBC Radio 2 deejay Johnnie Walker (Swinging Radio England en Radio Caroline). Dit jaar zal ook Tony Blackburn (Radio Caroline en Radio London) z’n duit in het zakje doen. Het is namelijk precies 45 jaar geleden dat populaire zeezenders als Radio Caroline en Radio London van start gingen. Beide stations hebben een belangrijke invloed gehad op hoe de Engelse radio vandaag de dag klinkt. De gelegenheidspiraat zal gebruik maken van de middengolffrequenties van het lokale radiostation BBC Essex (729, 765 and 1530 AM). De reguliere uitzendingen van BBC Essex zullen dan alleen via FM en DAB te ontvangen zijn. En om luisteraars over de hele wereld te kunnen bereiken zal. Pirate BBC Essex ook via het internet te beluisteren zijn. In 2007 herdacht Pirate BBC Essex op dezelfde manier ook reeds het van kracht worden van de ‘anti-piratenwet’, die de zeezenders verbood. Het lichtschip LV18 werd eerder ook reeds ingezet voor herdenkingsuitzendingen onder de naam Radio North Sea International.