Where and when were you born?-
I was born in Beeston, Norfolk in 1952.
Where do you live now?- I live in Lakenheath,
Suffolk, near the airbase.
What is your favourite part of the Country?- There
are still lots of places I would like to visit but I do like
the South coast from Kent along to Sussex.
How did you get involved in Radio?- I have always
been interested in music. I started doing a Rock Disco when
I was 17 and I was also a singer in a band. I put an advert
on Caroline for my disco and got a phone call to do the
Caroline Roadshow. I then went on board the ship and
eventually did some broadcasts.
When did you first join Caroline?- In 1977 I
started going out to the ship with Albert and Georgina Hood.
I got heavily involved with supplies especially merchandise,
machinery and food.
Have you got any special memories?- I remember
doing the supply trips out from Brightlingsea in very rough
seas. We set off from right next to the customs post. They
knew what was happening and they used to wish us a good
trip.
What did you enjoy most about working on a Radio
ship?- Everything about it was fantastic and I feel very
privileged to have been there.
Who was your favourite shipmate?- There were so
many. I worked with Sietse Brower, Albert, Johnny Lewis, Tom
Anderson, Mark Matthews, Grant Benson and Paul McKenna.
How did you get involved with the Caroline Roadshow?-
I was doing my Rock Roadshow when I had a call to from Radio
Caroline to book me for their Roadshow because I had a very
loud sound system with very big speakers!
I remember Harvey the Rabbit, Robbie Day and Rob Eden
from the Roadshow days, do you still keep in touch with
them? - I have no idea where they are now. Harvey
the Rabbit got his name because he liked chasing the girls.
Robbie Day was an eccentric and always causing chaos. I
believe Rob Eden is in Gloucestershire somewhere. Tom
Anderson was also involved.
What other Radio stations have you been involved
with?- I worked on XLFM, in Ely, Cambridgeshire for 2
years. and left them about 3 years ago when it was sold and
turned into an awful disco type station. I am still involved
with Tulip Radio in Spalding and Hastings Rock. I was also
involved with the Caroline shortwave broadcasts from
Thetford Forest in Norfolk.
What are your earliest memories of Caroline?- I
was listening to the first week of broadcasts in Easter
1964. I missed the first day. I've followed all the stations
ever since but Caroline has always been my favourite.
What is your favourite station other than Caroline?-
I liked Radio Veronica and Radio Mi Amigo. Today when I
can't listen to Caroline I tune in to BBC Radio 2 and I also
listen to Arrow Classic Rock in the car.
What is the best and worst thing about radio today?-
The worst thing is that there is no freedom of choice with
too many stations all sounding the same. There is too much
playlisting. The best thing is to still have Caroline
broadcasting.
How do music styles on your discos compare to what
Caroline plays and how much freedom do you have on
Caroline?- I have semi retired and I don't do many
disco's now but I played 60s and 70s or Rock music on my
disco's. On Caroline We have quite a lot of freedom and I
play about 50 per cent from the playlist including new
material and the rest includes my choice and a lot of
listeners requests. I do think it is important to play tunes
requested by listeners.
Do you have any embarrassing or funny moments to share
with us?- We once had a Roadshow in a Town Hall and we
borrowed their pantomime horse called Nigel. Robbie Day used
to get in it and lark around. It was hilarious. We did
return it, eventually.
What do you do for your day job and relaxation?-
For relaxation, I mainly watch TV or listen to music. I also
have two classic cars, a Vauxhall Velox and a Ford Zodiac. I
buy and sell cars for my full time job. My wife and daughter
run a riding stables.
What is your favourite food?- Fish and Chips
What do you dislike doing the most?- Gardening, I
hate it!
What are your favourite bands or groups?- Magnum,
Chris De Burg, Bob Catley, Pink Floyd and the Moody Blues
are a few of them plus anything of quality.
What are your top 5 favourite tunes?- ELO - Summer
Dream and Big Wheels, Thin Lizzy - Whisky in the Jar, Deep
Purple - Child in Time, Moody Blues - Driftwood, and Casuals
- Toy. I could go on as I have many more favourites.
When did you last go on board the Ross Revenge?-
Last summer (2006), I think it was in June. Like many others
I would love to see a permanent mooring found for the Ross.
What plans have you for the future?- To continue
to do what I am doing now. stay healthy and see Caroline
expand. I once played in a band and made a record. Dell
Richardson has found a studio and is now in the process of
having it remixed and put onto a CD.
Thank you Barry and the best of luck with your CD.
Presenters
Menu
