Time to Move on?

14/8/2024

The vast majority of people who listened to the close down of Radio London and the other offshore stations on August 14th 1967 have not only moved on, they have forgotten all about it.

Even Keith Skues didn't know what Johnny Walker was talking about at first during their brief phone conversation over the past weekend, when Walker mentioned a special date coming up on Wednesday.

Looking at the Anorak forums today with only a handful of people mentioning the 57th anniversary of the MOA act that shut down the offshore stations, it raises a sensible question, Is it not time to just move on and leave that day and date behind?

If the goal back then was for commercial radio in the UK then we have had that since 1973 and in more recent times, alternatives such as internet and community radio stations have not only developed they have exponentially expanded and flourished .

In fact with the internet we have seen an explosion of independent radio stations from one man in his bedroom through to some highly up-skilled professional online services.

Apart from a few hundred anoraks nobody cares anymore, there have been so many bigger injustices since the MOA and the governments of today are becoming far more radical control freaks, where individual choice is of no importance, whilst the indoctrination of children through the school system is the stuff of George Orwell's 1984.

Whilst you live in the past hanging on to memories of the golden age of offshore radio, what do you achieve?

With hate speech laws now being used to silence dissenting opinions and the rise of religious and cultural division in the UK, freedom is far more at risk than it was in 1967.

Perhaps we should focus on 1984 as the 'virtual date' we all should mourn, because it has (to quote from an old Caroline sweatshirt) arrived a little late, but arrived it has.

18 Comments

Mervyn Hagger for Mike Barraclough

15/8/2024 08:03:23 am

I listened to the entire Radio 270 show on Corby Radio with guest Mike Barraclough and it was interesting in that Mike, an educated man, endorsed (and plugged) the work of the mindless idiot Paul Rusling.

But more than this, Mike jumped right over 'Point Number One' - because a) he was too young to know, b) like Rusling he has not done his homework. Mike knows nothing about Shipley, Yorkshire, the birthplace of offshore radio in the UK and he knows nothing about the actual link (who, why, when) about the name change from Yorkshire to 270.

I do. It it is the FOUNDATION of ALL knowledge about Radio Caroline, Manx Radio and even Radio Luxembourg on 208.

Point Number Two is something that Mike just posted on one of the idiot Anorak Boards. - QUOTE:
"Posted by Mike BarracloughUser icon on 14/8/2024, 17:35:51, in reply to "Re: Marine, &c., Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967"
"I don't see how "my freedom was removed by force" by initially replacing the offshore radio stations by the addition of BBC Radio One. You still had freedom of speech and there were no restrictions on books, magazines, newspapers etc apart from what was illegal to say or publish at the time."

On the Corby show, the host admitted to knowing NOTHING about 'The World Tomorrow' program - he even got Armstrong's name wrong. Yet this program PAID for Radio London and Radio 270 and several other stations and it was the harbinger for BREXIT and Nigel Farage (born 1964) - YEARS BEFORE BREXIT.

Without THAT program ALL offshore radio would have died in 1965 when PYE pulled out because PYE not that mindless twerp O'Rahilly, was the creator of Radio Caroline.

So, I will tell you how free radio died with the MOA, 'The World Tomorrow' was banned from the British airwaves. Back in 1922 the BBC was started as a censored station. TODAY, Israel is calling out BBC news as a PROXY for Hamas - I heard yesterday's news conference when the BBC was rebuked several times for being a PUPPET of Hamas.

Mike, you are an educated man, but I was quite surprised to hear the lies coming out of your mouth on air.

What gives?

Rusling I understand. He is a conman like O'Rahilly.

But you?

James McGregor

15/8/2024 08:55:42 pm

Robbie Owens got god loving real bad. He is Ex VOP time served so fair does

He asked MB something like "what did you think when you met Ronan. Was he this cosmic man?

MB : well he did not have a particularly strong handshake unlike uncle Jimmy. He was quite shy really, being polite to a 16 year old I suppose

RO: (sounding disappointed that Ronan could not actually levitate.) Wow, very shy, And Jimmy he was the Caroline Shipping agent?

MB. No I think that was someone else (Percy Scadden) and Jimmy did something else

RO. Wow great memories Mike. Of Radi0 270 and how the Ocean 7 nearly became part of the Caroline Story

MB. Thank you

Friends of Radio 270

16/8/2024 09:23:19 am

I don't know why Mervyn no longer participates in this Facebook group despite being a member. I'm sure he could contribute to the knowledge base, and it would be more beneficial than addressing on here those who probably don't visit this page.

CEO - Admin - Very Important - Massive Ego

16/8/2024 08:18:11 pm

Oh dear, you still use Facebook? The demographics for Mr ZuckeDNCfunderincheif's Facebook is now so old even the far right/left and far center no longer know that he is a Chinese puppet married to a Chinese commie spy. $400 million he gave to the democrats in 2020 to buy the election and you want people to go to Facebook? It's insurgents like you that cause riots!

OK although all of the above has more that a grain of reality, seriously, you have no idea of the numbers of visitors coming here. You assume like so many, so I say, don't assume, because the traffic to Now & Then is way bigger than you realise.

The anoraks all come here, they deny it, but I see the numbers, yes they all come here...

Friends of Radio 270

16/8/2024 08:22:26 pm

Well, that's where those he is addressing discuss the topic in question, so seems a reason

Friends of Radio 270

16/8/2024 08:27:59 pm

But they don't post here, do they? They post there. That's where the discussion is.

It would be interesting to see some stats on the number of unique visitors to this page.

One to watch

15/8/2024 05:21:40 pm

Overlooked, what a conspiracy.

Friends of Radio 270 like ....

17/8/2024 06:48:17 pm

Mike Terry who is the spokesman for the Puddin Bowl Man does not like Haggerly and told him to buzz off. Mike Terry likes the Caroline approach of finding old clippings that never, ever refer to Shipley, Yorkshire.

Overlooked,one to watch

15/8/2024 05:23:31 pm

What a conspiracy.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=y69MbrCWVQk&t=1s&pp=2AEBkAIB

Secret tape shock

16/8/2024 02:19:57 pm

Fast Eddie Blackwell: I can't pay you to put that ship you set up as rubbish which is now actually quite successful without you, off the air but I would like to buy you a nice dinner afterwards

Paul Par Hustler: So obviously you won't be coming over to the Punch Kitchen

Fast Eddie Essex: No but the Irish mob might be with a can of petrol afterwards

Paul Par Pudding: I have a bank account in Switzerland and one in New York. So flame grilled whoppers it is

Eddie Blackwater: I won't tell a soul. Except to cover my own arse

Dear Lame News Channel

16/8/2024 01:45:12 pm

I bought tickets for the family orientated late night Edinburgh fringe show Fluffy Fluffy Beavers. The location the time the established performer and the title gave no hint as to the shock, horror and disgust to follow when I was distracted from reading Ukraine had invaded Russia. I am very very offended that I am missing the start of WW3

16 August 2024, 11:03 BST
Updated 2 hours ago
A theatre has cancelled a show by comedian Reginald D Hunter after an accusation jokes at his Edinburgh Fringe show were antisemitic.

Eastwood Theatre in Giffnock announced the decision a day after Mr Hunter apologised for what he described as an "unfortunate incident" during the show.

It was reported, external that two Israeli audience members at his Fluffy Fluffy Beavers show objected to the comedian joking that an abusive wife complaining about being abused herself was "like being married to Israel".

They were heckled by audience members as they left the venue

East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure, which runs Eastwood Theatre, said it had cancelled his September show due to "controversial comments".

A spokesperson for East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure said: "We defend the freedom of expression of artists and understand that our audiences expect to extend some latitude to many acts, including alternative comedy which may be controversial in places.

"However, we have a commitment to our community, and to our values of diversity and inclusion, which we take seriously."

The spokesperson added all customers will receive a refund.

Mr Hunter has been a regular in comedy circles and on TV shows for decades

Mr Hunter, who has previously been nominated for the Perrier award and has appeared on many British TV shows, posted on social media, external, about the incident at Assembly’s George Square Studios venue.

He said he regretted any "stress caused" but added "as a comedian I do push boundaries in creating humour, it's part of my job."

Mr Hunter went on to repeat the joke on Thursday night, receiving laughter and applause from his audience.

'The crowd was supportive'
Campaign Against Antisemitism said on social media that the comments were "extremely concerning" and that comedians should "have a responsibility to their audience".

A Police Scotland spokesperson said the force was "reviewing the circumstances" of the incident.

BBC Journalist James Cheyne, who attended the Thursday night show, said the joke was "just one of many" things in the show which people might have taken offence at.

"Reginald D Hunter used the N word, the C word, and made cracks about Rolf Harris and Jimmy Savile too.

"It was in many ways common fare for a late night comedy gig at the Edinburgh Fringe, but the controversy his comments have caused was ever present in the room too.

"The comedian addressed it multiple times, opening with the words 'I wondered if anybody was coming' and adding 'It’s been quite a week.'

"He said some people would come to his shows seeking to be offended and told them not to worry, promising “there is something for everybody.”

"The venue was mostly full, the crowd was supportive, laughing, clapping and cheering.

"One audience member shouted out “I’m Jewish and I love the joke” when he told it.

Related Topics
Comedy
Antisemitism
Giffnock
War in Ukraine

Rusling (again) by Mervyn Hagger

17/8/2024 08:17:26 am

An amazing admission from the puddin-basin man:

Posted by Paul Rusling on August 16, 2024, 5:52 pm, in reply to "Re: Laser Radio Very Very Intresting "
Q. Did Paul Rusling's exit from the project have anything to do with the unsuccessful balloon antenna?

Unrelated - I was never involved in the antenna selection. The balloons were ordered and paid for well before I rejoined in August 83.

Oh - so Rusling ("Lid off Laser") did not know anything about the balloons - but Rusling once tried to assert to me that he knew all about them when I was investigating the oft-misquoted story about the 'Courier'.

What a total flake this "expert" is!

He is truly annoying at all levels. Now he claims to be an expert on Radio 270 and I know for a fact that he knows diddly about the origins of 270 and neither does Mike Barraclough.

This really pisses me off.

Liars, liars, just like Ronan O'Rahilly and the rest of them.

270

17/8/2024 11:21:07 am

And who was it pumping members for information from those very people on Facebook some years ago, before you got told to shut up?

Serious James McGregor

18/8/2024 06:15:27 am

No I am sorry Mervyn, Your now arch enemy is correct in the recollections of this he has made over the years

I have heard on audio docs and written interviews. Paul told the "yanks"

"I have been on radio ships in the North Sea. I know how rough it is and advised against it"

When he returned to the project he obviously knew they had not taken his advice but he then said we all thought it was worth a go. Probably because there was not much choice and he was being professional and wanting to be paid that £7000 + back

Exactly as Paul predicted the balloons ballooned off and the project looked a goner. Paul and Johnny Lewis and the others salvaged the situation with Laser 730

The backer sees there was hope and builds a bit of crap proper

Lindau then shits all over Paul and says crap like he started fires on deck, was a mere stable lad taking credit for a Derby winner !!!! and made the ship totally useless as a pan European medium. Paul leaves still out of pocket. Apart from the undisputed and later settled far too late £7000 he claims John Kenning never paid him his weeklies

However John Kenning had an interview in Free Radio Waves fanzine where he finds a box of receipts for £200 PW cash which he proved to Phillip Smythe? when he queried Pauls grievance. John described Paul as a little toad. However despite the Blackwell palaver someone (maybe Smthye) had some decency and thought it was honest to settle the £7000 debt

Paul rightly says that in offshore radio everyone from his hero Ronan down to the very small supplier knows that everything is built on trust and that Lindau was not trustworthy and just on the make and take

PAR is one of radio's great characters. I know he name drops a lot but on this anecdote he can actually prick your fiery balloon on this one

Slightly on from that the last OEM magazine with a Peter Chicago interview he related Ronan going on about Canadian loggers using huge balloons to move logs and twinkling his eyes. Surely to goodness by then (1988) the idea of a North Sea Radio ship balloon was well and truly all baloney

Maybe it's all baloney

£63,000 eh Merve >bet that made you fume

Dodgy conclusions

17/8/2024 11:16:35 am

Knowing about something is not the same as being involved in it.

And now Mike Barraclough

17/8/2024 12:09:04 pm

Dear me. Mervyn. Is there anyone who isn't lying in your view?

Mervyn Hagger

17/8/2024 07:43:25 pm

Well the first question is: did Mike Barraclough write this?

Let's assume that he did, then why not admit that Rusling is a thieving liar and and idiot.

Now let's look around to see whether there is more to this Radio 270 than you (Mike B) want to discuss.You jumped on Corby Radio AFTER the Radio 270 venture was underway. You admitted the name change and the format change, but you never, ever discussed how and why Radio Yorkshire became Radio 270 or what was going on in SHIPLEY, long before Radio 270 began.

So yes, Mike, the anoraks are liars and after listening to Bob Meade's 1974 tape about the cult of LA religion .... and you turned off The World Tomorrow for Ronan's drugged-out looney LA religious cult?

But what of the non-liars?

Well Mike, there are a LOT of them as well. That is how we have been able to discover the story.

And now Mike Barraclough

18/8/2024 07:17:21 pm

No, Mike Barraclough did not write this. Why do you assume that he did? Well, I can assure you that he most definitely did not.

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Time to Move on?

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