Brian Cullingford had joined earlier, during the KING days where Mike Raven had taught him to “speak like the announcers on the Home Service, 10 years ago!” Early conditions were primitive, the loos consisting of a trap door leading to a 90 foot drop!

Guy Hamilton described his days on Knock John working for Essex/BBMS as a boy scout adventure. When he had originally applied for the station, he was asked his age and had been told to finish his “A” levels first.

During his time with 390, Brian Cullingford was also working for the BBC Home Service on the Jack de Manio “Today” programme.

David Allan had been working in the theatre in West End – he recounted how the musical “Funny Girl” starring Barbra Streisand, was on in town and tickets were hard to come by. He had been able to get tickets for Ted Allbeury and this proved decisive in getting himself a job on 390.

During proceedings, the current resident of the Roughs fort, Prince Michael of the Principality of Sealand was acknowledged in the audience – he is the son of Roy Bates, the owner of Radios Essex and BBMS which had been run from Knock John Tower fort.

We were treated to a splendid virtual tour of one of the forts produced by Mark Wesley.

At this stage, as Tom Edwards was unable to attend, Candy Calvert (daughter of Radio City owner, Reg Calvert) and Bob LeRoi, made a brief appearance to represent Radio City. Candy described how music had been her life - her father had devoted his life to Radio City, as had her mother, Dorothy, after his death (photo left, Candy Calvert and Bob LeRoi).

Back   Next