Pat has been especially
helpful to Horizon Magazine and the new Society web shop;
arranging on air adverts, producing artwork and generally
supporting our work to support station and ship.
1. Do you want to give
your age?
I can't remember being born,
being too young at the time, so it's difficult to work out!
2. Where were you born?
Croydon in South London
3. How did you get involved
in radio?
I was always interested in
what you could do with wires and by my mid teens had already
established a "radio station" using a pair of
(illegal) walkie-talkies. I was also an avid radio listener,
although I am ashamed to say I just missed the first offshore
radio area. However when RNI started in 1970 I was soon
hooked and, on meeting a fellow 'free radio' buff at college,
was introduced to the operators of South West London's land
based "pirate" Radio Jackie. I was immediately
given a show - much to my surprise and delight. I was with
it for 18 months.
4. What other Radio stations
have you worked for?
After Radio Jackie I was
a founder member of the legendary Radio Kaleidoscope who
did what Radio Jackie did - only better (or so we liked
to think). After that I went into hospital radio at the
Royal London Hospital Whitechapel but also did a number
of Restrictive License Stations (RSL's) which was fun -
and legal!
5. What is your earliest
memory of Caroline?
Although I was too young
(that's my story) to have been interested in the first wave
of offshore radio I did hear about 2 minutes of "Yellow
Submarine" being played on what I was told was Radio
Caroline while camping with the Boys Brigade at Hastings
in 1966.
6. When did you first
join Caroline?
2001
7. Why did you decide
to join Caroline?
Having got bored with
hospital radio, or at least gone as far as I could with
it, in 1996 I decided to get out and do something else.
I tried one or two things include a spell practising Buddhism
(badly) but found I missed sitting behind a microphone talking
to myself so when an opportunity came up at Caroline I was
asked by my old ex-Jackie/Kaleidoscope pal David Owen if
I would be interested in a gig at Maidstone. I said "Yes!"
8. What is your favourite
radio station other then Caroline?
I don't listen to any other
radio at the moment - it's too horrible.
9. Have you got any special
memories or regrets?
Plenty of memories.
I don't have regrets - I have lessons learnt.
10. What's your most embarrassing
moment?
Being mistaken for
a girl when I had long hair by a policeman on Epsom Downs
(don't ask).
11. What's your favourite
sport or pastime other than radio?
Trying to convince the world
to dump their Windows PC's in favour of Apple Mac computers!
12. What's your favourite
read and food?
I don't read as much as I
did, although I have read Lord Of The Rings several times.
Food: The English national dish - curry!
13. What do you dislike
doing the most?
Making phone calls to people
I don't know.
14. Where do you live
now and what is your favourite part of the country?
I live in Kent not
far from the studio but would like to live farther out one
day.
15. What are your favourite
bands or groups?
My music tastes are wide
and varied. But doesn't encompass Rap or such clap-trap.
16. What's your five favourite
tunes that you would take to a desert island?
A very unfair question as
with iPod's there would be more than 5 these days - but
here's 5 anyway: Mozart "Eine kleine Nachtmusik",
Pink Floyd "Us And Them", Van Morrison "Have
I Told You Lately", Camel "Long Goodbyes",
Taste "On The Boards".
17. What's your favourite
TV programme or film? TV: Anything with the late Fred
Dibnah in it! Film: Blade Runner
18. When did you last
go on board the Ross?
28th March 2006
19. What frustrates you
most about radio today?
The corporate nature of commercial
radio coupled with the BBC's "Celebrity" obsession.
20. What plans have you
for the future and what would you like to be doing in 10
years time?
Looking into my tea
cup I see it's empty - excuse me that's my cue to put the
kettle on.......
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