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Press Releases
Shiver me timbers, Sixties pirate radio is back
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More than a dozen Sixties DJs are set to broadcast once more on the
pirate radio that made their names – this time on Pirate Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Essex, and it's legal!
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Johnnie Walker of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2, Emperor Rosko – who is flying over from Los Angeles to
take part – Norman St John and John Kerr, both coming over from
Australia, are just four of the DJs.
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They will be boarding the LV18, a
former lightship moored half-a-mile off Harwich, for six days of music
and chat, with the emphasis firmly on Sixties music.
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Programmes start on Thursday 9 August 2007 and continue 24-hours a
day until 3pm on Tuesday 14 August – 40 years to the day and time that nearly
all the original pirate stations went off air, scuppered by the Marine
Offences Act.
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Tim Gillett, Programmes Editor for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Essex, says the original
pirate DJs were queueing up to take part in this unique radio event,
legally broadcasting from the bridge of the LV18.
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"We did a similar thing in 2004 when we celebrated 40 years since the
start of pirate radio, when pirate radio, led by Radio Caroline,
broadcast off the Essex coast," he says.
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"It was phenomenally popular,
with thousands of emails and hits to the website from all over the world.
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"Johnnie Walker sent us a recorded message of support then – now he's here
in person, taking up the 9pm-midnight slot he broadcast in way back in
the 1960s.
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"He is also looking forward to a 'flashing' session when people
in their cars on shore communicate with him by flashing their car
headlights."
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The presenting team, which also includes Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Essex presenters, will be
heading out to sea this week along with the supplies they need for their
sojourn which starts at 6am on Thursday.
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Listeners are reported
to have organised holidays so they have time to drive to Harwich to spot
the boat from the shore.
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And there's another treat for pirate radio fans... they can see some of the
original photographs, letters, records – and even an original Radio
Caroline microphone – at a free exhibition to mark the occasion which
runs at the Ha'penny Pier in Harwich throughout the life of Pirate Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
Essex.
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As well as by tuning in to Pirate Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Essex on 729, 765 and 1530 MW, the
shows can also be heard via the website, bbc.co.uk/essex.
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Notes to Editors
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 The exhibition is open 9am-5pm, 9-14 August 2007, and is owned by
Lincolnshire businessman Chris Dannatt.
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The LV18 is a classic light vessel owned by the Pharos Trust,
which has been restoring it.
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Birmingham Press Office
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