75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LONG-RANGE MARITIME RADIO SERVICE.
5TH SEPTEMBER 1995, HIGHBRIDGE
One of the most enjoyable days held at the Highbridge receiving site. The celebrations took around 4 months of planning, contacting hundreds of ex-GKA R/Os, and arranging publicity.
A souvenir brochure and First Day Cover were printed to commemmorate the occasion (some copies are still available, see NEWS section), and every visitor was presented with a commemorative tie.
On the day, over 250 ex-staff and families attended, with a buffet laid on. Many visitors were also welcomed, and were entertained in the weeks leading up the big day.
Letters of congratulation were received from well-known users of the service, including Sir Richard Branson, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chay Blyth, Ranulph Fiennes, and David Hempelman-Adams. The Lady Mayoress of Burnham & Highbridge attended on the day, as did local MP David Heathcoat-Amory.
Local media were highly in evidence, with cameras from both BBC and ITV, and many radio interviews with local stations were held during the day (including one 'live' at 0700! - thank you BBC Radio Bristol!).
One helluva day for all concerned - have a look at the attached pictures and see how many R/Os you can recognise! Sadly, many are no longer with us.
SOME NAMES: Ted Chester, Tony Winterburn, Ray Stevens, Steve Fell, Ken Williams, Des Wright, Pete Evans. Alan Padgett, Dick Bunting, Ray Jones, Chris Pearson, Odette Ristic, Mike Wilton, Paul Vohra, Don Matheson, Larry Bennett, George Davidson, Don Mulholland, Bill Palmer, Joe Martin, Lynn Westhead.
SOME NAMES: Ernie Meaden, Jim Crook, Frank Crawford, Arthur Hamblin, John Ryder, Mike Anderson, Bryn Williams, Dai Birt, Viv Hill, Dave Jackson, Gerry Smyth, Charlie Mander, Bob Purdom, Gil Elks. Brian Robertson (continued below)
SOME NAMES: Brian Robertson, Alan Huddart, Dennis Dixon, John Chedgey, Stuart Lund, Gerry Knott, Jack Came, Mike Ford, Harry Matthews, Les Smith, Jim Byrne, Bryan Richards, Geoff Pople, Fred McKen, John MacAllister, Pete Wheeler, Tony Major, Colin Hall, Graham Allister, Tony Roskilly.
SOME NAMES: Tony Roskilly, Jock Young, Tim Roberts, Fraser Whyte, Graham Jones, Merv Lazaro, Chuck Pearce, Paul Durkin, Brian Hill, Mike Eskins, Ken Wilson, Ken Gill.
APOLOGIES TO THOSE WHOSE FACES I CANNOT REMEMBER - CAN ANYONE HELP??
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© Larry Bennett 2004