May 2004
(April 2004 is here...)

As ringing beforehand to check opening times is always recommended, phone number are also given.

The Jerusalem District Court judges expressed strong criticism of the state and the prosecution in their handling of the case against Arutz-7: "It is inconceivable that the state would take out its rage against the pirate radio stations by punishing the leaders of Arutz-7... [which] operated throughout the years with the encouragement of the authorities; the Knesset even legislated a law to legalize it."

The final sentences are as follows: Katz, Programming Director Shulamit Melamed, Engineer Ya'ir Meir, and News Editor Haggai Segal must serve 3-6 months of community service each, while each of the ten defendants must pay between 20,000 and 50,000 shekels each. In addition, Arutz-7 itself was fined a total of 450,000 shekels.

Arutz-7 radio ceased broadcasts on Oct. 20 of last year, only two hours after a Jerusalem court convicted ten Arutz-7 directors and staff members of broadcasting without a license.

Tony Hatch has chosen Glasgow's Tall Ship, The Glenlee, as the venue for the glittering charity premier of his brand new cabaret on Thursday May 27th. The show's title, "Messing About on the River", comes from one of his first hits, recorded by Glasgow school teacher Josh Macrae, back in 1960.

A champagne party is being laid on for the lucky 200 aboard The Glenlee, raising money for the city's Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

You can also send Hans your opinion regarding the story of the 'Mi Amigo' wheel

Since this newsletter first started 27 issues back, I've had ongoing letters... (from) people with a passion for radio whose passion has turned to a disgust with what's happening in some areas of the business.

The latest has arrived from Canada, where Robert Henderson, a freelance broadcaster and self-confessed 'Grumpy Old man' wrote:

If radio owners could replace announcers altogether with technology, they would, in a heartbeat. I don't know about the rest of the world, but in too many stations in this country, you could drive a dump truck loaded with nitro-glycerine through on the weekend, and not one employee would sustain any kind of injury, because no-one's there! What's really missing is passion for the biz. Idiots who have zero people skills are not a great way to run a business, produce a profit, or a good product.

Read Robert's full rant in the newsletter.

I was a listener of Kenny's on his drivetime show on Radio Tay. My two young daughters and myself spoke to him often on the phone, winning lots of competitions. Kenny was a unique presenter, irreplaceable, a real star.

Martin Kayne, aka Andy Cadier writes of his publishing success

'Piracy On The High Seas' is the title of a full-page article about offshore radio published on page 53 of the May Edition of 'Yours Magazine'. It is unlikely that you'll subscribe to this publication unless you happen to be a pensioner, as it is targeted at the more mature person.

The article has been rather heavily edited and a photo of the (radio) fort 'Knock John' and the Caroline North tender Offshore 3, has unfortunately been excluded, but a coloured picture of the Ross Revenge has pride of place. Other than that, it's an insight for non-anoraks of what we got up to back in those naughty wireless days of the 1960s.

If sufficient people respond to the publishers (EMAP) they may be open to publishing further Anorak stories (not necessarily written by myself) to the nostalgic benefit of all concerned. This is quite an achievement, as EMAP are big investors in modern day ILR and are not really disposed to pirates or their memories!