Tony Pine's 80th Birthday
30th April 2016
A copy free feature
1. Birthday Banner
Tony Pine one of the earliest to join the 1st Offshore Radio Fort when Radio Sutch began transmitting from the Towers
2.
Wrapped in Red |
3.
Electric Outboard for Tender |
Weak transmissions were received in Whitstable by Don Witts & Eric Martin at the Record Centre, 20a Oxford Street, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 1DD from the infant Radio Sutch
4.
Marked Offshore III |
5.
Engine Inscription |
Often running short of petrol, water, milk & bread they'd heard pleas for supplies
Radio Sutch had a small generator used to charge the old Magazine Room full of old lorry batteries when the station was off-air
6. 'Offshore III' at Neptune's Arm, Herne Bay
The 'Offshore III' is an ex-police boat that on one occasion visited Shivering Sands
7. Jerry presents ...
Tony with his wife Susan ran 'Pine's General Stores' at 15, Island Wall, Whitstable, Kent, (CT5 1EP)
8. Jerry's drawing
It was Tony that named Shivering Sands the 'Tower of Power' after the its 200' antenna mast
9. Radio City people - Bob, Tony & Jerry
Friend of Don & Eric, Ex-Army Engineer Tony was invited along on the hastily arranged trip out with Fred Downs owner of the Harvester fishing boats to take out essentials to Shivering Sands
10. Matt bring in the cake Dave looks on
Tony was to partner Paul Elvey as a Mechanical Engineer, Don worked with Dick Dixon as Radio Engineers whilst Eric the South Thames Office Manager
11. Time to blow
12. Candles extinguished
Tony is still active & has a great passion for the beloved Forts, he was last to leave Shivering Sands in 1967 & has maintained a presence ever since
13. Vaughan, Jerry, Ron, Lou, Tony, Matt, Dave, Pete & Bob
Who are they? - Vaughan is a Farrier, Ron is Whitstable's own 'Lovejoy' (Antique Dealer) remember the TV series from 1986-1994? Lou a Mum, Matt runs his own I.T Consultancy, Dave is a a Drummer and Pete an Engineer