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Ray Anderson, famous for providing radio enthusiasts with records, tapes and books about the Pirate Radio phenomenon since the 60s, had a lifelong ambition to bring back Radio London. In 1997, he was granted an RSL to do so.

The sound of Big L was recreated on a ship, the Yeoman Rose, off Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, UK, especially to cover the 30th Anniversary of the station's close-down on August 14th 1967. Although restricted to only ONE WATT of power, the broadcast was a tremendous success.

I went to stay in Walton for the final week of the broadcast, and it was one of the happiest weeks of my life. I made about a million new friends, each of them with an enduring love of Lil and all she stood for.

Over Christmas and New Year 97/98 another RSL broadcast took place, this time from the Ocean Defender moored in St Katharine's Dock, near Tower Bridge in London.

This is the fantastic story of Big L '97, my own memories and those of others involved.

Mary Payne

You can view individual recollections in your browser, or download thoseof the files which are available as PDFs, to read or print off-line.
The downloadable files are in Adobe Reader format.

Summer 97 off Walton Pier
Mary Payne – Knees Club Founder
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6

Part 7

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  • Download Part 7 as a PDF (158k – minus extra photos)

Part 8

Still to come

The Late Terry Nicholas (aka Sea Poodle) – Newsman

Allan Trainer – Engineer

John Cookson – Sky News

The late Jenni Baynton
– much-missed Anorak

John Sales – Anorak

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  • PDF not yet available
 
Winter 97/98 in London
Tommy Vance Interview
Tommy Vance was interviewed aboard the Ocean Defender on 13th January 1998 - Closedown Day...

Christmas Day 1997
by Mary Payne

Pauline Miller
– Anorak and Knees Club Official

Peter Herring – Anorak
(Peter's contribution also recalls the Summer broadcast)

"Big L News on the half hour"

Listen to John Ross-Barnard's hilarious last news

Garry Williams – DJ & Anorak

Colin Lees – Anorak

John Sales – Anorak

 

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