Radio London tribute by Mary Payne
pp Chris and Mary Payne, Radio London Webmasters
Chris and I first met Tom in 2004. It was very much the year of Pirate Radio revivals and reunions, with Radio Caroline's 40th anniversary, the first Pirate BBC Essex broadcast from Harwich and many of 
the former renegades reuniting for the first time since being shipmates and fortsmates.
Lightship LV18 was anchored in Harwich harbour for that first broadcast, with the studio sited on the bridge and the DJs being taken aboard via the Shotley foot ferry. Before and after going on the air, most of the broadcasters based themselves in the Pier Hotel and that was where we met them. Those returning from the ship had become pretty cold and were doing their best to warm up.
(Left) Tom with Greg Bance, who broadcast under several pirate pseudonyms
On May 26 of that year, we received our first email from Tom, after meeting him at both the Caroline Anniversary at the Red Lion in Mayfair and the Pirate BBC Essex broadcast in Harwich. Tom had only recently acquired a computer and internet access, but had managed to track us down.
Hi Mary and Chris,
So I've found you...at last! I'm into week 4 of having this computer and just on the edge of a whole new world, right? It's nearly been hurled out of the windows here at Tommy Towers!
Sorry we couldn't chat when we were down at Harwich. I'd been driven all the way from here in Lincolnshire to Essex, which took four hours, then onto the LV18 to do the show. As soon as I arrived back on land, my driver was eager to take me home! It was a long day, but I'm so pleased I went. Who says history doesn't repeat itself, eh? Tim Gillett, who was running the BBC Essex 'pirate' broadcast, said he wished I had stayed longer. I do too, but at least I did it. There were a lot of emotions for me personally at the Red Lion Caroline reunion in London on March 28th, followed by the Pirate BBC Essex week, which I thought was fabulous. I hope the station picks up an award for that broadcast.
So much water has gone under the bridge since the pirate days of the Sixties. Little did we realise as young men all those years ago, what fate had in store. Thank God we didn't know. I nearly died through addiction to the demon drink, as you probably know, but I'm now into my 11th year of sobriety of which I'm proud, but never complacent, ever. I live a quiet life in a tiny village and only work now when asked to.
I'm so, so pleased that Johnnie Walker is back where he belongs, in front of that microphone. We have developed a deep friendship these days for obvious reasons. Facing death is not nice, but my bonus is I'm alive and I have those memories. (The reference to Johnnie concerns his return to Radio 2 after recovering from cancer – Mary)
I hope you're well and when time allows do get in touch. Take care you two, lotsa love, Tom xx
Tom was reunited with Robbie Dale, Johnnie Walker, Roger Day and Spangles Muldoon at the 40th Anniversary Caroline Reunion in Mayfair
Caroliners Keith Skues, Robbie Dale, Ronan O'Rahilly, Johnnie Walker, Paul McKenna and Tom, with Organiser Roger Day in front
When Christmas 2004 was on the horizon, Tom wrote:
I'm into month ten of having this PC and yup, I am addicted to it. Fabulous!
Tony Blackburn was in the area doing a gig, so I had to go and say hello, as we had not met for decades and I'm Godfather to his son Simon Anthony Blackburn. I asked Tony how my Godson was and he said, "Simon is 32, Tom." I fell off the chair! Where DOES the time go? Anyways, I'm glad I went to say Hi and as I walked Tony to his car, I said, "Don't leave it another 30 years!"
I'm working for Saga and BBC Radio Norfolk over the festive time. Everything is computerised now, eh? I'm doing an interview with Steve Scruton for his Christmas Day show on BBC Essex and Johnnie Walker is on it too.
On Christmas Eve, I (Mary) was interviewed by Radio Norfolk's Graham Barnard, talking on the Breakfast Show about Radio London's 40th Anniversary.
Tom said:
Graham Barnard is a sooper guy and a good mate too. Radio Norfolk of course is in Norwich, my home city. Tell the listeners I'm fine and well in little ole Heckington, Lincolnshire. Have fun! I'll be listening, as Norfolk blasts in here.
What a year eh? I'm so pleased to know that folk remember us, the 'pirates' from all those decades ago.
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During one of the Pirate BBC Essex broadcasts, Tom was reunited with Radio City's chef, Luc Dunne
for the first time in many years |
Tom pictured on Harwich Ha'penny Pier, ashore from Pirate BBC Essex 2009.
(Photo: the late John Sales) |
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Tom came ashore from the LV18 to chat to the crowd of listeners who had gathered on Ha'penny Pier
to listen to Pirate BBC Essex |
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Vivien Barnard was in the Harwich Pier crowd to meet Tom (Photo: the late John Sales) |
In May 2005, Tom sent us the photo below of a Birthday gathering that he'd organised to celebrate with some of his former 'Watery Wireless' friends, who were all turning 60 that year. They held the gathering at the Langham Hotel, opposite BBC Broadcasting House.
Tom wrote:
Here's one for your scrapbook. Me (with the tan), between Mark Sloane and DLT. In the checked shirt is Keith Hampshire, aka 'Keefers' and JW. 'Keefers' is the baby, as he doesn't hit his 6th decade until November. I had not seen him or DLT for forty years. I spent weeks trying to get all the "birthday boys" together and what a shame Roger 'Twiggy' Day couldn't make it, but he was working and as he told me, "work is work". Roger called me during the evening and I put him on speaker phone so we could all chat to him. Also in the shot is Duncan Johnson. We had not met before, but he and I talked for a long time. What a nice man he is. Our pirate reunion was held right opposite the BBC's BH... Ironic eh?"
Lotsa love, Tom Edwards
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Links to other tributes:
The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame
Redsands Radio
Offshore Echoes
Cambsnews website
Suggest website
