Tony PineTribute

It’s with sadness I report the passing of Tony Pine at a rest home in Folkestone on 1st October 2025 aged 89 (30th April 1936 – 1st October 2025)

Tony Pine aged about 14 (Julia Perry)

Tony was a leading light working tirelessly in the back ground from the infant days of Radio City on Shivering Sands Forts

Tony one of the first to venture out to the Fort when a plea for essential supplies from Radio Sutch was heard at the Record Centre, 20a Oxford Street, Whitstable, later the Radio City Office

Unknown, Dick Dixon, Tony Pine Don Witts (1964)

Unlike today with Whitstable sprawling outwards and invaded by what locals we call DFL’s (Down from London’s) In the early 1960’s Whitstable was nothing but a sleepy little fishing town, best known for Whitstable Native Oysters

Tony Pine seated on Harvester II (Bill Scales)

Hardly a backdrop for shenanigans on WWII abandoned structures on the high seas, but that’s exactly what occurred in the true spirit of British grit and broadcasting legend

The tiny Radio Sutch had begun initially as a publicity stunt developing into Radio City, abandoned and pillaged from 1958 conditions on the Fort were poor, Tony Pine a good all round electrical and general engineer who also owned Pines General Stones on Island Wall that provisioned the station

Tony’s known to have often forsaken pay in favour of keeping the station on-air and was very much an integral part of the Radio City Team

Tony Pine aged in his 50's (Julia Perry)

Later when we brought back Red Sands Radio from the Fort, Tony again threw his energy into helping erect the antenna’s and make the Tower habitable, staying involved over the eight years of the station that was to evolve into Maritime Radio

Tony Pine aged 72 Red Sands Radio (2008)

Tony Pine Montage

I’ve known Tony since the early tempestuous days of Radio City and always appreciated his encouragement, support in what for me has been a long broadcasting career. Rest in Peace my friend: Bob Le-Roi