The Eighties the absolute control of record companies with pop music in broadcasting. Many radio stations were committed to playing music only from sponsoring labels, which infuriated some of the smaller, independent labels appearing across the country’s major towns and cities. The station was initially backed financially by six investors, one of whom was Cleethorpes businessman Carl ‘Jimmy’ Ross, founder of Ross Foods. The MV
Ross Revenge (GY 718) wasn’t used by the station until the years between 1983 and 1991, after the Fredericia and the MV Mi Amigo, which subsequently sank! There are many stories to be told about Radio Caroline, which include manslaughter, sinking, running aground and being tailed by the UK Department of Trade and Industry. It also saw the likes of DJs Tony Blackburn and Dave Lee Travis walk its decks.
The MV Ross Revenge, which is now moored off the island of West Mersea, in Essex.
Despite a period during the Nineties, and the ethos of the station changing rather radically since its beginnings, Radio Caroline is still going strong in GY 718! The MV Ross Revenge
is, in 2019, moored off the coast of West Mersea, Essex, and is occasionally open to inquisitive visitors and fans of the original pirate radio station – who would’ve guessed?
Memories from the minutes It is interesting to note the changes that had taken place in the overall management of the hospice during the first 10 years. The four original trustees, Harry Buckland, Ted Ellis, Jim Andrews and Ian Davey, had quickly realised that a wider range of knowledge and community representation would be required if the hospice were to expand and deliver the various services that were envisaged. A management committee was formed with Drs John Clark and Paul Heath, supporting Harry Buckland. Prue Gilbert joined together with Marion Smith and Pat Mason, both senior members of her district nursing team. Two of the original volunteer helpers, Sheila Brydges and Harold Stanhope, accepted invitations to join the committee along with Dorothy Blow, Doreen Hall and Joyce Walker. Peggy Booth became secretary. The illustrated annual report for 1988 also names the committee of ‘The Friends of St Andrew’s Hospice’, chaired by Sheila Brydges, which was to play an important role in the life of the hospice.
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The group worked alongside ‘The Good Companions’, led by Yvonne Wright and Dorothy Blow. Both of these groups included members with strong community ties, which proved invaluable both with fundraising and increasing public awareness. Further changes within the management team followed Sister Looby’s retirement, in March, 1989. Ros Bishop was appointed as General Manager with Alison Gyte becoming Nursing Team Leader, with special responsibility for leading and developing the nursing team in the in-patient unit. Sister Nicholls had indicated her intention to retire in the autumn, and Staff Nurse Mary McLeod was welcomed as the new Day Care Co-ordinator. Doctor Jill Warren succeeded Paul Heath as Medical Director and Ray Hastie became treasurer following the retirement of Jim Andrews. Doreen Hall took over the leadership of ‘The Friends’, which enabled Sheila Brydges to become secretary of the management committee.
