There is a new voice on Thameside Radio: While Bob Edwards is away Paul James (ex Radio Floss) presents the first hour. Dave still has the second hour. Paul (see photo) became a regular Thameside presenter.

I seem to be missing a small bit from the middle of this broadcast - do you have a full recording?

Following a mammoth New Year's eve broadcast Thameside Radio has decided to go down to  two hour shows. Bob is going away to somewhere he describes as "a bit like Colditz" (true - see photo) for a couple of months. This week the first half hour has Dave running the show playing Bob's favourite songs - with chat from Bob. Something like Desert Island Disks. 

Sarah then has a 30 minute show for dedications etc. 

The second hour is a full Intrepid Birdman Show. Dave has even reintroduced the Superquiz. Next week there is an interview with Rat Scabies from The Damned.

This is a replacement for the pervious podcast which was linked to the wrong file.

Following a mammoth New Year's eve broadcast Thameside Radio has decided to go down to  two hour shows. Bob is going away to somewhere he describes as "a bit like Colditz" (true - see photo) for a couple of months. This week the first half hour has Dave running the show playing Bob's favourite songs - with chat from Bob. Something like Desert Island Disks. 

Sarah then has a 30 minute show for dedications etc. 

The second hour is a full Intrepid Birdman Show. Dave has even reintroduced the Superquiz. Next week there is an interview with Rat Scabies from The Damned.

If you've been to "Colditz" near Evesham too do say hello!

The show after the 4th Birthday boat trip - which was the first ever pirate radio broadcast from the inshore waters on the Thames.

The Thameside Radio 90.2 Christmas party is next Sunday 27 December 1981 at the Shepherds Bush Community Hall. Were you there? There will also be an extended Thameside broadcast on New Year's Eve (which only just kept me awake as far as I can remember).

Bob Edwards plays records from the year for listeners to vote on for a chart on New Year's Eve. Many of them have  definitely stood the test of time.

Sarah has a spot at 8pm. She reads a couple of the 10 letters that Mazzy wrote this week.

Dave Birdman tells us about the trip. It really was quite unreal being on a pirate ship in the snow on the Thames playing music - he had a driving test which was cancelled due to snow. Dave plays Christmas in Dredland by Judge Dredd and wishes he hadn't. Loads of new sketches too.

There are some snippets from the boat trip - including Mothball being given the bumps for his birthday.

There are a number of transmitter changes. It takes up to an hour to track down a pirate transmitter so the regular changes kept the Home Office at bay. It does require a lot of technology and staff to do it though - especially without the benefit of mobile phones. Each site is temporary so the  aerials have to be put up, the equipment connected, the show broadcast  then it's  disconnected, dismantled and moved on. Sundays were very busy for the Thameside crew. Busy for listeners too as they had to move their aerials around. 

  I have assorted recordings of most of Thameside Radio's 4th birthday almost ready to podcast  but it's a bit of a jigsaw with some better than others. The end of the birthday show is sadly missing. Do you have the end of the broadcast somewhere?

Thameside Radio 90.2 listeners mentioned include Keith Murray from Pinner, Nower Hill High School, Andrew Simpson, John Graves, Clive Barwood, Jerry Sinclair, John Brennan, Doug McLane, Dave Booth, David Swift of West Ealing, Adam Raven.

Another show from a listener's house. This week Adrian Leaper from Harrow has invited the Thameside Radio 90.2 crew round . The studio is set up in his bedroom. Adrian tells us he saw a UFO hovering over the hill the day before.

Bob Edwards is reading a book that says stupid people are clever people and clever people are stupid. Hmmm. He also reads out listeners letters about the secret of life.

Mrs Leaper has made food and we get a guided tour of the meal and the house. Adrian has dozens of champion gerbils in his shed. Dave interviews Bill the Budgie. (That radio mic really came in useful.)

Listener Andrew Simpson reviews a a concert by by Rockpile (Featuring Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe) at Brunel University. Soundwaves magazine has a feature about Thameside Radio.

Thameside Radio 90.2 listeners mentioned this week include: Philip Chapel from Windsor. John Chapel.  John Brennan of Thornton Heath. Students at Kingston Polytechnic. Chris Parry of Ilford. Barbara and Trever Adams from Biggin Hill.  Joannie Conway aged 6 3/4  from Hampton Wick Infant School. Ron Stephenson.  Kevin Ball from Bromley.  Malcolm Fryer of Hendon. Frinton McCarthy of SE5. Mike Boardman of Harrow. John Lyon School. Dave Kenny for the  BDXC. Nick Doherty from North London Poly. Rapic Sandec. Andy Richards.

This is only the first half of the broadcast. If you have the other half or any other recordings please please do get in touch - you can use the comment field or email me at fmthen.com Al