Radio Caroline chairman Peter Moore responded to questions from listeners. He confirmed the launch of a new satellite feed for Europe at the 28° east position commencing Jan 1st and announced the immediate launch of an interim feed on Eutelsat 13° east. Peter also thanked Eric Wiltshire, who was present, for showing that satellite radio was the future for Radio Caroline over 10 years ago. He also thanked Ryan Woodman, Nigel Harris and John Patrick for all of their hard work in the recent upheavals.

The thinner record spinner Roger 'Twiggy' Day was bright eyed and bushy tailed as he told us about his new project to apply for a new radio station license for Maidstone, Kent. He also told us about his days with Radio Northsea International in 1970 and the highlight of his career, working for Radio Caroline in 1967-68. Twiggy told us that the period from Caroline being outlawed on August 15th 1967 until it was towed away in March 1968 was 'a magic time.' Roger says, 'The period between us being outlawed and BBC Radio 1 being launched on Sept. 30th 1967 was incredible, we had such a massive audience. Then on the morning that Radio 1 started Radio Caroline was off the air due to generator trouble!' We also heard about Roger's love of the Beach Boys and his hosting of tours by the Beach Boys and The Small Faces.

Bob 'Buzby' Lawrence MCed the days proceedings which also included a slide-show of recently uncovered pics of the Radio Caroline ship 'Mi Amigo'. Bob, Roger Day and Tony Allan discussed the state of British radio and formats. It was widely agreed that the radio industry was suffering from a loss of imagination and is incredibly dull due to the lack of risk taking. Safe, bland and boring was the conclusion. Roger Day said he felt sorry for new bands playing real music who had no-where to go to get exposure on the radio. He also said that he would do a show in the near future for Radio Caroline and try and bring his buddy Johnnie Walker along!

Radio Caroline's very own Christmas pixie Tony Allan was in top form despite feeling under the weather the previous week. He told us how back in 1966 Caroline founder Ronan O'Rahilly had turned him down for a job on Radio Caroline on the grounds that he was too young! He went off and joined Radio Scotland instead before eventually joining Radio Caroline in 1973 and becoming one of the voices of Caroline throughout the 70s. Tony promoted the release of a new 2 CD set profiling his life and career. It is produced by Bob Lawrence and available for £20 + £1 p&p from The Radio Production Company.

The Radio Caroline Christmas event took place at Southend's premier live music venue 'Riga Music Bar' run by promoter and Radio Caroline DJ Riga Steve. In addition to many rock cover bands such as Who's Who and Pink Fraud, the venue is also hosting gigs by rock legends such as Albert Lee, Gary Brooker & Andy Fairweather Lowe, The Kursaal Flyers, Eddie & The Hot Rods and John Otway.

Live music was supplied by local group 'The Roy Mette Band'. Two superb live sets, the first of which featured excellent covers of Rory Gallagher numbers, and the second set highlighted their own great songs.

130 Radio Caroline fans, many of them travelling long distance on a grey and wet December Sunday, attended the Radio Caroline Christmas party.

It was great to meet many familiar names and many new ones. In addition to the days proceedings on stage, their was lively conversation, a shop selling Caroline merchandise including several WorldSpace receivers and a bar. A pint of bitter is obviously our listeners favourite tipple as the draught version run out fairly early in the days proceedings.

Radio Caroline South was represented at the party by Mark Dezzani. "I would like to thank Tony Allan (pictured left), Peter Moore and all of the Radio Caroline staff and management and the fans for making me feel so welcome and a part of the Caroline family," says Mark.

Dezzani also took to the stage to talk about Radio Caroline South. Recalling the first time that Radio Caroline took to the FM dial in the South of France on The Breeze 88.4 FM in May 2001, he exclaimed, "Driving around and hearing Buzby come out of the car radio was 'kin brilliant!"

Check out www.radiocaroline.de for more pics and reports on the Caroline Christmas Party