I was interviewed on BBC Radio years ago about my interest in the TT. What started as a brief contribution turned into a part of my annual visit to the TT
When Manx Radio was down on the prom they were a few doors from the hotel where I was staying so I was able to do a "few minutes" as a TT Fan appraising my side of the fence.
However the best days came when a studio was set up in the Palace Hotel on the sea front.....A fabricated booth firstly in the window area then in the dining room/bar area. George Ferguson was in charge and there were a variety of people who sat in the box interviewing all and sundry.
However, there was one morning when two people who were to be interviewed did not turn up.....
So George drafted me in at the very last moment and I chatted with Charlie Williams to some length about my love of the TT...It must have gone over OK because I was invited back !
Peter Foordeman from Switzerland came up me in the TT Supporters Club hut behind the Grandstand and said that there were many fans from the continent who would appreciate results and info in German..I took Peter to the Studio to see George and Peter stated what he felt was necessary..On the spot George offered Peter the job of being the link man who would report in German with all speeds converted to KPH....This became a big part of the results service.
When Liz Skinner was trying to get entry into the Manx I became part of her campaign. No females were allowed in to the Manx but had raced in the TT since Beryl Swains ride in 1962. We were on Manx Radio quite a few times putting forward the case for Liz.
Finally, following the problem with people not turning up for interviews I volunteered to be up at early morning practice and pick someone who "deserved" to be interviewed....This person would be from the rest of the entry, since interviews majored on the top five or six riders. doing what I did brought in another angle on the TT, the riders on a shoestring, the rider who rode for the love of it.
We found we had some real "stars", riders who enjoyed the fact that they were on radio instead of being the forgotten part of the TT....
Nowadays, now that Manx Radio is in the Big House on Douglas Head I go in to do a live session during the morning show or in the evening. Being one of the elder statesmen I have many a story to tell,many a reminisce to reminisce, many an opinion to opine, and many a personal experience to relate......
I was on a morning show live and I was answering questions from listeners....I got a call from a pal in the Algerian desert and another in Taiwan who were listening to us on their laptops !! Manx Radio serves the world !!
I have also contributed to Biker internet radio in America and recently have reported from the TT to BikerFM and have just been interviewed by Gail Richards about my 65 years at the TT.
People with whom I have chatted !
Tim Glover, Suzy Richardson, sarah Palmer,
Alex Brindley, David Callister,
Terry Cringle,
Bob Harrison,
John Hines,
Chris Kinley,
Judith Ley,
Stu Peters,
Ashlea Tracey,
Chris Williams, Dan Davies and Bernie Quayle...
Charlie Williams at the TT
When Bernie Quayle did the Late Night Show I would be able to hear him each year on the car radio when I reached the outskirts of Liverpool.I would then phone him and he would say on radio that TTFan was on his way !!
