Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:56 am Post subject: BFBS Radio
Was reading my latest copy of the Royal British Legion mag and was very interested on BFBS radio. Found out that it is broadcast on DAB digital radio and can be picked up over the internet. Makes a change from the norm. I wonder if they still do "wireless for the blind" at christmas. Happy days.
Hi Bill. BFBS was the mainstay of entertainment for forces in Germany up until the mid ‘70’s when UK television spread its’ tentacles over the water. Rather like Rep in the theatre world, and regional papers in publishing, many aspiring youngsters cut their teeth working for BFBS before moving on to bigger and better things in a national forum. It also served as a last resting place for people who had not quite made it, or were perhaps past their best. An example of the earlier type is John Tuzo who has quite a reputation as a frontline reporter now, and then we come to Uncle Mac who was most definitely one of the latter. He had a cheesy program on Saturday mornings for youngsters, he was a confirmed bachelor and older even than Paul. I’m a bit surprised to learn that BFBS is still going, but I expect it is just as welcome now as it always was the in various far flung corners of the world. All the best. Dave _________________ Dave Thomas 2 Sqn 13 SR, '63-'66
When I was 5 my cousin helped me write to Uncle Mac and ask for 'Never dance a tango with an eskimo' not really appropriate for children's hour and I don't think my dad actually posted the letter, but I never forgot the song and even 55 years later now can still sing it. Wait until I have had a few vodka and cokes at the reunion next year!
David Thomas wrote:
Uncle Mac who was most definitely one of the latter. He had a cheesy program on Saturday mornings for youngsters, he was a confirmed bachelor and older even than Paul. I’m a bit surprised to learn that BFBS is still going, but I expect it is just as welcome now as it always was the in various far flung corners of the world. All the best. Dave
_________________ Clive (aka Gypo) Langeleben 1967-1971
Marlene (the last NAAFI girl to serve in Langeleben) 1969-1970
then we come to Uncle Mac who was most definitely one of the latter. He had a cheesy program on Saturday mornings for youngsters, he was a confirmed bachelor and older even than Paul.
I think you're confusing Uncle Mac (Derek McCulloch) from the BBC, who as far as I know had nothing to do with BFBS, and that old poof Uncle Bill (of "Bigwood" stories infamy), who did the brats' stuff on BFBS. Not at all in the same class.
I seem to remember that our sonagraph library in the set room included one of Uncle Bill saying "a fine mess and no mistake, Badger" (and, for the record, one of Arthur Verity breaking wind). Who said we were bored on the mid?
I was always very worried about Willy Wombat, he kept falling off the truck, cart or whatever after they went over the rickety bridge. To make matters worse he did it every flippin night at the same time. Strangely though not at weekends.
I was lost from the first on this subject and then it dawned on me. It used to be the British Forces Network. The Russkies were said to have created - and it was certainly replicated by the I Corps as an exercise - the complete British Army Order of Battle from the dedications to someone in such and such serving in BFPO...
Then there were the Two Way Family Favourites with that rather cloying romance that went on between the two presenters.
JR is right Uncle Mac would never have left his lofty perch at Children's Hour for anything like BFN. He was always held up to me as a sort of hero since, like me, he had Polio. He was seriously paralysed and spent his braodcasting life in a wheelchair. And so, as he would say, I wish you a "Goodnight Children everywhere".
Oh, before I forget, he also played Larry the Lamb in the Toytown Adventures on BBc right up until 1959.
The sad thing about this is that it proves Dave to be right about my ancientness. He had to be right about something eventually, I suppose.
Thanks for all responses but I can definately remember Willy Wombat falling off/out of whatever when they went over a bridge. Jim Burke and I (possibly one or two others) used to listen. But from the NAAFI bar it could be debatable who was the presenter. I have already sent off an E@MAIL to BFBS, bet I do not get a reply, probably wondering who is this old f**t.
Hey Bill, that’s a bit underhand, fancy asking BFBS, that’s almost as bad as reading the instructions before playing with a new piece of equipment! Besides JR and I could have argued the toss of Mac v’s Bill for a few more posts. Mean while back at the ranch, what happened to August? Or 2009 for that matter. It seems like only last week we were having our New Years toast, now we are preparing to put the fairy lights up, cant we put the brakes on for a bit? All the best. Dave _________________ Dave Thomas 2 Sqn 13 SR, '63-'66
Well remember singing along about "poor willie wombat" one sunday in february 1967. That was the day I was moving the family from Scharfoldendorf to our new quarter in Wolfenbuttel across the road from where JR lives now. Must add, I did have on board, Rosemarie 2 yrs old and Kathryn 2 "weeks" old.
My recollection of British Forces Network was when a group of guys got a record played for me. It was 'Don't Roll Those Bloodshot Eyes at Me' Cannot for the life of me remember the singer, does anyone out there?
Keith _________________ Keith Kerby (1955/6)
Hi Keith, having hit the Google search button we are told that it was a coloured singer called Wynonie Harris and not Phil Harris as I first thought. _________________ Langeleben Dec 1957- March 1959.
The day after a long and most enjoyable evening/night out in one of the local hostelries, when I was feeling very much the worse for wear, Bill Fry and Jim Burke requested a song for me, and unlike Keith, I not only remember the song and the singer but also the where. It was Whiter shade of pale by Procol Harum played during the morning break when everyone and his uncle were in the NAAFI. This was of course accompanied by the mandatory laughter and Mickey taking and being the sort of retiring person I am this caused me a great deal of embarrassment . Just one more of the fond memories of my time in Langeleben.
Ken. _________________ Ken Murray
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