Alison returns for pirate radio special

A RADIO presenter who is fighting a brave battle against a brain tumour is one of a host of popular DJs set to join a special event to remember the days of pirate radio.

Alison Hartley said she was delighted to be joining BBC Pirate Essex, a tribute to the broadcasting pioneers of the 1960s.

The popular drivetime presenter left BBC Essex in 2004 when she took early retirement after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Since, she has undergone operations to fight the tumour and has kept her supporters up to date with an online diary. She has recently been told there has been no change in her tumour for a year.

She is now set to join the likes of Johnnie Walker, Emperor Rosko, Dave Cash, Keith Skues, Norman St John, John Kerr and newsreader Gord Cruse in broadcasting from the North Sea for the special pirate radio memorial.

Following a successful run in 2004, the return of BBC Pirate Essex will mark the 40th anniversary of the Marine Offences Act, which outlawed the popular offshore stations.

Ms Hartley said: “This is a dream come true for me. I was born the year that Radio Caroline went on air and the pirate jocks and the tunes they played inspired me to do radio for a living. I am really looking forward to hearing and playing some of those songs again.”

The station will be based aboard the light vessel LV18, owned by the Pharos Trust and moored off Harwich. It was the last manned Trinity House light vessel.

Tony O'Neil, project director and trustee said: “This is an ideal opportunity to raise the profile of our worthwhile local project to save the vessel for its home port of Harwich.

“Since Pirate BBC Essex 2004, volunteers have been busy restoring the exterior of the vessel as part of the final phase of restoration.”

Pirate BBC Essex goes on air at 6am on Thursday August 9 and - in a parallel with what happened in 1967 - is scheduled to go off air at 3pm on Tuesday August 14.