29-09-2021, 07:11 PM
I’m a sucker for second-hand book sales. Charity shops, book fairs, hobby stands, and the usual online suspects, you’ll find me nosing around. I recently picked up the book Last Train to Hilversum by Charlie Connelly for a few quid. Said to be good condition, this hard back version arrived near mint.
I didn’t know what to expect but, of course, the title rang a distinct bell. Most people if asked to name a foreign station shown on a vintage MW radio will remember Hilversum. The book flitted about all over the place from 2MT Writtle and Radio Normandy to the day to day activities at 5-Live. In some instances the author visited historic locations in search of the ghosts of wireless – perhaps the strains of Dame Nellie Melba might be carried on the mist in a lonely field somewhere near Chelmsford.
Not an anorak’s book, it was a light read but full of fascinating nuggets. The UK might have gained its first offshore radio station courtesy of the Daily Mail a full thirty years or more before Radio Caroline dropped anchor.
I recommend Last Train to Hilversum if you should happen upon a copy.
There seem to be a few history books about at the moment. I wonder what others on the forum have found a good radio/electronics read – recent or not so recent?
I didn’t know what to expect but, of course, the title rang a distinct bell. Most people if asked to name a foreign station shown on a vintage MW radio will remember Hilversum. The book flitted about all over the place from 2MT Writtle and Radio Normandy to the day to day activities at 5-Live. In some instances the author visited historic locations in search of the ghosts of wireless – perhaps the strains of Dame Nellie Melba might be carried on the mist in a lonely field somewhere near Chelmsford.
Not an anorak’s book, it was a light read but full of fascinating nuggets. The UK might have gained its first offshore radio station courtesy of the Daily Mail a full thirty years or more before Radio Caroline dropped anchor.
I recommend Last Train to Hilversum if you should happen upon a copy.
There seem to be a few history books about at the moment. I wonder what others on the forum have found a good radio/electronics read – recent or not so recent?
Nick
