Radio 1 launch today in 1967!

September 30th 1967, Tony Blackburn presents the first ever show on Radio 1!

The 'Summer of Love' lasted all the way through the six weeks holiday when I was 13 years old. I can still remember the words of classic flower power records and Monkees singles! Going back to school still left me on a high listening to music at night on Radio Luxemburg and weekends on the Light Programme. Radio 1 was the BBC's answer to the Pirate Stations (which had been closed down by the BBC), Radio Caroline was my favourite!
Today 40 years ago Radio 1 was launched at 7.00am by Tony Blackburn, it was a Saturday so I missed the first half hour but woke up in time to listen to the rest of the programme on our transistor radio! From then on I would get up at 7.00am before school go downstairs, light the gas fire and switch on the GEC Transistor Radio (with it's PP9 battery) and listen to Tony Blackburn while reading my comics until ten to eight when I set off for school.
It was brilliant...pop music every morning with all my favourite songs before school!
The first record played by Tony Blackburn was 'Flowers in the Rain' by The Move.
Memories of Radio 1
Morning fry-ups (egg dips!)
The 7.30 news and a great record to follow
Reading Dandy and Beano comics while listening to Radio 1
Sitting next to the gas fire on a cold morning listening to Tony Blackburn (we didn't have central heating then!)
Waiting for White Plains 'My Baby Loves Loving' so that I could listen in my shack LOUD!
The GEC Transistor Radio sitting on top the 'stove' in the corner.

New Home!

Well, here it is...my digital classroom!
In the cabinet are 15 laptops and the whiteboard is a latest SMARTBOARD along with an Hitachi Digital Projector, Hi-Fi Denon Amp and JBL Speakers.
I must admit that tonight I feel pretty worn out after teaching my class, chasing technicians around the school and trying desperately to get Interactive Whiteboards to perform. The trouble with computers and digital technology is that nothing is ever simple! Setting up wireless networks, computer domains, virus protection, network users and policies...the list goes on! They say that patience is a virtue....you need it! Our technicians come for half a day a week...the rest I try sort out myself.
I enjoy it though, tonight I spent the best part of an hour after work sorting out and throwing out leads and digital projectors!

Digital Mischief!

Melissa loves my new school, lots of buttons to press and knobs to turn. On Wednesday she decided to test the fire alarm by pressing the button in my classroom causing havoc around the school! Builders and Electricians running around trying to find out what has happened and Staff leaving the building thinking that there really was a fire!
Well...who can blame her....she's a digital kid and three years old! The alarm box is actually eye level...for children! (You can see it in the picture below just to the left of the door) I wonder how many more Digital Kids will be tempted to press it!
It was all quite funny in the end!

Beginning of a new era?

Here is my new classroom at the new school.

Today the 'keys' were handed over in a photoshoot with the Bolton News. I have spent most of the week helping with the big move. On Monday the staff return to school followed next week by the children. You can see from my classroom millions of boxes, now multiply that by 100 and that will give some idea of the task ahead next week unpacking!

This is a 21st Century 'Digital School'

Camera Imaging for security, Digital TV and Audio points in each room, Interactive Whiteboards, piped audio and alarm systems and even eco friendly lighting that senses when you are not there to turn off the lights! Trouble is...they have these in the toilets as well, and they have no windows, so you have to keep moving or the lights go off!!

Fantastic!!

End of an Era!

This is my classroom, empty and totally ripped apart. A lot of memories and a lot of kids!
You can see my interactive whiteboard and blackboard, my chair in the corner where I sat and talked to the children on the carpet.
Above the Whiteboard is the Video Conferencing Equipment ready for moving down to the new site. A super piece of digital technology!

Writing on the board!

Today I went into school to begin the big move down to our new school site. My classroom was completely empty with everything ripped off the walls and rubbish on the floor. My Interactive Whiteboard was still up and next to it part of my blackboard which was revealled when the 'Whiteboard' that replaced it was removed. This is what I wrote on the blackboard for the very last time with CHALK before the new whiteboard was fitted.
Look at the dates...we have been waiting since 2001 for the closure of the school and now at last, it is actually happening!
I was only 4 years out!
Here is an example of Chalk and Digital Technology (Interactive Whiteboard) working side by side.
The new school looks fantastic, wiring is fully integrated including digital TV, Microwave Broadband link and a 'Server Room' to house the servers and other digital equipment.
A 21st Century School! WoW!

Did I really look like that?

This photo was taken by Barry G3WIS back in 1973 (I think!) Nothing digital can be seen here at all!
In the centre is my faithful Halicrafters SX24 receiver with one of my first attempts at a 2m convertor, my multimeter to the left and external (large) S Meter attached to the receiver. Next to the SX24 on the right is the re-built Topband Transmitter with a vernier dial. To the left of the SX24 is a Crystal Controlled Calibrator and an old Cossor Oscilloscope bought from a 'junk sale'. On top of the shelf is my first 2m transmitter with a QQV03-10 valve which I later re-built.
The Tilley Lamp was in the corner, but you can't see it!