BFN (BFBS)

I remember BFN British Forces Network when I was an army brat in Osnabruck (61-70). Someone called Uncle Dougie George used to present a kiddies programme I used to listen to every weekday. I also remember Michael Aspel was one of the early presenters. Who can forget the Sat morning requests show for teenagers think it was Teen Time). Us unfortunates that were packed off to Boarding School used to rule the programme - think it was on from 9-10pm. Requests for British Forces on Sun afternoons with Cliff Michelmore. Also the 1800 show every evening. We had no BFBS TV neither when I was there in early 60s.

Jean, I remember it well, I was in Osnabrueck for some time in the '60's.

We lived in Kleine Moscau

Hi,
I also have memories of th BFN and Family Favourites especially Sunday lunchtime when most of our unit would gather around the radio.

I guess BFN was started im 1945; I beleive the station was in Hamburg at the NAAFI Club?

Regards
Tony

Yes Tony, it was in Hamburg, but I can't vouch for the exact location

Tale a look at this page:-

http://baor-locations.com/Radio.aspx

Paul.

jim wrote:

Jean, I remember it well, I was in Osnabrueck for some time in the '60's.

We lived in Kleine Moscau

Where about in Kleine Moscow Jim? my folks lived there when dad was with 1st RTR, remember the Eaglebrink pub?

jean cavanagh wrote:

I remember BFN British Forces Network when I was an army brat in Osnabruck (61-70). Someone called Uncle Dougie George used to present a kiddies programme I used to listen to every weekday. I also remember Michael Aspel was one of the early presenters. Who can forget the Sat morning requests show for teenagers think it was Teen Time). Us unfortunates that were packed off to Boarding School used to rule the programme - think it was on from 9-10pm. Requests for British Forces on Sun afternoons with Cliff Michelmore. Also the 1800 show every evening. We had no BFBS TV neither when I was there in early 60s.

Are you sure it wasn't '"Uncle Bill" Jean? he used to tell stories that always included sticky buns!

Oh Ian, that was a long time ago, 29 Danziger Str seems to ring a bell?

I don't remember any pubs though. I do remeber a sweet shop just near the junction with the tank road though

jim wrote:

Oh Ian, that was a long time ago, 29 Danziger Str seems to ring a bell?

I don't remember any pubs though. I do remeber a sweet shop just near the junction with the tank road though

Ah, the 'posh' end of the estate! mum and dad lived in the flats down at the front end.

LOL Ian,

Maybe it's because my Dad was a SSGT then.

We used to have gardens that stretched all the way down to the tank road, then whilst we were there they built a new load of houses beteen it and us.

Hi Jean.. the BFN in Hamburg was in the 'Musikhalle'. It is still there today but BFN moved to Cologne in 1953. In 1948 as an 'Army Brat' I sang on Neville Powleys Music Hour. Alan Gale is the archivist/historian of the SSVC/BFBS and wrote a book called 'This is the British Forces Network', which is full of stories of those years. Hope this is of some help.

jim wrote:

LOL Ian,

Maybe it's because my Dad was a SSGT then.

We used to have gardens that stretched all the way down to the tank road, then whilst we were there they built a new load of houses beteen it and us.

Hello again Jim, just for your interest, I work at BATUS, one of the new guys just posted in told me yesterday that he too lived in Danziger str.... Ian.

I don't know if it's still in use Ian, but I put COFFER into the RAOC Stores section there in Oh about '85 ish

Small world isn't it Ian

hi my father was based in hannover im not sure when he was based there but i was born there 85....

In which year did BFN become BFBS?

I think it was early 1961. A report was made suggesting that the name be changed from BFN to BFBS.

Well it certainly was BFBS when I was serving

It was BFN when I left school at Wilhelmshaven in 1959 and fairly certain it was BFBS when I was first posted back in 1962.

JAL wrote:

It was BFN when I left school at Wilhelmshaven in 1959 and fairly certain it was BFBS when I was first posted back in 1962.

I'm not so sure.when I was in Detmold in 68/69 I seem to remember it still being BFN? Of course I am getting very, very old now

Diong a bit of searching about, it looks as though the changeover could have been around 1960.

An entry on the web for Keith Skues shows him as being with BFN, Cologne 1958 to 1960, and as an announcer for BFBS in 1961.

It was still BFN when "Diddy Dave" Hamilton was there in 1959.

Paul.

remember tea time with uncle bill when i arrived in 73 and gloria hunniford with sean rafferty on sunday nights.

There is some mention of BFN here:-

http://northernstar.no/afrs.htm

It is mostly American stations, but you will find mention of various British Forces ststions if you scroll through it.

Paul.

..

Our band (3DG) id a feew broadcasts on BFN in the late 50s-60s
One memmorable 'gig' was at NWDR studios in Cologne.
It was my 20th. birthday and we did a 'Big Band' programme from the studio used by Kurt Edlehagen one of the best swing bands around at the time. Cliff Michelmore was the producer (incidentally , a fine jazz pianist)we had a great time. Another prog from there we did a combined broadcast with the DCLI band and Frankie Vaughn was guest singer, along with Mona Baptiste.
At Rhiendahlen we accompanied singer Tania Bern (Donald Campbells wife) . The announcer was ...?????? (senior moment there folks.. ) Later was front man for Sports report for BBC ??? You KNow... tall bloke with glasses... used to do commentary for BAOR games . whatsisname..

i am sorry if i sound patronising i dont mean to,i only found this site by accident a short time ago,alot of us users seem to be more mature in age.with this in mind how many of you recall that exelent sunday afternoon program,ULSTER CALLING hosted by gloria hunniford,that is my only claim to fame meeting her in long kesh in 1971 while recording the program,