Dec 31, 2010
If the names Laslo Pinta and Charlie Coutts mean anything to you then this edition of Media Network recorded in Budapest, Hungary in 1991 will bring back memories. Budapest no longer has an external radio service like the one described in this programme. I am so glad that once Eastern European became more accessible at the start of the 1990's, I jumped in the car and drove to the places that had only been accessible until then via a shortwave radio. My only regret is not visiting Albania. The voices in this programme tell some fascinating stories. Dennis Herner was the editor of the Radio Budapest SW Club and probably provided listeners in Eastern Europe with the only paper bulletin they were allowed to receive. Dennis also confirmed that one of the resistance radios in the black propaganda schemes run out of Woburn Abbey actually got through to the target area. It being wartime, there doesn't seem to be much evidence of listeners' letters ! the existence of wartime clandestine radio stations. The other voice in the programme, that of Charlie Coutts, was occasionally heard on BBC Local Radio giving football commentaries when a UK team played the Hungarians. I am glad I captured the stories he tells here about life running the English language department of Radio Budapest.
i knew and loved charlie coutts
he is related to me
Charlie Coutts was a relation to me I think he would have been my great uncle. My grandad was Ronnie Taylor from Aberdeen, it would be really nice to get in contact with any of his family.
The lady you mention from Radio Tirana was June Taylor, originally from New Zealand.
I Visited the studios of radio Budapest in the summer of 1962 and was surprised to see some of the studio equipment was made by Telefunken.I would have expected something manufactured to the East.Had the pleasure of being entertained by Dennis Herner and Rose Pataki.Dennis took me back to his flat to meet his family.Sadly,I did not keep in keep in contact after a couple of years and was sad to hear of his death.
Jonathan
Please keep posting the ones about East Europe. They are really appreciated by those of us whose old cassette tapes have now turned to dust. It was great to hear the late Charlie Coutts again. He with Alan Ben Ami, the Geordie on Kol Israel, probably had the most easily recognizable voices that you would hear on SW in the '70's. Did anyone ever find out who the lady was on Radio Tirana who used to end their transmissions with the phrase "Goodbye dear listeners"?
regards
Jim