BayRadio Events
STRANDED BRITS and a touch of the Dunkirk spirit have seen thousands beat the travel chaos caused by airlines being grounded as the skies were closed over northern Europe.
BayRadio - in conjunction with The Sun newspaper and award winning Jon Gaunt's popular SunTalk show - organised three coaches to drive 150 people back to Blighty on Wednesday 21st April with a second convoy of three coaches repeating the trip on Thursday 22nd April.
BayRadio director Andy Stammers said the 'phones went into "meltdown" when the first 150 seats were taken within 40 minutes - the second offer of a free trip also being snapped up.
Andy told RTN: "We could have filled the coaches 10 times over. The telephones went into meltdown on Tuesday when the free offer was first announced and we were still getting calls at midnight.
"It illustrates just how many people are actually stranded here - and how many listeners BayRadio has.
"There were calls from as far away as Almeria and Malaga. There were all sorts of stories. People were desperate to get back because a relative had died, children were due to sit exams, and people running out of medication".
Writer: Jack Troughton of Round Town News
The Thank You's
"What a relief to be back in UK - never thought I would say that! You saved us a 10 day delay in Spain which, as much as we would have enjoyed it, we would have experienced great problems, not least being over a week late for work for my companion! Thanks to Wiseman's Dairy for free milk and biscuits while we were in Benidorm and a BIG THANK YOU to BayRadio and The Sun without whom, our safe return would not have been possible." - Rosemary Dawe
"We would just like to say a very big thank you to BayRadio and The Sun newspaper for getting us home with the use of Clarkes coaches of London, because without you we would still be waiting to get home. Once again... THANK YOU!" - Bob and Deana Coulson
"It is such a relief to be home and I just wanted to say thanks for all your efforts. It was a fun journey with great camaraderie." - Norma Bilsborough
"Thank you so much BayRadio for helping me to get back home to London. I am so grateful for you going to all the effort to organise the coaches with The Sun to help get people home. THANK YOU SO MUCH!" - Sarah Sutherland
"I should just like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in getting the stranded airline passengers back to the UK. My step-daughter has just let me know that she is safely back in London and can resume her post teaching primary school children first thing in the morning. Many, many thanks to all." - Gill Kaye
"A big thank you to BayRadio in conjunction with The Sun for getting my sister and the kids back to the UK yesterday FREE OF CHARGE! Thank you very much" - Kim Sparrow
"Thank you BayRadio and the Sun Newspaper for the information regarding the Sun Bus to Central London leaving Benidorm. My daughter is a newly qualified teacher, without the facility of a bottomless credit card. It was like winning the lottery yesterday when she heard the news on your radio station and managed to book a place for her return. I just wanted to let you know how appreciative she is to you and The Sun." - Georgina Harvey
"Thank you BayRadio for getting Jamie and Seb safely back to England. Best radio station on the Costas." - Silvia Barnish
The Sun Bus on the Costa Blanca
The Costa Blanca had never seen or heard anything like it when The Sun Bus drove down its beautiful coast promoting The Sun newspaper's online radio program SunTalk - "The home of free speech", which is broadcast live every weekday on BayRadio 11am-2pm.
With John Gaunt hosting the events and live outside broadcasts next to our sandy beaches (and beautiful page 3 girls by his side!) it was a promotional party the coast won't ever forget…
BayRadio listeners turned up in their hundreds at the Arenal beach on Monday 27th July to join in the fun and see the Sun Bus, a bevvy of Page 3 beauties, BayMan (BayRadio's very own superhero) and of course Gaunty, all topped off with a troupe of live acrobats. By the end of the day the Arenal beach was a sea of red T-shirts, hats, beach balls and bags and very happy listeners…
And then it was back on the bus and down to Benidorm, where the party continued at Caiman Baby Beach Bar. The Sun Bus brought the Levante beach to a standstill with free gifts galore being handed out by Amy and Sam, our gorgeous Page 3 girls!
But the party didn't stop there! It was then time to shock the Costa del Sol… Our first beautiful location was Desert Springs in Costa Almeria, then the Rincon Andaluz Hotel and Beach Club in Marbella, and finally the famous Buddha Beach in Puerto Banus.
Don't worry if you missed the tour this time - Gaunty and the Girls had such a great time that they'll be back over here in the sun and in The Sun at the end of the summer!
Opening of La Siesta Bar, Arenal
You can't beat a good party, and what a great evening Bay Radio had at the official opening of La Siesta Bar on the Arenal, Javea.
After a few complimentary drinks and canapés in chic surroundings, the Bay Radio team really got into the party spirit.
Bay Radio's Max Turns 21
Fancy dress was the order of the day/night/morning for Max's 21st Birthday bash on Saturday 4 July.
The karaoke went on until very late, as did the drinking, and the pool party finally finished at 9:30. Sunday morning.
Outside it's raining, but inside it's wet!
Bay Radio took on water during torrential downpours on 9 July 2009.
A huge puddle that had formed on the roof very quickly poured itself into the upstairs offices.
Much dashing about with buckets and mops was needed as the team wondered how long it would be before they were electrocuted!
Fortunately, water was kept away from the studio and the station remained on-air throughout.
Ray Clements Pro Am Golf Day - October 2008
Bayradio were pleased to participate in the annual Ray Clements Pro Am Golf Day. Among the celebrities present were Bruce Grobbelaar and many others.
The evening function was hosted by Norman Pace of Hale and Pace fame… The day was a great success with some of the proceeds of the charity auction going to the Bay Radio Appeal.
Fiat 500 1st Anniversary - July 2008
BayRadio bought the first Fiat 500 in Spain, and when the iconic little car celebrated its first Anniversary on July 10th this year, BayRadio was invited to attend an amazing concert and picnic in Valencia.
Ten Fiat 500s from the Costa Blanca area met in style at Motor Karma in Denia. In a maneuver worthy of an advanced motoring driver BayRadio’s Twig led a convoy along the AP7 motorway with the grace and determination of an Olympic synchronized swimming team…
Unfortunately, with the European Grand Prix In Valencia just months away, this was more like a 400 yard dash, and once in Valencia the speed bumps made it more like a hurdle race than a Sunday afternoon Picnic. In any case, because everyone was driving, the picnic lacked the traditional English ingredient “lashings of ginger ale”.
Given the nature of the event we expected the music to be provided by the cars or the hooters or perhaps a rendition of the Beatle’s Drive My Car . However, this was an event to celebrate the Fiat 500, hence there wasn’t a Beetle in sight!!
Ratpack at Benidorm Palace - April 2008
Our arrival en force in Benidorm at a bar on the sea front was great fun (though we felt kinda sorry for the poor bar staff as there were rather a lot of us)… then the show - well… it was a show and a half!!
The Benidorm Palace certainly know how to put on a magnificent show and the performances were almost eerie! You could almost imagine you had literally travelled back in time. Smashing evening and even our coach driver was lovely!
BayRadio Boat Day - August 2007
What a day out!!!! The boat is as awesome as it seems in the picture… ’though I also have to add that the picture doesn’t show you how fast that boat went at full throttle… we were only surprised they didn’t need clearance from the tower to take off!
A wonderful and exciting day was had by all… including donated try-dives courtesy of a local diving school.
BayRadio Golf Day - June 2007
Twenty eight teams enjoyed a fantastic day of competitive golf at The Marriot, with all the usual on course competitions including longest drive and nearest the pin.
After the heat of the golf course all players headed off to the An Shebeen Irish Tavern in Jávea for a night of entertainment including a mobile casino, complete with roulette tables, poker and black jack.
A great day all round!
Go West Night - April 2007
You have to admit BayRadio sure knows how to party! 80s’ pop sensations Go West were amazing…
I have to admit that there seemed to be a slightly greater number of women in the audience than men (as in spot the bloke really!)… now I wonder why!!
Bay Boxing Night - March 2007
An amazing night once again! There were eight bouts and all sorts of other entertainments to enjoy for all those who came… including a first class 3-course meal, a cabaret, showgirls and a casino!
All proceeds went to SOS Malawi, the worlds largest orphans charity, and with your help we managed to raise an amazing 15,000€ in just one night!
1st Anniversary - September 2006
Our first birthday and a phenomenal amount of folk turned up to wish us all the best… over 750 of them in fact!
Think it may have taken several days to get over the hangovers but hey… it’s got to be done sometimes huh!