Past and present members of the Saltash and District Amateur Radio Club held a dinner at the Rodney Inn, Saltash, to celebrate the group's 40th anniversary. The Radio Club was formed by the late Bob Ellis at his home in Hillside Road, Saltash. Two of the original members of the club, Colin Squires and John Tozer, also attended the dinner celebrations. Club Chairman, John Painter welcomed members and guests including the mayor of Saltash, Sue Hooper. Brian Giles, Club Secretary, gave a brief resume of the Club's history and said their first meeting was on November 6 1964 when 20 members attended at the Toc H Hall, Saltash, where they have been meeting ever since. Founder member Colin Squires had a photo display of the Club's events over the 40 years. Mr Giles said that during it's history, the Club has enjoyed many rallies and special events. The mayor, Mrs Hooper, gave the vote of thanks to the Club and said she remembered one special radio station set up by the Club near Saltash Community School at Wearde to celebrate the 100 anniversary of Captain Henry Jackson of the Royal Navy - the first person to transmit radio messages between ships afloat. He lived at Boisdale House, North Road, Saltash, and during his time serving on HMS Defiance, moored in the Hamoaze. The mayor, who was also mayor in 1996, recalled their special radio station in the grounds of the school overlooking the site where HMS Defiance used to be moored. Mr Giles said that the club still meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at the Toc H Hall but the club has an even wider scope these days with amateur radio activities in the computer, digital and internet era. The Saltash Radio Club set up radio stations for the scout and guide movement for special occasions including 'Jamboree of the Air' and 'Thinking Day' when guides spoke to fellow guides in other countries. The club stood for a minute's silence for those members of the 'Silent Keys' (those who have died) . The mayor presented the annual award for the construction competition, won jointly by Brian Giles and Peter Cole.
