I want to point out that I too was a proud staffer of the Institution known as Radio 610.In your story on page 20 of April 18 a photo of past staffers is there, taken in front of the dilapidated building and it is true that each one of them in the picture had wonderful days and experiences in the field of radio broadcasting and working to make it what it was back then.
I joined the organisation in late 1960s, straight from Trinidad Theatre Workshop, as assistant copy writer to Roger Laing; Leo De Leon was programme director then, and the GM was the indefatigable Peter Pitts.Early in my tenure, I was given an outside broadcast assignment to report on a whale that was sighted in the Gulf of Paria in the vicinity of Cocorite.
Armed with a Uher tape machine, I was driven to the area by Tony Gomes, our chief operator, in the company's OB vehicle. I chose a spot off to the northern side of the Western Main Road, on a promontory, to get a better view of the sea and the creature. From that vantage, I began my broadcast.
After setting the scene, we travelled to the shore line where we met a number of cars parked and people about to board a pirogue. We "booked passage" and were taken to the spot where the whale was. It was a baby whale, belly-up, quite dead, measuring about 40 plus feet, our boat being 38ft.I interviewed some of the passengers aboard the boat and got their opinions, all which filled the broadcast and earned for me a well done from Mr De Leon and other staff.
I also had the privilege of producing my own shows: Spirituals on a Sunday evening, and Folk Sounds aired three times a week, taken from the Prime Minister's Best Village rehearsals and performances in districts and villages throughout the country.I too can testify that I had some of the most rewarding experiences as a member of Radio 610.Thanks, guys, for the privilege.
Michael Coryat
Cascade.