As a lifelong radio enthusiast who has weathered countless storms (both literal and metaphorical) while tuning into my trusty old radio, I can confidently say that the Shipping Forecast is an iconic piece of British broadcasting history. It’s as much a part of our national identity as fish and chips, or queueing politely in the rain.

Radio 4 is celebrating the hundredth anniversary of the Shipping Forecast by airing shows on New Year’s Day. The day will start with “The Shipping Forecast: A Guide for Beginners with Paddy O’Connell” at 9am, and continue with a special edition of “Poetry Please with Roger McGough” at 3.30pm.

Let’s discuss a rephrased version for the given text:

Two years after that, Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy established the Storm Warning Service – a system of cones and triangles affixed to coastal poles. This basic code provided mariners with information about weather conditions in advance. Once radio was invented, regular weather forecasts for those sailing on the open sea began to be broadcast over the airwaves. The BBC first transmitted such a forecast in October 1925. Apart from wartime interruptions, it has been consistently broadcast ever since, now available on Radio 4’s station.

Luke Doran managed to obtain an early version of the Shipping Forecast, which was broadcasted prior to the controversial BBC TV weather update given by Michael Fish. In this broadcast, Fish informed viewers that no hurricane was approaching, but he later clarified that he was discussing a different storm system. On the other hand, listeners of the Shipping Forecast were already alerted about the impending “cyclonic conditions” and “severe gales” which would eventually become known as the Great Storm of 1987.

The Ships. They’re one of radio’s three national treasures, along with the pips and the bongs. They’re the Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo of Radio 4. Here’s to another 100 years. May the Force (9) be with you.

A Poem to Celebrate 100 Years

Roger McGough shares an exclusive first look at his new poem, The Shipping Forecast

The Shipping Forecast by Robert McGough

Here is the Shipping Forecast for today, tomorrow and the foreseeable.

These places are Dover, Portland, and Plymouth. Expect a high volume of shipping activity, ranging from freight ships to passenger ferries, occasionally interspersed with luxury cruise liners. Got it.

Thames estuary, later in the day, a fleet of oil tankers is expected. Bad.

After midnight, overcrowded, inflatable dinghies may be sighted crossing the Channel. Sad.

In and around the Isle of Wight, yachts and sailing boats moving steadily. Fair, mainly good.

Rockall, Bailey, Malin, North Utsire. No idea.

Ferries across the River Mersey will be frequent, and subject to gale-force music.

Further east, trawlers and tug boats on rivers Humber and Tyne. Fair to moderate

You’ll often find leisure boats and barges navigating inland water bodies, while it’s common to see groups of punts on the River Cam as well.

FitzRoy, Dogger, German Bight, South Utsire. No idea.

And that is the end of the Shipping Forecast. Odd. Mainly silly.

2024-12-18 20:35

All at sea

A Poem to Celebrate 100 Years

Roger McGough shares an exclusive first look at his new poem, The Shipping Forecast

The Shipping Forecast by Robert McGough

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