LARRY BENNETT - MARITIME RADIO AND LOCAL HISTORY AUTHOR
EXCITING NEW RELEASE
New Booklet
"GROWING UP IN HILLFIELDS"
NEW 64-PAGE BOOKLET.
Now available and limited to 300 copies, this 64-page booklet recalls the author's formative years in the suburb of Hillfields in north-east Bristol. Using family photographs, he recalls his school years, his friends and neighbours, and the joy of growing up in the area during the 1960s and early 1970s.
School class photographs are also used, as well as memories of the local Cub Scouts, Youth Club, local shops, and a few 'interesting' episodes which have remained long in the memory.
Many historical photographs have been used to supplement the text, along with a selection showing parts of Hillfields as they are today.
Price of the booklet is £5.00 and copies are now available directly from the author. P&P will be £2.00 to the UK. See ORDERING INFORMATION below.
I will be at HILLFIELDS COMMUNITY CENTRE, Thicket Avenue, between 10:30 am and 1:45 pm on TUESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER to sell copies. I will be able to accept cash or card payment.
THE BOOKLET WAS FEATURED IN THE BRISTOL POST ON TUESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER.
ORDERING INFORMATION:
1. PAYPAL. Send payment (friends and family) to info@larrybennett.co.uk and be sure to include your delivery address and if you require the booklet to be signed.
2. BACS TRANSFER. Please email info@larrybennett.co.uk for bank details.
3. CASH/CARD. I will accept cash or card payment when I am in Hillfields on November 11th.
BULK PURCHASES:
P&P of £2.00 applies to one booklet. For 2 booklets, P&P will be £2.50, and for 3 or more booklets, P&P will be £4.00.
Please contact me for overseas rates as these differ greatly dependent on country of destination.
SOME REVIEWS RECEIVED SO FAR:
"A great read, some great memories!"
"I just received mine, it is brilliant!"
"Well put together. I can certainly recommend for anyone who grew up in Hillfields in the 70s as I did."
"Read it cover to cover, great read, loads of memories!"
"Well worth a read, arrived really fast, good quality, many thanks!"
"A very interesting read, with stories and pictures I can relate to."
Portishead Radio - The Complete History
PLANNED FOR PUBLICATION SUMMER 2026
PORTISHEAD RADIO - THE COMPLETE HISTORY.
Planned to be the 'Ultimate' history of the world's largest long-range maritime radio station, this immense work, running to over 1,200 pages, is planned for publication in mid-2026.
Containing newly-found photographs, documents and memories from staff and sea-going Radio Officers, the book also contains full details of the Portishead transmitting site, the wartime activities of the station, the Commonwealth Area Scheme with associated BAMS/GBMS transmissions, as well as many recollections of the numerous yacht races which were handled by the station from the 1960s until closure in 2000.
Many legendary yacht skippers have contributed, including Sir Chay Blyth, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Tracy Edwards MBE and singer-songwriter Mike Batt, who wrote a song about the station whilst on board his yacht 'Braemar'.
The book will be in two (possibly three) parts, with the publication price unknown at this time.
Contributions to the manuscript are welcome - please forward any memories of Portishead Radio to me at the email address below and I will credit all that are used.
More details of the project will be published when known.
On Tour.....
I shall be at the following venues where books/booklets will be available to purchase:
Tuesday 11th November 2025: Hillfields Community Centre, Thicket Avenue, Bristol - Hillfields Booklet sale (1030-1345).
Tuesday 3rd March 2026: Taunton & District Amateur Radio Club, Taunton - "Beam Wireless Stations of Somerset" talk.
Friday 8th May 2026: Shirehampton Amateur Radio Club, Bristol - "Portishead Radio" talk.
Thursday 26th November 2026: Burnham Moose Lodge, Berrow Village Hall - "Portishead Radio" talk.
Friday January 8th 2027: Congresbury Community Library - "Portishead Radio" talk.
Other dates/venues will be published when confirmed.
