FC On Air 131 document:3_COLON-.AIR 29/07/2010 10:41 Page 1 IFC Heartbeat 131:20 Contacts 127 29/07/2010 10:38 Page 1 IRC Regional REP DETAILS 131:19 Regional REP DETAILS 127 29/07/2010 10:42 Page 1
Regional Reps details Region Rep AddRess phone e-mAil
Regional Dave Lockyer 54 School Lane 0870 321 6005 [email protected] Manager Higham Rochester Kent ME3 7JF
Anglia Mike Sarre 0870 765 9601 [email protected]
Home Donald McFarlane 0870 765 9602 [email protected]
London Ben Hart 0870 765 9603 [email protected]
Midlands 0870 765 9604 [email protected]
North David Nicholson 0870 765 9605 [email protected]
Northern Davey Downes 0870 765 9606 [email protected] Ireland
North West David McGealy 0870 765 9607 [email protected]
Scotland Jim Simpson 0870 765 9608 [email protected]
South Neil Ogden 0870 765 9609 [email protected]
South East Dave Abrey 0870 765 9611 [email protected]
Wales & West Steve Allen 0870 765 9613 [email protected]
Yorkshire Iain Lee 0870 765 9614 [email protected]
Please address correspondence to the Regional Reps at: Hospital Broadcasting Association, PO Box 341, Messingham, Scunthorpe DN15 5EG
All members of the EC and Regional Reps are volunteers and will respond to any contact as quickly as possible. Please understand however, that work or family commitments mean that availability may not always be immediate and may be limited to evenings and weekends. RC Contacts 131:20 Contacts 127 29/07/2010 10:43 Page 1
Who to Contact on the Executive Committee
Chairman Phil Moon Deputy Chairman Iain Lee 82 Greenleaf Gardens, Polegate, Hospital Broadcasting Association, E Sussex BN26 6PH PO Box 341, Messingham, Tel: 0870 321 6000 Scunthorpe DN15 5EG Tel: 0870 321 6014 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Main contact with statutory bodies. Sub committee chairman. Ambassadors Special projects
Treasurer Julie Cox General Secretary Hospital Broadcasting Association, Nigel Dallard PO Box 341, Messingham, 54 St. Annes Close, Badger Farm, Scunthorpe DN15 5EG Winchester, Hampshire SO22 4LQ Tel: 0870 321 6004 Tel: 0870 321 6003 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Financial matters (other than General correspondence, Company subscriptions) Secretary, annual review
President June Snowden Regional Manager Dave Lockyer Hospital Broadcasting Association, P.O. Box 76, Ely, CB6 3WH PO Box 341, Messingham, Tel: 0870 321 6009 Scunthorpe DN15 5EG e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 0870 321 6005 Station visits, represent HBA e-mail: [email protected] publicly, print and present long Regional meetings, contacts, setting service certificates up a region etc.
Sales & Advertising Executive Programming Adviser Paul Sysum Paul Easton Hospital Broadcasting Association, Hospital Broadcasting Association, PO Box 341, Messingham, PO Box 341, Messingham, Scunthorpe DN15 5EG Scunthorpe DN15 5EG Tel: 0870 321 6026 Tel: 0870 321 6002 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] All Corporate sales for HBA Advice on programme content
Technical Adviser Editor Geoff Fairbairn Michelle Newstead Hospital Broadcasting Association, Hospital Broadcasting Association, PO Box 341, Messingham, PO Box 341, Messingham, Scunthorpe DN15 5EG Scunthorpe DN15 5EG Tel: 0870 321 6012 Tel: 0870 321 6011 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Technical matters On Air magazine
Acting Public Relations Webmaster Mark Venus Manager Hospital Broadcasting Association, Sean Dunderdale PO Box 341, Messingham, Hospital Broadcasting Association, PO Box 341, Messingham, Scunthorpe DN15 5EG Scunthorpe DN15 5EG Tel: 0870 321 6018 Tel: 0870 321 6008 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Maintenance of HBA website Press & public relations, charity profile
Conference Bookings Membership Enquiries Marie Harper Tel: 0870 321 6003 50 Neale Street, Sunderland e-mail: [email protected] Tyne & Wear SR6 9EZ General Enquiries Tel: 0870 321 6017 Tel: 0870 321 6019 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] 01 INTRO 131:01 INTRO 127 29/07/2010 11:06 Page 1
SUMMER 2010 Issue 131
The Official Journal of the Hi Everyone, Hospital Broadcasting Association Thank you to everyone who has taken the time and trouble to send in reports and photographs. They are very much appreciated, please keep them coming. in this issue ... If you need to update the information on your hospital radio station, you can now login to the HBA Website and Board Report ...... 2 update your own details. News Round-Up...... 3 There are several items for sale in this issue; if you have Normandy Landings ...... 4 any studio equipment you no longer require or is surplus to Basingstoke’s Interview with Simon Parkin ...... 6 requirements, why not send me the details, with a View from the Basement ...... 8 photograph if possible and we will see if we can sell it for you ... and all for free! What I’ve Learnt ...... 9 And please don’t forget to let us know what your station Obituary, Graeme Meanley ...... 9 has been up to. Notes from Newcastle ...... 10 Countrywide – News from the Stations ...... 12 The Newcomer ...... l6 Michelle Regional Rep Details ...... IRC Who to Contact on the Executive Committee ...... RC DIARY DATES 2011 CONFERENCE 25th-27th March 2011 Ramada Hotel, Hollingbourne Nr Maidstone, Kent ME17 1RE 2012 Conference, Northampton FrONT COvEr STOrY: 2013 Conference, Blackpool Hospital Radio Plymouth volunteer, Josh Andrews, takes up the challenge spending a day with the Fire Service. See full story page 12
Our Ambassadors: Dr Chris Steele, MBE; Ken Bruce and Alex Lester On Air is the Official Journal of the HBA which is the trading name of the National Association of Hospital Broadcasting Organisations, a Company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No. 2750147. A Registered Charity No. 1015501. Registered office: Mariners House, 24 Nelsons Gardens, Hedge End, Southampton, SO30 2NE. On Air is distributed free of charge to all member stations of the Association plus interested parties. All material is ©2009 of HBA and may not be reproduced in any form without the written authority of the Editor. Views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of HBA, or the Editor but are the personal opinion of the contributor. Whilst every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of the publication, all advertisements and articles appear in good faith and HBA and the Editor accept no responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies. Address for On-Air: The Editor, On Air, 2 Falkland Close, Boreham, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 3DD Tel: 0870 321 6011 Email: [email protected] COPY DATE NEXT ISSUE 15th August, 2010 02 Board Report 131:02,03 Committee report 127 29/07/2010 10:45 Page 1
Board Report
Training Strategy invitations to renew their membership At the May Trustee Board meeting, by e-mail in early April. Those of you we discussed HBA's training strategy. who have not opted to receive Last year, we held a single national correspondence solely in electronic event, something that we are planning form received a hardcopy invitation to to repeat again this year, together with renew in early May, along with a copy a couple of locally-organised regional of the Trustees' Annual Report and events. Accounts. I am writing this at the The original plan was to move to a beginning of July, yet only 76% of Full series of quasi-national events, Members and 55% of Associates have centrally organised but held in of so-far renewed their membership. different locations round the UK. The Reminders have already been sent to problem is that, certainly until we many stations and will be sent to the have paid staff, HBA simply does not remainder in the next few days. have the manpower to centrally The excuses I receive never seem to organise a number of training events change very much from year to year in addition to the national conference by Nigel Dallard, Secretary and are seldom compelling. As I said and awards. last time, handling renewals is a time- Unfortunately, most of our Regional consuming enough job as it is, on top Reps don't have the resources to We had hoped to have completed of my day-to-day out-of-ours work for arrange regional events without some the re-structuring of the Association HBA and my local hospital radio sort of central support – and the costs by the end of the current financial station and my paid employment and of staging regional events are likely to year (31st August) but this is not having to chase members is just a be proportionately higher per attendee going to happen; whilst we now have further added burden that I could than national events, simply because agreed role descriptions for the really do without. OK. Enough said. the costs are largely fixed and Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, other Rant over! independent of the number attending. Trustees and the Chief Executive, we Updated Guidance from For the next financial year (1st have yet to fully get our collective Charity Commission September 2010 to 31st August 2011), heads round all the financial and other The Charity Commission for it has been agreed that HBA will stage implications of employment and until England and Wales have recently a single national training event in the we have done and are satisfied that issued updated versions of a number English midlands and will the HBA can afford to take this huge of its guides. encourage/support regional reps to step, we will not proceed. Those that may be of particular stage events in other parts of the One of the areas in which we are interest to hospital radio stations are: country but that these events will be aware that we are not performing as CC8 ‘Internal Financial Controls for advertised nationally and be open to well as we should is in the provision of Charities’, Cc20 ‘Charities and all members of any HBA member best practice guidance. Whilst myself, Fundraising’, CC26 ‘Charities and Risk station. Paul Easton and Geoff Fairbairn, in Management’ and ‘Reporting Serious In addition, we're going to particular, provide one-to-one advice Incidents – Guidance for Trustees’. investigate further the possibilities of on request, HBA has not found the All are available for download from distance learning. resources to provide the the Commission's website at If you have any thoughts on the sort comprehensive set of advice and http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk of training that HBA should be model policies/procedures that we /Charity_requirements_guidance/ccpu offering (but please don't just restrict envisaged a few years ago when we bs3.aspx. your suggestions to presenter training! created a Policies and Guidance – we get the message about that and committee – a committee that has there's so much more to hospital radio been dormant for at least the last 12 Delay in Charity than sitting behind a microphone) or months due to a lack of time. If you Registration in Northern if you'd like to offer your services in think you might be able to help out Ireland some way, please do get in touch. with the drafting of such advice, By now, the newly-formed Charity please do get in touch – without some Commission of Northern Ireland was HBA Targets external help, I don’t think this is expected to have started the process of Each year, in our Annual Report, the going to move forward. inviting all those organisations that Trustees have to set the organisation a Finally, we said that we would try to had previously been accepted as number of goals to be achieved in the do better in making material from charitable by HM Revenue and next year and report on progress conference seminars and training Customs to apply for registration as towards achieving those set a year sessions available electronically to all charities under the new Charity Law. earlier. members. To be honest, we'd Unfortunately, at the last minute, a We reviewed our progress on the forgotten about this but will flaw in the legislation relating to the current targets at the last Trustee endeavour to do better from now on. public benefit requirements of Board meeting and, whilst good charities has been found and progress had been made on several of Membership Renewal registration has been halted whilst the the goals, we were less further forward I'm afraid it's time for another impact is assessed and a solution in other areas. moan. All members were sent found.
ON AIR
News Round-up
Awards Update continue doing so over the next few ‘Since then the book has gone into As Autumn fast approaches, so the weeks. The interview involves a crew its fourth reprint and I’ve had launch date for the National Hospital of four production members travelling appearances on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio Awards 2011 moves ever closer. to the interviewee’s town and filming News and QVC as well as a host of Once again Iain Lee and Sean with them for a couple of hours in national and local radios throughout Dunderdale will be co-producing the their own environment. The the country. The book was released in Awards judging and ceremony and programme is scheduled for broadcast America at the end of May and has there's really no better time to start in August. been nominated for an IRWIN by the collecting potentially award-winning They are looking to interview a Book Publicists of Southern California. material than right NOW! diverse range of people with different ‘I wanted to to make this dad’s For many station's, this time of year interests and occupations to give a special year and with this in mind I is their busiest time – out and about full, interesting and colourful picture contacted several hospital radio at events, etc, yet much of what of Britain – and as they are looking for stations to see if they would be interested in interviewing me, as I had happens at this time of year never good talkers they thought that appears on station's entries. been told that dad was still one of the hospital radio DJs might be good most requested artists on hospital Everyone's so busy, they appear to people to ask! forget to archive what they've been up radio. Quite a few responded and I had If you or any of the radio presenters a lot of fun with the different too. are interested in participating please You can now put aside too much presenters who approached me. Some let them know. And feel free to pass it stations responded saying they would audio for your entry. The more you on to any friends you think are have the better your entry will be, it like the interview but didn’t have the interesting characters – any help at all equipment necessary to do a phone means you can be hyper critical at a would be greatly appreciated! later stage and keep only the best for interview. That got me thinking and I For more information contact went about recording a one-hour that five or ten or 15 minute piece Charlie Lewis, Assistant Producer on you'll be submitting come special in broadcast quality. Once I 0207 202 2354. November/December. sent that out several of the stations I Bear in mind the words of advice had already done interviews with printed in the last issue of On Air too The Late Singer Matt requested the special as well.’ and hopefully we'll be seeing you on Best wishes, Michele Monro Monro [email protected] stage next Spring and in the Awards I have received the following from edition of On Air next year! Michele Monro, daughter of the late Keep a check on the official HBA Matt Monro ... Mixer for Sale website for the official date when the ‘2010 sees the 25th anniversary of Purchased new 1996. Fitted Fader Awards will be launched. dad’s passing and as such I wanted to Modules: 9 Dual Stereo, 2 Gram, 2 ensure his musical legacy burns as Microphone and 1 Telco. Spare New BBC2 TV Show brightly for the next 25 years as they modules: 1 Microphone (repaired) 1 I have received an email from BBC1 have for the last. To celebrate dad’s Dual Stereo (unopened). Fitted extras: TV as they are looking for people to contribution to the music business, I Script Tray, monitor speaker take part in a new BBC1 TV show and released the biography I have spent (PFL/Talkback) & PPM. Includes PSU wondered whether we could help at all. the last three years writing, The and Manual. Guide Price £1350. For details and John Bishop’s Britain is new, prime Singer’s Singer, which came out in offers, contact tonywilding at time BBC1 entertainment programme January of this year. This is not just a regular biography but an in-depth rugbyhospitalradio dot org. Buyer for Saturday nights. In each show the collects. comedian John Bishop will looking at study of Terry Parson’s life, warts and a different topic through his own all, with wonderful contributions from stories and experiences and those of people that featured heavily in his life AM Transmitter for the people of Britain. and a selection of rare photographs. Sale They’re trying to find a host of ‘EMI didn’t want to be left out and Radio Royal in Falkirk have earlier this year Steve Woof and I put people from different backgrounds, broadcast their last live programme in our heads together and came up with careers, hobbies and interests to two wonderful projects to celebrate their current studios and to top it off represent the people of Britain – from the anniversary. The Complete Singles they hosted a visit from Alex teenagers in the east end of London to Collection is exactly what it says on Fergusson, MSP Presiding Officer of aristocrats. The intention of the show the cover – every single official release the Scottish Parliament, as well. is not to ridicule any of the during dad’s recording history, from Then NHS Forth Valley opens the interviewees or to leave anyone his early Decca days through to new Forth Valley Royal Hospital in looking silly – John’s style of comedy Fontana, EMI, Capitol, Columbia, August and over the next weeks Radio and the tone of the show is very warm Liberty, Parlophone, Warwick and Royal move everything over to the and inclusive. even a few obscure ones thrown in for new site, install the studios, launch Essentially they are looking for good measure. The Greatest, is a new jingles, etc. chatty people with any interesting, collection of 25 beautiful tracks It will be a really exciting time, funny or endearing stories or opinions chosen for their popularity and chart hopefully it'll all go smoothly and if about topics such as growing up, placement. Happily EMI pushed out anyone requires an AM transmitter family, holidays, sport and work. the boat and TV advertised this with system, they'll be open to offers in a They’ve already started filming the result that it hit the Top 20 album few weeks! these interviews and are going to chart. Craig, Radio Royal
ON AIR
Normandy Landings
I suppose we were well prepared for guess that was as a result of our many the Normandy landings. Planning for award finalist placings. our conference trip to the Renfrew So our flotilla all landed at the Normandy Hotel that is. Most of us Normandy in time to book up for the had been there before too – this being trips and settle for the Friday meal one of the Glasgow Airport budget which was as good as any from my hotels within sight of the runway and decades of HBA Conferences. Even the a fresh start for early morning flights quiz was well organised and enjoyed – volcanoes permitting. The by our party of two teams – except my Conference hotel always has a unique girlfriend who is a morning person buzz to it and our annual get together and is always in bed by the first bong with the characters of hospital radio is of News At Ten. We were awful in the incomparable. Don Bannister, Dave quiz, even Paul who is a serial quizzer Nicolson, Steve Allen, the ever present failed to impress yet is currently transmission expert Graham Sloggett, writing a book on his TV quiz the lovely June Snowden, the appearances. Quite a few of visited efficiently organising Harpers, the Pacific Quay, the new BBC studios for charming John and Alice Watson and radio and TV. Built like a ship thus was the ubiquitous Dave McGealy. an impressive facility and we saw radio Based on the east coast of Scotland, desks as well as the studios for it was an ideal opportunity to in central London and when I was Weakest Link, Review Show and news encourage a large delegation and this directed to his Programming offices, programmes. At the end of the tour was reflected in the large number of Chris Tarrant and Tony Blackburn there were no shortages of volunteers entries we presented to the HBA were already seated outside waiting to for the radio play enactment either. Awards. For the first time we entered go in. The Controllers door opened No trade show this year (boo) as we all every category and as deadline and Richard said ‘Come away in John, recalled the days gone by hearing Dave approached – studio time was at a I’ve been expecting you’. Langer jingles, stocking up on bargain premium as presenters searched the Anyway my credentials for the John HR goodies and van loads of Canford archives of audio on the server for Whitney Award included my years as clearance stock at giveaway prices. content from the previous ten chairman personally fund raising And so to the HBA Awards and the months. Sports, fund raisers, towards our AM licence and to the gala dinner – always exciting as no one documentaries, interviews and OBs training and encouragement to others knows the results. I was seated with were all examined for content and we over a 30 year period. Not to build up Radio Grapevine posse from ended up with several contenders for any expectations though my entry was Livingston. They were all well dressed some categories so we all had to only known to the executive for dinner as they were sponsored by audition each entry before submitting committee. Hopes were high though Moss Bros (no, really). The station just one sample for the judging. We all when the finalists were announced – won no trophies though but my own contributed to the station entry which we had six nominations: Male last minute entry won the coveted became a mini documentary and Presenter (2), Newcomer, Specialist John Whitney Award so we were not voiced by our own classics presenter Music, Speech and Station of the Year empty handed although I did here Eldon Zuill. We had many submissions and this was more than any station in mutterings of ‘Shawshank’ for our for male/female Presenter of the Year the UK. It was Paul Johnston audio entries. I got to meet Trevor but that’s ok but it was difficult to (Specialist Music: Where The Action Dann who presented my award, choose our best trailer, special event Is) who quipped ‘I hope we are not the chairman of Radio Academy (I am a and so on. Having decided though it Shawshank Redemption of the HBA’ member too), former Radio 1 and Old was time to package up and send on. referring to the 1994 Academy Awards Grey Whistle Test producer and It was at this stage our chairman where that movie had seven Oscar former chair of RAJAR. I also spotted Neil suggested the ‘non-programme’ nominations but won none. It didn’t indie DJ Jim Gellatly and radio categories. A hastily produced biog bear thinking about – but he put it on veteran Tony Currie who now has his later and I was submitted with his Facebook and Twitter anyway. own streamed Radio Six. For me it was committee approval for The John The interest from members spread a triumphant night but for the station Whitney Award. I was honoured but immediately, so we contacted – disappointing. Nonetheless knowing the high standards – we had Stagecoach to sponsor us a bus and encouraging us to do better next year all given a deserved standing ovation they did. Logistically it was not good in Maidstone. Most of our party to the legendary Ena Montgomery however with couples wanting to retired to their rooms but four of us only a year before. I had even met the travel together in their own time, partied till 2am and that was really great John Whitney at HBA some could only arrive on Saturday 3am as the clocks went forward. We all Conferences too – a complete radio and some members unable to get off got together for our hearty Scottish pioneer. MD at Capital Radio, work until Friday afternoon. So we fry up breakfast though – that’s a chairman of RAJAR and director ended up with just four of us to collect conference tradition then some went general of the predecessor of Ofcom, the bus only to hear that the proposed to the BBC and some had a ‘city tour’ the IBA. He was boss to Richard Park bus was being serviced and we could (with no narration) and a visit to the when at Capital, the very man who have a Ford Maverick instead – it draughty vintage bus museum. founded our Victoria Radio Network worked out well but could have been Farewell lunch was another filling hospital radio and interviewed me as a disastrous. After all we had one of the treat before we all made our way back volunteer back in 1972. Some years biggest delegations in the country across country inspired for another later I would visit him at their studios with 19 members booked in and I year of voluntary broadcasting.
ON AIR
John Murray recalls the road to Renfrew
ON AIR
Basingstoke’s Interview with
So how did Children's BBC come about? I'd not been at Radio Tees for very long when an article appeared in the paper about Phillip Schofield moving to Saturday mornings, so I told Mark Matthews, who was one of my fellow presenters and keen to get on TV, that he should go for the job ... but he just moaned about being too tall and that they wouldn't be interested in him. So I told all of this to Andy Hollins, the bloke who was on after me and he said ‘you should go for it then! He then found out the name of the BBC boss, Pat Hubbard and one day I rang him. He was very nice and friendly and invited me down to BBC TV Centre on my next day off, so on the Thursday of that week I caught the train to London and found myself at the BBC. Pat showed me around and then asked me if I'd mind sitting in the studio and having a go... and then auditioned me and offered me a job. I was extremely lucky and I'm sure that timing was the most important thing. Had I phoned ten minutes later he might not have been at his desk ... and I'd still be at Radio Tees!
Phillip Schofield once said that doing TV in the Children's BBC ‘broom cupboard’ was the closest thing to doing radio on TV. Presumably that was because you were almost on your own in a small room with a mixing desk in front of you that controlled a significant amount of what was TV presenter, Simon Parkin, now Back then hospital visiting was seen in the links and as there was presents the weather for Meridian TV basically just an hour in the evening only a small team, you had lots of but started his career on three and there weren't bedside TVs and creative control as well? hospital radio stations in Manchester mobile phones, so being in hospital The Children's BBC broom cupboard in the 1980s before moving to TV to was quite hard work. studio was the actual BBC One present on Children’s BBC alongside The Hospital Radio station was one continuity booth where the posh BBC the likes of Edd The Duck and Wilson of the few links to reality and for some One announcer sat to talk about The Butler (as well as Andi Peters, patients just having us there made a EastEnders over the famous BBC globe Andy Crane and Philippa Forrester real difference. ... so in that respect it was like a radio among others). studio with lots of buttons to press. Hospital Radio Basingstoke invited How much of a help was it to get However, the creativity came from a him to open their new studios and your first radio job on Radio camera that didn't have a cameraman afterwards, Neil Ogden caught up with Tees? to work it. him for a chat… I learned all of the skills of being a So everything had to be done in broadcaster at Radio Wishing Well in that one shot ... which was restrictive What are your memories of Park Hospital in Davyhulme. Timing, but also made for some interesting working in hospital radio? my talking pace, using the music to ideas of pictures flying in, guests My main memory is of having a enhance my links and using my links being wheeled out ... and that helped brilliant time with some brilliant to enhance the music. define the unique look Children's BBC people who all shared the same It was all fantastic experience and had .... you could do things you passion. I remember being thrilled gave me the confidence that I knew couldn't do in a real television studio doing the ward rounds to collect the what I was doing. because there were more things you requests and being told by the patients The tape I sent that got me the job could only do in a real television how they'd heard the song that was at Radio Tees was of one of my studio that you couldn't do in the played for them and how much it hospital radio programmes ... so broom cupboard. cheered them up. presumably I did!
ON AIR
Simon Parkin
is you end up going round in circles ... I'm told a story by someone at the Met but it was always a thrill to discover a Office who knows what they're doing bit you hadn't found before! and I then tell that story to the viewers. I never had a plan to be the What do you think of children’s TV next John Kettley, I just ended up now compared to 20 years ago? falling into the job at ITV Overall I think the changes that have Westcountry when the presenter went happened have been very good for on Maternity leave and here I am television as a whole. CBeebies is the three years on still getting away with most popular digital channel and to it at Meridian! have a channel dedicated to the learning needs of under fives is an Am I imagining it or do I incredible achievement. remember Edd The Duck being Ian My children tend to watch the McDuckskill and doing the American comedy shows on the weather? Disney Channel but if I do occasionally I don't think there was a job at the catch a bit of Children's BBC I tend to BBC he didn't have a try at ... but I'm think it's not as good as it was in my sure he wasn't as good at doing the day ... but that's just because I'm weather as I am! getting old! What advice would you give to You and Andi Peters seemed to You went on to do lots more radio anyone wanting to work in TV or build up a strong on-screen after you left Children’s BBC as radio? partnership and all the presenters well as work on GMTV and now Follow your dream! Join a hospital came across as having a good time. Meridian TV. Which do you prefer, radio station or an amateur dramatic Was it a good atmosphere at TV or radio? society to learn the basic skills of Children's BBC? I'm very lucky that throughout my performing and then phone people, It genuinely was brilliant. I got up career I've managed to keep doing knock on doors and learn as much as every morning and went to work at both. you can from the people you meet. BBC TV Centre. I would park my car TV when it's done properly can Be prepared for lots of rejection next to Noel Edmonds, bump into create events that millions of people letters and knock backs but keep on Anna Ford in the tea bar, have a chat have shared whereas with radio it's a sending out your CV! Be keen and with French and Saunders as I very intimate thing between you as a enthusiastic and make sure you enjoy wandered down a corridor and say broadcaster and a listener ... regardless yourself. goodnight to Bruce Forsyth on the of how many people have tuned in. way out! And then the work we were I'm enjoying working on Meridian Is there a dream job you’d like to doing was to entertain 12 million Tonight because it's live and do in the future? viewers before Neighbours came on spontaneous and I'm working with a I'd love to be involved in a big with nothing more than a quacking team who care about the programme Saturday night entertainment show or glove puppet. What's not to like about we're putting out. I imagine if I was to take over from Wogan on Radio 2... a job like that! working for a TV channel that sells but having been so lucky in the past ... jewellery ... I mightn't be having so if my numbers come up on the lottery What was it like working with a much fun! I'll be happy to spend each day sitting duck and a butler (Edd and in the sun instead! Wilson)? How did you get interested in Both Edd and Wilson were BBC Simon can currently be seen on becoming a weather forecaster? Meridian Tonight in the south of producers so they were hugely Oooh ... hang on ... I'm not a weather talented and creative, which meant England and heard on a Saturday forecaster I'm a weather presenter! I morning on BBC Somerset between that they were a pleasure to work with have no meteorological training at all. and because their on screen characters 7 and 10am were so well defined it made for very entertaining television. Wilson and I went on to work together again at GMTV when it launched in 1993 and had almost as much fun there too.
Do you keep in touch with your co- presenters of the time such as Andy Crane, Andi Peters, Philippa Forrester and Stephanie Lowe (now Mrs Phillip Schofield)? As the years drift by the time between calls gets longer but from time to time. Did you ever get lost at TV Centre? Not so much lost because the building is round so the worst that can happen
ON AIR
View from the Basement
Our columnist, Brett Ellis and his unique view on life ... regrets, never! phrase, facial expression or look that brings a smile to my face and a lump to my throat. The only regrets currently are that being at work in the day means I feel as if I missing out on watching her steady yet remarkable development. Even though I attempt to squeeze every moment with her, there is always an underlying feeling that you never truly appreciate what you really have. Maybe when I hit 47 and I realise the time to stop thinking of my goals is second to helping Izzy achieve hers is the time I can truly see myself as a good parent. I suppose that’s as good a goal as anyone can ever have. I have current regrets of missed opportunities that I now realise I am too old to realise. I used to harbour ambitions of becoming the saviour of radio 1, 2 or any other station that urgently required a saviour. Having had little success with commercial, pirate and other radio formats, I realised it is only the lucky few who ever make it and not necessarily on talent alone. So you learn to settle. I have settled for presenting my hospital radio shows and being less selfish that I was when I first hit the decks 20+years ago. Back then, although I wanted to volunteer thanks to the wonderful treatment afforded to my grandfather in hospital in Hastings, my selfish streak was to see me aim to play my music and talk about my likes in order to garner an A1 demo and move onwards and upwards in broadcasting. As time goes on this becomes less of a selfish pursuit and the needs With the excitement of the General election never really of the listeners takes over. Now I am extremely happy to starting and the installation of the uneasy bedfellows: the receive requests and play Reef followed by Frank Sinatra and ConDems, now is time to kick back, settle down and hope Chas and Dave. A request means at least one listener which fervently that a long hot summer washes all over us. A new is a nice feeling when the view from the basement is one of start is beckoning at Hospital Radio Barnet too with the darkness. installation of two new studios which are on a par with any So, I regret not pushing my radio dream to fruition. When local radio stations. The impressiveness of the studios is young there is always tomorrow. The problem is that testament to the volunteers, engineers and the friends of the tomorrow soon becomes today and yesterday and then you hospital who have brought to fruition a long term plan which realise that not only have you missed the boat but you are has certainly envigoured those of us who have spent years waving it off into the distance. I also regret not trying harder using the dusty outdated system that is now but a memory. at school, not maintaining worthwhile friendships, getting With the start of a new decade, it seems as if it really is a into the wrong crowd in my younger years and not getting good time to welcome in the new. I recently moved house truly educated until my mid 20s. What could have been which I have found refreshing and I have also brought out always endures though. I like us all, could have been a my first book. It of course would be crass of me to plug ‘The contender. Wind up Merchant’ by Brett Ellis; available on Amazon, in So the secret of a fulfilling life I suppose is not to regret this column, so I will aim not too do so. too much and if you do not to regret it for too long. If you Being 37, I have worked out using my Vorderman brain do, the time spent being regretful eats up the current time section that I will be 47 by the outset of the teenies. That too and leads into further regret. In case I lost you in that last makes me sounds old, so I have worked out a wish list of sentence I must admit to confusing myself somewhat things I want to do before I lose the vigour and gumption although I know what I meant at the start of the sentence which is sadly not as prevalent now as it was at the turn of although I now regret having written it in the first place. the millennium. Climbing Snowdon, cycling London to I am looking forward to hitting the new Hospital Radio Brighton, running a half marathon (I’m not a complete Barnet studios over the next couple of weeks and changing wally!), travelling around South America and Asia and my style of programme. I am also looking forward to this becoming a bestselling author remain this decade’s goals. summer and spending it with my increasingly cheeky Whether or not I achieve these aims I suppose is secondary. daughter. In a couple of years she will start school and have To me it is about having the dream and having no reason not other influences in her life. In the twenties she will have to achieve them. The tipping point will come when I am too boyfriends (if they get past me first!) and in 20 years or so old to do so and then I believe I will truly embrace regret. she may well be married and expecting her own children. My Looking forward to 2020, I believe this is when I will truly one wish now is that when she reaches that stage of her life understand what an honour it is for me to be a father. My she has no regrets. I am sure she won’t though as I think I little girl, Izzy is now two. Every day brings a new word, have enough for the both of us. COPY DATE FOR ISSUE 132 15th August, 2010
ON AIR
What I’ve Learnt Obituary Graeme Meanley, MBE Matthew Hulbert Former Vice Chairman of Castle Mead Radio
Community Media Serving Audience No One Else Is Providing For
It is with great sadness that Radio Warneford has to report the death of Life President Graeme Meanley, MBE at the age of 87. Graeme joined Radio Warneford in its early days and was very much instrumental over many years in raising the money needed for the development of the station from a couple of turntables in a basement broom cupboard at the Warneford Hospital in 1974 to its current modern, hi-tech studio complex at Warwick Hospital. He was one of those people who could put you at your AS WELL as being involved with Castle Mead Radio, the ease immediately with a smile and a joke, a task he used to hospital radio station in Hinckley, Leicestershire, I have the relish on his weekly visit to the ladies of Victoria Ward for distinct privilege of being involved with a number of other the Tuesday night Request Show. community media ventures, serving distinct parts of their local As an ex-bank manager, Graeme was an ideal Treasurer communities. This includes Hilltop Radio, the community and fund raiser, memorably striding down the Parade in internet radio station based in Earl Shilton, Leicestershire and Leamington and going into Citizen's Eye, which facilitates so-called citizen journalists to every single shop and business provide content for a number of different news agencies. to ask for a donation. I truly believe Community Media is where the cutting edge of During his five-year spell as the media is based. We are serving audiences no one else is Chairman, Graeme presided reaching. Just think of your local BBC/commercial radio station over Radio Warneford's or your local newspaper, it's more than likely that, due to the monumental move from its old recession and other reasons, they've had to face cuts and get rid studio hut in Leamington, of journalists. home since 1978, to new I was a victim of this myself, when I was made redundant Graeme Meanley at an purpose-built premises at around a year ago from my position as a Broadcast Journalist outside broadcast Warwick with a group of commercial radio stations in the West Midlands. Hospital - the official opening As troubling and sad as that was for me (and it was, especially on coincided with another station a personal financial basis) one of the positives was that it gave landmark – its 21st birthday! me more time to be involved in community media, such as those Graeme's enthusiasm and platforms I've mentioned. personality helped him to raise When traditional media have fewer journalists covering ever hundreds of thousands of pounds for wider areas, it is surely to be expected that important the charities and organisations with stories/events will be missed and therefore the information provided to the public is not what it could and should be. which he was associated. His efforts Citizen/Community media is filling that gap. locally saw him honoured with the Now, of course, we'll always need fully-trained professional Citizen of the Year award. But journalists but there is nothing wrong with keen people using perhaps Graeme's proudest moment what skills they have to enlighten people about stories/events in was when his tireless work for their communities that, otherwise, they would get to know about. charity was recognised in the 1995 It is, more than anything else, good for our democracy. Queen's Birthday Honours List in For me, being involved in community media has been a which he was awarded an MBE. Graeme after revelation and enabled me to use the full-range of my God-given Although Graeme reluctantly gave receiving his MBE for talents. I present two shows a week on Hilltop Radio ('Mat's up his active role at the station a services to charity at Mix,' Mondays and Fridays, Midday-2pm, listen via: number of years ago, his knowledge Buckingham Palace https://www.hilltop-radio.com), I also anchor a weekly local and experience was more recently news video bulletin ('Le10 News,' each Wednesday, view it via: put to good use as both a Trustee and Life President of http://www.youtube.com/user/CommMediaHub#p/a/u/0/7nMKyT Radio Warneford. He was a very kind and generous man FrIgA) The picture shows me at the Community Media Hub at and we will miss him very much. the offices of the Leicester Mercury newspaper. So, I just want to Our thoughts are with Graeme's wife Joan and his family say to all of you reading this who are involved in at this time. hospital/citizen/community media: thanks for all that you do. You Sara Lister, Chairman are providing a genuinely unique service. Andy Dowell, Trustee Keep it up.
ON AIR
Notes from Newcastle
Shearer’s Radio Date Newcastle United legend, Alan Shearer, has officially opened the new studios of Radio Tyneside. The station moved from Newcastle General Hospital to a new studio centre on the outskirts of Newcastle city centre back in June 2008 but it has taken that time for Alan to find a date in his diary to do the honours. Station Director Dave Nicholson said, ‘We thought we should get someone associated with Newcastle United Football Club seeing as the station started in 1951 relaying commentaries on Newcastle United games from St James Park. At first we thought of Kevin Keegan but he left the Club before any arrangements could be made. So we then approached Alan who said yes. The problem was finding a suitable date. It may have taken a while but it was certainly worth it.’ Alan unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening and then gave a 20 minute in depth interview with the station during which he talked about his career, the World Cup, his charity work, stories about Kevin Keegan and becoming a key supporter of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. Have you a story to tell? Have you covered a special event in your area? Have you interviewed a well known celebrity? We would love to hear about it. Just email me the details, send some photos and I’ll do the rest. I look forward to hearing from you Michelle
ON AIR
Notes from Newcastle The Great North Run Radio Tyneside will be covering the start of this year’s Great North Run which takes place on Sunday, 19th September. The station covered the event last year and three stations carried the broadcasts. This year they are hoping to increase the number especially if anyone from a hospital radio station is doing the run. The broadcast can be relayed via Tyneside’s web site and will start at 9.00am until 11.00am. The programme will consist of interviews with the fun runners plus the station has access to the Press area were there will be interviews with many of the personalities doing the run. If any station would like to carry the broadcast, please contact the station on 0191 2220789 or e mail [email protected].
Top Radio Man Becomes a Hospital Radio Chairman Radio Tyneside, the hospital radio station for Newcastle and Gateshead have announced the name of the person taking over as Chairman of the organisation. He is John Myers who is certainly no stranger to radio. John Myers started his radio career in 1980 with BBC Radio Cumbria. He was the station’s first country music presenter while also presenting and producing a number of music programmes. In 1982 he became a presenter for Red Rose and then, in 1984 joined Radio Tees. In 1989 John became Programme Controller and Breakfast presenter for Red Rose Gold. Later he became Managing Director of Border Radio Holdings and launched CFM In September 1994, he launched Century Radio in the North East where he presented the Breakfast Show under the pseudonym of John Morgan. In 1997 he left the North East to launch 106 Century FM in the East Midlands. In March 2007 he oversaw the In 2009, he took a break from radio He then joined The Guardian Media launch of the Smooth Radio brand, the to tour the world. Now he can be Group to start a new radio division. UK’s first mainstream commercial found often on the golf course. He became their Managing Director in stations to target the 40-59 year old Dave Nicholson, Radio Tyneside’s 1999 winning his first licence for Director said, ‘We are delighted to GMG (Real Radio in Wales). He adult. became Chief Executive of GMGR in John was awarded a Fellowship in have John on board with his wealth of 2002 and joined the board of directors 2005 by The Radio Academy for his radio experience which can only be a in 2006. contribution to radio in 2008. great asset to our organisation.’
ON AIR
... Countrywide ... news from the stations ...
Towersound’s First to the computer network to fix Hospital Radio problems and do various tasks from Broadcast offsite.’ Plymouth Volunteer Listeners can request a song via the Takes up Challenges station's website and now those requests are emailed direct to the studio instead of having to be forwarded by phone or printed out from elsewhere. Thanks to the technology of Skype, there's even the possibility of live shows from anywhere there is an internet connection. Yare Bear Special Visitor
Pictured, left to right presenters Roger Caffin, Kelly Hyman-Bruce and station manager Bob Cobley Josh Andrews takes up a challenge Towersound, Newton Abbot’s spending a day with the Fire Service Community Hospital Radio broadcast their first programme from the Listeners of Hospital Radio entrance of the Hospital on 15th June. Plymouth are being given the chance Presenters chatted with outpatients to ‘Challenge Josh’. and played easy listening music. 17 year old Josh Andrews, who was The programme, Live From The named as HBA Volunteer Of The Year Lobby, went well and it is hoped to in 2009, presents the weekly show repeat the show at a later date. ‘Level 12’ which entertains the pictured in the photo are from left younger audience at Plymouth’s to right Presenters Roger Caffin, Kelly Derriford Hospital and The Royal Eye Hyman-Bruce and station manager Infirmary. Bob Cobley. Josh, who has a large following online, has been challenged by his Basingstoke and BT listeners on the paediatric wards to Hospital Radio Basingstoke finally Yare Bear and children at the take part in a number of challenges. has access to the internet at its studios Somerleyton fete ‘Recently I spent the day learning to at Basingstoke and North Hampshire There was sunshine and smiles as dive with Olympic star Tom Daley and Hospital after an 18 month wait for Somerleyton held its annual fete on his coach, Andy Banks. I also spent the BT to install an external phone line. the village green. day with the Fire Service, who Although the original order was The event was organised by challenged me to be cut out of a placed in September 2008, a series of Somerleyton Primary School and had crashed car’, said Josh. blunders by BT saw them take nine a theme of Around The World. Listeners have also challenged Josh orders over the course of 17 months The success of Saturday’s event was to learn to jet ski, drive a tank, handle to install the line and it took the due to a packed programme of birds of prey and even dig out his pom intervention of BBC Television's The entertainment that included live poms to join a local cheerleading team. One Show to kick start them into music, stalls, donkey rides and the Show producer Jamie Hughes said, finally getting it done. They did agree friendliness of the people. ‘I am over the moon with the response to waive the £2000 installation cost by Helping to please the young from our listeners and the amount of way of recompense. children at the event was Yare Bear, weird and wonderful challenges that Programme Controller Neil Ogden the Radio Yare mascot. This popular Josh has been set. said, ‘BT totally messed us around for visitor came from the Children’s Ward We had to turn down a few though, 17 months with just about everything of the James Paget University for example when he was asked to pull that could go wrong going wrong, Hospital. Every Friday, Yare Bear pints at a local pub – they didn’t apparently because BT's computer works on Radio Yare, helping realise he was only 17!’ system can't cope with the fact that we presenter Andrew Harris collect the The challenges are being filmed by a are in a ‘temporary’ building on the children’s requests, to be played camera crew from local company Life hospital site but not directly anything between 4pm and 6pm on Andrew's Video Productions and the footage can to do with the hospital. Now we're 'Yare Bear' show. be viewed online by searching for ‘The connected though, it opens up Radio Yare broadcasts around the Josh Andrews Show’ on Facebook. numerous possibilities of how it can clock, including a two hour request The feature is designed to boost be used from simple programme show broadcast live the same day and awareness of local organisations in the preparation to enabling remote access repeated the following day. Plymouth area.
ON AIR
... Countrywide ... news from the stations ...
Radio Redhill On Line station’s weekly flagship religious Radio Clatterbridge is magazine programme. Radio Redhill, who serve East Top of the League Surrey Hospital, will be available Mrs Godwin heard she was in line online on www.radioredhill.co.uk from for a prize via a text on her mobile 1st July. phone while she and her husband, Jim, were holed-up during a rainstorm Whilst hospital patients and staff A Wirral charity has become the will remain the priority, the use of while on holiday in Madeira a few first independent organisation to win online broadcasting will enable family, weeks ago. friends and visitors to join in the fun, a special trophy for improving the life The media awards ceremony took as they will be able to listen to and of patients at Clatterbridge Health place in St Michael’s Church in Chester request music for those in the Park. Radio Clatterbridge was Square, London and is not the first hospital. presented with the Lord Leverhulme time Radio Lion has won awards for its The beginning of online Merit Award by the Hospital’s League religious broadcasting. broadcasting also marks an important of Friends at their annual general Shelagh was also responsible for anniversary for Radio Redhill: it will meeting last week. winning gold awards at the Andrew be ten years to the day since they The award, named after the Cross Awards for religious began broadcasting on AM. Radio League’s former president who died in broadcasting for her features on the Redhill’s commitment to providing a 2000, is presented biennially to African Eclipse in 2002 and a cancer high quality of broadcasting and departments or organisations which patient’s faith in 2003. sound is one of the key motivations play a major contribution to hospital for providing this extra service, as life. Station Engineer Ian Wilson explains, Chairman of Radio Clatterbridge, ‘Online is a high quality way for Steve Lord, accepted the surprise patients on the ward to listen with award. He said, ‘It’s a great honour mobile phones or staff and patients’ and very humbling to win this relatives to listen at home on their accolade. It’s a fitting tribute to the computer or internet radio. The stereo hard work of all of our members who sound available is something that just give up their free time to improve the isn't possible with the ward headsets lives of all of the people at or with 1431AM’. Clatterbridge’. Mr Lord also thanked the League of Friends for their continued support and briefed guests about the station’s plans to be broadcasting on medium Pictured, left to right William Simpson, wave in time for its 60th anniversary Paul Sysum, Graham Russ Andrew Jupp, next April. June Snowden and Jim McKie Previous winners of the award have More than 70 years of voluntary been Infection Control, Physiotherapy, service were celebrated at Radio Lion's Facilities and Stroke Rehabilitation. annual general meeting last week. Radio Clatterbridge has provided Five members of the hospital radio music, entertainment and information station were honoured for their valued to patients and staff at Clatterbridge commitment. Hospital since 1951. June Snowden was a special guest Pictured, left to right Alan Stidder, Sue to present the certificates to William Mason-Brown, June Snowden and Andy More Awards for Guildford Simpson and Guildford Lions Club Fowler Guildford’s hospital radio service member and former Radio Lion received another honour to add to its Chairman, Jim McKie for their ten Three volunteers at Radio Redhill, growing number of awards. years' service. were presented with awards for long Radio Lion, which broadcasts to Paul Sysum and former Radio Lion service on Sunday, 11th April. patients in the Royal Surrey County Chairman, Andrew Jupp were each Andy Fowler, the co-founder of Hospital, received a Highly Radio Redhill alongside his late father, presented with certificates to mark Commended certificate for its Sunday Les Fowler, was recognised for serving their 25 years' service to Radio Lion. Retreat Programme at the Christian the station for 35 years, whilst Alan Graham Russ was this year's Stidder and Sue Mason-Brown – the Broadcasting Council Awards recipient of the station's Morris current Vice Chairman and Secretary ceremony in London recently. Mangan Award for Member of the respectively – were commended for 30 Long-term member Shelagh Year. This honour is given to a years’ voluntary work. Godwin won the accolade for a feature member who has shown outstanding The awards were presented during in which a locally retired doctor, Chris commitment to the station over the Radio Redhill’s live Sunday afternoon Jagger spoke of his trips to Samoa past year and is given in memory of a magazine programme, Sunday Colour following the devastating Tsunami late former member who was a trusted and Supplement, by June Snowden. last year and a more recent visit to El valued volunteer at the station for The presentation of awards took Salvador. Shelagh also featured the many years. place during two weeks of special Loseley Christian Cancer Support The winner, who is voted for by programmes to mark Radio Redhill’s group as part of the winning item members, receives a silver salver for a 35th birthday. which was featured on the radio year and gets a special certificate.
ON AIR
... Countrywide ... news from the stations ...
Musical part of the community and promoting community activities from the studio. Commemoration of the The fact that we are a voluntary group Miners Strike gives us greater flexibility in what we On March 7th, Pontefract Hospital take on’. Radio station, MY (Mid Yorkshire) Trevor Wainwright Radio commemorated the 25th Vice Chair, MY Radio anniversary of the national miners strike with a special item on their Hospital Radio Barnet weekly Classics on Sunday Opens New Studio programme. Named after the title of the C’D The To mark National Volunteers Week, Music Lives On Now The Mines have Hospital Radio Barnet, who broadcast Gone’ and presented by Trevor to the patients and staff at Barnet Wainwright, one of the station’s General Hospital, is holding a Hospital Radio Barnet Sport longest serving presenters, who played recruitment drive. broadcasts every Barnet home game a variety of brass band music from The The radio station broadcasts 24 live from Underhill with commentary Best of Colliery Bands, which included hours a day 7 days a week, thanks to a and analysis of the match. local colliery bands Grimethorpe and computer generated sustaining service Carlton Main Frickley. with live presenter-led programmes Listeners were also treated to a each weekday evening and all day Queen of the House history of every band featured, with Saturday and Sunday, from their new little add ons from Trevor. There was refurbished studio complex. also an added bonus of the Black Dyke Hospital Radio Barnet is looking for Band and Grimethorpe-born volunteers to go around the wards to international euphonium soloist, chat to the patients, staff and visitors David Childs, who Trevor referred to to collect record requests and as the coffee and after dinner mints dedications. We are also looking at the following the main musical feast. possibility of some volunteers meeting Trevor, who joined hospital radio in visitors in reception, as they arrive at 1994, originally as Arts Show the hospital, to collect requests and to presenter, added to the publicise our radio station. commemoration a reading of his Staff will be required mainly for poem, ‘Days of Mining Glory’, written initially as a tribute to Glasshoughton evenings and weekends and is suitable Pit, then adapted to encompass all the for anyone over 18 years old. We pits that have gone, it was also one of would be grateful for any time his first poems to be published by the commitment, even just an hour a week Pictured: Hazel Maguire, left, holding the Yorkshire Arts Circus. would be fantastic! There is also a song on CD with Radio Halton’s Pam The grandson of a miner, Trevor possibility of studio work available, Eastwood spent the first three years of his should any of the volunteers wish to Hazel Maguire from Croft, near working life as a colliery surface move in that direction. Warrington, was waiting in the worker before deciding mining wasn’t • • • • • • • • • • Outpatients Clinic at Halton Hospital, for him but casually boasts he still can New Barnet FC Manager Mark when she heard the song ‘Queen of the strip down and rebuild a safety lamp Stimson gave his first full interview House’ by Jody Miller over the blindfolded. Her said, ‘the mines have exclusively to Hospital Radio Barnet hospital radio loudspeaker. left us with a wonderful music legacy on 8th July 2010. Mark was It took her straight back to the mid and it is nice to make the best of it interviewed by presenter and Barnet sixties when her situation was the and share it. fan, Brett Ellis. same as in the song lyrics: ‘Four kids ‘I hope the listeners got as much The ex-Gillingham boss told Brett pleasure out of listening to it as I did from 1 to 4, pretty soon there’ll be one researching for the show, putting it he was looking forward to the new more’. The singer was Roger Miller’s together and presenting it’. season and was gradually unveiling a wife, with her answer song to Roger’s Trevor can often be seen as the very exciting young squad. He would hit, ‘King of the Road’, with different alternative Santa at as part of the MY be working hard both on and off the words sung to the same tune. Radio Team at local Christmas light pitch, with lots of events, to help the Hazel rang Radio Halton to ask switch on events. He added, ‘times are new players in the squad bond and to where to find a copy of the song, as it changing at PGI with the development foster a team spirit. brought back such happy memories of of the new hospital and MY Radio is Mark said ‘this is a new group and her young family. moving with them with a new studio. team coming together, with a new Presenter Pam Eastwood said, ‘We We hope to attract new volunteers style of football for the fans to enjoy. discovered it was played by Richard with new ideas, in a variety of roles, If Barnet can manage to keep their Smith in his ‘A to Z of Pop’ programme we also plan to go webcast so that we best players fit through the season, and Richard kindly took the trouble to can be heard outside the hospital and this team could surprise a few people. find a copy for Hazel.’ also develop into a hospital based Realistically a top half of the table Only three of Hazel’s five children community radio station, offering our finish with a push for a play off place are still living, as is her mother, aged outside broadcasting facilities to be is the target’. 102.
ON AIR
... Countrywide ... news from the stations ...
Patients Can Now Bet Honour for Terry In October Cllr Murray joined HRM on Horses from A DJ who has presented a hospital for its 24-hour broadcast Halloween radio station’s Friday night show for Spookathon, organised to raise money Hospital Beds nearly half a century has been for the children’s wards at the site. A Patients with a heart flutter will honoured for his service. Terry team of presenters was sponsored to now be able to have a flutter on the Clough, presenter and chairman at take part and listeners could donate horses to relieve the boredom of being Durham Hospitals Radio, was awarded online. The broadcast included a stuck in a hospital bed. the Chairman’s Medal by outgoing number of special shows – including a Hospital radio stations in Preston Durham County Council chairman guest spot by veteran DJ Tony and Chorley have become the first in Brian Myers yesterday. Blackburn and an interview with the the country to offer horse racing Terry has volunteered for DHR, first captain of Gillingham FC Barry Fuller. commentary live from Haydock Park. at Dryburn Hospital and later at its Hospital Radio Medway has been Avid horse-racing fans will be able successor University Hospital of North invited to the Pride in Medway gala to hedge their bets and find out if Durham (UHND), for 47 years – ever celebration in January 2011, when all their favourite is first past the post since being a founder member of the the nominees will be presented with a from the comfort of their beds at the station in 1963. At the time, the certificate. A panel of judges will be Royal Preston and Chorley and South ‘station’ was a record player on a trolley selecting the finalists and the overall Ribble Hospitals. which was wheeled round the wards. winner will be announced at an awards The idea was the brainchild of Terry said, ‘I’m absolutely delighted night in February. hospital radio volunteers who decided but a little taken aback. I don’t do it for Caravan for Sale to offer live sporting action to relieve reward or gain. We’re told by hospital the monotony. staff that patients appreciate the They carried out a trial of live horse station. It can be a distraction, racing commentary and it was so particularly for those who are seriously successful it will now become a regular ill, to take their mind off things.’ fixture on Saturdays. Terry has given a lifetime of Ian Gornall, sports editor for voluntary commitment to help others hospital radio at Lancashire Teaching in their time of need and when Hospitals NHS Trust, said, ‘We do live personal gain and ambition are high football commentary of Preston North on many people’s agenda, it is good to End football matches but we became know there are still people like Terry conscious that we were not offering who are prepared to help others in any other sporting commentary. their community. The Chairman’s ‘My station manager told me she Medal is the highest honour the wanted more sport, so I went and county council can award and Terry Hospital Radio Wey, based at organised live horse racing Clough is a very worth recipient. Chertsey, Surrey has a caravan it no commentary from Haydock Park longer uses and would like to offer this Racing Media Group, which owns the Hospital Radio Medway to any other hospital radio station that race courses, and Haydock Park celebrates nomination can put it to good use for a sensible management, kindly allowed me to go Hospital Radio Medway has been transfer fee. ahead. nominated for a Pride in Medway It is based on a 1991 Spite We have been given a private box Award. The awards, run by the Musketeer Caravan but was with a telephone line and a television Medway Messenger newspaper, customised for us from new for use as at Haydock Park and we do all the celebrate the unsung heroes of the an OB/public address van. It has an commentary live from there on race Medway Towns (Chatham, Gillingham extra wide door and the usual cooker days. As far as I know, we are the only and Rochester in Kent). and kitchen unit have been removed hospital radio station in the country HRM, based at Medway Maritime and replaced with a U shaped flat to offer this. Hospital in Gillingham, was the first worktop with storage below. It has 240 ‘The hospital radio service that group to be nominated in this year’s Volt mains hook up with lighting and comes through the TV system is free awards which are sponsored by power sockets installed. of charge but if patients wanted to Medway Council, mhs homes, the Overall external dimensions are watch the race, they would have to pay University of Kent, E.ON and 5.687m long x 2.1m wide x 2.521m for a Hospedia card to be able to watch Southern Water. high. Internal space is 4.260 in length. the TV. The station is celebrating its 40th It is currently missing its jockey wheel ‘Horse racing is something we can year on air and was nominated by but we intent to replace this. offer good descriptive commentary on local councillor Teresa Murray, who It has not been used for two years and this can keep hospital patients felt the 60-strong team deserved (except for storage) so can do with entertained on a Saturday afternoon recognition for giving patients an some TLC to get the grime off. It has when they may not have any visitors.’ excellent service 24-hours a day, seven unfortunately been broken into several A spokesman for Lancashire days a week. times and still has the scars. However, Teaching Hospitals said, ‘Hospital Cllr Murray, who represents the custom artwork makes it the radio provides an important aid to Rochester East Ward in Medway, said: centre of attractions at shows. patient relaxation, comfort and “The team are all volunteers from a If anyone can give a home to this recovery and it beats boredom.’ great variety of backgrounds who work van or needs more information please The hospital racing commentary incredibly well together managing to contact Peter Harman on 01483 from Haydock began on May 29 and arrange special events alongside their 760161 or e-mail runs from 2pm ‘til 5pm on race days. personal and work commitments. [email protected].
ON AIR
The Newcomer
Renfrew 2010 was my first HBA Conference and I did not know what to expect. On the Friday night I was overwhelmed by the amount and range of people; different age groups, backgrounds and different parts of the country represented. It did not take long, however, to realise how friendly, fun and welcoming this group of people were. From the friendly welcome from Marie at the conference desk – not to mention the bag of goodies I received – to the first night dinner. Of course, we are all volunteers with an interest in supporting people in hospital and a passion for broadcasting so we already had a lot in common. I was joined by my Station Chairman, Gerard Rocks, Station Manager, Norman Bland and my Producer, Jamie Wright. Saturday morning was full of exciting seminars on a range of topics. I was glad to see some were repeated so I got to see the three I wanted to. Each of the seminars was interesting and well presented, each offering a different learning experience which added to my enjoyment of the morning. Presenter Training by Eric Simpson was the first seminar I attended. I was not sure this was for sense of achievement in our efforts to trophies and dance the evening away me because I am new to hospital radio. support patients in hospitals around with all the people I had met over the However, Eric was a great speaker and the country. weekend. although it was planning a training After a wonderful lunch, I felt very Sunday morning I was still smiling. programme for your station, I found it honoured when the HBA President, I had a wonderful time on a bus tour informative on a personal level as well. June Snowden, came over to introduce of the city of Glasgow and then the I learnt the qualities of trainers and it herself. farewell lunch. More tears and made me think of all the standards of The AGM followed and afterwards, laughter as other volunteers received technical operation, presenting and there was time to relax. I used this Long Service awards and then our ward visiting that are important for time for a nice swim at the Station Manager won a spoon in the hospital radio. I was so interested that Normandy’s sister hotel’s pool. I then raffle. I must add at this point that I made a page of notes. got ready for the Gala Dinner. there were plenty of other wonderful Self Criticism for Presenters by The Gala Dinner was really special. I prizes on offer. Brian McColl and Robin Banks was the went from tears to joy throughout the I am so glad I had the opportunity second seminar I attended. This was a evening. Touched by the guest to attend this wonderful conference lively and interesting seminar. There speakers and the amount of service and I can see why people come back were lots of tips for presenting and other volunteers have given. year after year. examples delivered by two experienced A lovely meal, followed by the Louise Croombs DJs. I felt more confident in Awards ceremony and the room was so Hospital Radio Reading presenting and broadcasting when I beautifully lit by candles at the table. I left; as well as feeling very excited was honoured to have been nominated about radio. for Best Newcomer and when I heard Hospital and Community Radio; the other entrees, I was even more Striking the Balance by Dave honoured because the standard was so McGealy was the final seminar of the high. morning. Dave was a very passionate Once the Bronze and Silver awards and informative speaker and I was had been handed out for my category, touched when he spoke about a all hope had left me. When my historical event that his station station’s name – Hospital Radio covered in the Manchester area (as I Reading followed by my name was am originally from Manchester). announced for the Gold award I I learnt much about the charity side remember little else and have been of hospital radio and what makes a smiling ever since. It was great to see hospital radio station. I left with a all the other winners receive their
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