Spring 2014 issue 145 The Official Journal of the Hospital Broadcasting Association Hi Everyone,
Doesn’t time fly ... it’s Conference time again and this in this issue ... year Bristol promises to have something for everybody. The conference venue is right in the heart of Bristol and just a Board Report ...... 2 stone’s throw from one of Bristol’s main shopping areas. Alan’s New Year Honours List ...... 3 You can now pay for conference by credit/debit card for HBA Conference and Awards ...... 4 a small payment processing fee. If you'd rather not pay the Meet the Awards Judges ...... 6 fee, you can still pay by cheque or bank transfer – contact Sean’s Soapbox ...... 7 Brenda Massie for more details. Regional Round-Up ...... 8 June’s Travels ...... 9 There are two new features in this edition: firstly Sean HBS Glasgow’s New Studio ...... 10 Dunderdale, our Public Relations manager offers some tips Another Can of Worms? ...... 12 and advice on gaining publicity for your station. And Tarka Radio is Back on the Map ...... 14 secondly, a return to the fold of Mathew Hulbert from Southern Sound Celebrate ...... 15 Castle Mead Radio who keeps us up-to-date with what he Countrywide News from the Stations ...... 16 has been doing. Good to have you back Mathew. Can You Help? ...... 20 Enjoy Conference and well done to all those who have Update Your Membership Subscription ...... 21 Mathew’s Message ...... 22 been shortlisted. Meet the Members ...... 23 Michelle Ruby Celebrations for Radio Warneford ...... 24 Born in a Box ...... 25 Shared Programming ...... 26 The Vintage Years ...... 31 DIARY DATES Regional Team Details ...... 32 28th-30th March 2014 HBA Annual Conference Who To Contact on the Executive Committee ...... IRC Marriott Hotel, Bristol FRONT COVER STORY: 27th-29th March 2015 Conference Pupils from Gaywood Community Primary Marriott Hotel, Gosforth Park, Newcastle. School in Kings Lynn swapped the classroom for the studio as they took over the airwaves on Lynn’s Hospital Radio. A group of 15 children in years five and six went on air at the Our Ambassadors station at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital under the watchful eye of station volunteer Alistair Done. The school already has its own studios and is planning to run programmes for pupils and parents. Alistair said the session had been ‘a great success’ and hopes to hold a further session with the school later in the year.
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. Alan Dedicoat Ken Bruce Registered in England No. 2750147. A Registered Charity No. 1015501. Registered office: Avebury House, St Peter Street, Winchester, SO23 8BN On Air is distributed free of charge to all member stations of the Association plus interested parties. All material is ©2014 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. Dr Chris Steele, MBE Alex Lester 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 31st April, 2014 Board Report
Conference News ordinator, even if for only a Our national conference takes relatively small cluster of stations place in Bristol from Friday 28th to in your immediate neighbourhood, Sunday 30th March. By the time please do get in touch with Mel you read this, residential bookings ([email protected]). will have closed. However, you can still join us as a non-residential Members' Newsletter delegate as long as you're quick – Darren Whittenham-Gray is off bookings close on 28th February. to a flying start with the Members' More details can be found on the Electronic Newsletter. It's being website at hbauk.com/conference. distributed to all our main contacts You can now pay by card as well at member stations but any – although, because we keep our volunteer at a member station is charges to an absolute minimum, eligible to subscribe for free. we are passing on the transaction If your HBA contact person is not fee so, if you take up on this forwarding the newsletter to you, option, you'll pay slightly more please ask them to do so – there's than if you use an old-fashioned a ‘subscribe me’ link in each one – cheque or pay electronically via a or signup directly at BACS transfer. http://eepurl.com/DDMdj. The National Hospital Radio by Nigel Dallard, Secretary Awards ceremony will take place Football Dataco during the Saturday evening of organise the 2015 National Mike Sarre recently had a useful conference. The shortlists are on Hospital Radio Awards (although meeting with representatives of the website at hbauk.com/awards. that will, likely, be their last, as Football Dataco, who licence Good luck to all those nominated. they feel that it is time for a coverage of football games to all creative refresh in the hands of a media outlets. Annual General new team). As a result, we hope that the Meeting Hospital Radio licence for football coverage will be rather more The call for nominations for this Regional Changes hospital-radio friendly without, for year's round of Trustee elections Also at the AGM, the Trustees example, huge financial liabilities was issued in early January, with will be proposing the adoption of a on the Trustees if the terms of the the elections taking place at the new set of Regional Bylaws to licence are broken. AGM on Saturday, 29th March (at remove most of the administrative the conference in Bristol). ‘red tape’ around regions, requiring This year it's the turn of the Vice them to hold formal AGMs, etc. Membership Chairman/Deputy Chief Executive We'll also be opening up regional Subscriptions and Regional Manager. Iain Lee has membership, so that regional Membership subscriptions fall announced that he is not intending boundaries become much more due again on 1st April. This year, to to seek re-election, so we are fuzzy than at the moment and encourage early renewal, the especially looking for someone to allow members to join as many Trustees have agreed that stations take on the Vice Chair/Deputy regions as they like – so volunteers which renew before 1st April will be Chief Exec role. If you are who are willing and able to travel able to do so for the reduced fee of interested, or know someone who longer distances can be kept £40. might be, please feel free to informed of activities in Renewals after 1st April will cost contact Iain or any of the other neighbouring regions (or even the same as last year – £45. Trustees for more information regions in another part of the Associate Members' fees remain prior to completing the nomination country!). at £15 (with no discount for early form, which is available on the The current and proposed renewal). AGM page of our website Regional Bylaws are available now (hbauk.com/agm) alongside the on the AGM webpage. formal role description and other Starting in areas of the country AGM paperwork. without active Regional Reps, our COPY DATE Please note that Iain's role recently-appointed Regional ISSUE146 organising the National Hospital Manager, Mel Ive, is also going to Radio Awards is separate to his try to find reps or co-ordinators for 30th APRIL 2014 current Trustee position and Iain smaller geographic areas. If you're has stated that he and Sean will interested in acting as a rep or co-
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HBA Patron Alan Dedicoat kicked off 2014 in style, revealing the nominations for this year's National Hospital Radio Awards.
Alan, better known as the Voice of the Lottery Balls, is Radio 2's Head of Presentation and he kindly pre-recorded a special New Year greeting via the HBA website on January 1st and announced the top ten shortlist of nominations in nine of the eleven categories; Station of the Year, the Male and Female Presenters of the Year, Best Programme with Multiple Best Speech Package and Best again nominated in that category. Presenters, Best Speech Package, Newcomer for volunteer Becky Best Special Event, Best Marlton, while its 'Requestline' is Radio Tyneside's 'Geordie Hour' Newcomer, Best Specialist Music shortlisted for Best Programme will be looking to go one better, Programme and Best Station with Multiple Presenters. having clinched Silver in Best Promo. Specialist Music Programme last Radio Glamorgan comes out on year. That station is also Awards Co-Producer, Sean top, with nine nominations in all, nominated again in the Best Dunderdale, said, ‘We wanted to including Station of the Year, Best Special Event category which it try something a little different this Special Event for its programme won Gold for last year for its year, having brought forward the 'Remembering the War' and two Jubilee Coverage. This time deadline for entries. nominations for Best Newcomer – around it's short listed for the ‘Usually the shortlist appears in as Laura Best and Mark Wright go station’s broadcast of the Great written form but we thought it up against each other for the Gold North Run. would be great to get Alan to spot. announce the nominees, enabling The Bronze, Silver and Gold stations – if they wish – to run the Radio Plymouth is close behind winners in each category will be audio on air.’ with seven nominations, while revealed at the National Hospital Radio Choice, Rookwood Sound, Radio Awards Ceremony, which is Last year's Silver Station of the Hospital Radio Bedside and Radio being held in Bristol as part of our Year, Radio Redhill, is again Wey all have five nominations. The annual Conference at the end of nominated in the category, up latter's Andy Brown is shortlisted, March, along with the winners of against previous winners Hospital aiming to keep his title of Male the Fundraiser of the Year and the Radio Plymouth, which actually Presenter of the Year for Radio John Whitney Award for which has seven nominations in total Wey. His station also scooped Gold there are no shortlist of across the categories including last year for Best Promo and is nominations.
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The nominations are out and this This year it seems unlikely we'll Blackpool last year, using some of year's National Hospital Radio see the pair dressing up. Iain Bristol's most well known Awards ceremony is getting ever explained, ‘We never wanted the characters. ceremony to be about us, we've nearer, though producers Iain Lee ‘We're in talks, though we can't always wanted to the focus to be and Sean Dunderdale aren't giving just steal ideas or breach copyright on the volunteers – especially anything away as to what to expect so we have a Plan B and Plan C those nominated for an award. in Bristol this year. instead.’ ‘We almost, even at the eleventh Last year, Blackpool was treated Beyond that tease, Iain and hour, pulled the spoof video as we to the sight of Sean in a dress with Sean have both refused to felt it wasn't really what the Iain posing as James Bond. divulge any more secrets at the ceremony was about.’ Sean told On Air, ’We really moment. Sean agreed, ‘We do have three weren't sure whether to actually It's the seventh ceremony the ideas for the opening sequence of show the video of Iain and I pair will have produced and the this year’s ceremony and we're not spoofing the Queen's arrival at the first in the South West. 2012 Olympics. ruling out dressing up but the focus will definitely be on the work Whatever they've got planned, it ‘It came about as a joke at first of volunteers right across the UK. does sound like it's well worth and before we knew it Iain was in being in Bristol to see just what ‘One of the ideas actually came the back of a taxi and I was they come up with. wearing a wig and a dress.’ to mind while travelling back from
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In a new column, HBA Public Relations Manager Sean Dunderdale offers tips and advice on gaining PR for your station.
such an interview. A week later I straight back with the request for a received a phone call saying the video insert.) Many people don't Princess had never laughed so bother asking, they're vie is simply much at a request for an interview ‘they'll probably say no.’ Well while and would be happy to do the that's true, it's always 50/50 so recording. Indeed, Her Royal while they MIGHT say no, there's Highness has since recorded two just as much chance they'll say exclusive interviews with Lincs FM, yes, so why not try it? as result. One final example of being Now, admittedly, I was very cheeky and seizing an opportunity. lucky. I happened to be invited to Last year Hugh Bonneville, the event in the first place and had Downton's Lord Grantham, gave a spent a day chasing her around video insert for the ceremony – the Lincolnshire Show a year ago – praising the work of our There are many ways of gaining that doesn't happen all the time volunteers. This video purely came PR, from writing the perfect press but, when opportunities do arrive, about because of a Tweet from release to creating ideal publicity jump at them. Hugh and a cheeky request from opportunities that attract Another Royal story (and I me. Hugh said on Twitter: ‘It seems attention. Over future columns promise I'm not just Royal name because I've grown a beard (he we'll look at some of the best and dropping!) The local newspaper was filming Xmas show Mr Stink at worse but I thought I'd start with a revealed that The Queen and Duke the time) a charity video I was due simply tip – just be a little bit of Edinburgh were to visit to record is now not wanted!’ cheeky and never be afraid to ask! Scunthorpe as part of their Jubilee Reading this, I quickly tweeted I've found, time and time again, celebrations, back in 2002. back saying that I'd love him to that with a little bit of luck (usually Luckily – there's that Luck again – record a video for the Hospital keeping my eyes open for an the newspaper had found this out Radio Awards and had no qualms opportunity) and a little bit of almost a year before the visit, so it about him having a beard. I cheek I've achieved far more than was unlikely the exact details of guessed I'd hear nothing more might otherwise have happened. what Her Majesty would be doing about it but the following day a Take my day job at Lincs FM, for had yet been decided. On a spur of tweet came back from Hugh example. I was lucky enough to be the moment, I sent a letter to saying he'd be delighted to – and at an event in which The Princess Buckingham Palace pointing out the rest is history (well, a 30 Royal, Princess Anne was that Scunthorpe Hospital Radio second video anyway!) attending. Again, by luck, I mingled had also just celebrated its Jubilee Now, of course, it's not always with the right crowd and ended up and inviting the Royal Couple to about celebrity. Being cheeky being introduced to her. That was visit our recently redeveloped when asking if you can do an the lucky side. My cheeky side studio complex during their visit to outside broadcast from a shop then took over. I told the Princess Scunthorpe. I never thought, for a window, approaching the local MP this story, politely, with tongue moment, it would go anywhere but to see if they'll help with some firmly in cheek, that I was ‘just glad after much discussion, July 2002 madcap idea, persuading the local she was speaking with me today, SHR was visited by the Duke of newspaper to do a double page as the last time I saw her she'd Edinburgh who watched a request spread on your station are all as ignored me for an entire day.’ She show being broadcast and then important at gaining publicity and looked surprised and asked me pulled the curtain on the station's I'm sure many of you have as what I meant, so I explained how Jubilee plaque outside the studios. many, if not better, examples of two years previously she had been The publicity we gained from that your own. If so, I'd love to hear a visitor at the Lincolnshire Show one spur of the moment letter was them and we'll share the best and I'd spent an entire day immense and firmly put SHR on ones. following her around, hoping to the map locally. The key thing is though, always bag an interview. Needless to say, It's a similar approach with the asking the question and don't be it didn't happen. She laughed, National Hospital Radio Awards, afraid of the answer. apologised and said that if she never be afraid to ask. Since taking Of course not everything will ever visited again she would give on the production of the Awards work out, many will (and do) say me an exclusive interview. That ceremony, we've been lucky to no. If I got a yes for everything, was that, brief conversation over, have video inserts from two Prime then I'd be the new Doctor Who she moved on. Ministers with Gordon Brown and and Kylie and Tom Jones would be A year later, I discovered David Cameron both saying a few bringing their swivel chairs from Princess Anne was returning to the words to camera. I don't have a The Voice to Bristol for this year's Lincolnshire Show. (Again, by luck, magic contact in Number Ten, I awards ceremony. it's one of her favourite events.) just researched who to talk to and Next edition: the Dos and Don'ts Wasting no time, I fired off a letter asked the question. (Actually, I of press release writing. How to recounting our conversation and asked if they'd like to attend the make yours stand out from the jokingly asking whether I could get ceremony and when told no, fired crowd.
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enough, explaining it had really Get To Know Your made Christmas, as she was upset because her friend in the bed next Regional Team ... to her had died a few days before. With tears in their eyes, the team returned her (and bed) to the ward.
In this edition we meet Dave Nicholson, lovely boy of the North: Name: Dave Nicholson Nickname: back in the eighties, I Happy New Year All! was known as the Ayotola now it Since the last meeting, it has is just sir! (joke) been very busy in so many Roles: Station Director/North Rep stations around the UK. I am When did you join Hospital constantly seeing great reports on Radio? 1973 social media sites What do you enjoy about (Twitter/Facebook) letting the Hospital Radio? Just enjoy radio public know what stations are up and the people who work in it to and encouraging people to tune Favourite Music/Artist? MOR, in. Please keep these going and, of A few days later the nurses told little light classical course, ‘shout out’ to your regional us that this act of kindness had What do you do outside of reps and me!! really helped get Ellie’s spirits and Hospital Radio? Don't have time. Have you ever wondered if what health up again. When I do cooking and travelling we do is worth it? Whether it really So to finish, if you are told If you were hosting a dinner helps people? Hospital Radio isn’t beneficial or party, which five people would On Christmas Eve, something you ever doubt the impact Hospital you invite? happened at my station that really Radio has, just remember Ellie’s Shirley Bassey brought home the affect we have story, because there will be at least Kylie Minogue on people. one person today who will have a Rick Stein (he could help with Christmas Eve saw a number of smile on their face because of the cooking) Radio Wexham members join what you do!! Len Goodman forces with the hospital trust to provide ‘Mince Pies and Music’ Carol Kirkwood (weather whilst some of our youngsters Snippets from around presenter and good friend) were also going around the wards the regions: giving out crackers. And finally... In one of the wards is a lovely RADIO CHERWELL – hosting Congratulations to all stations lady called Ellie. Ellie has been in the Home Counties Regional that have been shortlisted for the since September and always meeting on Sunday 9th February – National Awards. It will be great to enjoys chatting to the volunteers all welcome, contact Ian Pinnell! see so many of you at the when they visit the wards as most conference in Bristol. of her family live miles away. She SOUTH TYNESIDE HOSPITAL There are some great seminars was really down in the dumps on RADIO – has renamed their on air planned and hopefully many Christmas Eve and was upset as identity to Radio South Tyneside stations will take the opportunity she wanted to join in with the and have re-launched their to share ideas. music in reception but was not website. During conference I am hoping to feeling well. meet as many of you as possible and Determined to cheer her up, two BAY TRUST RADIO – are to get to know the great teams that of our members, Jordan and Lisa, planning a sponsored weekend make Hospital Radio fantastic, so worked with the nurses and broadcast over Easter. please feel free to come and chat!! Remember – I’m always on the brought Ellie, bed and all to join the Five stations in the North region, fun. She stayed for over half an lookout for volunteers, so why not TYNESIDE, SOUTH TYNESIDE, hour singing along with the songs come and find out how easy it is to as the team also decorated her DURHAM, BAY TRUST and become part of the Regional team. bed with tinsel. AUCKLAND carried the new Year It’s not as much work as you think When it was time for her to Big Broadcast. Feedback has been but definitely more fun than you leave, she couldn’t thank the team quite favourable. realise!
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Firstly, Happy New Year to you all and I hope many of you are planning to come to conference at the end of March in Bristol – our first conference in Bristol since 1975. I was very pleased to be able to attend Hospital Radio Bedside’s AGM in Bournemouth in November where I also presented some Long Service Certificates. In early December I also went to Stoke Mandeville and joined in their programme. Early in January I was very happy to attend the Harlow Hospital Radio’s Variety Show night – one of their fund raisers and some very good talent they have too. 26th January was the anniversary of York Hospital Radio, so I was there all weekend for Members of Hospital Radio Bedside, Bournemouth proudly display their many events. While in the area I certificates also was welcomed to Harrogate Hospital Radio to join Ellie for an afternoon programme and most enjoyable it was. As I celebrate 40 years in hospital radio this year, I have made a commitment to visit at least 40 hospital radio stations during the year and plans for those visits are coming along nicely. Do please let me know if you would like me to come along and see you at your station or at one of your events, I will be very happy to arrange this. If I cannot come along, then other members of the HBA are always very happy to attend. I am planning to be at the Home Counties Regional Meeting in February as well as other confirmed visits to Clatterbridge, Grimsby, Reading and I am hoping to confirm others. I will try to visit Celebrations at Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio as many stations in the Wales West Region as possible during certificates amount to is already and again please do apply to me. and after conference and on my 1190, which really does make you They are for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, way home. appreciate just how many 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, etc Already I I am delighted how many dedicated, committed hospital have received two requests this requests I continue to receive for broadcasters we have in the UK. year and please keep them long service certificates. It is so important to coming. Certificates are issued for 10, 15, acknowledge and thank you all for I would like to thank all those 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 55, years, your hard work, dedication and who welcome me to their stations etc and where possible I would commitment. Please continue to and events. I really appreciate love to come and present them if request certificates from me and I your hospitality. I hope that this that is what you would like in your will do my best to produce them as year will be successful one. station – whatever the occasion. quickly as I can. Best wishes and I look forward I have already received requests The HBA also provides station to seeing many of you at for 51 Long Service Certificates to certificates recognising the conference. date this year for 12 stations and dedication and commitment of the June Snowden the total number of years those station to the community it serves President, HBA
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Search for a Solution same time and in a relatively tight disruption to programmes would Around five years ago, we window. But we do like a challenge. have the least listener impact. started to look at the options for Funding replacing our playout system. First challenge was the £60K Since May 2002 we’d been using needed to replace two studios and Guinevere, a simple cart-based some of the key elements of the solution developed by Paul Petitt, transmission rack. We managed to formerly of Coastway Hospital raise the necessary funding to Radio. We had demos from a replace both studios in a little number of potential suppliers under a year, sending out 34 including all the usual suspects appeal letters, including a but decided not to commit to any successful request for funding specific system at that time as we from the HBA Grants Scheme. It were likely to move from our city wasn’t just a case of sending out a centre accommodation onto an batch of standard letters, each Under construction NHS site, so all funding sources letter was carefully worded to would almost certainly be needed ensure it highlighted the key Content for relocation costs. elements the particular trust fund Like many playout systems, to Four years came and went and being approached was interested get the best from Synergy, you we were still in Baltic Chambers, in. Even selecting the trust funds need to make sure that the the office block in Glasgow City was a time consuming process production work for each track on Centre that has been our home for with more than a 100 hours spent the database is properly done. 20 years. With the relocation trail researching who to approach and This includes setting the cue having gone cold and the mixing understanding why each trust fund points per track and allocating the desks 15 years old and selected was worth sending a audio to one or many categories approaching renewal time, we letter to. so that programme producers and again looked at the options for the scheduling system know the replacing both the studio hardware details. To achieve this, we and the playout software invested in a couple of additional simultaneously. What kept coming stand-alone ‘Production’ licences out as our preferred option – albeit for computers in our record not the cheapest – was Synergy library. We advertised via the local from Clyde Broadcast. We’ve had a Volunteer Centre for people close association with Clyde for interested in record library work, more than 20 years but always on around 20 enquiries were received a commercial basis so we certainly but when the majority of people weren’t going to be getting saw what we needed them to do, anything for nothing. The appeal of they changed their minds. This still their product was only reinforced The old studio left us with a core of a few people when we looked at it in operation with an interest in working their at local colleges and community Why didn’t we also try raising way through the thousands of radio stations and realised that funds through member driven tracks we needed to have locally it was the system of choice events, the reason is quite simple. converted to the bespoke ‘.syn’ file for small scale broadcasters We didn’t want to take our focus format. although we understand that it away from keeping our We also invested in a new server hadn’t been installed before by a programmes highly patient with lots of capacity to store the hospital radio station. The system oriented and asking members to audio, so didn’t face any space isn’t just aimed at small help with organising lots of fund- issues with the original server broadcasters as it’s also raisers would have caused this to needing to have dual copies of extensively installed in the UK and happen. We were pretty sure from tracks to support the old and new worldwide including a number of past experience that with a solid playout systems. state broadcasters with multi- case for funding behind us, we By the day of the new studio studio installations. One of the could achieve the target figure launch, around a thousand tracks systems is also used every week from written approaches alone. had been converted but there are for a live show on BBC Radio 2. By October 2013, the full funding still lots to do, so the record Although the price tag is a bit required for the two studios was in librarian team will almost certainly more than you might pay for place but even before this based be a permanent feature of the way buying in a mixer and playout on the feedback we’d been getting the organisation operates. system separately, it was the from trust funds, we had set the Training Facility incredible flexibility and integration date of the first weekend in of the system which helped us As Synergy is completely January for the first studio different to the old equipment and make what in hindsight was an switchover, as many of our easy decision. We also realised we were going to replace both members would still be on an studios in the same month, we that as we were going to replace extended festive break and the both studios with Synergy knew we had to get the entire number of listeners is at the lowest presentation team trained in equipment it would be so much point for the year, so any simpler to do them both at the advance. Being in an office block in
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OK, hands up if you programming. Besides request listen in via the free TuneIn™ remember the NAHBO shows after visiting the patients on app/website/Shoutcast™ site? Campaign ‘Fight for FM’? the wards, we are an information Not only whilst staying in the service with patient service hospital but at home as well. My I remember it vividly and still announcements and health local station has received emails have the replies from local MPs information podcasts (eg British from former patients wishing to supporting the idea for hospital Heart Foundation podcasts). thank the staff for the treatment radio stations to have the ability to Although we remain an amateur and care they have received. And broadcast on FM via low power status, we provide a very having worked for independent transmitters to their hospitals. professional service akin to the local radio and freelance for the This resulted in the Radio early days of BBC Local/ILR radio. BBC for a number of years, this Authority allowing 28 day The fact we remain ‘amateur’ is type of interaction is seen as a Restricted Service Licences testament to the fact that we are valuable way to reach out to the (RSLs) and a little later Long-term unpaid volunteers. And if we paid listener. Get them onboard with all RSLs (LRSL). staff – we would no longer be things ‘Radio A2B’ and to keep The limited success of that ‘amateur’ but semi-professional. them as listeners; a very important campaign (and I say limited And so to ‘The Can of Worms’ ... marketing tool in the world of because of the continued Internet Streaming. independent radio and RAJAR restricted use of the FM band in This topic is not new. I have read results. the UK) is now realised by the and heard people’s comments For hospital radio, we can use number of hospital radio stations about hospital radio stations such tools to promote what we do. being licenced to broadcast to streaming their service on the Promote the unique semi- their local areas/health parks and web. For those who often point out professional service we offer. To the hospitals and clinics within. that ‘our Charity constitution dismiss the vision that hospital I have heard from a couple of states we provide the service via radio is an amateur two hour hospital radio services saying how hardwired system to hospitals and programme of spinning a couple of beneficial the service is due to the similar institutions’ – please old vinyl records by retired locals failing hard wired system (and remember this basic document or some dance CDs by ‘today’s financial cost of the plastic was scripted half a century ago. It yoof’ who want to break into headsets still used today). As most also doesn’t make comment about commercial radio. And I think of us run as registered charities, using AM or FM frequencies either; that’s where the problem lies. In a we continue to try and spend our and as such the wording of our sort of Luddite way, we should all limited funds wisely. The plastic officiating document can be be concerned that our hospital tube headsets have given way to changed at an EGM or at your radio service doesn’t change into small personal radios (some fixed annual AGM as long as it doesn’t something that isn’t suitable for frequency so they can only receive detract from the charity’s main our core audience. As long as we hospital radio) and in most cases, cause – to provide a service to keep focused on our audience, the these small radios can cost less patients in hospital and similar patients, whether we broadcast than the plastic headsets. The institutions. via AM/FM RSl or online, we have constant maintenance of the old to stay focused in providing this distribution line-amp system to So is streaming worth it? unique service. the wards (not the newer bedside I believe it is. Many hospital radio Then there is the cost. There are screen systems), have in most stations now embrace the use of the additional PRS/PPL licences cases been left by NHS Trusts to websites, social media and and as it is very rare my local HR the local HR service. This adds streaming to promote our unique service get more than 25 listeners more uncertainty to our ability to service. What we can do as a at any one time, our monthly fee reach out to every patient via the hospital radio service is far better for a maximum of 40 listeners is old hardwired system. than that any local radio service just £2.96 a month. We simply And so as one chapter closes, can offer. It is the fact that we don’t promote the stream as an including the name change from reach out to our listeners and internet radio station; we remain a NAHBO to HBA and the Radio interact by visiting them that hospital radio service. It is nice to Authority giving way to OFCOM, makes hospital radio so unique. have regular listeners from hospital radio continues to evolve. And as many hospital trusts now Australia, Germany, Malaysia and Long gone is the service that offer free WiFi with more and more USA but the stream is an added opted in for a couple of hours per patients using ‘smart phones’ and service for the patients, staff and day from a sustaining service ‘tablets’ whilst in hospital, I believe Trust members to listen to, (usually the local BBC station). we have to evolve and move besides friends and family and Most hospital radio stations are forward. What better way to potential sponsors. It also gives now fully functioning 24 hours per interact with patients than to tell the chance for fellow members to day with our own sustaining them that they can read up about listen to their colleagues. Before service mixed with live hospital radio via the website or the advent of streaming, the only
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second studio to the same level as our main studio. Another key move to putting Founded in 1981 and based at us back in the the North Devon District Hospital public eye (or in Barnstaple, Tarka Radio has, it is maybe ear!) was fair to say, until about three years the introduction ago, been in tick over mode for of our on-line several years, due primarily to low streaming service member numbers and a set of in January 2013. challenges that were beyond the This has enabled power of the small team. us to promote However, in 2010 a few key our service to a former members returned to the wide audience, fold with the express intent to turn allowed patients’ things around and ensure the relatives to hear future of the station. We are their requests delighted to report that things at being played for Tarka Radio are now looking very unit to promote their event. We are their loved ones and also to listen different to the way they were. A now entering our third season of to our programmes and helped to priority for the team was to put the events for the OEU and the diary is encourage support from the house back in order and then raise filling up fast. community. Our programmes are awareness of the work that we do. An essential tool in achieving our now streamed 24/7 and can be A key move to attract new objectives, was to build a heard through the ‘listen now’ members, to increase awareness completely new website (previous section of our website. and to raise the ever much needed versions having been a bit basic, to www.tarkaradio.co.uk funds was to look for a suitable say the least!). The new site is We are delighted to report that vehicle for conversion for use for bright and interactive and in whilst Tarka Radio has floated outside events. We previously had addition to member’s details, around the middle ground in the a small tow-a-van that we used programme schedule and station Hospedia ratings for our hospital back in the 90’s to provide PA for information is regularly updated for years, we have been at the local charitable events, etc and with our forthcoming events and number one position for four although this unit had long ago photos and reports of those events consecutive months now and by a departed for the scrap yard as no afterwards. huge margin so all our efforts are amount of surgery would have A key part of the website is, of paying off! saved it from its inevitable fate! course, to attract new members, We are keen to become more In 2010 we were fortunate to which has been very effective and active participants in HBA acquire a former fast food trailer, we are now operating at around 20 activities now that we have turned which had then been converted for members. In 2010 our broadcast things around. promoting agricultural supplies at hours had dropped to around 15 We are looking forward to shows but had subsequently hours of live programmes a week, another busy year with some more become obsolete. we have now increased this to over potentially exciting projects Although in a sorry state, it was 60 hours in addition to our around the corner. We welcome structurally sound and as we had automated service Tarka Radio communications from other HBA every intention of ripping it apart 24/7. members (contact from our to make it suitable for our Whilst our studio equipment is website). requirements, most of the tatty far from the stuff was removed and thrown in latest (our desks the skip in the very early stages of were purchased conversion. Three members of our in 1990!), the team spent over 2000 man-hours difference being on the conversion, which was that nowadays completed in the spring of 2012. they are linked The unit now has a good size to computers stage (suitable for a four piece and CD players band) and features a studio/sound rather than a control room and meet and greet couple of area. The new Tarka Radio Outside turntables! We Events Unit (OEU) has become a have recently tremendous asset and has undertaken enabled us to build strong some work to relationships with local update the organisations such as Lions Clubs equipment we and other charities who are keen have and to to have access to an affordable upgrade our
ON AIR
In its 40th year of broadcasting, Southern Sound Hospital Radio has decided to celebrate with an application for a Restricted Service Licence (RSL) to broadcast for a short period on FM Stereo in the Glasgow area. As part of the preparations, an application was made to Brookfield Multiplex, the principal contractor of the new South Hospitals in Glasgow to support their application. The Company’s Charity Committee awarded £500 to the Radio Station which will pay for the RSL. The Station also hopes to broadcast around the same time as the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with emphasis on involving the paraplegic community, para-sports athletes, Scotland Para-sports Athlete Megan Dawson-Farrell accepts the £500 their families, friends and cheque for Southern Sound at the new South Hospital Site supporters during and after the games. Station Chairman, Frank Murphy, potential involvement of the To set the Commonwealth said, ‘This is a great gesture by paraplegic community in both Games theme, Megan Dawson- The New South Glasgow Hospitals preparing and participating in the Farrell, who will compete for Team Project Charity Committee in our shows. Scotland in the 1500m Para-sport 40th year of broadcasting and just Broadcasting information about race, accepted the cheque on fantastic for Megan to take time the Commonwealth Games will be behalf of the Radio Station. Megan from training to come along and subject to permission from The has a close association with the accept the cheque on our behalf’. Commonwealth Games nominated Southern General Hospital and The radio station’s preparations broadcaster, the BBC. was delighted to accept the are already underway with plans John Brisbane cheque on the Stations’ behalf. for ‘doing it differently’ with the Southern Sound Hospital Radio Southern Sound’s Christmas Preparations for Christmas at broadcast from 8am to 10pm. affiliation to the local community the Southern General Hospital in Presenters took turns with special in Govan through actual contact Glasgow kicked off on the evening shows with a range of different and generosity witnessed in our 12th December when a team of music to keep up the festive spirit. fund raising. around a dozen Southern Sound Santa took time off from The work by Graham helped by (SOSO) volunteers (including preparations to visit the hospital Alan Hall and Tony Mack in getting Santa!) set up an OB at the ASDA wards with requests played for our 24/7 broadcasting up and Superstore in Govan Glasgow to patients and nursing staff in running has been nothing short of collect vital funds for the radio hospital over the festive period. On amazing, particularly when one station. This was the third Christmas Day a full programme of appreciates the other great occasion in 2013 where ASDA had shows were broadcast culminating achievements in 2013. It’s clear invited SOSO to come and in a live UK wide Hospital Radio however that 2014 is going to be a entertain shoppers whilst broadcast in the evening. pivotal year particularly around the collecting funds at the same time. On 1st January 2014, the station current uncertainty on where our A good time was had by all with commenced 24/7 broadcasting destiny lies in future broadcasting. some fancy festive dancing with after some fantastic work by We were advised by NHS Glasgow customers during the collection! Programme Controller Graham recently that we will probably need After three hours, the team had Clark. Southern Sound Secretary to move from our current on site collected just under £400. It was Alan Taylor said, ‘2013 has been a studios some time in 2014 when also announced that SOSO had great year for us and our five year the building is to be demolished to been selected by ASDA customers strategic plan helped us focus on make way for a car park at the new as Charity of the Month and a the most important activities. The hospital. donation was expected in the New continued relationship with the Preparations continue however Year. general public through our OBs at against our five year plan and we On Christmas Eve, SOSO ASDA in 2013 has been immense take great pleasure for now in our provided a uninterrupted live and we feel a warm and credible successes in 2013!’
ON AIR
What A Year! 2013 was an eventful year at Northern Air and after many months of discussion over a new logo, members finally took the plunge and ordered new sweat shirts with the logo printed back and front. New programme controller, Phil Salter, felt changes were needed to some of the pre-recorded programmes and also update the Nick Chaffey and Chairman, Jo Newey music on the computer. I don’t of the volunteers. He said, ‘We think he realised how much work have so many different people with was required but he had more than different personalities – something a Little help from computer expert I have been fortunate enough to Steve Martin. A fantastic job. experience for the 35-year Whilst all this was going on, the programme. We all work really well Don’t drop the baby, Joe! computers decided to play up but together, which is always a plus.’ with a little tlc, they were coaxed Starting on the Children’s ward, Nick started on the hospital’s along; in the New Year the three the reception we received was Wardround request programme and computers will have to be replaced. amazing, many parents taking said he never knew which songs Two successful open evenings pictures of the crew. Santa had a would be requested; it is interesting were held during the year with a request from a brand new to see which ones pop up. great deal of interest in becoming grandmother and mother to hold ‘It’s revealing to see how much a volunteer. The Lord Mayor of this 15-hour old baby boy whilst these songs mean to people which Manchester was invited to one of they took pictures. I think Santa isn’t not I was expecting but It’s the evenings; originally he was was the most scared in case he nice to hear the reaction from the staying for an hour but he was dropped the baby. The rest of the patients and it does, on a personal enjoying himself so much he evening was very well received on level, lift your spirits.’ stayed until 10pm. We felt he had the rest of the wards. Sunshine volunteer Laura the calling to be a radio presenter. The station broadcast many live Tremelling was joined on a special November and December were programmes over the Christmas 35th anniversary Talk of the Town very busy: Sunday 17th November period and finished the year with show by the Mayor and Mayoress was the annual Bag Packing Richard Smith taking us into 2014 of Weston, Keith Morris and session at Sainsburys superstore with the Big Broadcast. A huge Jocelyn Holder, who spoke of their in Prestwich. We had a very good thank you to Richard for all the love of the resort and reminisced turn out of volunteers to and this hard work that went into the over its history. turned out to be one of the most broadcast. Past and present members successful bag packs raising over Joe Sambrook celebrated the anniversary at the £550. The station is grateful to Sunshine Radio Awards which was Sainsburys for allowing us to fund Bring Me Sunshine held at Weston Cricket Club. raise in their store. For 35 years, volunteers at James Ledbrook was presented 28th November was the annual Sunshine Hospital Radio have with the Karen Radford Award for Quiz night and the local Labour been brightening up patients’ days best all-round contribution, Ben club in Crumpsall chose Northern with personal song choices to lift Jones took the Clive Townshend Air as one the charities it supports their spirits. Whether an overnight Award for best newcomer and Nick and this year they donated £100. patient or long stay, the Sunshine scooped the Jill Dando Award for Incidentally we won the quiz. team set out to make life on a best show contribution. 1st December was the station’s ward a little easier to cope with. Christmas meal, again held at a Volunteers at Weston General local curry house in Prestwich. Hospital produced special Thursday 19th December is one programmes to mark 35 years of of the most enjoyable nights of the broadcasting and patients were year when Father Christmas and treated to a weekend of shows for his elves and a clown visit every all ages and musical tastes single ward in North Manchester including a ‘35 years, 35 songs’ General giving each patient a show presented by Nick Chaffey, tangerine. This year a five piece featuring a special song from each choir joined us on the wards and year and why they were chosen. sang on every ward; they were very The 24-year-old broadcaster has weary when they finished but still been a member for just over two Laura Tremelling (fundraising), Nick came back to the studio to sing years and said the station’s more Christmas songs. Chaffey, Marcus Tripp (public relations success is down to the great work Officer) and Jo Newey (Chairman)
ON AIR
Strictly Panto, Darling! Over £350 was raised for Hospital Jackson and David Parkinson, who Radio Chelmsford when they held a also present the weekly rugby roadshow in a shopping centre in league programme on a Wednesday Chelmsford. Volunteers from the evening at 7pm. station, which broadcasts at Broomfield Hospital, collected Celebrations All the Way £354.32 while they entertained shoppers at High Chelmer Shopping Centre just before Christmas. Shoppers were able to request their favourite tune while searching for festive bargains and a visit was also made by Santa Claus. Shows were also broadcast live from the centre straight back to the hospital. Music and Money at Asha Jhummu, from Hospital Radio Chelmsford, was lucky Brent Cross Pictured, Mark Withey, Martin Kinch, Stella enough to interview both Craig Withey, June Snowden and SMHR Revel Horwood and Lisa Riley at the Chairman, Steve Andrews. Freda Roberts, Matthew Nash and Ralph Chadwick were Cliffs Pavilion Theatre in Southend unable to attend On Sea in December 2013. Both Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio stars were appearing in the Panto of has celebrated 35 years of Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs. broadcasting to patients and staff at ‘I was a bit nervous meeting Craig the hospital; they first started Revel Horwood in his dressing room broadcasting at 7.30pm on 4th backstage, as he is known as a bit of December, 1978, pantomime villain on Strictly Come Three members of the station, Dancing. However, Craig wasn’t as Martin Kinch, Mark Withey and Stella scary as he appears on TV and was Withey recently presented a nine hour happy to talk to Hospital Radio marathon programme to celebrate Chelmsford. ‘Lisa was really friendly Members of Radio Northwick Park the station’s birthday. . and bubbly.’ spent a weekend at Brent Cross Guests included June Snowden, Craig leads the cast of the panto Shopping Centre entertaining Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley, as the Wicked Queen whilst Lisa shoppers to raise money for the former members of the station and plays Craig’s maid. station. some current members who received Paul Burling, a finalist on Britain’s Based at Northwick Park Hospital, long service awards from June. Got Talent in 2010, also appears in Harrow, members graced shoppers Certificates were awarded to: Freda the panto and has everybody in with music and sung songs at the Roberts 35 years; Martin Kinch 35 stitches as he performs a number of shopping centre and raised £227 for years; Dez Kay 35 years; Mark Withey impressions, including the station. 25 years; Matthew Nash 25 years; impersonating Harry Hill. Fundraising officer Hannah Stella Withey 15 years; Steve Andrews The special effects are amazing Ashman said, ‘This was our first 15 years; Roy Mcnabb 15 years; Ralph and the jokes are definitely not from appearance at Brent Cross and it Chadwick 15 years and Dave Gamage Bruce Forsyth’s joke book! was a true success. 15 years. The biggest surprise was that ‘The shoppers were incredibly Music was requested by patients Craig is an all-round entertainer, he generous and we would like to thank and staff; the show also featured many can indeed dance, act and sing and them all for their support and hits from 1978. June also awarded a 35 even master the Essex accent! generosity.’ year certificate to the station. Thanks to the Cliffs Pavilion Theatre, in particular Marketing World Cup Winners Obituary: Frank Benson Officer, Emma White, for arranging Patients in Warrington Hospital Frank Benson, long time member the interviews. will be able to follow all the action of of Darlington Hospital Radio, sadly Roadshow Success the Rugby League World Cup at the passed away just before Christmas. Halliwell Jones Stadium as the Frank retired at 66 and joined the hospital’s station Radio General has charity to keep him busy. Before he received accreditation to broadcast passed away, he was in hospital for live commentaries. ten weeks and was always keen to Keith Inman, secretary, said, ‘It’s know what was going on. great that in the year we are Even when unwell, he kept up his celebrating 60 years of providing duties as a volunteer and wouldn't rugby commentaries of the take the advice of others to take a Warrington Wolves we are able to break or step back. Many friends cover the Rugby League World Cup.’ and colleagues from the station Commentators will be Adrian attended his funeral in January.
ON AIR
Making a Difference Mayor Eric Munday launched the Mr Halfon, was accompanied on On New Year’s Eve, Hospital Radio station online and requested Old his ward round by Harlow Hospital Basingstoke collected requests for Black Magic by Ella Fitzgerald. Radio volunteer Ian Jackson. ‘The station was started by an Richard Smith’s New Year’s Eve Big Back to his Roots Broadcast. Around 8.30pm, we amateur film group,’ explained Bev, BBC Radio Suffolk presenter Mark received a website request for Liz ‘the first show was broadcast on Murphy went back to his roots as he from her son Tim who was listening February 14, 1964. Back then it was helped raise funds for HR Ipswich in Chile via the internet, the called Harold Wood Hospital Radio where the mid-morning host started message ‘Get Well Soon Mum!’ The and shows were pre-recorded. By his career. Mark was joined by fellow request was passed on to Richard the late 70s, it was an official charity presenter Lesley Dolphin and and played as part of the Big run by volunteers.’ representatives of HRI at Asda Broadcast. Unfortunately, a blood The station provided shows for Whitehouse in Ipswich. test meant she missed it! A second Warley Hospital in Brentwood and The team played Christmas songs request and message was received, Victoria Hospital in Romford. for festive shoppers while taking ‘Second time lucky mum! Hope you Meanwhile, Oldchurch Hospital in collections for the station. The day get well soon! Listening in from Romford had its own station, Radio raised over £300 for the station. Chile, Tim! Thank you so much, I’ve Rush Green, then Radio 174 and finally Mark spent eight years at HRI and really been enjoying the radio show Oldchurch Radio. is a president along with Lesley; he so far!’ In 2002, the stations merged to said, ‘It was fantastic. That is where I Richard played the request again create Bedrock for its move to the started my broadcasting career so I the next morning. I was on air new Queen’s Hospital in Rom Valley am always happy to help. People straight after so made sure Liz was Way, Romford in 2006. were really generous and it was listening and finished my show by Bev, who has overseen the switch really heart-warming. playing the request again. from vinyl to the modern-day After being sent a recording of the computerised ‘drag and drop’ Wonderful Wexham show, Liz replied, ‘I was able to play method, says it is much easier to present a show now. But the Laura Harry is an under 18 your midday programme to my who volunteers at Radio husband and was very moved hearing process of deciding which songs get played has remained constant. Wexham. She decided to Tim's dedication and Jason Donovan write an article for her and then your words after about the ‘Our team take requests from patients, now and then you get school magazine and the true meaning of hospital radio. Radio Wexham website to ‘Tim has now moved onto some strange requests; we’ve had Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive, The show volunteering doesn’t have to be Paraguay and I’ve sent him the clip. I boring! ‘I’ve been a volunteer at Radio know he enjoyed listening to the Animals’ We Gotta Get Out of This Place and The Verve’s The Drugs Wexham since August 2013. I’m show on New Year's Eve and hope thoroughly enjoying my time as it has he’d like hearing the re-run! Don’t Work. The strangest I remember was Brain Damage by boosted my confidence meeting new ‘Continue doing the good work. I people. I’ve made new friends too. was lucky to be in the woman's Pink Floyd. The team of volunteers range from 15 years old to 83. ‘When you first join, you health unit for a fairly serious op but undertake 12 weeks of ‘ward- only for a few days and now rounding’ as a radio rep! We speak recovering at home. But New Year MP’s Christmas Day Visit to patients and spend time to make 2014 will go down in my memory their evening more enjoyable. It is and you added to the good part of important to respect the patients spending it in hospital.’ and their needs. We try to make their time in hospital more enjoyable 50 Years of Broadcasting so whatever the song genre or era, we are sure to have it in our wide music collection. ‘We occasionally do outside broadcasts. We have supported Heatherwood Hospital’s 90th Harlow MP Robert Halfon took time birthday and supplied the music for from his Christmas break to thank Farnham Royal Cricket Club’s staff and volunteers for their work fireworks display and done over the festive period. He visited fundraising at Sainsbury’s. My Princess Alexandra Hospital and the favourite broadcast has been the 24 Harlow Chocolate Run, which runs a hour CPR Challenge for BBC’s Bev Stroud (third left) and Mat Christmas shelter for the homeless. Children in Need. I took part in the Watson (far right) with mayor, Cllr Eric ‘Every year on Christmas Day I challenge and supported the radio Munday and volunteers visit a number of wards in Princess station by supplying some great After lifting the moods of patients Alexandra Hospital with Harlow tunes. Popular disco tracks were for half a century, Radio Bedrock Hospital Radio. My main purpose is played to get people dancing to raise celebrated its birthday by launching to wish Happy Christmas to the lots of money for a brilliant charity. a new online web-stream. Bedrock patients but also thank those ‘I now present the On Air Patients broadcasts 24/7 and is based at working in the hospital on Request show. I was nervous about Queen’s Hospital in Romford. Christmas Day. speaking on air but now really enjoy it.’
ON AIR
York Celebrate Valentine’s Day – they were quite nervous – with Whistle A Happy Tune from The Fifty Years On Air Celebrations at St Luke’s King and I. York Hospital Radio have ‘Then, because it was recently celebrated 50 years on Valentine’s, I played The Stylistics the air. The hospital radio’s first and I Wrote a Love Letter. ever programme – a request show ‘The station and technology was to the former Fulford Maternity totally different 35 years ago. We and Naburn hospitals – was were in a different studio, with just broadcast in 1964. a turntable to play records and a Half a century later, volunteer reel-to-reel tape recorder. Now we broadcasters are still entertaining have computers and CDs.’ listeners at York Hospital 24 hours St Luke’s Sound Chairman, Jack a day, seven days a week. They Worsnop is 79, and joined the broadcast a mixture of music station 13 years ago,. He said, ‘We shows, requests, football have received a lot of support from commentaries from Bootham volunteers working at the station Crescent, live broadcasts from the and elsewhere in the hospital over stage of York Theatre Royal and a Philip Barfield of Allerton, presenter on the first day of St Luke’s Sound on the years which we would like to range of outside broadcasts from say a big thank you for the theatres and concert venues. Valentine’s Day 1979 in the studio Everything's rosy! A radio station teamwork as it has been fantastic. Events to mark the anniversary ‘We’ve got one or two new included a special live broadcast which has broadcast to hundreds of thousands of patients at a presenters and we’re really looking on Saturday morning from the forward to the future and another Yorkshire Museum and a live Bradford hospital celebrates its 35th anniversary on Valentine’s 35 years of broadcasting to the programme from noon on Sunday patients of Bradford.’ featuring members past and Day. present, speaking about their Presenters at St Luke’s Sound personal memories of their time at Hospital Radio will mark the Obituary the Hospital Radio. special occasion by taking part in a Barry Davies 1943-2013 There was also a chance for the 12-hour, non-stop radio broadcast It is with great sadness Radio public to get involved during a looking back on more than three Wishing Well announces the death broadcast from the Yorkshire decades of transmissions. of one of their popular presenters, Museum on Saturday, staged as The station was set up in the Barry Davies. part of the Residents Festival hospital administration block in Barry presented two weekday weekend. Little Horton Lane on Valentine’s morning shows dedicated to Day, 1979. The first programme Shows and Musicals and Classical featured show tunes and love songs. Music. In each of his shows he Secretary David Rathmell said, would include the horoscopes and ‘We’ll be celebrating by fundraising paper review. and promoting the radio station Barry took early retirement due non-stop, throughout the whole of to ill health and after lengthy spells Valentine’s Day. in hospital decided to contact his ‘There will also be a music quiz local hospital radio, Radio Wishing which patients can enter and Well at Trafford General Hospital in presenters will be visiting the 1994. He served on the committee wards and outpatient departments for a while but decided to stand for requests, as we hope to down. In 2000 Barry left Radio generate an air of celebration Wishing Well but in 2006 under throughout the hospital. new management he rejoined ‘Valentine’s Day at St Luke’s is and took up his shows once again. always special but for the Barry was also a governor of a volunteers who run St Luke’s local secondary school and Keith Lea, longest-serving member, in Sound every week of the year, it became well respected in the the record library will be extra special this time.’ community. Early in December One of the radio station’s Barry rang to say he couldn’t The station’s longest- serving original DJs back on Valentine’s shake off a cold and wouldn’t be member, Keith Lea, also presented Day, 1979, was founder member, doing a show until after Christmas. a vinyl-only show of music played Philip Barfield of Allerton, who The following evening his son Chris on the station over the last fifty went on to be awarded an MBE in rang to say Barry had suffered a years. 2007 for services to broadcasting heart attack and was very poorly in Volunteers manned a stall in the and to the welfare of patients. He Salford Royal Hospital. Barry died hospital foyer over the weekend, said, ‘When I took to the turntables on December 13th aged 69. selling quality items to raise funds 35 years ago, I remember starting Our thoughts and prayers go to and promote the station. off by encouraging everybody else his wife Linda and his family.
ON AIR
In a basement under a busy hospital in East London, a team of volunteers have been keeping patients entertained for more than forty years with their award-winning hospital radio station. Whipps Cross Hospital Radio started in 1969 in a leaking garden shed in the hospital grounds in Leytonstone and now provides 24 hour programming It’s great to be back writing for On Air after a while with nearly 50 volunteers from two professional away. As you can see from the photo, I was recently recording studios furnished with ex-BBC equipment. presented with an HBA award for 15 years of service to John Doyle, a volunteer for almost 30 years, said hospital radio. It makes me very proud to have been the station, which is consistently chosen by patients associated with this movement since I was 17, I’m now 34. over other mainstream stations, is so successful I certainly have a lot to thank hospital radio for. because they play to their listeners. He says the Without my experience in hospital radio, I likely wouldn’t majority of their listeners are in their sixties and have graduated in Broadcast Journalism from seventies, so they stick to a repertoire of older music Nottingham Trent University in 2002. I then went on to from the forties through to the seventies. work as a professional broadcast journalist with a group He said, ‘We try and aim at the age market that’s in of commercial radio stations in the Midlands from 2004 the hospital for longer and we think that’s why it’s to 2009; reading news bulletins heard by thousands, successful. We know our market.’ reporting, being a web editor and interviewing a host of The nightly request shows are at the heart of the leading figures... including David Cameron, Gordon station’s live programming. Mike said they would play Brown, Kim Wilde, Barry Norman, Marti Pellow and anything they were asked to, even heavy metal but David Moorcroft, to name just a few. most of the time the requests are for older music. And without all this experience in public speaking, I The familiar voices of the presenters, like Mike, who likely wouldn’t have been elected to public office in 2011 have been talking to patients over the airwaves for and now be involved as a charity Trustee and School nearly 30 years, are more than entertainment for some Governor among other roles. people. Station Manager, Phil Hughes, a daytime editor All of these things have, at least in part, happened for BBC Radio 2 until his recent retirement, said ‘I'm because of the experience I gained from an early age, still excited by the impact we can have on listeners. thanks to hospital radio, which helped me with a ‘Just having a chat and playing a record can really number of crucial skills, from public speaking to make a difference and when we get a message from a working with others, to interviewing people and patient who has been in a few weeks that says how engaging with people from different walks of life. much they appreciate the company and relaxing Though this particular story is personal to me, I’m music – especially overnight, it really does make it sure most – if not all of you reading this will have similar worthwhile.’ tales of how hospital radio has benefited your life, be it WXHR won two Gold awards at the Hospital Radio on a micro level or a macro one. That is why our Awards, firstly as Station of the Year when the judges movement is so important... it changes lives. Not just said: ‘This features the best start to an entry I've ever those of the patients and NHS staff that we’re so proud heard. The presenters have warmth and energy, whilst to serve but also our own lives and those of the people the station clearly has a lot of patient interactivity. we work with. It’s why I continue to love broadcasting on Local sports and concerts feature heavily. In an age my local hospital’s airwaves. when there's so much radio out there, this station is So, until next time...Happy Broadcasting! really punching above its weight and deserves to win Mathew the top prize.’ • Cllr Mathew Hulbert reviews the papers every WXHR also was the Gold Award for best speech Thursday on Castle Mead Radio, in Hinckley and package when the judges reported ‘A tour de force... Bosworth, between 1 and 2pm. for a very good reporter. This package did all that's • You can listen via: great about radio. Sound effects, a variety of http://www.castlemeadradio.co.uk/ or via the TuneIn interviews, good descriptions and the reporter – you Radio app. really felt you were there!’
ON AIR
In a new feature, Laura Tremelling interviews station members. To kick things off, Laura talks to Jo Newey, Chairman of her own station, Sunshine Hospital Radio based in Weston General Hospital, Weston-super-Mare. Volunteers have been broadcasting to the patients since 1978, with the station celebrating its 35th birthday in 2013. How long have you been volunteering with the station? And how long have you been chair? I have been a volunteer with Sunshine Radio for almost six years now and have been chair for 18 months. Why did you start volunteering on the radio? I moved back to the town I grew up in after jobs in various parts of the UK and a two year stint in South Africa. I wanted to meet people in my local area whilst contributing to a local charity and generally get involved We were interested to read about Connal Cather who using my skills. broadcasts on Hospital Radio Plymouth and has just What is your favourite part of hospital radio? turned 90 and his claim to be the oldest male volunteer I love organising behind the scenes and thinking broadcaster in the UK. about what direction the radio should go in so we Here at Coastway Hospital Radio in Brighton we think continue to be the best station for our patients. I love we can do better. meeting new people and especially like to see the huge Our regular presenter Ron Walbank will be 93 this impact we have on patients to make their stay in year. Ron was born into the music business back in hospital a little easier. 1921. His father was a professional pianist and his Can you remember the first song you played? grandfather was principal cornet player with the It was a request for a patient Frank Sinatra My Way! Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. What is the most requested song on your station? He is one of the original members of Coastway and is The same as my last answer: Frank Sinatra My Way. still going strong. You can find him in the studio every We get requests for it on most of the ward rounds! Thursday between 2 and 4 and you may even get a visit What plans do you have for the future of your station? from Ron as he does the rounds of the wards in search Lots. We are planning a refurbishment this year, of requests from patients. modernising the studio. The hospital is also being Ron’s show ‘Music Maestro, Please’ offers half an renovated, recently having a new coffee shop put in. We hour of the sounds of South America and the are working with the hospital chief executive to ensure Caribbean, another half hour of popular classical our station supports their strategy by looking for new extracts and a final hour of Ron’s selection from opportunities to broadcast and by different methods decades of popular music from the Big Bands, within the hospital. vocalists, jazz players, film and theatre. What would you say to someone thinking about Rosemary Allix volunteering with a hospital radio station? Secretary, Coastway Hospital Radio Do it. It's rewarding in every way. It's amazing to see how we cheer up the patients and we receive great feedback from them. It's a creative environment, caters for all skills and abilities from media skills to organising, communication skills and leading. We all work together as a team, all ages and are open to new ideas. It's social and we have a lot of fun.
ON AIR
Radio Warneford, based at Warwick Hospital, has been holding a series of events to mark its anniversary. Radio Warneford began broadcasting on 12 December 1973 from a tiny broom cupboard in the basement of the Warneford General Hospital in Leamington Spa. The station was given permission to broadcast to patients over the Christmas period. Forty years later…!
Councillor Bob Dhillon, Mayor of Warwick, with the Friday night team studio complex. The Mayor of festive song as they entered the Royal Leamington Spa, Cllr Judith store and have it played for them Clarke, came to the studio on 18 as they did their Christmas October and visited patients and shopping. The event also saw the staff on the wards where she met launch of a special Christmas Staff Nurse Chloe Judd. It was a single to mark the anniversary. bit of a reunion as Chloe had been ‘You’re Not Alone This Christmas’ one of the Judith’s pupils when written, performed and produced by members of Radio Warneford. The single helped raise £439 for station funds. BBC Coventry & Warwickshire presenter, Bob Brolly, paid a visit on 15 December. Bob, well-known 1970’s: John Flaherty on air in the throughout the Midlands for his broom cupboard at Warneford General Irish programme, joined the Sunday Hospital. Due to lack of space the studio equipment was fitted inside the team to chat on air and answer frame of an old piano! questions from patients. He also brought along some of his favourite Celebrations kicked off in Irish music to play on the show. October as Radio Warneford’s Radio Warneford presented its three patrons, the Mayors of Keith Black and Fiona Watts on the air from Studio 2 inside the ’Old Hut’ annual Christmas and New Year Warwick, Leamington Spa and schedule from Christmas Eve Kenilworth, were all welcomed to she was a teacher! Kenilworth featuring 70 hours of programmes the studios. The Mayor of Warwick, Mayor, Felicity Bunker, was the for patients. The schedule included Cllr Bob Dhillon, visited the station final guest on 1 November. Felicity a live broadcast on Christmas on 11 October and broadcast to spent time on Beaumont and morning, a special programme patients during his tour of the Swan wards and helped to present featuring interviews with some of the Request Show for patients. Radio Warneford’s longest-serving In late October the station was members and a day dedicated to proud to entertain one of Radio shows about 1973 and the 40th Warneford’s founding members, anniversary. It was also an excuse John Flaherty, who was there in for some members to take to the the broom cupboard on day one. wards to sing carols for patients John went to the studio to record and visitors for the first time! an interview about those early And it is not quite over just yet. days for a special anniversary Celebrations are set to continue in programme which was broadcast the first half of 2014 with an as part of the Christmas schedule. anniversary party being organised The ‘Old Shed’ behind the Warneford The Christmas Request Show for members on Saturday, 1 March Hospital which housed Radio took to the air inside the Tesco and a special edition of the station Warneford’s studio complex from store in Warwick on the second magazine which will illustrate the 1978 until the station moved to Saturday before Christmas. last 40 years of life at Radio Warwick Hospital in 1993 Shoppers were able to choose a Warneford.
ON AIR
My first memory of hospital measure, just about anything from radio was learning the art of the Sixties to the current chart request collecting (or ward stuff, if it’s featured in a James visiting). George Paterson was the Bond film – although Madonna name of my mentor and it may be hasn’t quite got the oomph that at this point I should share my first Dame Shirley Bassey has. Add a mistake. In an effort to make a little bit of Fleetwood Mac in there good impression, I decided that it too – well if it can make a pony would be a great idea to wear a dance… Fair Isle jumper. Had I put some In my life outside hospital radio, thought into it, I may be would I’m employed in an administrative have realised that the heat in the role in the finance section of the hospital plus the jumper wasn’t a local authority and I work with great mix. It was certainly a talking young people one evening a week. point. I’m a member of an outdoor I was born in a box... an odd way Hospital radio is great for bowling club and I also have two to start an article ... but technically learning new skills – whether it’s nieces and two nephews ranging it’s true. working in the library, ward visiting between 18 months and eight For those of you who don’t know – that moment when you ask a years old. I should be OK when I me, my name is Brenda Massie patient if they would like to have a buy my next mobile I reckon. tune played on the hospital radio and my roles in the HBA are the If I were to hold a dinner party (it and they respond with ‘You know regional representative of Scotland would be the first!) I would invite the one that goes...’ and follow it and Conference and Training Honor Blackman, Charlie with humming or slightly out of bookings. Landsborough, Hannah Miley, tune singing or when you answer Dave Allen and Jo Grimond. I am a member of Wave Radio in the station phone and you’re Elgin and Grampian Hospital Radio asked for a particular piece of If you’re coming to Conference I in Aberdeen. I am occasionally music because someone’s had a look forward to seeing you there. referred to as the Scottish bird, the bad day and they’d like you to I’m the ‘Scottish bird’ with the rose Lassie Massie and/or Sheltie. make it better. I think we’ve all had tinted specs and ‘funny’ accent. that moment when you stand back I first became involved in Oh, the ‘And finally’ – the born in hospital radio in 1996 when I was a and think, ‘I did that and because I did I’ve made someone else feel the box thing. For reasons best student. Having been involved with known to map makers (perhaps the local BBC station in Shetland better or smile.’ Isn’t it a great feeling? something to do with the page (yes, there is one that far north!) I size?), the best place for Shetland missed the camaraderie, I In a similar way, it’s nice to see seemed to be in a box in the right suppose. I also saw it as an younger people getting stuck in, hand corner of the page or indeed opportunity to give something although as one colleague put it ‘it as the weather forecast dictated, back, perhaps brighten someone’s doesn’t half make you feel old the top right of the screen. Who day, be somebody that spoke the when you have to explain what a said technology was a bad thing? same dialect as the patient’s single is.’ friends and family did ‘back home’. The irony of the box was not lost I somehow doubt that is what went I have what is probably best on the Shetland population – in on the original application form or explained as an eclectic taste in fact there was, or may still be, tee what was said at the interview music – big band, traditional fiddle shirts lying around in the back of a though. Great looking back music, may be a little bit of cupboard with a large Shetland through my rose-tinted specs! Country and Western for good image and mainland UK in the box. "Do your ears miss John Peel and the original Xfm...? Strange Fruit Radio is set to launch later this year and is hoping to continue the work of the much-missed Mr. Peel from BBC Radio One and 'put the "X" back into Xfm'. It claims that neither have really been replaced by the likes of BBC 6Music, nor the current Xfm, which some argue to this day, is a shadow of its former self. At the moment the station is looking for interested parties – everyone from engineers to presenters to get involved. You can email [email protected]. In the meantime, test broadcasts are available via www.strangefruitradio.net and demos from new artists/bands can be submitted via [email protected]". Nathan
ON AIR
The following is a list of Each show about 56 minutes in There's something for everyone in programmes for hospital radio length each show: rock and roll, country, stations to use in their own Best contact via pop, movie songs and ballads schedules. All of them are provided [email protected] & a link will be ranging from his early days in the free, mostly as downloads. sent for downloading or send blank 50s to his live shows of the 70s. NEW or UPDATED before the DVD. However you like your Elvis, you'll name of the programme denotes Contact by post: 25 Ford Street, find it here. the programme has been added Delves Lane, Consett, Co Durham, Format: mp3 (supplied on CD) since the last version of this list or DH8 7AE Number of shows: 24 that the details have been updated Tel 01207 507286 Show length: 27 mins each since the last version of this list. (approx) Golden Years Notes: The shows do not mention a MADE FOR HOSPITAL RADIO Presenter Ray Oxley station name and simply refer to The Music Box A generic programme, each edition "Hospital Radio". Presenter: Gordon Low featuring news and music from a Each show contains 100% unique 60 x 30 minute programmes plus 4 specific year from 1953 until 1995. track content, not repeated in the Christmas specials; can be The news clips in each show come other shows of the series. downloaded free of charge in MP3 from BBC News and other sources Contact details: format at either 128kbps or such as Pathe for the older years. [email protected] 256kbps.Programmes are also Ray Oxley appears at the start and available in other formats and can end of each show. At The Hop be supplied on CD-R or DVD-R if Each show 55 – 56 minutes Presenter: Iain Smith necessary. Best contact via A series of pop from the golden age More information and full [email protected] & a link will be of the late 50s and early 60s. programme listings are available on sent for downloading or send blank 'At The Hop' features some of the the show's website DVD. biggest hits from both the USA and www.MBonline.co.uk Contact by post: 25 Ford Street, UK, alongside some tracks you Delves Lane, Consett, Co Durham, might not have heard before. It's an The A to Z of Pop DH8 7AE informative jukebox of a show Presenter: Richard Smith Tel 01207 507286 that's guaranteed to get toes A generic programme that does not tapping and memories flowing. mention days, times or seasons, The Chart Show (Iain won Gold at the 2005 HBA each programme playing artists Presenter Ray Oxley Awards for his documentary on and song titles starting with a letter Top 20s from 60s 70s & 80s from Bobby Darin, ‘Dream Lover, Mack of the alphabet or going through an different specific weeks The Knife and Things’.) A to Z of a particular year. There are All shows roughly 57mins Format: mp3 (supplied on CD) various 1 or 2 hour specials. Best contact via Number of shows: 25 Each show 57minutes 30 seconds [email protected] & a link will be Show length: 27 mins each with some 1 hour 57 minutes 30 sent for downloading or send blank (approx) seconds DVD. Notes: The shows do not mention a Sent out free on CD Contact by post; 25 Ford Street, station name and simply refer to Email [email protected] or Delves Lane, Consett, Co Durham, ‘Hospital Radio’. visit the website DH8 7AE Each show contains 100% unique www.theatozofpop.co.uk Tel 01207 507286 track content, not repeated in the other shows of the series. Comedy Hour The Vintage Years Contact details: Presenter: Ray Oxley Presenter: Jim Simpson [email protected] A generic programme with clips Music, facts and information from from mainly TV comedy shows the 1920s, 30s, 40s, and 50s On The Sunny Side Of The Street mixed in with music. Ray Oxley 57 minutes 30 seconds Presenter: Ken Anton appears at the start and end of Download via Dropbox as MP3 or A series of one-hour programmes each show. on CD from the golden age of music on Each show around 56 minutes Contact: 07715 050008 or the 1930, 1940s and 1950s mainly. 48 shows plus 4 Christmas specials [email protected] Featuring the Crooners, the This series has been re-edited since Swooners, Dance Bands, Big it was originally released in the Elvis Uncharted Bands, the Vocalists and Soloists. 1990s. Presenter: Phil Smith Example artists: Andrews Sisters, Best contact via In this HBA Gold award winning Charlie Kunz, Bing Crosby, Doris [email protected] and a link will series, Phil Smith concentrates on Day, Al Bowlley, Henry Hall & the be sent for downloading or send Elvis Presley the recording artist. As BBC Dance Orchestra, Peggy Lee, blank DVD. the title suggests, none of the The Manhattan Transfer, The Jive Contact by post: 25 Ford Street, tracks featured was a hit on the UK Aces Delves Lane, Consett, Co Durham, singles charts. Each programme lasts exactly 55 DH8 7AE Instead, the series reveals just how minutes. Tel 01207 507286 much other quality material The Format: mp3 stereo, 192kbps In Concert King recorded and features the There are currently 52 programmes 132 shows each featuring a concert stories behind some of the songs in the series, though more are from a different artist or group. and recording sessions. planned.
ON AIR
These programmes are available Get Out These Old Records split into 9 segments so that free for use on hospital radio or Presenter: Ken Anton stations can insert their own choice community radio, on the basis that A set of 30-minute programmes of of music/station jingles/adverts etc the station assumes usual liabilities music from the British Dance between these segments to make for performance and broadcast Bands of the 1920s to 1940s. up the hour. Currently 10 episodes licences and permissions for use Series originally recorded in the late recorded, with more to come. and copying of recorded material. 1990s and some of the tracks are Shows are downloadable from a Programmes are normally also used in Sunny Side location on Skydrive. Details from distributed by post on a data DVD. programmes. Steve Parker at Some programmes are available for Each programme lasts 30 minutes [email protected] download from online locations, e.g. Format mp3 mono, 128kbps Skydrive. There are 20 in the series. NEW In the Year (47 shows) Cost: nil for online distribution, These programmes are available Presenter Graeme Logan otherwise just to cover postage free for use on hospital radio or Each show is 1 hour 57 minutes and costs for DVD community radio, on the basis that plays the number ones from a year Custom trailers can be recorded for the station assumes usual liabilities and informs the major news stories each station which broadcasts the for performance and broadcast from the same year. Each show programmes, mentioning specific licences and permissions for use covers a year between 1952 – 2004 days & times, if required. and copying of recorded material. covering every year Contact: Ken Anton Programmes are normally Post: c/o BridgeFM Hospital Radio, distributed by post on a data DVD. NEW Musical Topics Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 Some programmes are available for Presenter Graeme Logan 9SY download from online locations, e.g. Each programme has a theme and Email: [email protected] Skydrive. is approx 1hr 57 minutes. Cost: nil for online distribution, There are 17 shows: In The Drawing Room otherwise just to cover postage Top 100 Albums of the 1970s (5 Presenter: Ken Anton costs for DVD shows) A series of one-hour programmes Custom trailers can also be Top 100 Albums of the 1980s (5 of light classical and chamber recorded for each station, which shows) music for just relaxing and enjoying. broadcasts the programmes, History of the Eurovision Song Some slow and thoughtful pieces mentioning specific days & times, if Contest (3 shows) and some lively ones you can required. They Died Too Young – Music and conduct your own orchestra to. Contact: Ken Anton their career from megastars who Example composers: JS Bach, Post: c/o BridgeFM Hospital Radio, died at an early age eg Marc Bolan, Handel, Telemann, Mozart, Ninewells Hospital , Dundee, DD1 John Lennon, Michael Jackson etc Beethoven, Pachelbel, Scarlatti. 9SY (3 Shows) Each programme lasts exactly 56 Email: [email protected] James Bond Themes and the story minutes behind the films (1 show) Format: mp3 stereo, 192kbps National Hospital Radio Request Shows are available on CD or DVD There are currently 40 programmes Chart – email Graeme at in the series, though I’m actively Presenter: Mark Snowdon [email protected] adding to the set at present, target The National Request Charts is for at least 60. combines the requests for music at NOT JUST FOR HOSPITAL These programmes are available numerous hospital radio stations RADIO free for use on hospital radio or across the UK. Produced in the UPDATED Live Wire community radio, on the basis that second week of January, the This programme is no longer the station assumes usual liabilities National Request Chart is the only produced for performance and broadcast chart that counts all requests made licences and permissions for use by patients and visitors to hospitals The Chill Factor and copying of recorded material. across the UK. Presenter: Colin Hanslip Programmes are normally The programme contains the full After a stressful day at work there’s distributed by post on a data DVD. playout of the Top 10 plus features nothing better than relaxing to Some programmes are available for looking at songs of the year and some great chill-out tunes. Join download from online locations, e.g. their popularity, No. 1 requests at Colin Hanslip for an eclectic mix of Skydrive. other hospital radio stations and the best instrumental tracks and Cost: nil for online distribution, interviews. acoustic versions of well known otherwise just to cover postage The show is distributed as a songs. costs for DVD downloadable MP3 or on CD Updated weekly (but fairly generic Custom trailers can also be Contact Mark Snowdon at in content so there’s no need to use recorded for each station which [email protected] the show in the same week as it’s broadcasts the programmes, or telephone 0772 544 7952 for released) mentioning specific days & times, if more information. Each show 2 hours required. Further details are available at Available to download in 4 Contact: Ken Anton http://www.requestcharts.org.uk. segments (2 per hour) Post: c/o BridgeFM Hospital Radio, This show is available free of Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 NEW Cue the Quiz charge via the Catchup Media 9SY Presenter: Steve Parker syndication service. To register Email: [email protected] A 1 hour quiz show, each show is your interest, please complete the
ON AIR
ON AIR
80's classic. Each show 1 hour long time 26 minutes. selling 'pop' record label ever. He and comes in 3 blocks of just under Relevant until November 2013 due plays, not only the hits but some of 20 minutes each. to the mentions of Doctor Who’s the releases that never made the Distributed via my website. New 50th anniversary although could still charts. show every Monday. Contact me at be used after that with an NEW Sinatra At The Tower the email address explanation before the programme. Phil Smith examines the most [email protected] prolific period of Frank Sinatra's One-off shows career when he was contracted Retro Radio Show produced by Rugby Hospital Radio to Capitol Records and recorded at Presenter: Tony Dee A list of pre-recorded programmes their L.A studios, ‘The Tower’. 60s music in a 60s style, non stop which Rugby Hospital Radio (RHR) NEW Dream Lover, Mack The Knife music chat and 60’s memories. is willing to share with other HR & Things, The Bobby Darin Story 2 hour show available in 6 services. Iain Smith presents the programme segments via dropbox link, updated As the one off programmes were which won gold in the 2005 HBA every Sunday initially recorded for airing on RHR Awards, Specialised [email protected] for presenters will probably mention Music category, a documentary on more information. the name of our station. If you do the life and career of singer Bobby not want this, then it would be Darin. Stuck in the 70s possible, using an audio editing Presenter Tony Dee NEW Catch A Wave programme such as Adobe Phil Smith's documentary on Brian A flashback in time, remembering Audition, to delete the word ‘Rugby’ the music. fashion and quirks of the Wilson's highly successful group from your copy. You have our from America's west coast, decade.It was the decade of the permission to do this. Space Hopper, the Ford Cortina, The Beach Boys. Their music is However, if you have a printed guaranteed to lift the spirits and get Raleigh Chopper bikes, the record programme schedule that is player and cassette recorder. 2 hour toes tapping. handed out to patients, we would Each programme supplied in mp3 show available in 6 segments via require you to credit RHR as the dropbox link, updated every Sunday format, size approx 55MB. They programme producer. could be burned to a CD but our [email protected] for Each programme supplied in mp3 more information. preference is to copy them to a format, size approx 28MB. Could be suitable size memory stick which burned to a CD but our preference you would provide. The 80s Mix is to copy them to a suitable size Presenter Tony Dee memory stick which you would FEATURES AND SHORT Aaah, the 80s, that happy little provide. Before sending your decade between social activism and memory stick please contact me STORIES self-loathing grunge. Back when the for an address to which you The A to Z of Pop Trivia Challenge Coreys were king and Kirk Cameron should send it. A series of minute long questions hadn't been left behind. When Iain Smith about music with clips and answers Cabbage Patch Kids spawned Programme Organiser presented by Richard Smith Garbage Pail Kids and we liked it. Rugby Hospital Radio available to download as MP3s From the obscure to the obvious to E-mail:[email protected] Email [email protected] or the no-no-notorious. Programmes all fit into a 1 hour slot visit the website 2 hour show available in 6 and are www.theatozofpop.co.uk segments via dropbox link, updated NEW My World Of Music every Sunday The Banana Bunch (Light Classical) [email protected] for Audio adaptations of the stories June Barratt plays a selection of her more information. first written for a hospital patient. favourite light classical pieces and 10 MP3 files plus audio introduction gives some insights to ONE-OFF SHOWS originating from Bath Hospital the works. NEW Goodbye Television Centre – Radio and available to download at NEW My World Of Music the HBA website. The Final Tour (Musicals) When BBC Television Centre June Barratt plays music from her closed, public tours came to an end Everything Sounds favourite musical productions. A short-form program produced in too. Neil Ogden was on the final Celtic Connections public tour of this iconic building the United States that focuses on Tom Ryan plays an interesting the role of sound in art, science, and as well as talking to the final selection of Irish, Welsh and tour guides (who included a former history, and culture. Country music, showing how the Each programme is around 10-15 star of Neighbours) about their various genres are interlinked. memories of working there, the minutes. More information from the Music For You programme includes some parts of website at Richard Green threatens to lull you that final tour and interviews with http://everythingsounds.org and for to sleep with this very laid back and others who used to work at more information contact relaxing programme. Television Centre. It also mentions [email protected] the filming of the Doctor Who NEW Sides Of London docudrama at the building in the Iain Smith takes a look at the DRAMA AND PLAYS fortnight before. history of the Decca Group's Political Art Available as a WAV file via yousendit London label, which in the late A series of plays available on CD from [email protected] - running 50s and early 60s was the best www.political-art.co.uk
ON AIR
personal collections, we would Scotland and being rather slow on beg, steal or borrow from friends my feet was too late in stepping and neighbours for the short backwards with my colleagues period of time that was necessary when Phil Moon stepped down as to record the ‘show’. Chair of the Association. Well, to We had fun. Lots of it! Looking be perfectly honest, I decided to back on our efforts, I also think stand as Chairman because I most of our ‘clients’ enjoyed it as believed that changes were well and so the ‘bug’ was needed to make the Association geminated and music became part more relevant and useful to the of my life. From playing and membership. I believe that is singing rather badly in a ‘pop gradually happening and hope that group’ – the guitar playing was so by attracting more willing much worse than the singing – volunteers we can make the HBA honestly, I could play piano and to fully reflective of hospital radio as a certain extent drums albeit badly many hospital radio stations but I’d never learned anything change and develop their service about playing a guitar, especially as they adjust to the changes that I first became involved with base guitar! are happening within the NHS as hospital radio as a teenager in Obviously, it came as no surprise well as the opportunities that now Folkestone, the town of my birth to anyone that the group did not exist to make hospital radio more and formative years when a group become the next pop sensation! involved with the heath service of enthusiasts decided that we However, the music bug had community. would visit patients in the town’s started to grow arms and legs and I have been lucky enough in the Royal Victoria Hospital and collect my fabulous idea of playing past to be awarded a number of record requests from them and records and entertaining people commendations as well as bronze then put together a request became a reality as I built a and silver awards in the ‘Specialist programme using a reel-to-reel ‘mobile disco’. I was doing dances Music’ category at the Hospital tape recorder which we would play in barns and clubs as well as Broadcasting Association’s through the hospital’s radio parties for people of all ages and National Awards as well as a system a day or so later. again loving every minute of it and number of commendations in the It was great fun back then in between all of this never ‘Male Presenter of the Year’ traipsing through the wards with forgetting where it all started. category. However, as you would friends on a Tuesday night (and My employment took me to expect, since becoming involved in sometimes early on a Wednesday Canterbury where I continued with the management of the HBA I have evening), chatting to patients, hospital broadcasting, ultimately not taken part in the HBA National collecting their requests; well not taking on the role of Station Awards. so much collecting as probably Manager at Radio KCH which was One thing I still do though, is insisting on the basis that if you’re then the hospital radio in the Kent produce and present a programme going to be in this bed on and Canterbury Hospital. Work called The Vintage Years, a radio Thursday night (and you will be!) subsequently took me to programme which looks back at listening to the radio, it won’t be Aberdeen and my day job plus the music and artists of a bygone the Light programme you’ll be involvement in the local age. Yes, pure nostalgia! Music hearing at 8pm, it’ll be the ‘Radio community as well as national from the Roaring 20s through to Vic Request Programme’. Either involvement with a management the Swinging 60s as people my that or one of the other available association and also being quite age will often be heard to say, ‘the and very dreary BBC channels. You active in the local entertainment Golden Age of Radio’. Even better, must remember of course, that scene, left very little time for the programmes are freely most of us were elderly teenagers, anything else for a considerable available to any HBA member 17 to 18 going on 70. number of years. hospital radio station; further Off we would go with our I renewed my interest in Hospital details can be found at requests tucked in an old large Radio some years ago and joined www.thevintageyears.co.uk. envelope to assemble the my local hospital radio and Jim Simpson necessary records and then on to presented the Friday evening [email protected] a record player that could be request show as well as a Saturday connected to a reel-to-reel tape early evening programme for a recorder along with a microphone. number of years. I am currently a Did we worry about quality or member of Radio Grapevine timings? Of course we didn’t. We (www.radiograpevine.com). just had fun recording messages, I became very interested in the listening to music that quite often work of the HBA and attended was on 78rpm records that had conferences and awards seen better days. If we didn’t have ceremonies, eventually becoming the record requested in any of our the Regional Representative for
ON AIR
Regional Manager Mel Ive 0870 321 6005 [email protected] Scotland Brenda Massie 0870 765 9608 [email protected] North David Nicholson 0870 765 9605 [email protected]
Yorkshire Iain Lee 0870 765 9614 Northern Ireland [email protected] Davey Downes 0870 765 9606 [email protected] North West David McGealy Midlands 0870 765 9607 0870 765 9604 [email protected] [email protected]
All members of the Trustee Board and Regional Reps Anglia are volunteers and will Mike Sarre respond to any contact as quickly as possible. Please 0870 765 9601 understand however, that work or family commitments [email protected] mean availability may not always be immediate and may be limited to evenings and weekends. Wales & West Darran Huish 0870 765 9613 [email protected] South East Graham Medhurst 0870 765 9611 [email protected]
Home Counties Ian Pinnell 0870 765 9603 South London [email protected] Neil Ogden Steve Hickman 0870 765 9609 0870 765 9602 [email protected] [email protected] Who to contact on the Trustee Board Chairman Vice Chairman Jim Simpson Iain Lee Tel: 0870 321 6000 Tel: 0870 321 6014 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Main contact with statutory bodies. Sub committee chairman. Ambassadors Special projects Treasurer Secretary Julie Cox Nigel Dallard Tel: 0870 321 6004 Tel: 0870 321 6003 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Financial matters (other than General correspondence, subscriptions) Company Secretary, annual review President Regional Manager June Snowden Melanie Ive Tel: 0870 321 6009 Tel: 0870 321 6005 e-mail: e-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Station visits, represent HBA Regional meetings, contacts, publicly, long service certificates setting up a region etc. Editor Sales & Advertising Executive Michelle Newstead Paul Sysum Tel: 0870 321 6011 Tel: 0870 321 6026 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] On Air magazine All corporate sales for HBA Membership Manager Technical Adviser Grant McNaughton Geoff Fairbairn Tel: 0870 321 6002 Tel: 0870 321 6012 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Membership details Technical matters Members’ Newsletter Editor Public Relations Manager Darren Whittenham-Gray Sean Dunderdale e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 0870 321 6008 Members Newsletter e-mail: [email protected] Press & public relations, charity Conference Administrator profile Brenda Massie Tel: 0870 321 6017 Event Venues Adviser e-mail: [email protected] Phil Moon Conference bookings and e-mail: [email protected] administration Web Enquiries Trade Show Organiser Contact Nigel Dallard Emma Sysum General Enquiries Tel: 0870 765 9616 Tel: 0870 321 6019 e-mail: [email protected] Conference tradeshow e-mail:[email protected]
All members of the TB 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.