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November/December 2005 Issue 107
The Official Journal of the Hospital Broadcasting Association in this issue ... Dear Reader, Committee Report ...... 3 Sorry, there’s no free CD with this magazine but what we Charity Law Update ...... 3 can offer is a very good read. All Our Yesterdays ...... 5 On page 8 you will find all the details of the Hospital Radio Awards for 2006. Dave Nicholson details the requirements for June’s Travels ...... 7 each of the Awards. But don’t forget, your entry must be in by The Hospital Radio Awards 2006 ...... 8 21st January 2006 at the very latest. A Birthday Worth Celebrating ...... 10 In the centre pages, you will find a selection of photographs A Delegates Notes ...... 11 from the Portsmouth Conference. After looking at these, you A Conference Scrapbook ...... 12 wished you had been there, turn to page 2 and you will find Countrywide ... News from the Stations ...... 14 full details of the Spring Conference together with details of how to book. The HBA Conference Bursary ...... 17 We have an extremely interesting Letters Page covering a Bursary Application Form ...... 18 range of controversial issues. If you would like to join in the Letters to the Editor ...... 19 debate, please send in your letters. You will find all the details The Highs and Lows of Hospital Radio Part 3 ...... 22 at the bottom of this page. Regional Rep Details ...... 23 Thank you to all who have sent in their reports over the last Who To Contact ...... 24 year; I am very grateful for all the time and trouble you have taken; it is very much appreciated. I will endeavour to use them all as soon as possible. This is the last issue before Christmas so may I take this FRONT COVER PICTURE: opportunity of wishing you all Seasons Greetings and if you Ready to ramble: the traditional Sunday haven’t written anything for On Air before make that one of morning ramble sets off at the Portsmouth your first New Year Resolutions for 2006. Conference Michelle
On Air is the Official Journal of the HBA which is the trading name of the National Association of Hospital Broadcasting Organisations, a Company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No. 2750147. A Registered Charity No. 1015501. Registered office: Mariners House, 24 Nelsons Gardens, Hedge End, Southampton, SO30 2NE. On Air is distributed free of charge to all member stations of the Association plus interested parties. All material is ©2005 of HBA and may not be reproduced in any form without the written authority of the Editor. Views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of HBA, or the Editor but are the personal opinion of the contributor. Whilst every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of the publication, all advertisements and articles appear in good faith and HBA and the Editor accept no responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies.
Address for On-Air: The Editor, On Air, 2 Falkland Close, Boreham, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 3DD Tel: 0870 321 6011 Fax: 0870 321 6019 Email: [email protected] COPY DATE NEXT ISSUE 16th December 2005 On Air No 107 p2 7/11/05 1:52 pm Page 1 On Air No 107 p3 7/11/05 2:01 pm Page 1
Committee Report
Annual General Meeting copy form from Marie, shortly. The AGM almost didn’t happen, as scheduled, during conference on 15th Regional Manager October. When the meeting was After many years on the Executive called to order shortly after 2pm, we Committee, Chris Berezai decided not had only 18 members’ representatives to seek re-election. As no-one was in the room. nominated for election to the position, Only after much hard work, several it fell to the Executive Committee to scouts around the hotel and many appoint someone. Two candidates put phone calls did we manage, two their names forward for consideration hours later, to get a quorum. The and, at an EC meeting shortly after the HBA’s ten per cent of the Full AGM, Paul Sysum (Wales & West Members to be present – a mere 25 Regional Representative) was stations. There were members of 34 appointed. Thanks to Chris for his stations at conference. past hard work and congratulations on The Executive Committee will the ‘promotion’ to Paul. obviously be looking at what we can Paul’s first job will be to propose do to ensure this doesn’t happen again new regional boundaries to the in future. In the meantime, if there is a Executive Committee for approval and member from your station attending a to formally appoint Regional Reps conference at which we hold a formal under the new Bylaws pending General Meeting, could I please ask regional elections. Don’t worry, where that, if at all possible, your committee by Nigel Dallard, Secretary things are working well, there are authorises that person to represent unlikely to be too many changes! your station and that they are specifically asked to attend the we would have ended up unable to Treasurer meeting. It’s not a huge burden – comply with our legal obligations. John Harper has informed the when we eventually obtained a With a quorum obtained, the Executive Committee that he wishes quorum the meeting was over and Annual Report and Accounts were to stand down as HBA Treasurer for done with in 16 minutes. duly presented without question. The health reasons. Not obtaining a quorum for an trustees/directors seeking re-election We are therefore looking for AGM would put the Trustees in a were unopposed and duly re-elected. volunteers with the appropriate skills very difficult position. Legally we have And finally, with four minor and available time to take on this vital to hold an AGM, at which we present amendments to correct drafting errors, role. Familiarity with accruals the Annual Report and Accounts, the Regional Bylaws were ratified. accounting and the Charity Accounting within ten months of the end of the Minutes of the AGM, together with SORP is essential. financial year – i.e. by the end of those for the informal meeting that If you’re interested, please discuss December. There is virtually no was held whilst we tried to obtain the the role with John and then, if you chance of us getting 25 stations quorum, will be published on the want to put your name forward for together other than at a conference, so website and will be available in hard consideration, please contact me.
Charity Law Update
The Scottish Executive have and statements, the rules for the England and Wales recently published their Scottish Charity Appeals, By the time you read this, the ‘implementation plan’ for the Charities reorganisations and transfer schemes Charities Bill will have left the House and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act. and the rules surrounding public of Lords and be with the House of It’s now full steam ahead to get collections. Commons. Over the summer, I have everything in place so that they can Meanwhile OSCR have got their been corresponding with a number of bring most of the Act into force in own set of consultations, starting with their Lordships and am pleased to be April next year. how they will ensure the Charities able to report that, as a result, the They are currently considering the Register is accurate, how they will Home Office accepted three responses received to their apply the Charity Test, and the process suggested changes to the Bill. These consultation relating to the form and for obtaining OSCR’s consent to take were proposed by the Government content of charity accounts. They certain actions. during the Report Stage debate in the have just issued a consultation about Where it appears appropriate, I will House of Lords and the Hospital how and when charities should respond to these various consultations Broadcasting Authority was thanked identify themselves on letters, on behalf of HBA. If you’d like to be for its suggestions. advertisements, cheques, invoices etc. kept up-to-date with progress, please In the next six months, they will also get in touch. I will continue to monitor the Bill’s be consulting on fundraising contracts progress through Parliament.
ON AIR
All Our Yesterdays
Now who can remember the time Dennis Rookard catching up with our various that our magazine offered a free pull Governmental regulatory departments, out, ready to use calendar and who looks back at past editions who were hard at work sorting out was responsible for this leap into trendy of On-Air where on the radio spectrum to put the Fleet Street give-always. new generation of radio links between Step forward John Watson who as studios and either other hospitals or OB Editor for the January 1999 edition locations. As this was of vital interest to came up with this idea; mind you I’m our members, the HBA was closely not so sure the Committee mug shots involved in these discussions and the included were a good idea. But at least fact that Whitehall was listening to our at a glance readers had all the dates pleas was an indication of how far we they required for 1999. had come as a national organisation. All Editors have their own ideas on Last month saw the discovery of an how a magazine should look and what ancient long forgotten Contest Shield. its roll within our organisation should And this got me thinking, the hunt for be. John’s short-lived editorship was a the great NAHBO Teddy Bear is still campaigning one, not so much going on but my spies report that the reporting our activities but setting the trail is going cold. And we think the agenda. great NAHBO travelling wooden An example of this can be found in spoon (just don’t ask the reason why the magazines handling of the great this one was instigated) might have 1999 debate of the question of the been sighted. But I bet nobody can number of conferences being held per even remember the ZON Trophy. year. Should the HBA continue with a What is was, why it had been spring and an autumn conference, or presented and where it ended up. I should they both combine. This have a suspicion it rests in the West discussion had started after it had been Country. But if you should know revealed that attendances for the 1998 you can’t do much harm as a Chief otherwise? Oldham October AGM had been the Executive, can you? Finally, it’s gratifying to note how lowest on record. And can it only be six or so years many letters to the editor this column is Was this because of the increasing back when Jeff Brown of Radio generating. I shall, as any good importance of the spring conference Hillingdon was able to detail the then journalist, totally ignore the one with its BT awards show-biz style revolutionary idea of using computers containing the words, ‘you and your awards over the more staid format of to deliver a sustaining twenty-four hour sort’ and written in green ink. But the latter Annual General Meeting service. Keeping a station output going please keep them coming if only to format ask the magazine. Were two twenty-fours hours a day via computer correct the facts or suggest any issue of conferences too much of a drain on the play out assist is today quite normal but this magazine we should investigate. pocket and would a better method be back then many of us were still in the to hold just one national conference dark ages with someone having to be in with more regional ones at other times the studio to fade out some sustaining of the year. Discussion became quite service to start station programming heated over the pros and cons. But the before switching back to the same local general view among those members BBC or commercial station as sustaining polled was that our conferences were service as the last thing to do on closing fine as they were, and rather then down for the night. attending for show-biz style Jeff’s station in West London was presentations, conferences were for one of the leaders in exploring these meeting people and gaining new ideas new methods of distribution, not least 31st March-2nd April 2006 around the event, and most importantly because being one of the first to Spring Conference at the for realising that you were not alone transmit of Medium Wave, they were doing this hospital broadcasting thing. faced with the problem of finding an Hilton Hotel, Blackpool There’s no doubt about it, in his original programming source to sustain 1st April-9th April 2006 short time as Editor that John Watson their channel on air when they were certainly managed to stir up some not broadcasting live. Hospital Broadcasting trouble, just as well really the HBA Elsewhere in this edition, I note that Week membership kicked him upstairs. I mean the application of science was also October 27th-29th 2006 THANK YOU Autumn Conference A big thank you to all Associate Members who took Norwich the trouble to return their Gift Aid forms. I am very Spring 2007 pleased with the response. And to the rest of you, Spring Conference hurry up and get those forms back to me. John Harper, Treasurer Northampton
/N AIR
June’s Travels
Firstly, may I say a very big thank you to all those who helped with Conference 1 – your help was very much appreciated; John & Marie, Emma & Paul, Anna & Nigel, Geoff & Amelia, Dave Lockyer, Dave Nicholson, Paul Blitz, Paul Duell, Phil Moon, Margaret & Pete from Winchester, Gary King, Mike Skinner ... the list is endless. I would also like to thank everyone at Conference who donated funds so that we could send money to the Pakistan Disaster Emergency Committee – I had hoped we could raise enough to send a winter tent costing £90 – thanks to everyone’s generosity, we actually raised the excellent sum of almost £130. Conference seemed to go very quickly and it was good to see the many friends who attended and Portsmouth managed to stay fine and warm too – but ... the new Spinnaker Tower could not open just a couple of days early so that we 2 4 could be the first to climb it though. It was a busy weekend with six seminars on Saturday and another on Sunday: we are grateful to Paul Easton, formerly of Northwick Park Hospital Radio, who many of you will know from his articles in the Radio Magazine. Paul gave two seminars on Presentation. Steve Fountain, who also started his broadcasting career in hospital radio, came to talk on the Radio Academy. Apart from Conference, it has been very busy with a conference team meeting in early September, then visits to Tarka in Barnstaple, where I spent most of the day during their marathon broadcast and on the way back, managed to include a first visit to Taunton. Before arriving home, I went to Radio Brockley 3 and how wonderful it was to see Daniel Gee’s surprised look when I bounced 5 into the studio where he was on air, to present him with his Long Service Certificate. The following weekend, our EC meeting took place in London followed by a visit next day to Oxford: Radio Cherwell, for their AGM, when I presented many long service certificates. I was pleased I managed to get to the members’ meeting for Radio Service Certificates, so please do contact Addenbrooke’s, especially as I had missed me if you have any due – to date this a couple of meetings earlier in the year year over 300 have been printed. due to clashes of events. Following Phil If you are coming to SBES in Moon’s initial visit, I have also been to November at the Birmingham NEC, look at the hotel we have now booked please do come and find us. I am also for the Autumn conference 2006 in looking forward to helping Dundee Norwich. celebrate their 50th Anniversary very As I write this I have just returned soon. from another surprise visit, this time to Thank you to the stations I have visited Pictured: 1. Awarding Long Service Kettering, where I surprised 73 years for their excellent hospitality and I hope certificates at Radio Cherwell; 2. Taking young Harry ,who has been a member to see more of you soon. part in the HR Basingstoke Sponsored of the station for thirty years and who This is the last On Air before the Cycle Challenge; 3. Daniel Gee from was on air at the time. He could not festive season catches up with us – Radio Brockley receives his Long Service believe all the visitors were there to therefore – may I wish you all a very certificate; 4. Meeting Tony Soley of surprise him! And I am certain he will not Happy Christmas and have a very Taunton HR; 5. Visiting Kettering and forget this evening. successful 2006. presenting Harry with his 30 year long I am still producing lots of Long Best wishes, June service certificate.
ON AIR
The Awards for 2006 will be held Presenter of the Year relating to the show. These on Saturday 1st April, 2006 at the programmes could include jazz, Hilton Hotel in Blackpool, as part of Male/Female classical, country, religious etc. the HBA Spring Conference weekend. On this occasion we invite entries from both male and female presenters. You Prizes As you all will be aware, various The top three (Gold, Silver and are required to submit a five-minute companies and organisations sponsor Gold) will receive a trophy along with entry showing the judges the diversity each award and without this prize money of £200, £100 and £50 of your presentation, your awareness of sponsorship, the event wouldn’t be as respectively. spectacular as it has been in the past the listeners. You are asked to include as many different on air clips as possible four years. Best Children’s Output As in previous years, all winners will eg. not all from the same programme. In this category, the judges will be receive cash prizes for their stations plus Prizes looking for material produced by your for the Gold in each category with our The top three (Gold, Silver and station with the young listener in mind. stylish glass trophy, whilst those Bronze) will receive a trophy along The recording can include as many attaining second and third will this year with prize money of £250, £100 and presenters that have been involved with receive a Bronze or Silver plaque. £50 respectively. the children’s output. You are required Those coming fourth and fifth will to submit a ten minute compilation of receive framed highly commended Special Event your programming designed especially certificates; those shortlisted will receive As in previous years, this award for the younger listeners. commended certificates. recognises a one off programme Prizes We will, as last year, be announcing broadcast by the station during 2005. A those who have been shortlisted in each The top three (Gold, Silver and 15-minute compilation from the Gold) will receive a trophy along with category, prior to the ceremony. It is programme is invited. It must be a one hoped that this shortlist will be prize money of £200, £100 and £50 off event and not part of the station’s respectively. published on the HBA web site by early normal day to day output. The judges to mid February. Obviously a lot will be looking for something different depends on how quick our judges make from your normal programming, e.g. Best Sports Output their decisions. outside broadcasts, coverage of a A ten-minute compilation is required for One date you must adhere to is hospital event, etc. this award. You must include both studio Saturday, 21st January, 2006. This will Prizes sports output along with material be the closing dates for all entries. The top three (Gold, Silver and broadcast from sporting events ie Please note that as last year, if the Gold) will receive a trophy along with football or rugby commentaries. The judges do not feel a standard has been prize money of £200, £100 and £50 judges will be looking for the presenter’s reached in each category, then they respectively. knowledge of sport and also the diversity may not shortlist a full ten entries. of the sports coverage of the station. Each station entry must be Prizes accompanied by the official entry form Best Speech Package The top three (Gold, Silver and Stations are invited to submit a and must be signed by a senior member Gold) will receive a trophy along with recording of a maximum of five minutes of your station, ie, station manager, prize money of £200, £100 and £50 taken from a programme or interview chairperson, etc. respectively. Every entry should preceded by your that has been broadcast during 2005. station identification and should also be All music should be edited out of the Station Promotion accompanied by your station letterhead entry. The judges will be looking for material that kept the attention of the This entry can include either a station incorporating the station logo. promotion or programme trailer. What So to details of the awards ... listener and should not include presenters reading extracts from books the judges will be looking for is how Station of the Year or newspapers and the material must well the promo or trailer put the have originated from the station message across and whether they think The main award in the competition. it would attract the ear of the listener. You are required to submit a maximum presenters and not from any other source. Your entry should maximum of 60 15-minute stand-alone documentary seconds although entries shorter than style recording featuring extracts from Prizes this will be acceptable. your station output during 2005. The top three (Gold, Silver and The entry should give the judges an Gold) will receive a trophy along with Prizes insight into your station, the hospitals prize money of £200, £100 and £50 The top three (Gold, Silver and you broadcast to, style of presentation respectively. Gold) will receive a trophy along with and programme content. Also include prize money of £100, £50 and £25 material from any special programmes Best Specialised Music respectively. or events covered during the year. The entry should be of five minute Prizes duration showing the judges the Best Newcomer The top three (Gold, Silver and presenter’s knowledge of the music in This award is open to anyone who Bronze) will receive trophies plus cash question and should also include any joined a hospital radio station during prizes of £500, £200 and £100 content applicable to the programme. 2005. The judges are looking to hear respectively. Eg an event guide/what’s on feature what you have achieved on air in the
ON AIR
short time you have been broadcasting. NOTE: Any person submitted for John Bradford You are required to submit a 5 minute this award last year maybe submitted Director, Radio Academy compilation. again this year. Alan Dedicoat Prizes Head of Continuity BBC Radio 2 There is only one prize in this What to do now? Jill Drew Public Relations Manager PPL category The winner will receive a Start work on your entries. Decide trophy along with £100 prize money. on how many categories you wish to Sarah Drummond Head of Community Television enter then complete the official entry BBC Birmingham The John Whitney Award application form and once your happy This award is open to anyone working with your entries send them to National Paul Easton Radio Consultant in hospital radio whether they are part Hospital Radio Awards, PO Box 93 of the presentation team, an engineer, Milbourne, Newcastle upon Tyne Neil Gardner Radio Executive, OFCOM fundraiser or hospital visit. Entries for NE20 0ZX. this category are to be written (no Please remember an entry form plus Alex Hall Presenter BBC Leeds recordings required). The sponsor, the your station letterhead incorporating the Radio Academy has issued the stations logo must accompany all Barney Harwood Presenter CBBC following guidelines. entries. All entries must be either on This award is to be made to the man CD or mini disc. Andrew Friend Head of Regional Output, or woman who has made a quite REMEMBER it would nice to see all Tyne Tees TV outstanding contribution to Hospital the stations entering the awards be Radio over a period of years. The represented at the ceremony. Chris Jarvis Presenter Cbeebies terms of reference are quite CLOSING DATE IS SATURDAY intentionally broad in order to Sophie McDonnell 21st JANUARY 2006 Presenter CBBC encompass all possible worthy Dave Nicholson recipients. The winner may be drawn Jonathan Morrell Awards Co-ordinator Newsreader Tyne Tees Tv and from broadcasting but might equally be ITV News Channel found from a technical or administrative NATIONAL HOSPITAL background. They may have worked John Perkins Managing Director, IRN for a single station, a series of stations. RADIO AWARDS 2006 The written nomination should explain Paul Robinson JUDGES Media Consultant why the candidate has made a real and Once again we have acquired the Paula Rogers long lasting impact. services of a number of professional Promotions Producer BBC Radio 2 All entries should be made on the people working in the media who are John Rosborough stations official letter heading (no prepared to act as judges at this years Managing Director U106 Belfast photocopies) and should be no more awards. than 300 words. Among the many judges who have Mark Warr News Reader, Tyne Tees TV There will be no cash prizes for this agreed to act will be: award but the recipient will be Ally Ballingall Ian White Senior Broadcast Journalist, BBC North presented with a special trophy. Managing Director, Radio Tay
ON AIR
A 30th Birthday Worth Celebrating
To commemorate Radio Redhill’s thirty by Faye Sanders awaiting Radio Redhill at the hospital radio successful years of broadcasting, the hospital awards in Belfast. radio station certainly went to town on its Meanwhile, at 6am on Saturday 2nd celebrations. A host of star guests and April the FM broadcasting began, to give the special events contributed to the months of local community a taste of what Radio festivities, which culminated in an autumn Redhill is all about, as well as celebrating the garden party. Before reliving these past 30 years. Daily, Mark Davison of the unforgettable birthday moments with all the Surrey Mirror looked back at 30 years of team at Radio Redhill, it is important to local events and music, local expert Ian remember what and especially who, made it Currie gave weather forecasts and lucky the station it is today. listeners were able to win flights in a Radio Redhill began life as a father and competition courtesy of Monarch Airlines. son venture, when back in November 1974 Exclusive interviews took place with it was founded by Les and Andrew Fowler. Dame Judi Dench, GMTV’s Lorraine Kelly The first programmes recorded in the station and Nicholas Owen, complete with their log were on Christmas Day from 7-9.50 pm. own personal choice of music. Other star Patients of Redhill General Hospital were interviews included Dame Vera Lynn, local regaled with their regular broadcast on 8th songstress Katie Melua, song writer Richard February 1975, which became a weekly months after Nigel Grey, a member of the Stilgoe, Don Williams and the UK’s first occurrence on Saturday evenings. At the station since1981, was appointed chairman female sport photographer, Hy Money. time, the studio was on top of a filing – a position he still holds today. After the A distinguished local guest during Radio cabinet in the Chapel vestry and the station closure of Redhill General Hospital in 1991, Redhill’s RSL was the Mayor of Reigate & boasted six members. The equipment a brand new studio was inaugurated in the Banstead. Cllr Marian Brewster told listeners comprised a couple of tape decks, a East Surrey Hospital. about her Scottish origins, her support for microphone and a four channel mixer. The station has gone from strength to local charities, her appreciation of the role of Les, who sadly passed away in March strength. By 1998, 24 hour broadcasting had volunteers in the local community and her 2004, was Radio Redhill’s first chairman and begun and to mark the station’s silver interest in Essex County Cricket Club. Over particularly enjoyed devising and presenting anniversary in 2000, AM broadcasting was the 16 days, a documentary was broadcast, programmes. Three of his programmes introduced. At the end of 2001, the upstairs telling the story of 30 years of Radio Redhill, were broadcast regularly for many years – studio moved to its present position on the complete with clips from archive Concert Hall, Rejoice & Sing and 20-30-40. ground floor of the hospital. Which brings programmes. Special chart shows were Les was a lay preacher and took great us more or less up to the present day. compiled to reveal the all-time top 40 tracks pleasure in recording two special Celebrations kicked off on 13th February for Radio Redhill’s listeners and members programmes, ‘Christians Awake!’ and with a special ceremony attended by Radio alike. The action, laughter and memories ‘What’s Good About Good Friday?’, Redhill members past and present. Local continued until midnight Sunday 17th April. broadcast every Christmas and Easter. celebrity and ITV newsreader Nicholas Yet the station’s biggest birthday surprise Radio Redhill stayed in the chapel vestry Owen was guest of honour. He poured was bestowed on the eve of its first day of for five years until Loctite UK Ltd donated praise on the station, alluding to its high FM broadcasting. The radio station was their demonstration caravan to the station in quality programmes and the professionalism voted Station of the Year at the National the autumn of 1980. Although it cost of its broadcasters. He then cut the radio’s Hospital Radio Awards in Belfast. Their several thousand pounds to equip, it was big enormous birthday cake. A special winning entry consisted of a 15 minute enough to create two small studios inside. It thanksgiving service was held at the Hospital compilation of programmes broadcast over enabled Radio Redhill to develop further Chapel by hospital chaplains, the Reverends the previous 12 months. and extend its range of programmes to the John Glasspool and John Joseph. The station went on to take Silver in the patients. Comedy actor Melvin Hayes visited The day’s events were a prelude to the Special Event category, thanks to its OB the station and cut the ribbon. A new stage main birthday bonanza, to take place a few from the South of England Show at Ardingly in the station’s history was born. months later. Radio Redhill obtained a RSL last summer. The jubilant station then went When the East Surrey Hospital opened a to broadcast to Redhill, Reigate and the on to steal another Silver Award in the few years later, Radio Redhill acquired some surrounding areas for 16 days on 87.7FM Speech Package category, merited by its space on the first floor to build a studio. between 2nd and 17th April, coinciding interview with Nicholas Owen. A Broadcasting from both hospitals had begun. with National Hospital Broadcasting Week programme in the Film 1287 series was The new studio was opened by the late 2005. Little did the team know it at the time commended in the ‘Specialised Music Jean Metcalfe on 16th February 1985, just but a very special birthday present would be Programme’ category. Two Radio Redhill members, Andrew Fowler and Richard Shaw, were presented with 30 years Long Service Certificates by June Snowden. June took part in a special programme entitled ‘President’s Top 3’. She described the work of the HBA, before selecting her three favourite records. A final birthday bash was organised for members on a blustery autumn evening. Undeterred by the rain and wind, a clutch of members huddled around a table in a marquee in a garden in Caterham to wish the radio many happy returns of the day. Hosted by record librarian Colin Hastings and his wife Stella, a mouth-watering spread of goodies was enjoyed by all present. There was no debating how far the station had come over the past thirty years and everyone agreed that there should be even more to celebrate in thirty years time ...
ON AIR
Portsmouth Conference – A Delegate’s Notes
THE VOYAGE As in recent years, the gathering was more select than at the Spring Conference. The reasons for others’ non-attendance varied. Some had intended to travel to East Southsea by train, only to discover that the last train to that station had run in August … 1914. Others, mindful of Portmouth’s other name ‘Pompei’ were concerned that a neighbouring volcano might erupt sufficient to our needs and we found unanimously defeated. Only afterwards and smother them in lather. bedroom, bathroom and all the fittings it will be realised that the proposing Dire warning had been given in the therein to be of a high standard. station ‘Radio Therapy’ doesn’t actually final instructions against driving down The lift adjacent to reception was as exist. But that will only work once. the eastern side of Portsea Island, for far removed from Star Trek THE DO fear we would be delayed 48 hours by performance as an elevator can be. The Deputy Lord Mayor of the road works. Those of us who Also, we found trouble finding another Portsmouth, Councillor Tom Blair, gave habitually leave the instructions sitting two people to ride in it with us in order delegates a civic reception. Originally, on the table at home (‘so that we won’t to comply with the displayed delegates were to be civicly received by forget to take them with us’) naturally instruction: ‘Four people in the lift at a the Lord Mayor himself and they found took the eastern road. Happily, the time, please’. In fact we found a larger, printed invitations to that effect in their powers-that-be had anticipated this more modern lift at the other side of conference folders. Regrettably, his oversight and rolled up the road works the building and took great care not to Worship had overlooked a prior the day before conference and we tell anyone else otherwise everybody engagement in connection with the sailed through to the Esplanade. would have used it. Trafalgar bi-centenary, which seemed Conversely, the swots that followed THE OFF-WATCH ACTIVITIES an odd oversight considering the city their directions to the letter and took the A new idea for Friday night had had 200 years prior warning of the motorway down the western side came conference entertainment was the Race celebrations. His Deputy Worship also unstuck because a vital signpost had Night. This featured horses with the had a Trafalgar engagement (function, been removed in case of fifth most unlikely names which finished in not battle) to attend and was unable to columnists. completely the wrong order ... in my stay for our Gala Dinner. Not sure who Finding the hotel should have been opinion. got his food. simple; the sea is on the left side of the THE VICTUALS After the meal, live entertainment road, hotels are on the right. Slowly we Every now and then one hears from Stavia, aka consultant neurologist cruised the parade checking each hotel graphic descriptions of how poor the Dr Stavia Blunt. Stavia’s performance name in turn. After a while, South food is at HBA conferences – usually for the HBA was listed in the gigs list on Parade Pier appeared on our left. I from someone who has not been a her website http://www.stavia.co.uk/, pointed out this landmark as being the resident delegate for well over than ten and included songs from her band’s location used by director Ken Russell in years. Recent regular delegates however current album ‘Deep Waters’ – which 1974 for some of the scenes in his film can tell you that for several conferences delegates had found in their conference of The Who’s rock opera ‘Tommy’. By the catering has been of a very high folders – and their previous CD ‘The the end of the filming, all that Ken standard and the meals at the Royal Way You Are’. lacked was footage of the pier burning Beach vied for the title of best ever. THE DAY OF REST (some hope) down. Just then, as luck would have it, Despite making it clear that I am Nobody is quite sure when the the pier burned down and so it is that vegetarian, I found my breakfast plate perennial conference ‘ramble’ became the movie includes shots of the Pompei included bacon in the generous downgraded to a (more accurate) pompiers endeavouring to extinguish traditional English breakfast. I would ‘Sunday Walk’ in the conference the conflagration with little success. have complained if it hadn’t been self- programme. The party departed in an Having passed the pier, we resumed service. easterly direction – we had specifically checking the names of the hotels on our THE AGM been warned that southerly would be a right. A mile later, we ran out of hotels. Back in the days when parliamentary bad choice – literally a long walk off a Had we been looking for the wrong majorities were much more slender and short pier. During a stroll along the hotel? What had the final instruction governments could not be sure of seafront, it had been arranged for really said it was called. A U-turn and a success on every vote, it is said that sick delegates to be entertained with slow drive back eventually solved the MPs would be brought in from their displays by a tall ship, sailing dinghies, mystery – the Royal Beach Hotel is deathbeds by ambulance to be car ferries, Napoleonic era mid channel opposite South Parade Pier. So I blamed stretchered through the division lobbies. forts, an Isle of Wight hovercraft Ken Russell for us missing it. Perhaps the HBA should do the same, coming in to beach, and a sea rescue THE VENUE though whether we really want sick helicopter. The Royal Beach is a Victorian Hotel MPs at our AGM is questionable. THE NEXT ONE with later extensions. For the first The quorum problem won’t arise at Having got a taste for the seaside, century or so, bathrooms were shared the next AGM. A motion will be we’re off to Blackpool again for the and the en-suite facility that today’s proposed requiring the Executive Spring Conference 2006. Just have to patrons expect takes up a proportion of Committee to suggest to PPL and IRN pick up the final instructions off the table, what was formerly a sizable bedroom. that they double the fees charged to avoid the non-existent roadworks, find a But we were supposed to be out hospital radio stations. Attendance will station that didn’t close 91 years ago ... conferring, so a cozy bedroom was be high and the motion will be Anonymous
ON AIR
An Autumn Conference Scrapbook ... from the trade show, the seminars and station visit to the Gala dinner and the Sunday morning ramble. Many thanks to Geoff Fairbairn and Mike Skinner for all the photos.
ON AIR
Countrywide ... News from the Stations
CASTLE MEAD RADIO In recent years, the station has CELEBRATES 15 YEARS achieved so much, including two COME AND ON AIR marathon broadcasts, pioneering a CELEBRATE 35 YEARS CASTLE Mead Radio, which weekly local news magazine broadcasts to the patients, staff and programme, wide-ranging fundraising, We would like to encourage all visitors of Hinckley and Bosworth going 24 hours and, over the past year, previous Radio Northwick Park Community Hospital and is famed for broadcasting to a new hospital in members to get in touch and help us being Britain’s smallest hospital radio Hinckley. to celebrate our 35th anniversary in station, this month celebrates its I’ve been involved with this great 2006. Every member is important fifteenth birthday. radio station for the past eight years and with their help RNP has After years of trying to get agreement and, with the encouragement and become bigger and better at support of various people, including for the creation of a hospital radio providing a valuable service to the station in the 1980s, management of Paul Gardner, patron Daniel Bruce and Chairman Pete Worthington, I’ve had patients at Northwick Park Hospital. the old Hinckley and District Hospital, We ask that any ex-member or gave the go ahead. the opportunity to present a wide variety of programmes and hold several anybody who knows them con- senior committee positions including tact us through our website Publicity Officer and my current role as (www.radionorthwickpark.org) or Vice Chairman. designated telephone line 07017 As part of our fantastic birthday 321503. celebrations, I’ve put together a RIVER CITY STARS LAUNCH RADIO LOLLIPOP AT NINEWELLS Radio Lollipop, the radio station for children in hospital, launched recently at Ninewells and the cast of River City popped along to show their support. A full programme of events took place to mark the launch of this satellite station starting with entertainers in the ward. A live show was broadcast from within the Chairman Pete Worthington with former Mathew Hulbert, (left), Vice Chairman playroom, which was temporarily Station Manager Rita Duval celebrate with Daniel Bruce, co-patron converted into a studio, officially started Radio Lollipop in Ninewells. The founder members were current The live broadcast went out in station manager, Paul Gardner, documentary charting the station’s Dundee from David Sweeney and honorary member, Dave Bedford and progress and including interviews with Graham Barr and Peter Dick was in former presenter, Pete Russell. many of its leading figures. the Edinburgh studio. So, the long-awaited first day of Our success over the past fifteen There was also a balloon launch broadcasting from a small studio in the years is evidenced not only by our from the garden outside the playroom loft of the hospital, was on November continuing popularity with the listeners attended by volunteers, patients and 10, 1990. and local community but by the number families, nursing staff and guests. After a few years, when the station’s of professional broadcasters who During the afternoon there was membership outgrew its one room started off at Castle Mead Radio – another live show from Edinburgh home, the then Station Manager indeed, after years of news reading and broadcast by Gary Drummond. approached Leicestershire County interviewing, via a university degree, I Radio Lollipop is a volunteer-driven Council for a grant to help convert am myself now a freelance journalist live radio station and its programmes further loft space into a studio complex. with several radio stations in the West are dedicated to entertaining children This was successful and, at the end Midlands. in hospital. Volunteers make Radio of 1993, the station came off air and As Britain’s smallest, Castle Mead Lollipop possible raising funds for the builders moved in. Radio has also, over the years, received development is crucial to the charity. By July 1994, the work was a lot of attention from both regional and Murray Petrie, Chairman of Acute complete and the then President of the national media outlets, thus promoting Services Division, NHS Tayside said National Association of Hospital the wide cause of hospital radio. he was delighted Radio Lollipop was Broadcasting Organisations, Alan Thanks go, first and foremost, to our coming to Ninewells. It is never nice Grimadell, cut the ribbon and opened super band of loyal listeners, also the when children have to come into the new complex. dedicated team of volunteers without hospital and anything we can do to Castle Mead Radio now has two whom we couldn’t and wouldn’t exist, make their stay a bit more pleasant is broadcast ready studios, a discussion to the local area and to the hospital worthwhile. area and a production office, as well as management for their fantastic support., Many local businesses and a reception. Here’s to the next fifteen years! Mathew Hulbert organisations supported Radio Lollipop.
ON AIR
Countrywide ... News from the Stations
NEW STUDIO FOR weeks of his life and he passed away 8th October 2005. For 18 months the NOTTINGHAM peacefully in the Chelmsford Hospice. station has raised a vast amount of He is survived by his sister Karen and money to buy and install computer HOSPITALS’ RADIO her husband, his two nephews and his systems to broadcast the signal between mother. Southlands and Worthing Hospitals. It Kevin had a very keen and lively has also been a chance to refurbish the sense of humour, a definite asset in second studio which was well passed every sphere of life and he was its sell by date. The computer links gracious enough to take in good part were paid for with donations received practical jokes played on him! from the League of Friends at both The greatest love of his life was Southlands and Worthing Hospitals. undoubtedly Hospital Radio The station started in 1972 when a Chelmsford, of which he had been a group of enthusiasts got together to stalwart member for over 17 years. start the Southlands Hospital Sensitive to the vulnerability of the in- Broadcasting Service, which started patients in the wards of our local broadcasting on 24th September 1972. hospitals, he worked tirelessly on their The name was changed in 1974 to behalf, collecting requests, chatting to Radio Southlands. It was in 1980 that them, broadcasting for many hours at a the station moved into its present time, fundraising and enhancing the location on the ground floor of profile of the charity. His shows Southlands Hospital. The studios were ‘Golden Years’ and ‘Across the Years’ opened by Alan ‘Fluff ’ Freeman. Many were extremely popular with patients. changes have taken place in those 25 Janet Ormerod in the studio His trade mark whilst at HRC was years including a refurbishment in that he would always turn up for each 1984, which was officially opened by Nottingham Hospitals’ Radio has programme with two carrier bags of Fred Dineage. added to its facilities with a brand new CDs and armed with The Guinness Radio Southlands became the first studio completely built and funded by Book of British Hit Singles and The hospital radio station in the country to the efforts of its voluntary membership. Book of Top 40 Charts since the pop broadcast on the medium wave band The many benefits will include charts commenced. He started autumn via an induction loop within the greater accessibility for members with 1988 and in November 1988 became hospital. It also provided a radio at disabilities, split programming enabling part of the Wednesday night team. In each bedside for patients to hear the broadcasts to be made to both hospitals December of that year, he became co- programmes. This means that while simultaneously and greater training presenter of The Wednesday Request patients and staff can hear the facilities for new members. Show. He was given his own ‘Kevin programmes within the hospital, The studio cost nearly £10,000 to Rook Show’ on Saturday mornings in reception cannot be heard outside of build, with money being raised from the late spring of 1989. ‘Rook’s the main building. members fund raising efforts and a Rumpus’ followed in July 1989, a Radio Southlands had experimented Lottery Grant and took some 100 hours mixture of music and comedy. In 1990 with broadcasting to Worthing Hospital of build from scratch. came ‘The Friday Rook Show’ but it was in 1986 that Worthing Janet Ormerod, one of our members followed on Sunday nights by ‘Across Hospital Radio (WHR) was launched, with some limited mobility, was quoted the Years’. Kevin went on to present broadcasting from Swandean Hospital as saying: ‘Golden Years Top Tens’ where he to the main hospital in Worthing. ‘I feel free now, I can broadcast remained until 2005. In addition he When WHR moved to Brighton the without having to depend on someone also presented ‘Classic Rook Tonight’, a name was changed to Coastway else to be there to take care of the classical music programme and ‘One to Hospital Radio. technical side, I can do it myself ’ One’, a Desert Island Discs type It wasn’t until November 2003 that Nottingham Hospitals’ Radio is now programme, where he invited the discussions took place between Radio proud to have studio facilities management of Mid Essex Hospital Southlands and Coastway Hospital comparable to the best local radio Services NHS Trust on as guests. Radio concerning taking over Worthing stations. This will allow us to continue Which ever day of the week Kevin was Hospital. Radio Southlands officially to improve our output and achieve our on air would automatically unofficially took over responsibility for Worthing aim of brightening up the listeners stay become ‘the best bloody day of the Hospital on 1st April 2004. It was in in hospital by providing dedicated week’. (This became a standard off-air May 2004 that the name was changed music, sport and entertainment 24 joke) to Seaside Hospital Radio to reflect the hours a day for Nottingham Hospitals. Our prayers and sympathy go out to extension to cover all the hospitals in family, friends and colleagues who the Worthing and Southlands NHS OBITUARY mourn Kevin's untimely passing. Trust. Kevin Rook With modern state of the art bedside It is with great sadness that we SEASIDE RIDES THE WAVES entertainment systems provided by record the death from cancer, of Kevin Seaside Hospital Radio has seen HospiCom, patients can hear the Rook, aged 43, earlier this month. another milestone in its 33 year history programmes of Seaside Hospital Radio Despite battling valiantly, his health when the radio service was extended in CD quality and are able to contact deteriorated rapidly in the last few to include Worthing Hospital on the the studio to hear their favourite music
ON AIR
Countrywide ... News from the Stations
within a very short time. At present Some Sunday programmes took a personalities including Pat Sharp, who patients can telephone the studio on backseat as Daniel Gee was surprised by started his career at Radio Brockley in the 01273 44 60 84 but in the near future a special half-hour ‘This Is Your Life’ 1970s and broadcasting veteran Tony it is planned that they can email their show, in which he was asked about past Blackburn. requests via the website at shows, his fund raising activities and The tables were also turned on www.seasidehr.com where they can stories about his antics on the wards. volunteer Alan Joyce who was involved find a request slip as well as The programme also featured in arranging the surprise for his colleague information about the station. messages from past members and radio but didn't realise he too would be Volunteers are always welcome and presented with his certificate on the there are always vacancies for people same night. to help the station in various ways. At Members held a party and both present volunteers are needed to Trustees were left bemused at the fuss. collect requests from patients in Trustee Daniel Gee was thanked for Worthing to be passed onto the studio fifteen years of dedicated work at the at Southlands. station and said he was ‘chuffed to bits’ with his certificate and ‘humbled by all RADIO BROCKLEY ... the fuss members had gone to’. ... THIS IS YOUR LIFE Radio Brockley celebrates forty years Radio Brockley members received a of broadcasting in 2006 and is looking surprise visit from the president of the forward to being moved to new studios Hospital Broadcasting Association, who when the Royal National Orthopaedic dropped in on Sunday 11th September Hospital is rebuilt, with the new hospital to present long service awards to two due to be opened in 2010. members. Trustees Daniel Gee and Alan Joyce OBITUARY are both celebrating fifteen years of Sadly we report the death of Peter volunteering at London's longest running Pictured: (left to right) Alan Joyce (Trustee, Owen, aged 65, of a heart attack on 1st hospital station and June Snowden Radio Brockley), June Snowden (President, November. Peter was Vice Chairman of brought along their certificates, so she Hospital Broadcasting Association) and Radio West Suffolk and had been a could present them live on air. Daniel Gee (Trustee, Radio Brockley) member since October 1988.
ON AIR
you may photocopy this form On Air No 107 p18 7/11/05 2:18 pm Page 1 On Air No 107 pp19,20,21 7/11/05 2:07 pm Page 1
HANDS OFF OUR option in the long-term, due to falling with very distinct identities and make HOSPITAL RADIO STATION! patient numbers at St Luke’s,’ added Mr equally valuable contributions in the Dear Editor, Williams. provision of services for the benefit of After 53 years of service to patients at ‘What we do not accept is the patients. Radio Royal have stated they Bradford Royal Infirmary, Radio Royal unnecessary closure of Radio Royal – a would encourage members of St Lukes could be facing closure following a charity that has strong links with the BRI, Sound to become members of their controversial proposal by the Bradford has served the patients well during the charity; however, with this option the Teaching Hospital’s Trust to terminate its past half century and has the volunteers, Trust would have to terminate relationship with the charity and sister facilities and investment behind it to arrangements with St Lukes Sound hospital radio station St Luke’s Sound. ensure it can continue to provide an (leading to its dissolution). The Trust is ‘I am disappointed by the Trust’s plan excellent service for patients in the of the opinion that this option would to serve both Radio Royal and St Luke’s future’. demonstrate preferential treatment of Sound notice and to, in its words, Copy of proposals produced by one radio station over the other and that, encourage the establishment of a new Voluntary Services Manager in order to appear scrupulously fair to all charity to provide radio broadcasting CONCLUSION volunteers involved, the current location services at the BRI site,’ said Radio Royal In the changing face of health care of the provider cannot be the chairman Ashley Williams. provision, the RBS provides the ideal determining factor in these He said the proposal outlined by the opportunity for the Trust to reach and considerations. Trust was an appaling waste of time, encourage involvement in its 3. To support the development of a money and resources, not only on behalf membership base. The RBS service new Single Service Provider based at BRI. of the Trust but also the charities provision therefore should be dynamic With this option the Trust would involved. ‘The proposal and and interactive in addition to being terminate all current arrangements with recommendations and are a slap in the cooperative and forward thinking. Most both charities and encourage and support face for our volunteers,’ he added. importantly, the RBS should be able to the combined members of Radio Royal ‘We have spoken to the Charities work in partnership with the trust. and St Lukes Sound in the establishment Commission about this and it said it did It is clear there is a definite need to of a new charity to provide Radio not recommend the establishment of a formalise arrangements with the RBS Broadcasting services based at the BRI new charity to serve a function that an and that the most appropriate service site. This option allows the Trust to existing charity already provides.’ provision would be from one combined establish more formal arrangements with Prior to the publication of the charity operating from one location. regard to the future provision of radio proposal, Radio Royal and St Luke’s Considering the previous history of broadcast services at BTH. Further this Sound had held talks to streamline and both radio stations and their extensive option would allow the Trust to work synchronise their operations. With a years of service any termination of more closely with the new provider in rapidly dwindling audience at St Luke’s, arrangements should be dealt with in a terms of the strategic developments due to a reduction in the number of sensitive and supportive manner. within Voluntary Services, (driven by the beds, some volunteers had faced up to OPTIONS ‘Year of Volunteers’ and the development the fact their station could be wound There are several options open to of the internal Volunteers Forum). Lastly, down and one member had already BTH with regard to the future provision this option would better provide for all moved across to Radio Royal. of broadcast services. current volunteers (and new members) a The Trust had recently spent more 1. To maintain the current service more equal opportunity for contributing than £40,000 in relocating Radio Royal’s position with St Lukes Sound and Radio to the delivery of the new service. studio accommodation at the BRI. But it Royal. However, the Trust realises that a seems the Trust now wants to close both A number of practical developments situation may arise where a number of stations and put the formation of a new that have recently taken place within the providers vie to provide a radio broadcasting service out to tender. Not Trust mitigate strongly against this course broadcast service. With this in mind the surprisingly this has angered volunteers. of action. Namely, the reconfiguration of provision needs to be made to offer the ‘The Trust says if it terminated services during December 2004 which service out to tender to ensure that all arrangements with St Luke’s Sound but has lead to a significant reduction in the parties are fairly considered. continued its relationship with Radio bed base at St Lukes Hospital, and; the RECOMMENDATIONS Royal, it would demonstrate preferential implementation of Patientline at the BRI 1. The termination of current Trust treatment of one radio station over the site, the new combined broadcast and relationships with St Lukes Sound and other. So, in order to appear fair to all communications system, which will be Radio Royal. A period of 12/18 months volunteers involved, the current location used to transmit future radio service notice be given to each radio station. of the radio service provider cannot be broadcasts. Within this climate the 2. The development of a formal the determining factor in its continued management of two distinct agreement with regard to location, considerations. Radio Royal’s members radio broadcast services providers would service delivery and, service provision. disagree and are strongly urging the Trust not serve the best interests of the patients 3. The Trust to offer support and board not to ratify its recommendations. and is not compatible with current encouragement to members of existing ‘Each charity provides a valuable developments. Further, the Trust groups to participate within the service to its respective hospital patient currently has no formal lease or license development of a new single service listeners. Some streamlining is required to arrangements with either charity. provider to be based at the BRI site. improve and develop the services 2. To support the development of a 4. A tendering process to be provided by each station but we believe Unified Service based at BRI. established in the event of a number of the Trust is being unnecessarily heavy Both St Lukes Sound and Radio Royal providers vying to provide a radio handed with its recommendations. have long and successful histories of broadcast service based at the BRI site. ‘Ideally both stations would continue providing radio broadcast services. The board is asked to ratify the to operate but we accept this is not an Currently both are stand-alone charities recommendations made.
ON AIR
A REPLY FROM THE EC provide an enhanced hospital radio we have an enlarged team of volunteers Let me start on a positive note – at service to patients in Bradford, rather which will enable us to undertake least the NHS Trust appears to be saying than create two sets of disenchanted frequent and regular ward visits and that it wishes its patients to have volunteers who feel that their collective maintain a reliable schedule throughout continued access to a hospital radio effort, that probably adds up to many the week in which requests will be service! That said, it does seem that the hundreds if not thousands of years of broadcast throughout. NHS Trust is treating the two charities, voluntary service, is being dismissed at their trustees and their volunteers rather the stroke of an administrator's pen. Just for the record, Francis does inappropriately and too much like a Where better to find people with the know I am sending a response to the commercial service provider. Anyone appropriate skills and commitment to run letters published in the involved with the management of a hospital radio station for Bradford than September/October 2005 edition of On volunteers should know that you cannot within the existing two stations? Air but will not know the contents of it treat a volunteer in the same way you I'm sure I speak for the rest of the until he reads it in the magazine. can treat a paid employee or contracted HBA Executive Committee when I offer John Hutchinson service provider. every assistance to Radio Royal and St. Programme Controller, Radio Allerton As Ashley points out, the Charity Luke's Sound as they attempt to find an Commission do not encourage the setting amicable solution to their present Dear Editor, up of new charities with objects difficulties. I’m writing with regard to the article effectively the same as existing charities. Nigel Dallard, Secretary written by Francis Klonowski and to the They do, however, actively encourage Hospital Broadcasting Association charities with similar objects to work responses published in On Air. closely together and/or merge where this Dear Editor, Yes, the listeners’ wishes are would make sense for the charities and As a long time friend and colleague paramount but that’s why we have their beneficiaries – see their report ‘RS4 of Francis Klonowski I was very request programmes. – Collaborative Working and Mergers’, disappointed to see the reactions to his You could argue that the bulk of a published in 2003. Under existing recent ‘On Air’ articles. hospital radio station’s output should be Charity legislation, there are a few legal Francis has, for many years, been an governed by the music the patients loopholes to negotiate and a legal absolute cornerstone of our operations at request but I think you’d find the task ‘scheme’ would probably be needed to Radio Allerton and recently, in addition well nigh impossible. effect the merger. The Charities Bill, to his programme presentation duties, Let me give you an example. On which is currently going through has worked very hard to raise our profile Parliament, will, in the future, make Saturday 15 October 2005, I collected mergers much simpler. in the local media, which has enabled us 20 requests from the patients at the According to the Register of Charities, to recruit some desperately needed new Sutton branch of the Marsden. Among the objects of Radio Royal are ‘to provide members. He has also been instrumental these were ‘[O Fortuna’ by Karl Orff, a personal radio service to the patients of in raising much needed funds for Radio ‘Have I The Right’ by The Honeycombs, Bradford Royal Infirmary to help relieve Allerton and at our recent Annual ‘The Girl From Ipanema’ by Astrud sickness and infirmity and to affiliate to General Meeting I was pleased to be Gilberto and Stan Getz and two tracks the National Association of Hospital able to nominate Francis for the position from the current Oasis album. How do Broadcasting Organisations’. The objects of Chair of Radio Allerton and even you devise a format around that? of St. Luke's Sound are ‘to relieve more pleased when he was elected to At Radio Marsden, our audience sickness, infirmity and old age by the post. providing a local broadcasting service for comprises all ages (from 2 to 82), the patients of St. Luke's Hospital’. Given At Radio Allerton we have always different races, cultures and religions and the common management of Bradford tried to broadcast a wide and balanced all the various social strata – and I would Royal Infirmary and St. Luke's Hospital it range of programmes but in recent years think that it’s the same with most stations would seem to me that the Charity a very low level of membership Apart from the usual old chestnuts that Commission would have few grounds to (sometimes down to as few as four are asked for again and again, year in object to a proposed merger of the two people) and various other circumstances and year out, the music requested by the stations to form a new charity with have ensured that life has not been easy. listeners is very diverse indeed. And the objects along the lines of ‘to relieve .Add to that the fact that all of us are prospect of repeating ‘My Way’, ‘The sickness, infirmity and the disabilities working full time and like everyone else Lady In Red’, Patsy Cline’s ‘Crazy’ and attendant on old age amongst persons involved in Hospital Radio I'm sure, living in the Bradford area by providing a ‘What A Wonderful World’ constantly local broadcasting service for hospitals, have other commitments to consider and really is too dreadful to contemplate. hospices, old persons' homes and similar you will soon begin to see the difficulties If you’ve invested in a playout system institutions’. we have been having and I am sure and have presenters dedicated enough to It appears that the trustees and other people will have been in the same record a series of well-researched volunteers of both stations involved have position.Some also live a considerable specialist programmes, where’s the already acknowledged that the existing distance away from the hospital and are problem? It gives presenters a chance to situation is untenable in the long term dependent upon public transport, just to spread their wings and gives the listeners and discussions have already taken place add to the difficulties. a lot of variety. Variety they’d be hard about the way forward. Surely it would However, the requirements of the put to find anywhere else. be better for all concerned if the NHS patients have ALWAYS been Trust facilitated the consensual coming In recent months, Ofcom has been together of the two stations to create a uppermost in the minds of all of us at berating ILR stations for what it calls newly re-invigorated group of volunteers, Radio Allerton, and now, thanks in very homogeneity (horrible word) – because enthused about their future ability to large part to Francis' s publicity work, the bulk of ILR stations feature the same
ON AIR
songs in their ‘A’ lists and it’s becoming which is produced with accurate timing, listening equipment and in portable difficult to tell one station from another. to announce in advance exactly when recording devices, the possibility remains. I sincerely hope that hospital radio each track will be played. Oh, and I use No doubt as technology advances the never becomes as bland and vapid as a signature tune as well. What on earth quality achievable will improve. today’s commercial stations. will PPL do then? (shock! horror!) PPL's members do have grave I’ve always been impressed by the I don't know how Mr Baxter and his concerns about the pirating of music – quirky and original nature of hospital PPL colleagues sleep at night. particularly in the digital domain – and radio shows. It’s what makes hospital Yours disgustedly, Iain Smith it's PPL's job, given to them by the record radio different and long may it continue. labels, to protect the rights of the labels ** Hospital radio is a concept not as Roger Allen, Hon. Sec. and artists as best they can. widely understood or experienced in PPL are unlikely to come knocking at Dear Editor, mainland Europe as here in the UK. I am your door, checking your equipment or I have just seen, in On Air magazine, convinced therefore that had those in your programme schedule – Adam answers from Adam Baxter of PPL to Brussels responsible for this new admits as much in his article. That said, I FAQs on the thorny and iniquitous directive been aware of the affect their suspect that should they feel the terms of subject of Hospital Broadcasting licences. re-wording would have, hospital radio the licence are being deliberately and Let me make my own position would have been exempt. Perhaps all of consistently publicly flouted by an absolutely clear – I abhor PPL's actions us in HR that feel strongly about this individual or a station, they may feel which stem from a badly re-worked EU should contact our MEP and our MP to compelled to take some form of action. directive** on payments for broadcasting let them know what is going on. I can I'm not trying to be some sort of copyright material. My comments on also think of one or two national papers apologist for PPL. Adam and his some points in the document are as who would love such an ‘anti EU’ story! colleagues know only too well exactly follows: what I think about their wish to license 1. Adam Baxter tries desperately to HBA Chief Executive, John Watson hospital broadcasting and databases. justify PPL's actions by stating that it puts responds: However, the fact of the matter is that hospital radio stations ‘on a proper I suspect there are very few stations licensing is with us now – thankfully at business footing as befits their status’. I've that are pleased to have been elevated to much less expense than originally. I, for got news for Mr. Baxter. Hospital radio a ‘business footing’ by PPL, given the one, shall be remaining within the spirit stations are not businesses but, in the vast accompanying charges. There is no doubt of the agreement, keeping my head majority of cases, registered charities that those that drafted the EU Copyright down and getting on with what I hope I which carry out their work on a purely Directive took little or no account of do best – cheering up sick patients! voluntary non-profit making basis. In the hospital radio or of volunteer radio in case of the station with which I am general. It was, unfortunately, the result Hello, involved members actually pay an annual of very heavy lobbying by the various I'm producing an Archive Hour subscription! Also, all of our funding copyright agencies across the continent. programme for Radio 4 about hospital comes from voluntary contributions. While it is of little consolation in this radio and I'm seeking your help. I'm PPL went down this route because of instance, one of the results has been that trying to source audio of classic (whether a comment from a spokesperson for the Patent Office are now well aware of old or new) HR moments and ideas and student radio saying that if they had to HBA's interest in copyright matters and or contacts ... in particular, stuff along the pay so should hospital radio stations they now advise us of planned changes. following themes: because ‘they are doing exactly the same The signature tunes issue is easily • early sporting commentary – plus, do thing as us’. Excuse me? From what I misunderstood. We must remember PPL you know any footy commentators whose know of student radio, it is full of are agents acting on behalf of the artistes careers were kick started on the wards? egocentric wannabe DJs trying to and record companies. PPL do not • celebrities – either early gaffes, or impress their mates! Quite different from permit stations to use music for signature unusual celebrity interviews trying to bring a bit of cheer to people tunes or promotional spots, as an • patients' testimonies unfortunate enough to be in hospital! introduction to or during advertising, as • DJ doctors who spin the decks in 2. Other aspects of the licence are identity signals for the transmission, as a their own hospitals absolutely laughable. For example, are trademark or brand or as part of an • firsts for HR there going to be ‘signature tune police advert, sponsorship message or interviews/OBs/technology patrols’ going around the country's endorsement. The reason they do not As always, time is of the essence, so if hospitals looking for offenders? As for not permit this is because they have been you can email me ASAP with any details, announcing when a record will be granted no authority to permit it. Use of then that would be great. If you have played so that listeners cannot record it! music in such a way must still be anything you could post, then please Has Mr. Baxter ever visited a hospital ? properly and expressly permitted by the send it to me at the address below. Perhaps he could tell me just how a lawful owner of the relevant rights in Many thanks for your help on this – patient would manage to record any those sound recordings. and in particular to many people who've output from a hard wired system I agree it does seem laughable to already sent me stuff. delivered to them via headphones? This suggest a listener might be likely to Virginia Phillips, BBC Science Radio Unit is just one example of this totally endeavour to record a piece of music T: +44 (0)20 7557 3893 nonsensical piece of legislation. I am from the hospital listening equipment. F: +44 (0)20 7557 3008 E: sorely tempted in my next programme, However, with the advances in patient Virginia.Phillips@bbc.co.uk
ON AIR
The Highs and Lows of Hospital Radio Part 3
Pressure Points by Francis Klonowski Time For Action The autumn of 2003 had brought Yes, it was time for action. And two pieces of bureaucracy which, fortunately, we had time for action – while most annoying, also provided DOWN ... BUT five months at least. We would never warnings that something had to let the station close but we could make change. NOT QUITE OUT sure we were in a position of strength First of all, whatever passes for the by the time the planned reorganisation Performing Rights Society nowadays How Radio Allerton took place. had decided that all hospital radio came close to folding We resumed programmes in stations should pay for playing records, February and I set about preparing a just like any normal music-playing in 2004 sob-story press release: all about how station. The fact we are a ‘closed we were coming up to our 25th loop’ service doesn’t seem to matter. anniversary with the threat of closure The Hospital Broadcasting Association the potential risks. Even more hanging over us. began a series of protests on behalf of worrying was the suggestion that, if I discovered recently that you can us all but as I write it seems the battle we couldn’t provide a fuller service see part of this press release on the has been lost and we have to find with regular patient contact, the internet – try a Google search on the around £400 a year. hospital may find it hard to justify Klonowski name [best limit it to the Now I wouldn’t want to see any giving us the space. I wanted to ask UK, otherwise you get all sorts of artiste or band done out of their how they justified the space of Ward Klonowski’s around the world – none justified income, especially in these 11 along the corridor, closed and in of whom has mentioned me in their days of internet downloads and CD- darkness for most of the five years we will!]. If you scroll down with a copying. But I would have thought had been there. In the circumstances, degree of patience, you will eventually there are enough commercial and though, I thought better of it ... find an extract from the hospital publicly-funded stations out there to bulletin. keep the coffers full. Off Air The two local papers were really As far as my own programme is Clearly we had to do something. helpful, reproducing the article almost concerned, you’ll know from the The first thing we decided to do was word for word. The response was record reviews that I don’t do ordinary. to go off air for a month after more than I’d dared hope for, as were These singers and bands are just glad Christmas and try to regroup. Instead swamped with enquiries – around 20 that someone is trying to bring their of doing programmes, we would use in two weeks. Between us we set music to a wider audience, giving them our time to visit some of the wards, to about meting them as quickly as a chance of selling a few more CDs. I improve our presence within the possible and getting them started on know this because I’ve met many of hospital, to let everyone know we the long-drawn out application process them at gigs, and they tell me so! were there – and most of all, to prise through Voluntary Services. them away from the TV. And they were all, without Risk Tolerance The first time Nick and I went exception, truly wonderful applicants, The second piece of bureaucracy down to Wards 1 and 2, our worst not the ‘budding Tony Blackburns’ we occurred when it was our turn for a fears were realised. No-one was used to get years ago. [I mean that Risk Assessment visit. For the aware of us, many said they would with all due respect to Tony uninitiated, that’s where someone is have listened if they’d known we Blackburn, by the way – I still think he delegated to look round the room and were there and several beds didn’t was one of the finest radio DJ’s of that point out every possibility of having an have the necessary headphones. It era]. We’d never had more than one accident. seemed we may have almost been new volunteer at a time before, now I’m convinced they get a bonus for broadcasting to ourselves. we had more than existing members. each opportunity they spot – and boy Fortunately, we also discovered that We had a few more enquiries there were plenty! We didn’t have a a good part of the hospital was closed during subsequent weeks and around special stool for getting those tapes off at the time and only five wards were 16 people have now joined us. Some the top shelf: my assertion that they operating [no pun intended]. have begun presenting programmes, were stored up there when we first Everything was being prepared for others are helping in other ways and moved in and hadn’t been touched a planned reorganisation in the most importantly they are bringing since, counted for nothing. As did my summer, when Chapel Allerton was to some refreshing new ideas. assurance that the kettle and Hoover become the city’s main orthopaedic Hospital Broadcasting week is in had come from another hospital radio centre. April, so we are now planning a sort station that closed down: they hadn’t Selfishly, I reflected that this could of re-launch during that week with a been stamped to show they had been mean a more alert type of patient, one Saturday afternoon event and, checked and approved by this hospital. more amenable to the idea of a radio hopefully, a local personality. And of We didn’t have a copy of the station and more likely to listen. That course, Terry is Patron of the Hospital hospital’s policy on Violence & notion was strengthened when I Broadcasting Association. Aggression – all 18 pages of it. And so visited the three remaining wards, to So 2005 has begun with Radio it went on, to the extent where I was discover that two were for stroke Allerton in a much stronger position, almost afraid to pour coffee from my rehabilitation – and the third was filled especially compared with where we flask in case it wasn’t safe! with patients who were old and stood 12 months ago. Now we can But the Assessment was being confused. I resisted the temptation to think about trying for Station Of The conducted by someone from Voluntary inform the ward sister that TW has Year next year ... Services and there was more to it than relied on people like that for years! Francis Klonowski
ON AIR
Regional Reps details
REGION REP ADDRESS PHONE E-MAIL
Regional Paul Sysum 7 Queens Square 0870 321 6005 [email protected] Manager Chippenham Wiltshire SN15 3BL
Anglia Julie Cox 37 Alford Street 0870 765 9601 [email protected] Grantham NG31 8BX
Home Garry Lakin 29 Hardwicke Place 0870 765 9602 [email protected] London Colney St Alban s AL2 1PX
London Ben Hart 20 Church Avenue 0870 765 9603 [email protected] Pinner Middx HA5 5JQ
Midlands 0870 765 9604 [email protected]
North 0870 765 9605 [email protected]
Northern Davey Downes 19 Collingbridge Drive 0870 765 9606 [email protected] Ireland Glengormley Newtonabbey BT36 7SX
North West David McGealy 40 Saffron Drive 0870 765 9607 [email protected] Moorside Oldham OL4 2PU
Scotland Charles McVey 26 Dillichip Terrace 0870 765 9608 [email protected] Bonhill Alexandria, G83 9HZ
South Neil Ogden 63 Franklin Avenue 0870 765 9609 [email protected] Tadley Hampshire RG26 4EZ
South East Dave Lockyer 54 School Lane 0870 765 9611 [email protected] Higham, Rochester Kent ME3 7JF
Wales & West Paul Sysum 7 Queens Square 0870 765 9613 [email protected] Chippenham Wiltshire SN15 3BL
Yorkshire Ashley Williams 0870 765 9614 [email protected] On Air No 107 p24 7/11/05 1:49 pm Page 1
Who to Contact on the Executive Committee
Chief Executive Deputy Chief Executive John Watson Phil Moon 13 Trinafour, Perth, Perthshire PH1 2SS 82 Greenleaf Gardens, Polegate, E Tel: 0870 321 6000 Sussex BN26 6PH e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 0870 321 6014 Main contact with statutory e-mail: [email protected] bodies. Ambassadors Sub committee chairman. Special projects
Treasurer John Harper General Secretary 50 Neale St, Fulwell, Sunderland, Nigel Dallard SR6 9EZ 54 St. Annes Close, Badger Farm, Tel: 0870 321 6004 Winchester, Hampshire SO22 4LQ Fax: 01268 565759 Tel: 0870 321 6003 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Financial matters (other than General correspondence, Company subscriptions) Secretary, annual review
President June Snowden Vice President David Nicholson, MBE P.O. Box 76, Ely, CB6 3WH East Cottage, Milbourne Hall, Milbourne, Tel: 0870 321 6009 Newcastle upon Tyne NE20 OEB e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 0870 321 6016 Station visits, represent HBA e-mail: [email protected] publicly, print and present long Station visits, represent HBA publicly Awards sub committee chairman, service certificates present long service certificates
Technical Adviser Public Relations Manager Geoff Fairbairn Mike Skinner 6 Batchelor Way, Uckfield, East Sussex Flat 6, 4 Blunt Rd, South Croydon CR2 7PA TN22 2DD Tel: 0870 321 6012 Tel: 0870 321 6008 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Technical matters Press & public relations, charity profile
Administrator/Membership Regional Manager Paul Sysum Marie Harper 7 Queens Square, Chippenham, 50 Neale St, Fulwell, Sunderland, SR6 9EZ Tel: 0870 321 6017 Wiltshire SAN15 3BL e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 0870 321 6005 Point of contact for outside bodies e-mail: [email protected] on all HBA matters. HBA EC diary. Regional meetings, contacts, Membership records, address changes setting up a region etc. and all subscriptions
Sales & Advertising Editor Michelle Newstead Executive Gary King 2 Falkland Close, Boreham, Chelmsford, 62 Chanctonbury Road, Burgess Hill, Essex CM3 3DD West Sussex RH15 9EY Tel: 0870 321 6011 Tel: 0870 321 6026 Fax: 0870 321 6019 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] All Corporate sales for HBA On Air magazine
Webmaster Terry Savage IT Co-ordinator Chris Hughes PO Box 421, Uxbridge UB10 8SP 21 Mattaysens Way, St Mellons, Cardiff CF3 OPL Tel: 0870 321 6018 Tel: 0870 765 9616 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] On Air IRC 7/11/05 1:18 pm Page 1 On Air RC 7/11/05 12:44 pm Page 1