FC On Air 132 document:3_COLON-.AIR 12/11/2010 09:47 Page 1 IFC Regional REP DETAILS 132:19 Regional REP DETAILS 127 12/11/2010 09:49 Page 1
Regional Reps details Region Rep AddRess phone e-mAil
Regional Dave Lockyer 54 School Lane 0870 321 6005 [email protected] Manager Higham Rochester Kent ME3 7JF
Anglia Mike Sarre 0870 765 9601 [email protected]
Home Donald McFarlane 0870 765 9602 [email protected]
London Ben Hart 0870 765 9603 [email protected]
Midlands 0870 765 9604 [email protected]
North David Nicholson 0870 765 9605 [email protected]
Northern Davey Downes 0870 765 9606 [email protected] Ireland
North West David McGealy 0870 765 9607 [email protected]
Scotland Jim Simpson 0870 765 9608 [email protected]
South Neil Ogden 0870 765 9609 [email protected]
South East Dave Abrey 0870 765 9611 [email protected]
Wales & West Steve Allen 0870 765 9613 [email protected]
Yorkshire Iain Lee 0870 765 9614 [email protected]
Please address correspondence to the Regional Reps at: Hospital Broadcasting Association, PO Box 341, Messingham, Scunthorpe DN15 5EG
All members of the EC and Regional Reps are volunteers and will respond to any contact as quickly as possible. Please understand however, that work or family commitments mean that availability may not always be immediate and may be limited to evenings and weekends. 01 INTRO 132:01 INTRO 127 12/11/2010 09:52 Page 1
AUTUMN 2010 Issue 132
The Official Journal of the Hi Everyone, Hospital Broadcasting Association A truly golden issue to bring 2010 to a close. Thanks to John Murray, we have a fantastic interview with Jack Vettriano; a report on Christian O’Connell going ‘Back on the Job’ and all the details of Northern Air’s Fiftieth anniversary in this issue ... celebrations including Joe Sambrook’s visit to Corrie. Regional Rep Details ...... IFC If you would like to win a Gold Awad, you will find the Board Report ...... 2 details for the 2011 Hospital Radio Awards on page 11 and an Legal Update ...... 3 entry form on page 13. A Brush with Jack ...... 4 We have all the reports from stations across the country – Golden Celebrations for Northern Air ...... 6 why not make a New Year’s resolution to ensure that your Matthew Meets Neil Monnery ...... 8 station is mentioned in every issue of On Air in 2011. What I’ve Learnt ...... 9 Cheers and have a wonderful Christmas. Christian O’Connell Volunteers ...... 10 National Hospital Radio Awards 2011 ...... 11 National Hospital Radio Awards 2011 Entry Form...... 13 View from the Basement ...... 15 Michelle The Great North Run 2010 ...... 16 Central Cheque Clearing ...... 18 DIARY DATES Countrywide – News from the Stations ...... 20 Yare, Yare, Yare ...... 24 2011 CONFERENCE News Round-Up ...... IRC 25th-27th March 2011 Who to Contact on the Executive Committee ...... RC Ramada Hotel, Hollingbourne Nr Maidstone, Kent ME17 1RE FrONT COvEr STOrY 2012 Conference, Northampton Joe Sambrook of Northern Air 2013 Conference, Blackpool had the opportunity to meet the stars of Corrie at Granada Television’s World Press Day recently to celebrate 50 years of broadcasting Coronation Street. Northern Air are also celebrating their 50 years of broadcasting and pictured is Joe with Keith Duffy See full story page 6 Our Ambassadors: Dr Chris Steele, MBE; Ken Bruce and Alex Lester On Air is the Official Journal of the HBA which is the trading name of the National Association of Hospital Broadcasting Organisations, a Company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No. 2750147. A Registered Charity No. 1015501. Registered office: Mariners House, 24 Nelsons Gardens, Hedge End, Southampton, SO30 2NE. On Air is distributed free of charge to all member stations of the Association plus interested parties. All material is ©2010 of HBA and may not be reproduced in any form without the written authority of the Editor. Views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of HBA, or the Editor but are the personal opinion of the contributor. Whilst every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of the publication, all advertisements and articles appear in good faith and HBA and the Editor accept no responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies. Address for On-Air: The Editor, On Air, 2 Falkland Close, Boreham, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 3DD Tel: 0870 321 6011 Email: [email protected] COPY DATE NEXT ISSUE 30th November, 2010 02 Board Report 132:02,03 Committee report 127 12/11/2010 09:53 Page 1
Board Report
HBA Training Network broadcast via a wired or induction loop I’m writing this shortly after HBA’s system, your HBA membership saves second National Training Day took you over £400 per year in these fees. place. Almost 70 people came along to Policies & Guidelines brush up on their presentation or At a recent Trustee Board meeting, public relations skills. The feedback we discussed the findings of an from delegates was overwhelmingly interim report from Volunteering positive and we’ve had some good England on the issue of volunteer suggestions as to what folks would like rights (see us to cover next time. But what about http://www.volunteering.org.uk/What those of you who didn’t come along. WeDo/Policy/Volunteer+Rights+Inquir Please do drop us an e-mail and tell us y/). I’m afraid to say that I have had (a) why not?; (b) what topics you’d like many requests for advice over the to see us cover; (c) anything else you’d years that I have been involved with like to say about training needs. HBA that raise issues very similar to Membership renewals those raised in this report. At the end of the day, Charity Law requires that The six months’ grace period is now the Trustees of a charity must come to up and those stations/individuals who by Nigel Dallard, Secretary their own collective decision regarding have not paid their dues won’t be grievances and disciplinary matters, receiving this magazine. I’m sorry that no-longer serving its purpose. Other within the terms of the charity’s we’ve said ‘goodbye’ to around a dozen than receiving copies of ‘On Air’ constitution, as they are the ones who stations, although I’m sure in many magazine, there is no real benefit to have the legal control of the cases it will be au revoir, as they’ll get Corporate membership. Those organisation. in touch in the coming weeks businesses that wish to support HBA Neither the HBA, your local NHS wondering why we aren’t talking to these days tend to do so by sponsoring Trust, nor anyone else should be them any more. I know I say this a category at the National Hospital telling Trustees what to do in several times each year but please, Radio Awards or sponsoring another individual cases. For this reason, HBA please keep your contact details up-to- aspect of conference or HBA’s work tries, as best it can, to stay out of date via our website and please generally. We have decided that, rather internal disputes within member respond quickly to the first invitation than spend time trying to sign up stations. Where we are asked to do so, to renew your membership. It would corporate members, we’ll devote our we will provide impartial advice to the save so much time if I didn’t have to time to attracting sponsors and give best of our ability but this will usually chase people. This year, I’ve sent 424 those organisations that support us in be restricted to the generalities – are e-mails related to membership this way a time-limited honorary the rules set out in the station’s renewals and received 214. In an ideal membership in return. constitution being followed? Does the world, I would have sent only one Music Copyright Licensing station have a disciplinary and invitation to renew and around 220 As those of you who receive the grievance procedure and, if so, is it acknowledgements. Then there’s the HBA Announce e-mails will be aware, being followed? Do all parties have all phone calls, letters … ‘PRS for Music’, a joint venture the information to hand? Are those Associate Membership between PRS and MCPS, the two adjudicating impartial and different The Trustee Board recently music copyright collecting societies from those directly involved? It’s reviewed the benefits and subscription that represent composers and lyricists, important that management rates of our Associate Membership has recently been contacting hospital committees take decisive action where categories, of which there are two – radio stations seeking information and necessary but it is also vital that a individual and corporate. sometimes music copyright licensing volunteer who is facing disciplinary We quickly concluded that fees. I have met with representatives action should get a fair hearing. Individual Associate membership of PRS for Music recently and have A number of years ago, HBA started should stay as is. These members pay been assured that they have every an initiative that was supposed to £15 per year, for which they receive intention of honouring the waivers result in a range of guidance being ‘On Air’ magazine, e-mails via HBA that were agreed back in the 1970s for written to assist member stations, Announce, access to the members-only HBA member stations using induction together with model policies and website and the right to attend HBA loop and wired transmission. They are procedures which they could modify to events. The £15 is roughly what it simply updating their databases after suit their own circumstances and costs us to print and post ‘On Air’. As a period when they have not been adopt. Unfortunately, this stalled due virtually all other correspondence with focussed on the small-scale radio to lack of effort. My plea for help in Associates is via e-mail, there are few sector. this area in the last edition of this additional costs. Most Individual Unfortunately, stations which use a magazine was responded to and I hope Associates are either former hospital freely-radiating broadcast signal are we will shortly be able to re-start this broadcasters who want to stay in not covered by these waivers and work. I think that one of the first touch with developments, or current neither are public internet streams. things for us to tackle is grievance and volunteers at stations where HBA Hospital radio stations that fall disciplinary procedures. If you have correspondence is not routinely passed outside the terms of the waiver any suggestions as to other subjects on to all members. (primarily, LPAM/LPFM licensees and on which you’d like to see HBA After a rather longer discussion, we non-HBA members) are likely to be produce either guidance or model concluded that our Corporate chased by PRS for Music over the policies/procedures, please let me Associate membership package was coming weeks and months. If you do know.
ON AIR
Legal Update Charity Commission Strategic Review Charitable Incorporated the charity test is primarily focussed on As a consequence of the government’s the purposes for which the charity Comprehensive Spending Review, the Organisations was/is being formed – its so-called Charity Commission’s funding is to This new form of charity, with the ‘objects’. In Scotland, there is more reduce by 33% in real terms over the next limited liability of a company, but focus on what the charity is actually four years – a reduction of around £8 without the need to comply with doing. Unfortunately, this subtle million, a figure likely to require it to lose Company Law, was created in the difference wasn’t spotted until it was 140 staff. It has concluded a very Charities & Trustee Investment too late and the wording of the different approach is now needed – (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Act Northern Irish Act is, therefore business as usual is simply not an option. 2006 (for England and Wales) and the ambiguous. Government lawyers have Cuts at this level mean it cannot just keep Charities (Northern Ireland) Act 2008. now decided that it can only be fixed by going as it is. It is having to draw up a However, to date, it is not available in changing the wording of the Charity Act whole new picture of what kind of a any part of the UK. This is a pity as, if and, according to its website, the regulator the Commission should be in the detailed rules and regulations are Department for Social Development ‘is five years’ time, given the significantly reduced resources. written correctly, it could well be a very currently giving detailed consideration suitable form for many hospital radio The Commission has just launched a to the matter with a view towards strategic review, during which it will stations, as well as HBA, to adopt. bringing forward any necessary The Scottish Government are consider in what ways it should change. It legislative amendment as expeditiously may have to withdraw services, change currently conducting a final as possible.’ consultation on the necessary secondary the way it interacts with charities and legislation that defines some of the Equalities Act even refocus its regulatory approach. It has already consulted on switching many detailed rules and regulations for This Act came into force across the of its services to online only. Scottish CIOs. It is hoped that it will UK on 1st October. From this date, anti- It considers it vital that the changes pass through the Scottish Parliament discrimination law is largely are informed by a wide range of before it is dissolved for elections next consolidated into this single Act, stakeholders and is looking for input year. covering age, disability, gender re- from charity trustees, professional In England and Wales, unfortunately assignment, pregnancy and maternity, advisers working with charities, progress seems to have fallen foul of the race, religion or belief, sex and sexual beneficiaries of charities, and anyone else budgetary cuts imposed on the Charity orientation. Whilst it has been illegal who is interested. Commission. The Commission would be for an employer or service provider to given more responsibilities under this discriminate against many of these Timeline for the review October 2010-January 2011 part of the Charities Act. As the money characteristics for some time, for the to cover the increased cost is not The formal consultation informing the first time this Act makes it illegal for first stage of the strategic review will close available, it is unlikely that the new most membership organisations with 25 on 14 January. From now until then, the form will become available very quickly. or more members. This will include Commission will be encouraging as many The whole of the Charities Act is, many hospital radio stations. people as possible to take part to share however, up for review next year and it More information is available from their general views and thoughts on the is hoped that the case can be made that http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/l Commission. the saving to charities in not having to egal-and-policy/equality-act/ and At this stage, the Commission is asking deal with Companies House and all the especially section 12 of the guidance at the really big questions about where the other red tape imposed by Company http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/u right regulatory balance lies and what kind Law, means that the additional ploaded_files/EqualityAct/services_code of regulator it should be. expenditure by the Commission is _-_06.10.10.pdf. February-April 2010 worthwhile to get the ‘Big Society’ This is when the review will become working. Vetting and Barring more detailed and focussed. Informed by In Northern Ireland, charity Scheme responses to the initial consultation, the registration with the newly-created As you will be aware, this scheme, Commission be getting into the ‘nitty- Charity Commission for Northern covering England, Wales and Northern gritty’ of its structure and activities – and Ireland has yet to start and progress is Ireland, was put on hold by the coalition into resource allocation. During this time, currently stalled (see below). government in June, pending a you’ll continue to be able to feed into the thorough review. The terms of that process. As things become clearer about Charity Registration in review were announced to Parliament some of the proposals being developed, the Northern Ireland on 22nd October. The review will be: Commission will ask for responses to specific questions. As reported last time, the newly- • considering the fundamental formed Charity Commission of principles and objectives behind the April-May 2010 Northern Ireland was expected by now vetting & barring regime, including; The Commission hopes to publish the to have started the process of inviting • evaluating the scope of the scheme's final strategy document in April or May. all those organisations that had coverage; Having your say previously been accepted as charitable • consider the most appropriate There are several ways you can have your by HM Revenue and Customs to apply function, role and structures of any say: The Commission has launched a blog site for registration as charities under the safeguarding bodies and appropriate at new Charity Law. Unfortunately, this governance arrangements; http://charitycommissionreview.blogspot.co has stalled because lawyers found a • recommend what, if any, scheme is m on which your can either anonymously serious flaw in the legislation regarding needed now; taking into account how to answer a short online survey or post public the public benefit test which charities raise awareness and understanding of comments on this blog, so that others can see have to pass. The Charity Act took what risk and responsibility for safeguarding what you think and comment on it. You can also comment on other people’s responses. were considered to be the best bits of in society more generally. Alternatively, you can email your both the English and Scottish Acts and If you wish to comment on the comments to merged them together to form the review, you may email the review team [email protected] Northern Irish law. In England & Wales, at [email protected]. .uk.
ON AIR
A Brush with Jack
Artist Jack Vettriano talks to John Murray about his art and his music
Born in Fife, Scotland in 1951, Jack Vettriano left school at sixteen to become a mining engineer. For his twenty-first birthday, a girlfriend gave him a set of watercolour paints and, from then on, he spent much of his spare time teaching himself to paint. In 1989, he submitted two paintings to the Royal Scottish Academy's annual exhibition; both were accepted and sold on the first day. The following year, an equally enthusiastic reaction greeted the three paintings, which he entered for the prestigious Summer Exhibition at London's Royal Academy and his new life as an artist began from that point on. Over the last twenty years, interest in Vettriano's work has grown consistently. There have been sell-out solo exhibitions in Edinburgh, London, Hong Kong and New York. Today his paintings sell for up to £130,000 each and he makes more than £500,000 annually in print royalties. His most popular work, The Singing Butler, has sold four million posters and cards – more than any other painting in the UK. The original was sold at Sotheby's in 2004 for close to £750,000. Being awarded Scot of the Year Philips (for Sport Relief), did two TV is show some of the photographs so 2010 by none other than Sir Jackie documentaries and brought out three you can see where I make changes. It Stewart only added to his honorary books so I haven’t been sitting on my adds a bit of intrigue and I think doctorate and OBE already received. backside. people will be very interested in this. But to announce his exhibition of You met Jackie again recently? The exhibition consists of three new paintings Jack Vettriano gave his Yes, well last year he won Scot Of components, one is the Monaco Yacht only interview to his local hospital The Year Award and he was asked to Club and they invited me to do a radio station. John Murray from VRN present it to this year’s recipient – series of paintings then I did some (Victoria Radio Network) in Kirkcaldy, which was me. television work in Italy and had my Fife asked him about the new works. books translated as the Italians have Tell me about the new works. really touched me in a big way in their How did you get involved with I pleased about this exhibition and I support of me. They are interested in racing legend Jackie Stewart? know it’s a cliché but there is the sensuality of the art so I went to I felt I was on a treadmill doing something for everyone, you can bring Milan and was bowled over by the exhibitions every year so I separated the children. There are 41 paintings trams. They are gorgeous, built in from my gallery in London and but what I always do is a small study 1920s and 30s and are still running branched out on my own to get first because as an artist, if you start now and beautifully finished. involved in interesting projects. In the on a big canvas and you get the person The third component of the last four years I’ve done the Jackie badly placed you have to scrap it. Now exhibition is just Jack doing what Jack Stewart Triptych (three prints) and it that’s a big canvas and I’d rather not does best: slightly erotic, sexually was wonderful to meet him and work do that as I’m a Scot and I’m mean and melancholic images and portraits. with him as I remember how iconic he I’d rather save it. So I do small studies was. He moved with The Beatles, first and this exhibition is split with Are there new Limited Edition mixed with royalty and film stars and 20 studies and more than 20 new prints with the exhibition? in both senses he is a gentleman and a paintings.Also, what we have done for Yes, we’ve got our act together and gentle man, very easy to get along the first time is, as I make no secret of you can buy greetings cards and with. Then I did the portrait of Zara the fact that I work from photographs, limited editions or just posters
ON AIR
A Brush with Jack
So many people now copy your style. Well, I’m quiet flattered by that, I think everybody feeds off everybody else and unless they are doing a straight copy then there’s nothing wrong with that. Bob Dylan says, ‘if there is an original thought out there, I could use it right now’ and I think he is right. Everything has been done and all we are doing is manipulating it slightly, putting our own take on it. If somebody copies my work I know I’m safe as I got there first. My own favourite artists – one living and one dead – are Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud but like music your tastes change over the years.
Do you listen to music when you are painting, does it help the process? Yes it does stimulate me a bit. I’m unfortunate in a way in that my favourite artists are two of the happiest guys on earth – Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. If you are going to listen to that kind stuff then you are not going to paint people really having a hoot of a time – they are going to be pensive, thoughtful introspective people but that’s the kind of world I inhabit, I discovered them a bit too young.
I noticed that quite a few song titles come up as names for your paintings? I’ve always loved the way that lyrics and titles touched me. I’ve used a number of Joni Mitchell titles like Shades Of Scarlet and Sweet Bird Of Youth. About five years ago I was looking at her biography in Harrods and just flicking through it I saw I had been sited at the back of the book; quoted as me saying that ‘Joni Mitchell is the Picasso of song’. up to get their photos taken with him The Days Of Wine & Roses and Jack’s in the corner in a real strop. exhibition runs until October 30th I see you appear in many of your at Heartbreak, 17 Bulstrode Street paintings as yourself? You now have your own publisher London. An edited (non-music) I don’t mind admitting that my role Heartbreak, are you now in version of the programme can be as a model in my paintings is control? heard on www.vrn1287.com. something I loath to give up. It’s Well that was the whole idea, I partially an ego thing but the machine made a few bad decisions in my time is starting to run down now and I have like the year I did biscuit tins for Have you had the perhaps a couple of years left before Marks & Spencers, I did mugs and opportunity to interview a I’m going to need a young guy to take things I wished I hadn’t done but it my place. Maybe Marty Pellow (from was a time I was working flat out and well-known celebrity? If Wet Wet Wet), not only a good looking you get these offers coming in and you you have, we would love guy but he charmed the room (at the just ask what is the bottom line. to hear from you, just email exhibition launch) much to my horror Now we will only reproduce works because all the women I regard as on paper – it may be a diary or a me at [email protected] mine (laughs) and they are all lining calendar
ON AIR
Northern Air Celebrates 50 Years
June 6th, 2010 marked a milestone in Northern Air’s history ... the day we celebrated 50 years of broadcasting to the patients of Manchester and Salford. During the summer of 1960, Stanley Langer and Norman Mendelsohn started a project with the Rotary Club of Manchester North. The idea originally was to show films to patients but as they kept falling asleep, Stanley and Norman decided in their wisdom, to play record requests to a wider audience. The station broadcast from humble beginnings – an impromptu studio in the Assistant Matron’s sitting room at what was then known as the Delaunays Hospital (later to become part of the site that is now North Manchester General Hospital). In 1969, they moved to a permanent studio in the depths of the hospital and then finally by 1988, Sidney, Joe and Marshall with their Long Service Awards moved to their current studio. Let’s fast forward to the Sunday certificates from the HBA for 50 years Our thanks, once again to Miss afternoon of 6th June 2010. Joe of services to Northern Air, then Joe Widdecombe for that. But once she Sambrook had spent several weeks Sambrook for 20 years and finally took to the microphone, the room arranging a party at the Hallmark Kevin Hartley for his 10 years. All of dissolved into laughter as she relayed Hotel in Prestwich. Inviting all the them thanked and recognised for their many anecdotes of her career in membership of course but also former work and commitment to our service. Parliament, including when she was members and managers and celebs It was then Joe’s turn on the mic as, blonde and found people speaking to from the BBC and the entertainment with some emotion in thanks, also her sloooowwwer! She also took the world. Let’s also not forget, some spoke about the young people he had opportunity to thank the room for might say, ‘the star of the day’ former come across as Station Manager and their combined efforts as volunteers MP Anne Widdecombe. But more the bad press they often get, giving and to congratulate us on achieving 50 about Anne later. (Ke-e-ep dancing!) examples that they are not all a bad years as a service to patients in Chairman, Marshall Gellman, lot. hospital. opened the proceedings acting as MC Joe had also invited the Lord Mayor With the buffet served and for the afternoon. He started by of Manchester with his Lady consumed, there was time for a lot of presenting, on behalf of the station, a Mayoress, and Marshall invited the chat with our guests and former glass sculpture to Joe Sambrook as a Lord Mayor to present the HBA members about the past and the thank you for his 15 years as Station Station Award for 50 years service. I future. Manager. Joe had some months earlier was asked to accept the award on We then got back to the studio and announced that he wished to stand behalf of the station as the in-coming took ‘the party to the patients’. Rob down and it was felt that the station Station Manager. My little bit on the Gough, our new IT Manager, had should recognise his work of one and a mic included a thanks to the recorded most of the speeches. half decades. The sculpture is a 3-D assembled for their on-going or past A special three hour programme ‘model’ of Joe behind the desk in our help and service. But also a reminder then went out to our listeners. Rob Studio 1 – the detail has to be seen to of what Northern Air had produced in with some of the features from the be believed. Then it was my turn ... the its 50 years – presenters and afternoon in the first hour. That was members had made a collection and producers now working within the followed by an hour with myself with with the money I bought a painting radio industry, Pete Mitchell, Simon former Station Manager Kath Yates and I presented Joe with a framed Green and other members who went relaying the story of how Northern Air watercolour of a wonderful Peak on to establish and run some of our might have shut down 25 years ago! I District scene – Joe’s other hobby is local commercial radio stations. I also was also joined on the ‘phone by painting. We couldn’t forget Joe’s wife thanked the members of our new Michelle Monro, Matt Monro’s Joan and I presented her with a floral management committee we now have, daughter, chatting about her father display, wives must never be forgotten working towards taking Northern Air and her new book – she had been on when they are married to Hospital into the next decade and for that before but wanted to come back on as Radio Managers! matter the next 50 years. a special for our birthday. A dear lovely Dave Langer next took to the One of our specially invited guests lady, and my thanks again to Michelle. microphone, as the son of one of our was Anne Widdecombe. Having Tuesday night presenter Howard founders, he was given the happy task travelled all the way from Devon, sat Copitch had brought a fellow of presenting some long service at a table selling her two most recent volunteer from Radio Caroline and awards. Marshall Gellman and Sidney published novels – donating the took the final hour with memories Wander, MBE were presented with profits (close to £100) to the station. and music.
ON AIR
Northern Air Celebrates 50 Years Celebrations for Corrie and Northern Air 1960 in Manchester was a monumental year. In down town Crumpsall, Northern Air Radio came into being. A few miles down the road in Salford, a young actor turned script writer, Tony Warren, had created what has become the longest running soap opera, Coronation Street. Both Northern Air and Corrie are celebrating 50 years in broadcasting. To this end, Granada Television held a World Press Day on 24th September 2010 and Northern Air was invited. Joe Sambrook was honoured to be part of this wonderful occasion. After various presentations in the theatre at Granada studio guests were escorted Marshall, Anne and Joe with Anne’s recent novels onto the cobbles of the Coronation Street set where tables were set out in The party was really the finale of a actor Gary Damer (currently filming street party style. There was a great week of celebration. From Monday to the next series of Hotel Trubble), menu of various pies and peas, Friday prior to the party, we played maybe best known as the little ginger sandwiches, fruit and a wide choice of haired kid in the film ‘East is East’. I songs from each decade per night, beverages. We had the chance to also had Jonathan Young (lead singer Monday 60’s, Tuesday 70’s, etc. mingle and talk to members of the The annual Northern Air Talent with The Bachelors) on the Wednesday cast and Joe managed to interview Contest 2010 also took place at the evening ahead of the party in the quite a number. He also fulfilled an Abraham Moss Theatre on Saturday, studio. Jonathan and his wife 5th June – the winner 14-year old Margaret were also guests at the ambition by interviewing Roy and Porteya Grant-Maloney heading up the Hallmark Hotel on Sunday. Hayley Cropper. They were delightful local carnival as well as a day’s A busy week I’m sure you’ll all agree as were the other members of the cast recording session with former Mock but a wonderful combined celebration who stopped for a chat. Bill Roach Turtle, Martin Coogan, who will be of a station well worth celebrating. congratulated Northern Air on joining me on-air on Christmas Dave Bee reaching their milestone. morning. Station Manager A most wonderful day with lots of Hilary Bowick would also interview Northern Air memories to cherish.
Jennie McAlpine (Fiz) with Joe Sambrook Keith Duffy (Ciaran) and Joe Sambrook
ON AIR
Mathew Meets .... Neil Monnery
ONE OF the great things about and then through to classical pieces. I hospital radio is that it gives people have not seen anyone live for eons but who love radio but don’t do it as their if Savage Garden reformed then I'd job the chance to get on the airwaves, make the effort to go out to see them. providing a much needed service to At the moment, my favourites tunes people in their local hospitals. are Robin Beck with First Time and So it is with Neil Monnery, a top Lena-Meyer-Landrut with this years chap from Thorpe Bay in Essex. He’s a Eurovision winner – Satellite. really nice guy who I recently caught up with for this interview… Though radio isn't your career, are there other things you'd like to How did you first get into radio and achieve in radio? hospital radio? I'd love to host a late night show on I have always been interested in community or local radio. A mix of radio. I did a Journalism degree course requests and phone-in with maybe at The Surrey Institute of Art & some advice. A bit like Jeremy Kyle Design, where I specialised in when he was on air. His TV show is broadcast and it was then I knew that awful but Jez's Confessions on Virgin radio was the thing for me. However, around ten years ago was first rate late getting practical experience is never night radio. easy so after university I joined my local hospital radio and now it's four Who would be in your radio years later and whilst my career has dream-team? not gone gone the radio path – my I know he's a TV person but Adrian weekly stints on HR keep me Chiles would be fantastic on radio. I entertained. think it's all about chemistry on air and as long as you naturally get on Tell us a bit more about your Where can we hear you now? and it comes over then I'm sure I'd journalistic background? You can hear me every Wednesday love working with them. Either that or I've been knocking around in sports night between 8 and 10pm on someone from a completely opposite journalism since I was 16. Firstly Southend Hospital Radio. Playing the PoV to me – so maybe someone like writing on the Portsmouth FC requests from the people down on the Sunday Express columnist Julia Matchday programme then going on Renal Unit, Eleanor Hobbs, Hartley-Brewer – think we'd provide to become editor of various sections of Southbourne, Blenheim and Gordon quite an interesting listening the then fromtheterrace.co.uk website. Hopkins Wards as well as any other experience. Lastly, someone like I've been a columnist for ESPN people who are listening and phone Sophie Raworth of BBC News. She Soccernet as well as having worked in down for a request. seems like she'd be excellent on radio various radio newsrooms. in a less formal setting than reading After university, I took on the Does your journalism background the news. challenge of being editor for a new set feed into how and what you of sporting websites that were about broadcast? I’m sure Neil will achieve all that he to be launched. I kept the job for 18 I have ummed and ahhed on this wants to in radio and in whatever else months before an opportunity away one. I don't think it has. Hospital he sets his mind to. from journalism presented itself and it Radio is very much about putting A great bloke committed to playing was too good to turn down. These together a show that hopefully will a key role in the future of our vital days I write freelance pieces for keep people entertained first and movement, providing information and various publications but these are few foremost. My style is always to not entertainment to his listeners. and far between as other things – just play requests but give them I wish him all the best for the work and life – have gotten in the way. something more. So my journalistic future. background probably only comes What type of programmes do you across when giving out the football Mathew Hulbert present and have you presented? scores or whatever – although last I have presented various shows but week I commentated on the Men's my weekly slot is on the Wednesday European 100m Final Live, which was Night Request show. This was the to be honest pretty cool I thought. If you would like to show I first joined in the Autumn of nominate someone from 2006 and despite a prolonged absence Who are your favourite singers when I was living in another part of and/or bands ... and have you seen your station to be the country – I am now back in my old any of them live? interviewed for ‘Mathew slot with the same co-presenter. I've I have a very wide and varied taste also filled-in on the sports show, the in music. From inoffensive pop – like Meets…’ just e-mail 70’s show and a show called 'Magic Savage Garden – to dodgy Eurovision Matthew via: Moments'. I'm just a guy who can fill tunes (I try to play Daz Sampson's in as and where needed along with my 'What Did You Learn At School [email protected] actual show. Today?' far too often) to Eurodance
ON AIR
What I’ve Learnt
Matthew Hulbert But I was also able to record some fantastic highlights of the day – including interviews not heard elsewhere – for Former Vice Chairman of Castle Mead Radio Hilltop Radio, Barwell and Earl Shilton's community-based internet radio station. Be at the heart of your local community And the really rewarding thing is the response of local people at the event. They seemed to really appreciate the fact that the area's own community station was covering this local event and giving it some fantastic coverage. Another example of how we're able to cover truly local news and events is that I now have a press pass to go and see performances at Hinckley's fantastic Concordia Theatre, which has been brilliant so far. I go and watch the dramas/comedies, etc and record reviews for Castle Mead Radio and Hilltop Radio. Tremendous fun, of course, but also helpful for people interested in local drama who aren't able, perhaps, to get to see certain show. Meanwhile, in our small way, we are radio pioneers in my local area. We've recently seen two separate local stations, Hilltop Radio and Vine FM (the volunteer run local Christian radio station for Hinckley and surrounding villages), join forces. Until now Vine FM has just provided a week-long annual RSL FM broadcast each Easter. ONE OF the great joys of being involved with hospital and These have been tremendously successful but, of course, it community radio stations, is being able to take the portable can be hard to keep a station only heard once a year in the microphone and go around the local area recording many of wider public conscience. the local events and giving coverage to the work of local So, from the end of September this year, Vine FM has been charities. providing Sunday afternoon Christian programmes broadcast Wearing one of my other hats, I'm the Chairman of the on Hilltop Radio and from their studios. George Ward Community Project, which helps with the This truly shows how community radio stations can work fundraising for the new £2million George Ward (Community) together to provide even better services for their respective Centre in my home village of Barwell in Leicestershire. audiences. Saturday, July 3rd saw our Open Day take place with a host These are certainly exciting times! of activities in the Centre. The photo above shows me as the * You can here Mathew on Hilltop Radio each Monday and MC at the event. Friday, between 12midday and 2pm, via: http://www.hilltop- The day before the opening, I was interviewed live on BBC radio.com Radio Leicester and on the day itself I was interviewed live on * Visit his website at: http://www.mathewhulbert.com* the Hinckley areas own local commercial radio station, Oak FM. * E-mail him via: [email protected] Yvonne Lowe It is with great sadness we report the death of Yvonne Lowe, a member of Southampton Hospital Radio who passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 3rd 2010. Yvonne worked tirelessly for the station in various areas of the station’s activities, including OB co-ordination where she contacted all the relevant parties and agencies, ensuring concert permission was obtained, venues advised and the broadcasting team notified; she had been doing this for over 20 years. In her role as Membership Secretary she ensured new members were welcomed and positioned within the Association, according to their ability and preference. Our happiest memory is of her occupying the chair to present the Wednesday programme ‘For The Children’ which she took over from the late ‘Uncle’ Eddie Munford. Again milestones were reached in her longevity and service to this programme and we know how she enjoyed the visiting, the challenge of keeping up with the changes in music culture and preferences the young ones demanded of our library and how she was easily pleased; for example she secretly enjoyed sitting opposite the door in studio 3, enabling her to see all the comings and goings along the corridor of the building whilst presenting her programme. Yvonne never flustered – she was astounded at many an aspect of HBA’s activities admittedly – but never lost her temper. Delicacy, diplomacy, concern and kindness were her abundant qualities, always finding a kind word or a light touch of advice, proffered at the right time in the gentlest of ways. Thousands of children will have heard her fulfil their music requests and that remains her legacy. One of the cricket commentators said recently, ‘during the season we had to negotiate additional air time as the Rose Bowl ball-by-ball county coverage would overrun on a Wednesday by some 25 minutes on occasions and Yvonne knew there were children waiting in the wards for their music’. You always treated her with respect because we were chastised if we crossed a certain line by assuming we had precedence – she was quick to make you realise we were all in this together, that was her beauty and natural ability and invariably she would give us the additional time - alternatively we would do 30 second ‘live injects’ during the first section of her programme. This Spring we saw Yvonne starting to have difficulty in being herself and she was confined to hospital. Southampton HR thanks her profoundly as surely do the generations of children she visited for whom she unfailingly played requests, week-after- week, for over 30 years... that March 31st was her final programme.
ON AIR
Christian O’Connell Volunteers
On 2nd October, Absolute Radio breakfast DJ Christian OʼConnell became a volunteer and presenter for Radio Northwick Park. The DJ became involved with Radio Northwick Park for the ITV documentary ʻBack on the Jobʼ. The show centres around Christian and the jobs he had done prior to becoming a star on Absolute. Christian was involved in Hospital Radio in the early 1990s and paid Radio Northwick Park a visit to relive those times. During the six hour day, Christian was told about Radio Northwick Park and Hospital Radio in general. He was then taken on the wards along with long- standing member Betty Collick. who demonstrated to him how to talk to the patients and ask for requests. Christian was set free to go solo and soon had an emotional encounter with a patient who was so overwhelmed by the visit, broke down in tears. Christian comforted the gentleman and the two continued to speak at length before he headed back down to the studios. Now back with the rest of the team, a quick brainstorming and show production meeting took place between Christian, Betty and Studio Manager Elliot Isaacson before the live request show kicked off with the three of them presenting. Within the hour-long show, friendly banter between Christian and his mentor Betty was at an all time high, and a lucky patient phoned down to talk to the team and win a competition, receiving a Radio Northwick Park goody bag. ʻBack in the Jobʼ was televised on 1st November.
Calling all Hospital Radio Stations! Neil Celebrates If you would like to stream a LIVE broadcast of HM Royal Marines Band in concert to your listeners on Friday, 21st January 2011 at 6.45pm please contact Hilary Forde on 01442 866006 or e-mail Neil Ogden, [email protected]. HBA’s Southern The Rotary Clubs of St.Albans, Verulam and Regional Rep, Harpenden will be presenting their annual Royal Marines Concert at The Alban Arena, St.Albans. Hilary has been recently asked to organise an outside broadcast to as many celebrated 20 Hospital Radios as possible. We do this by way of an O/B years’ service at vehicle transmitting to Watford Hospital Radio who will Hospital Radio stream it on the internet. Basingstoke. If your radio station has facilities to feed the Neil even transmission into your broadcasting system via the internet you will find www.watfordhospitalradio.com. received a Then click on Watford Hospital Radio at the top of page surprise listings this will take you to the home page, then click on telephone call listen. For those unable to do so it may be possible to send from Noel out a recording to you. This has historically been a very Edmunds! successful broadcast so we would love to make your station and listeners welcome.
ON AIR
National Hospital Radio Awards 2011
Entries are invited for the It must be a one-off event and not National Hospital Radio part of the station's normal day-to- day output, eg an outside broadcast or Awards 2011. a hospital event. Only one entry per station allowed. Unless otherwise stated there will The trophy will bear the name of be trophies for Gold, Silver and Bronze the station but the name of the event for each category. will be published on the short/winners Certificates of Nomination will be lists and will appear on the certificate issued when the shortlist is the closing dates of Friday December if submitted. announced for those appearing on it. 17th 2010 for postal entries and You may submit a document of no You can enter by two methods: Wednesday December 23rd 2010 for more than 250 words to explain the online entries. context of the entry either printed or Online – You can download an entry form in in electronic format. Please email [email protected] word format from the HBA Website for a link to an online folder where you for online entries www.hbauk.com, use Best Speech Package can submit your files. the form in this issue of On Air or by The entry should be a maximum of I have changed the method of request from [email protected] five minutes taken from a programme upload this year to hopefully remove or interview that has been broadcast the bottleneck last year. Details of the categories can be on the station. Entry by this method should be in found below but for now I wish All music should be edited out of mp3 format. Please do not leave it everyone the best of luck and look the entry. until the last day to upload your entry forward to seeing you in March. The material must have originated – I have extended the deadline for If you have any unanswered from station presenters and not from online entry beyond that for postal to questions then you can e-mail me at any other source. allow extra time to try again. [email protected] Only one entry per station allowed. Iain Lee The trophy will bear the name of By post – the station but the name of the One CD either audio or data. programme or interview will be Please include a current station Station of the Year published on the short/winners lists jingle as a separate track. You are required to submit a and will appear on the certificate if It is not necessary to use special maximum 15 minute stand-alone submitted. delivery/recorded delivery to send documentary style recording featuring You may submit a document of no your entry in. If you want to prove extracts from your station output. more than 250 words to explain the that you sent it just get a certificate of The entry should give the judges an context of the entry either printed, or posting. If it does not arrive, I will let insight into your station, the hospitals in electronic format. you resubmit. If you send it signed for, you broadcast to, style of presentation I have to make daily trips to the and programme content. Best Specialist Music sorting office! Also include material from any Programme special programmes or events covered The entry will be five minutes and Entries will be acknowledged by e- during the year. Only one entry per should show the judges the presenter's mail – if you have not received a station allowed. confirmation then assume it has not knowledge of the music in question arrived. and should also include any content Presenter of the Year applicable to the programme, eg an All material should have been (Male/Female) event guide/what's on feature relating broadcast on your station You are required to submit a five to the show. between the dates of 1st minute entry showing the judges the Programmes could include Jazz, Classical, Country, etc. December 2009 and 30th diversity of your presentation and Only one entry per station allowed. November 2010. your awareness of the listeners. Include as many different on-air clips The trophy will bear the name of the station but the name of the You are now permitted to submit up as possible, not all from the same programme will be published on the to 250 words to explain the context of programme. short/winners lists and will appear on your entry for the Speech, Special Multiple entries may be made from the certificate if submitted. Event and Specialist Music categories. a station. You may submit a document of no This is not compulsory but has been The trophy will bear the name of more than 250 words to explain the added due to popular request. the presenter. context of the entry either printed, or Please do it in a separate document in electronic format. for each category and not on the entry Special Event form. This award recognises a one off programme broadcast by the station. Station Promotion It is time now to start work on your A 15 minute compilation of the An entry of up to 60 seconds is entries. When you are happy with programme is invited, please do not required and should be a station them, please send them in to arrive by play music tracks in full. promotion or programme trailer that
ON AIR
National Hospital Radio Awards 2011
The 2010 Award winners has been produced ‘in-house’. Multiple entries may be made from The John Whitney The judges will be looking for how a station. well the message is conveyed and The trophy will bear the name of Award whether they feel it will attract the ear the presenter. Open to anyone working in hospital of the listener. radio. To be clear, this must be a Entries should be written (no more promotion rather than a ‘jingle’ and HBA Volunteer of the Year than 500 words) and be on the must not have been produced by a This award is open to all members stations official letter heading. third party. within hospital radio and requires a The award will be made to the Only one entry per station allowed. written submission of no more than person who has made an outstanding The trophy will bear the name of 300 words on the station's official contribution to Hospital Radio over a the station. letter heading, explaining why the period of years. award is justified of actions taken The winner may be drawn from Best Newcomer within the eligible dates. broadcasting but might equally be The award is open to anyone who It could be for a presenter who has found from a technical or joined a hospital radio station for the gone beyond the call of duty, a request administrative background. They may first time during the two years prior to collector, an engineer or a fund raiser. have worked for a single station or a the closing date. It is aimed at recognising the hard series of stations. It should take the form of a five work that goes on behind the scenes The nomination should explain why minute compilation. that often goes unrecognised – it is for the candidate has made a real and long The judges are looking to hear what off-air not on-air achievement. lasting impact. you have achieved on air in the short The trophy will bear the name of The trophy will bear the name of time you have been broadcasting. the individual. the individual. An individual may only enter this NB There is only one award in this NB There is only one award in this award once. category. category.
Don’t forget, closing dates are Friday December 17th 2010 for postal entries and Wednesday December 23rd 2010 for online entries All material should have been broadcast on your station between the dates of 1st December 2009 and 30th November 2010
ON AIR
View from the Basement
Our columnist, Brett Ellis expresses his unique view on life! They refused. Great customer service guys... and you only collect the bins once every two weeks. When did the servants become the masters? Also this week I received a ‘phone call telling me that I owe £287 charges for a business account I closed in April. HSBC claim I didn’t close the account and that letters have been returned to sender. When I moved in April, I set up three months of mail re-direction. The HSBC letters never got to me and I am now in dispute (thanks Royal Mail and HSBC!). We seem to be living in a country of mistrust and the presumption of guilt over innocence. I genuinely did not receive the letter but the chances are I have now been spanked for over £1700 due to their failure to believe me. The fact that I have never missed a payment with either over the last 15 years holds no weight. We sent the letters, you didn’t respond, therefore you will pay for being a naughty boy. I’m not surprised so many people move to the Costas! The guilt presumption brings me onto some hospital radio committees who exist ‘for the pleasure of the patients and staff. Only recently a presenter I know, with over 20 years broadcasting experience, who is married and has started a Having just got back from my second visit this summer to family, asked the programme manager if he could re-schedule Devon and Kernow, I am now counting the cost of my his show. The programme manager rebuffed this suggestion. staycation. I went a few years ago to Ireland and was shocked Having a responsible job managing a large number of people by the cost of pretty much everything. I surmised that it and with family commitments, the presenter found making would have been cheaper to spend four weeks in Greece as his show a struggle, so decided to take a few weeks break and opposed to a fortnight in Ireland. That situation, since the attempted to arrange cover. Due to the time of his show, no Irish have rectified the falling tourist numbers by re-working one could cover and the automated system went out instead. their pricing policies, has now thankfully rectified itself and The programme manager called the broadcaster and, in it now holds infinitely more appeal, financially, to visitors. It effect, sacked him. This was termed as ‘sabbatical with the seems to me as if we are now looking a gift horse in the possibility of co-presenting a show in six months or so mouth by over charging our staycationers. A situation which time... maybe’. The broadcaster, who had been on numerous will result in many going back abroad next summer. stations (commercial, amateur and hospital) had been We stayed at a holiday park in Devon, near to a lovely responsible for the majority of the publicity for the station village, Clovelly. The village has appeared in blockbusters over almost a decade, was dumped unceremoniously on the such as a John West tuna advert, a Weightwatchers advert, phone. Neither the station manager nor chairman phoned or Countryfile, Sense and Sensibility and also Cash in the Attic. emailed him to explain or to give him a warning prior to The latter was mistaken by me for being a programme about ‘sacking’ him. There certainly seems to have been a large Pat Cash who may or may not, have spent time locked in dose of jealousy at the publicity created by the presenter. someone’s attic as he spend hours being filmed trying to I believe this approach is spineless and is a million miles bust his way out. Quite honestly that would probably make a away from the ethos of hospital radio and all it stands for. more interesting programme than the idea they went with, Looking at this station’s committee, virtually every searching through and selling, people’s junk ... but I digress... member stood for election unopposed. This is a warning sign We arrived at Clovelly to be met by one road which led to for all HRs. Without a challenge, it seems anyone can sit on a the car park. There was another road with a sign saying ‘no committee and a complete lack of skill set can work access to the town’. We then had to pay £6 each for the unchecked for the period for which they are elected. privilege of entering Clovelly. I spoke a while later to a I believe a good manager could give 20% of the time a bad Cornish friend of mine on the phone and he said ‘you didn’t manager does and have the same results, so if you can find pay did you?’ I said we had and he told me that you just need the time, you have managerial expertise, maybe get a little to walk down the other road with the sign to get in. Basically more involved and apply all you have learnt in your we had just paid £12 to walk through a visitors centre. professional career into one of effective management of a I complained to my wife who said, ‘it is a lovely village hospital radio station. though, so I don’t mind’. My argument was that you would Now before you jump down off your high horses, I have not find road blocks on the way into Hastings or Blackpool sat on committees at HR and elsewhere and no, I am not and that they create revenue through tourism anyway, so the perfect. I believe there are a number of extremely capable charge was unnecessary. managers and committee members out there. The best This got me thinking about ways companies try to screw managers are open to advice and constructive criticism. Once me and no doubt you, out of your hard-earned. This week I the communication channels are open and comments are have had to pay my Council tax bill of £1400+ to St Albans listened to and analysed, they should, if good enough, be Council after they claim to have sent me a bill (they didn’t). employed, no matter where they come from. They then sent through a court demand as the next step. I called and offered to pay all arrears and set up a direct debit. [email protected]
ON AIR
The Great North Run 2010
Radio Tyneside covered the start of 2010’s Great North Run which took place on 19th September. This is the second year that Radio Tyneside have covered the event and three stations carried their broadcast which was relayed via Tyneside’s web site. The programme consisted of interviews with the fun runners plus interviews with many of the personalities doing the run.
Pictured: 1. Richard Dunwoody being interviewed by Radio 4 Tyneside’s Tom Chittenden; 2. Hailie Gebrselassie, the winner of the Great North Run, 2010; 3. Nell McAndrew; 4. They’re off; 5. The crowds; 6. Ant and Dec with Joe McElderry; 7. Dave Nicholson with Vicky Binns and Craig Gazey of Coronation Street; 8. Angelica Bell with Dave Nicholson; 9. The Leukaemia Research Team; 10. Scunthorpe Hospital Radio’s team
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ON AIR
The Great North Run 2010
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It was September 2009 when the challenge was set that would see five Scunthorpe Hospital Radio members with no previous running experience, start a training schedule which would culminate in the participation and completion of the world’s greatest half marathon. It all started with one SHR member, Paul Coates, who had already done the London Marathon that year, arriving with his medal and memories of the 2009 Great North Run. After much deliberation on air, two members, Annabel Tindale and Iain Lee, decided with much trepidation they would commence training starting at just one mile to see how they got on. A week and much breathlessness later, they reported back this had been undertaken and more members, Abi Gibson, Steph Leggett and Robbie Donnelly, were hastily recruited to the newly formed SHR running club. Over the next few weeks they trained at this one mile per week distance, with a plan to increase it by 9 a mile each month, till they reached the target distance of the half marathon and the Great North Run by September 2010. Training started as joint sessions at around the three mile per week mark, this also saw the arrival of the competitive spirit between the six runners. This was also the point when they realised this was actually something they enjoyed and wasn’t quite the hard task it had been initially. By the start of 2010 applications had gone in for the race, which for all six runners to be accepted was almost as hard as undertaking the training itself, fortunately lady luck shone brightly and everyone was accepted. Around this time the idea of participation in a race seemed like a good idea and all successfully completed the Lincoln 10K at the end of March (though were slightly put off when they realised this was only half the distance of the race to come later in the year!). Training continued successfully throughout 2010 and on Sunday 19th September, all six of the SHR members took their place on the motorway, the starting line for the 30th Great North Run. It was a cold wet day but spirits weren’t dampened as it was perfect conditions for running, the boys had laid their own challenge down, especially as the two new runners had beaten the experienced runner earlier in the year! All six completed the course ahead of their predicted times and at the end despite being wet and cold confirmed the hard work over the previous year had been well worth it and they would all be back to do it again next year. In addition to all the hard training, the group shared many laughs and provided much encouragement for each other along the way and although there was a competitive spirit, it was very much a team affair, to the end that they not only had the satisfaction of competing as individuals in such a large event but also as a team managed to 10 raise nearly £1.000 for SHR at the same time.
ON AIR
Central Cheque Clearing
In December 2009, the Payments Council announced that it was setting a target date of 2018 for closing the UK central cheque clearing; this was in order to manage the terminal decline in cheque usage to ensure that no user is left disadvantaged. The decision was taken in the take on trust the statement by banks interests of charities, including: interests of consumer and business and the Payments Council that • The Institute of Fundraising cheque users. Cheque use has been alternatives will be developed and a • The Charity Finance Directors’ falling since 1990 and it is generally closure will only go ahead if public Group recognised that cheques are in targets are met. These formed the basis • The National Council of Voluntary permanent decline; the Council has set a on which a decision was taken. Organisations target end date to ensure that the • The Churches Legislative Advisory process is managed and acceptable What has the Payments Council Service alternatives are developed and made been up to since making the • The Association of Charitable available to all concerned. By taking the decision? Foundations route of managed decline, rather than As anticipated, the main challenges • The Small Charities Coalition leaving it to market forces, customers lie in the areas of small business, • CCPR – the alliance of governing can be assured that cheque book charities, clubs and societies and older and representative bodies of sport and facilities will continue to be available: people and these are forming the recreation any changes that do happen should priorities for the current phase of work. • The Association of Charity Officers occur in a co-ordinated fashion across Within these, the immediate focus is on the industry. person-to-person payments, payments The Council have set up a special A final decision on whether to go to and by sole traders and other small ‘Charity and Voluntary Sector Liaison ahead with the closure of cheque businesses and the needs of charities, Group’ with experts from the third clearing in 2018 will be taken in 2016; clubs and societies both in terms of sector to help shape and inform our until then, the Council has an extensive donation acceptance and also in the work. The group discusses what programme in place looking at specific paying out of grants and other similar organisations need from cheque user requirements and the development expenditures. alternatives and advises the Payments of new alternatives and improvements Aside from working with these Council on how to best engage and to existing payment methods. The specific sectors, the Council recognise support the sector. programme includes several reviews and that there are other major issues to The members of this group consist of milestones, the key ones taking place in overcome, such as the needs of people some of the representative bodies listed 2014 and 2016. living in rural areas with no broadband above, as well as the Office for Civil The Council are keen to make clear internet access. Meeting such Society and the Charity Commission. that a closure of the central clearing will requirements will be built into the During July and September 2010 the only go ahead if alternatives are criteria for determining in 2016 Council held a series of workshops available and people are choosing to use whether to go ahead with a 2018 around the UK with local charities, them; they do not see technology- closure. clubs and societies to hear their views reliant alternatives such as internet Later this year the Council will on potential alternatives to cheques. A banking as suitable alternatives for all publish a report on their progress report of the findings from this work and 2018 will not go ahead if this were outlining the key milestones and targets will be published later this year. the only other option. Additionally, the for the project. Council do not view cash as a suitable What is the third sector saying alternative. Charities, Clubs and Societies about the target end date for cheques? The Council appreciate this is a How did the Payments Council The third sector is understandably hugely diverse sector with a whole reach the decision? concerned, although most organisations spectrum of differing needs that require Payments Council undertook they have met so far recognise that a careful consideration. There is a large extensive research and discussion with managed decline is preferable to an number of clubs, societies and charities stakeholders to understand why cheques unmanaged alternative. There are a that are very small and these are the are used, what the barriers to number of issues that they are aware types of bodies that may well be the alternatives are and whether there was that they must address if they are to least equipped to deal with any change support for a managed decline. The key but can also be the hardest to reach. It fulfil their commitment and meet this findings that came out of this research is estimated that there are around sector’s needs, including: were that: 400,000 organisations that fit into this • Many organisations are required to • There needs to be an emphasis on category. have payments authorised by more than education on different payment The Payments Council has made this one person, currently fulfilled using methods, particularly for SMEs and sector – from the largest to the smallest cheques that must be signed twice or consumers; organisations – a priority in their work more. • There needs to be an alternative for on the future of cheques. They are • Many charities want to be sure that customers who do not use online or working hard to understand why and the number of donations they receive phone banking or automated payments; how the sector uses cheques, and what will not be reduced in a world without • Of key importance is the alternatives to cheques are needed. cheques, particularly those with an development of criteria that will be used older donor profile. to assess the situation in 2016 and the How is the Payments Council • The tangibility of cheques is targets which will need to be met, working with charities, clubs important to some donors who like to particularly what is meant by and societies? ‘see’ their donation or attach a letter ‘acceptable’ alternatives; and Since December, the Council have about why they have decided to give. • Those to whom they spoke were held meetings with a range of • Very small organisations may not conscious that they were being asked to organisations that represent the currently have the resource to access
ON AIR
Central Cheque Clearing
technology for electronic payments or signature is available on both debit and Shakespeare will still be on many the IT skills to use them and the credit cards. customers’ cards after 30 June necessary training can be expensive. Chip and signature cards work in cash 2011 it will be redundant. • Cheques are perceived to be very machines but clearly these machines do Whilst a large number of simple and easy to use: If managing an require the use of the PIN as opposed to businesses, big and small, have the organisation’s finances becomes overly signing for the withdrawal. ability to accept guaranteed difficult, this could impact on the ability The same consumer protection exists cheques, research in 2008 showed to attract and retain voluntary on chip and signature cards for fraud, so only about 350,000 businesses had treasurers. should you unfortunately find yourself accepted one in the previous six Despite the challenges that clearly to be an innocent victim, you will get months and most of those rarely. must be overcome, there are many good your money back from the card issuer. The use of guaranteed cheques reasons why charities would gain from a Card issuers are obliged to provide has been in rapid decline over the move away from cheques: alternatives, such as chip and signature past 20 years. Their use peaked in • Cheques take several days to clear so cards, to their customers who are unable 1990; since then their numbers it takes longer for a charity to access to use PINs. You need to explain to the have dropped 12-fold from 1.1 funds. issuer that you have difficulties using a billion, to 88 million last year – • Quicker alternatives could be more PIN and you will not be asked to provide only 7% of cheques written. efficient, saving time and money for the medical evidence to support your Closure of the Scheme is organisations. Alternatives might also request for such a card. separate to the Payments Council make it easier to give and potentially During the work to implement chip decision to set a target date for increase donations. and PIN, research revealed the majority closing the central cheque clearing • Cheque donations do not encourage of disabled cardholders welcomed chip in 2018. As the Council made clear or enable Gift Aid to be reclaimed. and PIN and found it easy to use. If you at the time of its announcement, • While sometimes perceived to be have trouble remembering numbers the closure of the clearing will only more secure than electronic here are some tips that might help you: go ahead if suitable alternatives to alternatives, cheques are bits of paper • If you find your PIN hard to cheques are in place. that makes them more vulnerable to remember, you can change it at most To help businesses and certain types of fraud. They also don’t cash machines – just select the ‘PIN consumers in the run-up to the benefit from the same consumer services’ option and follow the on- closure of the Cheque Guarantee protections that are available with other screen instructions. Card Scheme, the Scheme has payment types. • Some people find it helps to published two fact sheets available • Improved internet and phone visualise the pattern the numbers make from www.ukpayments.org.uk or banking facilities for charities might on the keypad as they enter them. contact us for posted paper copies. actually encourage more people to get • Try breaking down your PIN into Earlier this year the Payments involved in the running of them as they two lots of two numbers, for example Council published a report, The would have more flexibility over when 5641 might be remembered as fifty-six Way We Pay 2010 that shows how they did the work, rather than being and forty-one. a payments revolution occurred in reliant on branch opening times when • Combining numbers that mean the noughties which looks set to dealing with cheques. something to you is always a good way continue over the next decade. of remembering – the date of your The last decade not only saw the What will the Payments Council youngest child’s birthday (10) with your rise of internet banking and do with the views of charities, best friend’s house number (23), for shopping but it was also the clubs and societies? example. decade where cards took control of The aim of their work so far has been • However, it is best not to use our wallets as cheques and cash to understand more about how cheques numbers too easily associated with you, were increasingly replaced by a are used by charities. They’ll also look at like your year of birth or popular or card – particularly the debit card. whether better explanation of how to obvious number sequences like 1234 or A decade ago one in eight use existing methods would help. 9999 as they can be much easier for workers got paid cash-in-hand. By Since the Payments Council fraudsters to guess. 2009 just one in 20 took wages announced the target end date for home in notes and coins. By 2018, cheques they have been contacted by a Cheque Guarantee Cards it will be only one in 50. number of forums of older people Following a decision made in June On the face of it, cash still looks concerned about the impact of a world 2009 by the Payments Council, the UK popular. Six in ten transactions without cheques on older people. Domestic Cheque Guarantee Card still involve cash but almost 80% Older people typically use more Scheme will be closed down on 30 June of these are less than £10. In just cheques than younger age groups 2011. This means that after this date it five years time, cash transactions although older people are increasingly will no longer be possible to guarantee a are expected to represent less than using other payments methods such as cheque using a plastic card. However, in half the total for the very first Direct Debit and online banking, many all instances customers can still pay by time. still prefer to pay by cheque. cheque where they are accepted but just If we had not made the move to Chip and signature cards are available cannot use a plastic card to guarantee it. other payments such as cards, we to those customers who are unable to Banks and building societies with would need £102bn more in our use chip and PIN. customers who have cards carrying the wallets each year to meet our When chip and PIN was introduced in cheque guarantee function – indicated spending needs today, compared 2006, the industry recognised there are by Shakespeare’s hologram or logo – will to ten years ago. This equates to some people who are unable to use be managing its removal in different £2,050 more for each adult per PINs, perhaps due to a disability or ways. Typically cards will be issued year, or £40 per week each. memory difficulty and so made sure without Shakespeare’s logo on renewal: that there was an alternative available this may be before or after the closure for those who required it. Chip and date. This means that although
ON AIR
... Countrywide ... news from the stations ... Maldon Youngsters 516450 or visit the website for more moved to Ninewells Hospital.’ information at www.hrc.org.uk Members of the organisation are Can Get On The Radio keen to get the station back on-air. YOUNGSTERS from Maldon will Fire at Ninewells BridgeFM is organising a Charity have the opportunity to try their hand Hospital puts Race Night to help raise funds on at working for a hospital radio station. Friday 15th October in the Queens The opportunity has arisen after BridgeFM off-air Hotel, Perth Road, Dundee. Hospital Radio Chelmsford, which You may have seen the news of the provides a service for patients at serious fire at Ninewells Hospital, Broomfield hospital, teamed up with Dundee recently. Although it was Bay Trust Radio Raises the Maldon branch of national charity confined to one part of the hospital it Cash The Shaw Trust. was right next door to our studios. VOLUNTEERS at Kendal Hospital The Trust is committed to providing The fire which started in the nurses’ Radio have helped to raise £70,000 opportunities for local young people changing rooms on level five at towards improving its facilities. aged 13-16 who are in danger of Ninewells Hospital has put Dundee Bay Trust Radio, based at becoming NEET (not in employment, hospital radio, BridgeFM, off-air. Westmorland General Hospital in education or training) when they The radio station studios are located Kendal, has used some of the cash to reach school leaving age. immediately next to the affected area refurbish its studio and improve Children will be trained in all and the studios were being used to wheelchair access. aspects of radio presentation and will pre-record a programme when the fire The station, which provides news be producing and presenting a one alarm. and entertainment to patients and hour programme. Chairman, Alan Bell, who was in the staff across University Hospitals of studio at the time, said, ‘We heard the Morecambe Bay NHS Trust, was also All aboard the alarm sound and realised it was not a awarded grants from WGH’s League of Goodship Hospital fire drill, so we immediately evacuated Friends, Women’s Royal Voluntary the studios and joined the hospital Service, Cumbria Community Radio Chelmsford staff in the fire assembly area. It was Foundation, Focus Kendal, Homebase On Saturday, 16 October, a group of clear that this was a major incident’. Kendal, Hillary’s Blinds and Mashiter’s buccaneers swamped the poop deck at At 11:45am, chief engineer, Martin Maintenance. Broomfield Hospital at the launch of Hobson received a call that the station ‘It has taken six years and a lot of Pirate Hospital Radio. had gone off-air. It wasn’t initially fund-raising to make this possible but A team of volunteers wandered clear why and attempts to remotely the effort that has been put in by the around the wards of Broomfield diagnose the problem were volunteers at the station has been Hospital dressed as swashbuckling unsuccessful. We now think that the tremendous and we are proud of what pirates all in aid of promoting a brand fire has burned through the electrical has been achieved’, said station new programme that commemorates supply cables, plunging the studio manager John Williamson. the dedication of those who risked complex into darkness. ‘Being able to listen to the radio everything to bring popular music to During Friday and Saturday, helps to make a patient’s stay as the masses during the 1960s. members Bob McNally and Ken Anton enjoyable and comfortable as possible. The show, entitled, Pirate Hospital worked to pull together some ‘For patients who are with us for Radio, will broadcast all the great hits, computer equipment and by long periods, the radio helps to pass jingles and relive some of the amazing lunchtime on Saturday had restored a the day while also supporting the stories of pirate radio and how it partial service of music to the main development and learning of our changed the face of the music industry 87.7 FM transmitter at Ninewells presenters’. forever. Hospital. However, there is no Phil Meacham, Station Manager at broadcast to the ward bedside Date set for Holywell Hospital Radio Chelmsford explains headsets and the station is unable to Christmas lights ‘Although highly unpopular with the make any live programmes. authorities at the time, Pirate Radio Bob McNally reports, ‘We were able switch-on really was the birth of music radio and to gain a few minutes temporary THE date has been set for the helped shape the entire future of the access to the studio complex. The Christmas lights switch-on in music we hear today. Pirate Hospital whole area has been covered by a thick Holywell. It will take place at 5pm on Radio takes us back in time and layer of soot and will mean that we Friday, November 26. celebrates how and where it all started will not be able to offer any live There will be entertainment in the and to have our very own ‘Captain’ programming for a few weeks. Our town centre from 2-8pm, with festive John Barker at the helm will add more mixing desks, audio equipment and music provided by Ysbyty Glan Clwyd than a bit of Pirate nostalgia’. computer systems will have to be Hospital Radio, fairground rides and Pirate Hospital Radio will be thoroughly cleaned, inside and out, other attractions and a visit by Santa’s presented every Sunday between inspected and tested before we can float and fireworks. 11am and midday by John Barker live decide whether they can be brought Town centre manager Medwyn on Hospital Radio Chelmsford. If you back into operation or will have to be Roberts said that last year’s festivities want to join the Goodship HMS Enima replaced. attracted in the region of 2,000 people or perhaps request a timeless classic The last time we had a major and the event gets more popular every for a loved one in hospital, contact fundraising effort to replace and year, attracting people from a wide Hospital Radio Chelmsford on 01245 refurbish equipment, was when we area’.
ON AIR
... Countrywide ... news from the stations ... Broadcast Marathon Lakeman. Obituary Radio Lion members Paul Following the success of October Baverstock, Amelia Hayward, Lionel Wright 2009 broadcast marathon, Hospital Christina Moriame, James Harwood Lionel Wright, the voice of Hornets’ Radio Plymouth again transmitted live and William Simpson mixed and matches on Watford Hospital Radio for 40 continuous hours, starting at mingled with many festival goers and has died, aged 87 on October 1st in 8am on Saturday 2nd and finishing at campers … especially the mind- Colney Heath, St Albans. For 50 years, midnight on Sunday 3rd October. boggling Tantric Hamster Circus. They patients listened to his reports. Local companies sponsored slots even gave us a song! A keen cricketer, Lionel was a during the marathon to help raise Guilfest is now firmly established as founding member of the Old funds for the station. Current a popular family-friendly festival and Centralians Cricket Club, a published volunteers took turns to present the Kids Zone proved a great draw science-fiction writer and a regular programmes, as well as former once again. Adults were only allowed contributor to the Watford Observer's members who returned behind the in if accompanied by a child! Nostalgia section. microphone. The Theatre Tent had a varied line- Born in Watford, Lionel grew up in Many thanks to the companies who up of performers (including comic pole the town and attended Chater School pledged their support. dancers!), while spoof hospital-radio and Watford Central School. Lion Roars Again performer Ivan Brackenbury proved to He served as a wireless telegraphist be a big hit during his turns in the for over four years in the Royal Navy, comedy area. before joining British Rail where he Radio Lion would like to thank the met his future wife, Betty to whom he organisers for allowing us into Guilfest had been married for more than 61 once again and especially the years. It was during his time with photographic pass. This gave us British Rail and afterwards that he did unrivalled access and meant that the a lot of writing, particularly science pictures for our website were greater fiction and published several books than ever. Check them out at alongside articles under his pen name www.radiolion.org.uk Lan Wright. His work included A Man Called Destiny, The Last Hope of Earth Asda Puts Money in and Exile from Xanadu. Halton’s Pocket Lionel was one of the original members of the Old Centralians Jax Davis, William Simpson, James Harwood, Cricket Club, which was officially Andrew Jupp, Dan Holt with Amelia Hayward formed in November 1947 after a and Paul Baverstock in front, Radio Lion’s line group of old boys played Watford up for the Saturday coverage Central's current school side several times that year. A skilled opening Guildford’s three-day music festival batsman, he served in numerous was once more brought very much positions for the club, particularly as alive with Radio Lion’s coverage of president during its 50th anniversary Guilfest. In this, our tenth anniversary year in 1997, before it closed in 2009. in reporting from this increasingly At one stage, he had held the single popular event, a group of eager season run record with 754. After members visited a warm and sunny hanging up his pads, his involvement Stoke Park for another great year. with the club continued. He was a Dan Holt kicked off with a lively Hospital Radio Halton has received a boost to their fundraising, thanks to regular visitor at Lords as a ‘very special Friday Live from the Guilfest proud’ member of the MCC. showground, while Andrew Jupp and Asda in Runcorn. The store’s Community Colleague, Dee Samuel, Lionel made radio history on March Jax Davies rounded things off with a 5, 1955, when he commentated sparkling two-hour highlights show on handed £260 to volunteer Margaret Longworth, explaining that she raised alongside Harold Cook and Reg Stacey Sunday evening. on the first Watford FC fixture, Among some of the names we had the money by selling chairs that Gemma Goodall, Manager of Home against Gillingham, to be broadcast the privilege of talking to this year over Watford Hospital Radio. included Alvin Stardust, Mungo Jerry, and Leisure, had kindly provided. Margaret, a trustee of Radio Lionel played a straight bat with his The Delays, Level 42 and Kid Creole. commentaries but off-air had All gave super interviews and added Halton, said, ‘We are so grateful to Asda for this donation towards the something of a double act with the greatly to our coverage. commentary team technician Ken Our reporters roamed the length purchase of a mixer and computer for the office. Because more new Felton. For a quite conservative man and breadth of the festival taking in all he told some wonderful jokes off-air that Guilfest had to offer, volunteers are training in the studio, there is less time available to add and was full of surprises. encountering such curious visitors as His cricket-loving, blazer-wearing, pirate fairies, comedy nuns, a strange songs to the playout system and a small setup in the office will make this gentlemanly personality was, it turned sheik and a girl clad in silver foil. She out, just one side to a man who wrote was called Space Girl! possible. The equipment will cost £4,000 and so far we’ve raised £1,260, a whole series of science fiction novels Up to 20,000 people were expected in the 1950s and 1960s. for each of the three days to see so we still need to find £2,740!’ Radio Halton provides music and When asked why he'd never told headlining acts Status Quo, Human anyone he was a published sci-fi League and Orbital. They also came to information to patients, staff and visitors within Halton General author, he replied 'you never asked'. see the likes of N-Dubz, The Typical Lionel. Blockheads, Arthur Brown and Seth Hospital in Runcorn.
ON AIR
... Countrywide ... news from the stations ... Hospital Radio Station Refurbishment Rounders Back in early 2009, Andy Roberts On 29th August, Harlow Hospital was sitting with my husband John and Radio held a charity rounders I in our lounge when Andy made the tournament with six teams taking part observation, ‘You know, the station including Harlow Hospital Radio, could do with a bit of a tidy up’. Hospital Radio Chelmsford, Northwick May 2009 saw the three of us Park Hospital Radio as well as a local formed as the station Refurbishment business, another charity and a team Team and we did a survey of the from the MET police. station and made a series of Each team played three games, with recommendations to the HHR teams getting progressively better Executive, which were accepted. even though some members had not played for 40 years. Unfortunately the rain arrived which caused some teams to pull out and left Hospital Radio Chelmsford to play the MET Police for a place in the final. This was a very close game with the MET narrowly winning 6-4. They went on to win an The group after completion of even closer final 5 and a half to 5. refurbishment. Standing left to right, Andy So Hospital Radio Chelmsford took Roberts and John Bryson with Jane Bryson the bronze medal with Harlow seated Hospital Radio and Northwick Park Hospital Radio coming joint fifth. A big thank you to everyone who took part and here’s to next year with Hard at work on the pedestal, David hopefully no rain. Jackson, the only founding member from Andy Meadows 40 years ago and still a member. Harlow Hospital Radio Work started at the end of February this year, the station’s 40th birthday and just before 8pm on May 19th it was officially completed! We have a brand new, up-to-date mixer desk, with the Myriad 24 hour broadcast system’s software having been updated – I thought I would mention that as it’s part of the whole overhaul of the station but my team and I kept well away from the ‘tecchie’ stuff! The refurbishment consisted of: Ian Jackson in the upgraded studio Complete redecoration of office and studio. Tiling of lower half of walls in studio. Professional cleaning of carpets. Purchase and installation of new desk, chairs and table Eighteen members contributed during the three month refurbishment period. Thanks must also be sent to the Princess Alexandra Hospital Estates Department, who assisted with their guidance and advice. When we set out in May 2009 on the refurbishment programme we did so in the knowledge that the station had not had such a facelift since 1995 Chairman of the Hospital Trust, Gerald – I like to think that by May 2010 we Coteman, presents a cheque for £250 to have succeeded in giving the station’s the Harlow Hospital Radio Chairman Pictured, from the top: Harlow HR take facilities a suitable update to last for Andy Meadows, a donation from the on Northwick Park; the semi final, HR several years. Hospital Trust board for new furniture Chelmsford v Met Police; HR Chelmsford in Jane Bryson, Chairman purchased for the station’s major the field HHR Refurbishment Team refurbishment.
ON AIR
... Countrywide ... news from the stations ... HBS Ruby Anniversary such a success of the last 40 years’. which is usually only heard by the Watch the footage of the first patients within the hospital, was able hospital request broadcast in 1970 at to reach further into the local Christmas on STV. community and around the world. www.nhsggc.org.uk/content/mediaass Radio St Helier station manager, ets/vid/HBS_First_Request.wmv Kevin Horkan, said, ‘It was wonderful Household names who started to have our special guests, members out at HBS: and former members join us to mark George Bowie, Radio Clyde; Ken this momentous occasion. Many old Bruce, Radio 2; Paul Coia, BBC, friendships were renewed as former Channel 4, Smooth Radio; Martin members caught up. We were also Frizzell, GMTV; Ross King, GMTV; delighted to welcome the founder of Dave Marshall, Smooth Radio; Ian Radio St Helier, Mike Button to join Martin, Your Radio; James Piuu, West the celebration’. Sound; Tom Russell, Rock Radio; The station broadcasts live weekday Susan Spence, Radio 5 Live; evenings 7pm to 10pm, throughout Willie Smith from Premier Telesolutions Top Ten tracks in 2009 the day at weekends and offers a wide enjoying the event at Gartnavel recently 1 Frank Sinatra, My Way variety of specialist programmes 2 Neil Diamond, Sweet Caroline designed to cater for everyone's taste, The Hospital Broadcasting Service 3 Kenneth Mckellar, My Love Is Like A including The Sunday Service and the (HBS) kicked off its ruby anniversary Red Red Rose monthly show Sutton Scene. with an event at Gartnavel General. 4 Dolly Parton, Nine To Five Patients, staff and volunteers were 5 Dean Martin, That’s Amore there to support the event, mingle and DJ Opens New Studio 6 Lena Martell, One Day At A Time learn a little more about the set up of 7 Patsy Cline, Crazy the service and the fabulous work it 8 Bette Midler, Wind Beneath My does. With many displays on show and Wings a DVD of the very first request being 9 Tina Turner, The Best shown, there was no shortage of 10 Dean Martin, Dream A Little Dream things to see and people to talk to. Founding member, Eric Simpson, came along to show his support for the St Helier Celebrate service he brought to Glasgow. He told SN, ‘I remember growing up listening to the radio and just thinking it was a superb, magical thing. It gave me a Gold Network Radio DJ, Dean great deal of pleasure and enjoyment Martin performed the official opening and after a couple of stays in hospital of HR Barnet’s new studios recently. and learning about Forth Radio Dean, an honorary member of HR Network in Edinburgh, I decided to Barnet, as the hospital radio station is look into introducing something similar in Glasgow Hospitals. where he started his radio career, ‘After meeting with the Health performed the opening ceremony, live Board, myself and a couple of other on air with presenter Richard Edwards. interested parties put a plan in place Chairman of the Trust, John Davey on the The new studios have been made to provide the highest quality service far left, with Minister of State for Care possible by a grant received from the and programmes to patients and their Services, Paul Burstow beside him. June Friends of Barnet Hospital. families when attending hospital. The Whitfield is in the middle of the picture Dean said ‘that he thought the new rest, as they say, is history’. studios were excellent and comparable With Eric’s hard work and Old and new friends gathered at to many professional radio stations, determination, the HBS was set up on Radio St Helier recently to celebrate which will enable the hospital radio Christmas Day 1970, with the very the radio station's 40th birthday. station to present high quality first request being Kenneth McKellar’s Former volunteers and special programmes to the patients and staff My Love is Like a Red Red Rose. It’s guests, including 'Ab Fab' actress, June in Barnet Hospital’. still a firm favourite today! Whitfield CBE and Minister of State Other guests who made on-air The service provides a diverse range for Care Services and MP for Sutton appearances as part of the special of music, mentions and call outs to and Cheam, Paul Burstow, mingled programme included Alan Joyce, patients and currently broadcasts to with current members and presenters ‘Captain Travel’ from LBC 97.3FM, seven hospitals in Glasgow and Clyde. at the birthday bash. Also in June Snowden, HBA President and Due to the huge selection of tracks attendance was the Deputy Mayor of Marcia McKnight, Director of they have acquired over the years, the Sutton, Cllr Sheila Andrews and Trust Communications for Barnet and Chase service manages to meet more than 97 Chairman, John Davey. Farm HNS Trust. per cent of all requests. Radio St Helier, first broadcast on 6 The Barnet FC Mascot ‘Bumble’ was Chairman Niall Anderson said, June 1970 and 40 years later, is still also present, and as well as helping out ‘Thanks to everyone who helped going strong. To mark the milestone, on-air, Bumble took the opportunity the station made a nine day external organise the day and a special thanks to visit Barnet Hospital’s ‘Treasure and congratulations to all the broadcast on the FM frequency and Island’ ward to entertain the children. volunteers, past and present, for making the internet when Radio St Helier,
ON AIR
Yare ... Yare ... Yare
Ivor Will Not Fade Away in working for the Lydia Eva, the last Exclusive for Hospital of the steam trawlers. Asked if he had thought of Radio Yare retirement Ivor said, ‘I love doing this job and will carry on as long as I can be of help to the station’. Stage and Screen at Hospital Fete Cut-throat pirates and the Queen of Hearts with the Mad Hatter were among the many fancy-dressed assistants at this year’s Lowestoft
Celebrated singer songwriter Kitayah was recently interviewed by Ivor Steadman, who recently Alan Thompson on his ‘Revival’ celebrated his eightieth birthday, is magazine programme for Radio Yare. not prepared to fade out just yet. He is He played most of her last album at present the request Collector Co- ‘Raven Alibies’ and between tracks she ordinator and a broadcasting member spoke of her background, the business of Hospital Radio Yare for the past and hopes for the future. three years. Kitayah spoke of her Arabic origins Ivor was born in Gorleston, Great and remembers wanting to be an Yarmouth in 1930 and has led a full entertainer from the age of three. and very interesting life. He left Educated in England, she won a school at the age of 14, as did most of Brenda Godbold, Yare Bear and Jim scholarship to the Royal School of his generation, and miraculously Music in Opera where she learned survived a German bomb dropped just Rumble at the opening of the fete Hospital annual fete. The event was song writing and arranging popular outside his house blowing a massive and classical music. hole in the road. officially opened at 12.45 by Yare Bear Her professional career started as a His first job was in a factory making on a wonderfully warm and sunny session singer in the recording industry components to help the war effort. At Saturday afternoon. the age of 17 he joined the Army and The theme this year was Stage and in LA. Among artists she worked with served in the Far East and has many Screen which lead to some imaginative was Michael Jackson’s legendary fascinating stories to tell. Ivor left the and colourful costumes. The stalls producer Quincy Jones. She also sang Army in 1953 and got a job driving for placed around the car park were backing vocals for records released by the Co-op. He eventually became a mainly offering car-boot contents such American Idol judge, Paula Abdul. There long distance lorry driver transporting as unwanted books, CDs, table lamps, were many other well respected and all sorts of loads all over the UK. crockery and children’s toys. But there famous performers including Grammy Probably because of this experience, was something heart-warming seeing award winners she collaborated with he was asked by a friend, who owned a people pick up discarded artefacts to during her career there. car but hadn’t driven it far, to drive his find a place for them in their lives and After seven years she returned to car with a few more friends all the way in the process help contribute to the the UK to work for Hot Chocolate’s to Moscow. There he made many running of Lowestoft Hospital. lead singer, Errol Brown, singing Russian friends and became Secretary Nobody should have gone hungry backing vocals for his solo album. for the ‘British Soviet Friendship’ for with a barbeque serving hot dogs and Kitayah spoke with affection of her over 20 years. He later became a burgers and for those with a sweet latest album, soon due for release but member of the Gorleston Heritage tooth freshly-baked cakes with the her preoccupation now is to get onto Society and Secretary for the Friends inevitable ice cream and fizzy drinks the 2012 Olympic schedule. She has of the Maritime Museum. on sale. The music and public address made a record for the opening He has recently retired from the was ably provided by Hospital Radio ceremony, ‘Flame of Hope.’ The demo Coastguard watch and was a member Yare and the evocative cabaret was is with Boris Johnson; if accepted she provided by ‘Mirage Belly Dancing of the Caister Lifeboat where he met intends to have a 2500 strong choir Jim Davidson. This led to an Group’. Jim Rumble, Radio Yare's ex professional DJ and master compere singing live accompaniment to her appearance singing in his choir the self-penned song. choruses for his hit song Home From even managed to get the crowd dancing. Kitayah has now formed an The Sea at the Royal Variety independent company and now Performance at the Dominion Theatre Yare Bear, the station’s mascot, was intends to step confidently into the in 1996. Ivor was Press Officer for the around all afternoon adding colourful Gorleston Lifeboat for five years and personality and pleasing the children. limelight. still helps with their shop and is active A most enjoyable afternoon. Brian Frederick
ON AIR
News Round-up
Valley Park Radio Quiz It was great to see so many of you at our Birthday Party and lovely to receive the messages from a good few saying how much they enjoyed it. Thanks for supporting the event, we all had a fab night. We are holding the Valley Park Radio third Big quiz night on November 13th at the Acacia Hall in Dartford. As before, it’s a quiz night with a slight twist as we have entertainment halfway through the evening when top female vocalist Sarah Barker will be singing. Tickets are only £4 each; it’s always a great and fun evening You can have up to eight people in a team. For information and the ticket hotline call on 07884 136540. The last two quiz nights have each brought in over 170 people, so come and join in the fun. Tickets have to be in advance due to fitting all the tables in. Neil White, Chairman For Sale The following recordable DAT tapes [first figures is the quantity we have and the second is the length in minutes]: 3 x 34/4 x 62/2 x 64/31 x 60/2 x 90/1 x 94/5 x 95/24 x 120/6 x 180 Please make an offer to: [email protected] Wishing Well Radiothon The 36 hour non-stop broadcast began at 10am on Saturday, October New boy Paul Black came in at 7am hospital station and local commercial 17th with Ray Mudd playing two for the Breakfast Show before Chris or BBC station for example). hours of country music. At midday Hogan did his two hour stint at 9am. The project is co-ordinated by a web Alan Thorpe took over for a couple of Nigel Crouch presented ‘Magic Mix’, site at hours playing a wide range of music three hours of the patients’ requests. www.christmasradiolinkup.co.uk including ‘Ace of Spades’ by Bill Ball came on at 2pm with more which invites those who wish to take Motorhead – never thought I’d hear patients’ favourites. At 4pm it was part to submit their details, which will Alan play anything like that, well it back to the 1970s with Tricky Ricky be listed and anyone who wants to was a request. At 2pm Ray stepped up who played tunes from every year of take part can make contact and make to play a selection of hospital that decade. Bubbly Lainey B came on the appropriate arrangements. favourites until 4pm when Richard at 6pm with an hour of classic soul Christmas Day is the most popular Parkinson presented a special edition and r’n’b. Dilys Bray brought down the day for link ups to happen but lots of of Sport at the Well. curtain on the Radiothon with her details are submitted for the week up favourite tunes and a few requests. Next up was Barry Davies, who to Christmas as well. played two hours of classical music. This year, as well as telephone Paul Armstrong came at 8pm with two Linking up for Xmas As Christmas draws ever closer, it’s numbers, if your station is able to put hours of hospital favourites to get you Skype calls on the air, there is a place in the mood for party girl Amanda time to think about those Christmas shows and programmes events that to fill in those details as well. Jordan, who took us to midnight with It’s mostly hospital radio stations tunes to get the Saturday night alive – are something extra for the Christmas that take part but it’s not unusual for and yes, she did play Johnny Cash. schedules. The Christmas Radio Link the odd commercial or BBC local And so the wee small hours and Up is back for any station to take part D.A.T played three hours of salsa in. A simple idea – two (or more if station to show an interest as well. music. Jim Hardy took over at 3am there is the technology) stations To submit details for this year’s with a selection of jazz and easy linking up for a couple of minutes live event, go to listening music with some comedy on air. www.christmasradiolinkup.co.uk. thrown in for good measure. That kept The stations could be in different The site is open from November 1st the J.O.G.S happy, (‘Jim’s old geezers’). parts of the UK or in the same area (a 2010. RC Contacts 132:20 Contacts 127 12/11/2010 09:51 Page 1
Who to Contact on the Executive Committee
Chairman Phil Moon Deputy Chairman Iain Lee 82 Greenleaf Gardens, Polegate, Hospital Broadcasting Association, E Sussex BN26 6PH PO Box 341, Messingham, Tel: 0870 321 6000 Scunthorpe DN15 5EG Tel: 0870 321 6014 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Main contact with statutory bodies. Sub committee chairman. Ambassadors Special projects
Treasurer Julie Cox General Secretary Hospital Broadcasting Association, Nigel Dallard PO Box 341, Messingham, 54 St. Annes Close, Badger Farm, Scunthorpe DN15 5EG Winchester, Hampshire SO22 4LQ Tel: 0870 321 6004 Tel: 0870 321 6003 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Financial matters (other than General correspondence, Company subscriptions) Secretary, annual review
President June Snowden Regional Manager Dave Lockyer Hospital Broadcasting Association, P.O. Box 76, Ely, CB6 3WH PO Box 341, Messingham, Tel: 0870 321 6009 Scunthorpe DN15 5EG e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 0870 321 6005 Station visits, represent HBA e-mail: [email protected] publicly, print and present long Regional meetings, contacts, setting service certificates up a region etc.
Sales & Advertising Executive Programming Adviser Paul Sysum Paul Easton Hospital Broadcasting Association, Hospital Broadcasting Association, PO Box 341, Messingham, PO Box 341, Messingham, Scunthorpe DN15 5EG Scunthorpe DN15 5EG Tel: 0870 321 6026 Tel: 0870 321 6002 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] All Corporate sales for HBA Advice on programme content
Technical Adviser Editor Geoff Fairbairn Michelle Newstead Hospital Broadcasting Association, Hospital Broadcasting Association, PO Box 341, Messingham, PO Box 341, Messingham, Scunthorpe DN15 5EG Scunthorpe DN15 5EG Tel: 0870 321 6012 Tel: 0870 321 6011 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Technical matters On Air magazine
Acting Public Relations Webmaster Mark Venus Manager Hospital Broadcasting Association, Sean Dunderdale PO Box 341, Messingham, Hospital Broadcasting Association, PO Box 341, Messingham, Scunthorpe DN15 5EG Scunthorpe DN15 5EG Tel: 0870 321 6018 Tel: 0870 321 6008 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Maintenance of HBA website Press & public relations, charity profile
Conference Bookings Membership Enquiries Marie Harper Tel: 0870 321 6003 50 Neale Street, Sunderland e-mail: [email protected] Tyne & Wear SR6 9EZ General Enquiries Tel: 0870 321 6017 Tel: 0870 321 6019 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected]