FC On Air 133 document:3_COLON-.AIR 09/03/2011 10:54 Page 1 IFC Regional REP DETAILS 133:19 Regional REP DETAILS 127 09/03/2011 10:55 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 london@hbauk.com
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 133:01 INTRO 127 09/03/2011 11:02 Page 1
WINTER 2010/2011 Issue 133 Hi Everyone, As I write, we are just weeks away from the Hospital Radio The Official Journal of the Awards 2011 and on page 4 you will meet this year’s Judges. Hospital Broadcasting Association Sean and his team will doubtless come up with a wonderful event to the standard we have come to expect and in the next issue of On Air we will reveal all the winners. in this issue ... The British Medical Association have recently published a report suggesting that playing bingo with hospital patients really Regional Rep Details ...... IFC is good for them. And, wait for it ... a separate study found Board Report ...... 2 playing people their favourite songs helps put them in a good National Hospital Radio Awards 2011, Meet the Judges ...... 4 mood. Researchers at McGill University in Montreal found that the chemical dopamine is released into the brain when HBA National Training Day ...... 6 music is played to an individual. Levels of dopamine were Southern Regional Training Day ...... 8 found to be up to 9% higher when volunteers were listening to News Round Up ...... 9 music they enjoyed. So the message is clear – playing patients Countrywide – News from the Stations ...... 10 requests cheers them up, playing bingo helps speed their recovery. That’s what hospital radio stations are doing every Outside Broadcasts Using VOIP ...... 14 day of the year and have been for almost 85 years. It’s a pity Top of the Pops, the Top 100 Requests ...... 15 the BMA didn’t ask us first! Radio Lion’s 24 Hour Broadcast ...... 16 View from the Basement ...... IRC Who to Contact on the Executive Committee ...... RC Michelle DIARY DATES 2011 CONFERENCE 25th-27th March 2011 FrONT COvEr STOrY Ramada Hotel, Hollingbourne Nr Maidstone, Kent ME17 1RE Hospital Radio Chelmsford 2012 Conference, Northampton volunteers out in force in the High 2013 Conference, Blackpool Chelmer Shopping Centre, Chelmsford, playing festive favourites to Christmas Shoppers and passers by.
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 March, 2011 02 Board Report 133:02,03 Committee report 127 09/03/2011 11:02 Page 1
Board Report
Welcome Back the day-to-day operations, to get out and about representing hospital I start with a welcome back to a broadcasting to other organisations bumper number of hospital radio and to provide the Trustees with stations that have rejoined HBA in the sufficient time to deal with the more last few months: Auckland HR, Bay strategic issues that we have been Trust Radio, HBS Ayrshire, HR neglecting. Braintree, HR Swale, Radio BGM, At our January Trustee Board Radio Medica, Radio North Tees, meeting, we took the decision that, Radio Ormskirk General, Radio Robin, having failed to sort this out over the Radio Skerne, Radio Wulfrun and past two or more years and in a very Radio Ysbyty Gwynedd. Some were different financial environment, we only away for a few months, having let needed to start again from the basics – their membership lapse last year, What is HBA's vision and mission? others have not been members for What is it that our members need some time. To all, welcome – it's good from the HBA today? Having to have you back within the fold. understood that, we'll start again with looking at what structure best serves HBA Training Network by Nigel Dallard, Secretary the Association. The Training Network has now been In the meantime, we are looking for established on a more formal footing, For HBA member stations who do volunteers to take on some of the roles with a steering committee chaired by not require access to the Net currently undertaken by the Trustees, Jim Simpson, the Scottish Regional Newsroom, Tim offered to reduce the to free-up some time for us to work on Rep. The committee now has licence fee to £195+VAT (i.e. £234), the restructuring in a more timely responsibility for staging national representing a saving of £66 or 12%. fashion than previously. training events and As those stations that access the If you've got some spare time and encouraging/overseeing (but not internet via the NHS's ‘N3’ network would like to get involved at a national actually staging) regional events. and other stations whose ISP only level, please do get in touch with one If you have any thoughts about provides them with a dynamic IP of the Trustees. We can then discuss appropriate subjects for us to provide address, cannot access the Net your interests and skills and see if we training on, or anything else you’d like Newsroom anyway, we expect that the can build a role to suit you. to say about training needs, please lack of access to the Net Newsroom contact Jim. will not be an issue for a large number Don’t get ticked off! I’m writing this shortly after the of stations. from the Office of Fair Trading South Region's third Training Day took Any HBA member that wishes to place. From the feedback I have seen, Buying tickets for big sporting continue to avail itself of the Net events and gigs has been made so the 15 delegates went away very Newsroom facility will need to much easier thanks to the internet. pleased with the interactive seminar continue to pay the full £250+VAT. on recruiting, motivating and retaining Last year a number of websites volunteers. Thanks to Neil, Ned Conference & Awards claiming to sell tickets for a Seabrook, the trainer (who provided Ceremony number of big rock festivals shut his services free of charge) and down, leaving thousands of fans As I write this, there's less than a Hospital Radio Reading for sorting out without tickets or their money. The the venue. The presentation slides and month to go to our national conference, AGM and the National public need to be careful or they flip-chart notes have been published could end up buying tickets from on our website for any member station Hospital Radio Awards ceremony. I hope to see many of you in Maidstone. websites that are offering to download. fraudulent or non-existent tickets. Planning is also well under way for This is the biggest opportunity you have of meeting both those of us who COI’s New Filler ‘Last Thing’ the third national training event, begins with the sound of a girl which will again be held in October, run the HBA and lots of your fellow hospital broadcasters. I hope that you band in concert, before moving to hopefully this time somewhat further a tennis match in progress. The north – we're investigating venues take the opportunity to come along voice-over advises “if you’re along the M62 corridor. and, if you do, please do stop myself and any of my fellow Trustees to say buying tickets online, the last thing IRN hello. The HBA is here to support and you want is to miss out because the IRN's standard licence for small- represent you – please let us know website you bought the tickets scale radio stations will increase on how we're doing! from wasn’t legitimate.” We then renewal to £250+VAT (i.e. £300). As Restructuring of the shift to a rock festival as the final those of you who receive the HBA chords of the headlining band ring Announce e-mails will be aware, at a Association out. The voice-over concludes meeting in November between HBA's Many of you may remember that for “before you pay go to Chairman, Phil Moon, and PR the past two years or more, the consumerdirect.gov.uk” where Manager, Sean Dunderdale, IRN's Trustees have been struggling with consumers can find lots of Managing Director, Tim Malloy, how to restructure the organisation to information about how to protect offered to reduce the cost of the most effectively serve its members. themselves when buying tickets licence to use IRN bulletins for HBA We started heading down the road to online. member stations. employ a paid Chief Executive to run
ON AIR
Notebook
The UK Hospital Radio One CHR volunteer, with wallet if you follow the ‘DOs’ without trepidation for fear of being even knowing why they are doing it. Service ... presumptuous, coined the phrase that The Myth and the Truth we ’Nurse by Radio’ and when on the Feedback sounds good THE MYTH wards sometimes introduced himself to Infosound Hospital Radio Stations are: as ‘Doctor Radio’. Such a greeting is If you use any of the news and • Run by radio hams. always met with a chuckle by the information audio material that’s free • Enable the members to play at patient which can result in being to download from Infosound, they being DJs. distracted, however briefly, from would really like to know about it. • Exist to train people to work on whatever pain or discomfiture is being Supported by British Wireless for commercial radio. endured the Blind Fund, Infosound produces • Allow members to play their own Thus we hope that our presence on impartial news and information for favourite music. the wards supports the work of the the two million plus blind and • Provide a substitute for those nursing staff and makes a modest yet partially-sighted people across the UK unable to find work in commercial positive and healing difference to the and any station is welcome to radio. stay of patients at St Richards. download what they want and use it in THE TRUTH In doing this we proudly uphold the their programmes. It is also of interest These myths most certainly don’t truths and dispel the myths about to sighted family members, friends apply to the hospital based radio hospital radio. and carers of those who live with sight station serving the patients at St Bill Barwell loss. Richards Hospital in Chichester West Ward Visitor Broadcaster Their audio material can be in the Sussex. Chichester Hospital Radio ex Chairman CHR form of short (less than 5-minute) (CHR) exists for the patients not its audio features on a specific topic (at members. www.infosound.org.uk/select) or the Our volunteer members visit the Tin Rattles weekly 15-minute bulletin containing wards when many hospital radio DOs & DON’Ts several short items (at stations don’t. by Paul Turner of HRBasingstoke www.infosound.org.uk/briefing). It’s We assist patients in accessing the all totally free and you do not need to radio services, ensure headphones are • DO wear a T-Shirt/Polo Shirt that credit the source of the material, so it provided and offer to play a favourite identifies your station – if your station can sound like an integral part of your piece of music on the evening patient doesn’t have one, why not? They are station’s output. request shows. invaluable as a way of identifying you. But Infosound now needs to know ‘THINK PATIENT’ is the our motto • DO mentally target a person moving who’s using their material, how often and provides a reminder that the towards you. it’s used and what you think of the patient comes first and is at the • DO make EYE CONTACT with that service.They can easily monitor which forefront of every decision made in person. audio features are being used but they connection with the operation and • DO SMILE at them. have no way of knowing whether a administration of CHR. • DO say ‘Morning/Afternoon’ as single ‘hit’ on their web site represents To genuinely give wholly of oneself appropriate. an individual visitor to their site to others through voluntary work • DO keep your tin above waist height. listening on their own or whether a there has to be an element of personal It makes it easier for the punter to radio station has downloaded the item sacrifice and even inconvenience to identify what they are/may be and it’s therefore being heard by a better empathise with those who contributing to without having to much wider audience. through no fault of their own are bend down. Some stations are downloading and enduring some form of pain or • DON’T congregate with other using their weekly15-minute ‘Briefing’ distress. station members chatting. The bulletin by downloading a generic file Sincerity rather than a thinly veiled punters will just pass you by. (that never changes its name) at the need for peer group credibility or • DON’T stand too close to other same time each week and which is community social status must be the station Tin Rattlers, it will intimidate then automatically scheduled into sole motivating factor. the punters. their play-out system.Others are That said, few are involved in • DON’T be afraid to make taking Infosound up on their offer to charitable work unless there is an visual/verbal contact with a potential record a station-specific audio trailer element of enjoyment and personal punter. The worst that can happen is to promote that programme. satisfaction and that’s certainly the they will ignore you; You can find out more about using case with all of us at CHR. • DON’T actually ‘rattle’ the tin. It’s Infosound audio material at Chichester HR at St Richards places against the rules. www.infosound.org.uk/media, where immense priority on meeting patients • SOME people will walk past head there’s a short form to download and on the wards and creating a very down … they WILL NOT donate. email back should that make giving individual personal service. • SOME people will seek you out and feedback easier. Our 24/7 programme schedules put money in you tin. These are VERY So if you are using any Infosound cover a huge variety of subjects few and far between. audio material – the short audio including documentaries, local stories, • MOST people MIGHT respond if you features or the weekly bulletin, or special interest shows and all genres of make the EFFORT as per the ‘DOs’ both – could you please drop an email music is catered for. Many of our above, provided that you are aware of to Editor, Rowland Myers at programmes are written and the ‘DON’Ts’ as well. [email protected] broadcasted by the volunteer members It’s amazing how many people will In this case, feedback is good! Many themselves. go straight to their pocket, purse or thanks.
ON AIR
Hospital Radio Awards 2011
Meet the Judges: BARNIE Zealand and East Renfrewshire’s Pulse A host of new judges have been CHOUDHURY 98.4. The podcast was nominated in revealed for this year's National has been a the Best Radio Show or Podcast Hospital Radio Awards. The new Chief broadcaster for category at the 2010 BT Digital Music Executive of the Radio Academy, John thirty years, Awards but was unplaced. Myer, is among the judging panel this winning several year, along with the news editor of industry JANE HILL, Gaydar Radio, Scott Johnson, himself awards during originally from a former hospital radio volunteer. that time. He Portsmouth, is Andrew Bailey and Vicki Blight from began in an author, Absolute Radio also join the team, hospital radio, stand-up along with former BBC7 Presenter, worked in ILR and joined the BBC as a comedian and now Programme Manager for Lincs trainee in 1986. Barnie left the BBC freelance FM 102.2, Katie Trinder. last October and, among other things, journalist, Awards co-producer, Sean has his own media production working most Dunderdale, told On Air, ‘Each year company, is a Senior Lecturer at the recently within more and more health and industry University of Lincoln and currently the sports team professionals are getting onboard with coaches and trains volunteers at at BBC Radio Leicester. To date she's what we're doing and all are more than Lincoln's community radio station, had three books published, and has happy to play a role in judging entries Siren FM. won numerous awards for her comedy. and helping choose the winners. She's a former Sony Programmer of ‘The feedback we receive from the PAUL EASTON the Year nominee and has also judges too is how pleasantly surprised is a radio recently taught the postgraduate they are at the standard of radio being programming Broadcast Journalism Course at produced in hospitals across the UK. consultant with Highbury College. more than 35 ANDREW years in the ANDY IVY is BAILEY is industry. He's head of Sky Head of also the HBA's News Radio, Interactive Programming having founded Content and Advisor. His the service, News at background which now Absolute Radio. includes a number of senior and provides news You’ll also hear management positions with a number output for IRN. him reading the of leading radio stations, including He too has had news on the London's Capital Radio, LBC and a background Christian Melody, as well as BRMB in radio O’Connell Breakfast show every (Birmingham) and Music Choice journalism stretching back well over morning. A veteran of student and Europe. twenty years. It's worth noting he isn't community radio, ‘Bails’ has been at the man responsible for the increase Golden Square for nine years after JIM in fees by IRN! stints at 5 Live, Radio City, BBC GELLATLY Breakfast and Key 103. You name it, began as a CAROL he’s reported on it but his highlight volunteer for KIRKWOOD is remains meeting and interviewing Moray Firth a Scottish George Lucas. Radio in journalist, Inverness in presenter and VICKI the late 80s and weather BLIGHT is the has been forecaster, voice of working in the employed by weekend music and radio the Met Office breakfast on industry ever since. In April 2008 he and best known Absolute Radio. received a Radio Academy PRS John for forecasting She’s been at Peel Award for Outstanding the weather for BBC Breakfast. the station for Contribution to Music Radio. Last a year but has year, as well as attending our awards JOHN MYERS appeared on ceremony in Glasgow, he also started a is the CEO Radio 1, weekly slot promoting new acts within designate of Galaxy, Heart East Midlands and many Original 106 (Aberdeen)'s Sunday Late the Radio other stations, getting her break Show. Last July he launched an Academy and a winning the Student Radio presenter unsigned showcase on a DAB digital consultant to a of the year award. She’s also spent a radio station called Amazing Radio. He number of number of years as one of the voices also presents a weekly podcast Jim radio of Channel 5 (especially when the Gellatly's NEW MUSIC through iTunes companies. He mucky movies are on) and has a and Radio Magnetic. The podcast is is the former degree in molecular biology. also carried on Radio Six Chief Executive International, World FM in New of GMG Radio, owned by the Scott
ON AIR
Meet the Judges
Trust which gave birth to the Smooth DR. CHRIS commercial radio for well over twenty Radio, Real Radio, Rock Radio and STEELE, MBE, years in the Yorkshire area. Century Radio brands. He's also a is a British medical doctor KATIE regular presenter, appearing under the TRINDER is a guise of John Morgan. well known for his many media former BFBS, appearances. Radio DUNCAN Mansfield and NEWMARCH He is the resident doctor BBC7 Big Toe joined the BBC Radio Show Network on ITV's This Morning presenter. announcing She's now team in April daytime magazine show. He appeared on the very first show in 1988 and Programme 2004, providing Manager of continuity still appears on the show every week. He qualified as a doctor in 1968 and Lincs FM 102.2 and Station Manager announcements of neighbouring Rutland Radio. on BBC One, has worked as a general practitioner in BBC Two and South Manchester ever since. later, UKTV. He has a commercial AWARDS UPDATE radio background, having worked for CHRIS Nominations are out for this year's Lincs FM (Lincolnshire), Invicta FM STEVENS is National Hospital Radio Awards and (Kent) and Trax FM (Yorkshire), where one of the excitement is building to the big event he presented the breakfast show. UK’s leading in Maidstone on March 26th. jingle Awards co-producer Sean NICK producers at Dunderdale told On Air, ‘As the date QURAISHI is a both Devaweb gets closer the whole team behind the British- and TM ceremony – Iain, Andy and Keith at Pakistani news Studios – he's Scunthorpe Hospital go into overdrive. presenter long been a I'm chasing possible guests to help currently heard good friends open the envelopes, the judges deliver on Smooth to Hospital Broadcasting and the results, the certificates and Radio across produces, annually, jingles and liners trophies need arranging, the display the East and for Hospital Broadcasting Week. for the big screens on the night are West Midlands sorted and then the script and the and previously PAUL clips of the top ten nominations need seen on Sky News and Anglia News. SYLVESTER producing – and, of course, we all have Nick grew up in Wellingborough and is Absolute day jobs too’. attended the same school as Tuanku Radio’s This year the awards ceremony will, Syed Sirajuddin, the King of Malaysia Executive in a bigger way, help launch Hospital from 2001 to 2006. Producer, Broadcasting Week, which this year heading up the marks the 85th anniversary of BOB award-winning Hospital Radio in the UK. SHENNAN has programming Sean said, ‘The Gala Dinner and the been a senior team at 1 Awards Ceremony will be far more executive in Golden Square than just a celebration of the awards radio and and working with the likes of Frank nominees and winners – we want to television for a Skinner, Ian Wright and Christian really mark the start of Hospital number of O’Connell. Before that he was Exec Broadcasting Week and launch the years. He Producer at Global Radio’s LBC and a week properly’. started as a journalist reading the news on LBC and Sean, as HBA Press Officer, is also journalist at Heart 106.2. Originally from working harder than ever to gain Hereward Radio Lincolnshire, Paul started out at publicity for the work that we do in Peterborough from 1984-7. He Scunthorpe Hospital Radio before doing during this important week. joined BBC Sport in 1987 as a trainee student radio and spending six happy Discussions are underway with BBC radio sports producer and was part of years reading the news at Lincs FM. Radio and regional TV, along with a the team that founded BBC Radio Five number of potential articles to be Live. After a spell as Head of BBC JOHN published in a number of magazines Sport where he had overall TOLSON is aimed at coinciding with the week. responsibility for sports coverage on Programme Sean is also planning to issue BBC radio and television, he was Manager and guidance on potential publicity appointed head of BBC Radio 5 Live in breakfast opportunities during the week, nearer 2000. As the network's controller he presenter of the time. oversaw the launch of BBC Radio Five Ridings FM, Sean said ‘It's OUR week – it's also Live Sports Extra in 2002, and also based in West the Year of Volunteering – so let's took over as controller of the BBC Yorkshire and really fly the flag, make a difference, Asian Network in 2004. He's now is also a regular voice nationwide on attract new volunteers, more funding Controller of BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 ASDA FM, in stores across the and continue to produce really great Music. country. John's been involved in programming’.
ON AIR
HBA National Training Day
Sixty students attended the second 16th October 2010 Felicity Crump and Peter Stewart, not National Training Day, which was held only for their efforts on the day but under the HBA Training Network Braunstone South, Leicester also for providing information banner, on 16th October 2010 at the notes/slides which can be found in the Premier Inn, Braunstone South, appropriate area of our website Leicester. Our President, June (www.hbauk.com). I would also take Snowden, opened the day by this opportunity to place on record welcoming everyone and introducing thanks to the ‘2010 National Training the ‘trainers’. Day’ team who in my opinion did a fantastic job in ensuring the second There were two training tracks held National Training Day took place. on the day: Track One presented by Peter Stewart (ex-BBC) who explained The organising team thought that how individuals could improve their this year’s national training day was presentation skills; in parallel, Track better than the first training day held Two presented by Felicity Crump, a in 2009 and agreed that although journalist with experience in both much had been learnt from the first local newspapers and local radio, training day in 2009, there was still covered improving fundraising room for further improvement, not through good public relations. least with regard to promotion of the event and in this respect I can confirm In order to ensure fairness to all, that there will be a third National stations were originally advised that Training Day in October 2011, initially only five students per station somewhere in the vicinity of Leeds or would be accepted and if places were Manchester and if possible, details of still available towards the middle of the training tracks, location and September, bookings for additional booking forms will hopefully be attendees per station would be opened available at the Maidstone conference on a first come first served basis with at the Ramada-Jarvis hotel in a strictly enforced limit of 50 students Hollingbourne. per training track. From the overwhelmingly positive Training Track One was advertised feed-back received from the delegates as ‘Improve your interview and that attended the 2010 training event, presentation skills’; unfortunately, I think the team can be justly satisfied there was very little on interview skills with their efforts in successfully even though they were supposed to be providing an interesting and covered and this was commented on informative day. by some of the attendees. Having said that, the general response from those I made mention earlier in this who attended this training track report that a Training Network thought that Peter Stewart was Committee had been formally created, excellent and entertaining as well as this was agreed by the Trustee Board being a very informative and useful at their November 2010 meeting and day, which was well organised. and the hotel staff continually the terms of reference for the refreshed the selection available and committee were formally agreed at the Training Track 2 was advertised as whilst there wasn't perhaps a huge January trustee board meeting. ‘Improve your fundraising efforts selection for the vegetarians amongst by good Public Relations’ and us, the food provided was to a very The remit of the training network although not specifically reflected in reasonable standard. committee includes the provision of the feedback, a number of attendees training opportunities in all aspects of commented that they would have The delay in starting the afternoon running a hospital radio station and preferred more emphasis on sessions caused by the hotel’s failure the organisation of a national training fundraising. In the main, those who to provide lunch at the time arranged event each year. Additional attended this track did agree that it had a significant effect on the training responsibilities are to give Regional was a constructive and informative time available during the afternoon Representatives assistance to stage day, with excellent networking ideas and Peter Stewart and Felicity Crump regional training events under the from other stations which made the did their best to complete their ‘HBA Training Network’ brand. training track well worth attending. sessions in the time remaining. Jim Simpson Unfortunately the hotel let us down The event in Leicester did not just The Training Day Team: as far as the timing of lunch was happen, a considerable amount of Phil Moon, HBA Chairman concerned, by not providing the lunch work went on behind the scenes Nigel Dallard, HBA Secretary at the agreed time the organising team organising speakers, accommodation Steve Allen, Wales & West Regional had specified. Having said that, the and administration and as Chairman Representative buffet lunch provided by the hotel of the newly formed HBA Training Jim Simpson, Scottish Regional was, as requested, very clearly marked Committee, I would like to thank Representative
ON AIR
HBA National Training Day The Thoughts of a Delegate A Report From Grampian Hospital Radio’s Brenda Massie Track 1 Improve your Interview & Presentation Skills This year’s National Training Day took place in Leicester at the Braunstone South Premier Inn. The two tracks on offer were Improve your Interview & Presentation Skills and Improve your Fundraising efforts by good Public Relations. After the welcome and introduction the delegates split into the two tracks. With the 2011 Awards on the horizon, I felt it was the ideal opportunity to brush up on my interview and presentation skills. The tutor for the day was Peter Stewart, who according to the training word for word or whether they read radio bloopers. the articles and assimilated the day flyer was an award winner, author After the event, I looked at the and generally knew what he was information, worked out their reaction to it and then used it. The programme training day flyer again. Had the aims talking about. Excellent, I thought, of the day been achieved? this is exactly what I’m after. will inevitably have more meaning to you as the presenter and the listener if Did I feel I had increased interview The training got underway with the you are able to assimilate the confidence? delegates thinking about what kind of information before doing the link. Did I think that I now had the information they used in their Once again the point was made that ability to impart information to my programmes, why they used it and preparation was the key. listeners lucidly? subsequently how they gathered it. News was the next topic covered, Did I now feel that I could be a Using magazines and audio from although often treated as separate more professional on-air presenter? various stations across the country, entity, it was suggested that instead of Should the opportunity of an Peter provided examples of how interrupting their show, the presenter interview arise I’m not certain I have programmes had been prepared, how should include the news as part of it. increased or improved my the preparation was relevant to the Indeed, perhaps they could preview it interviewing. However, I probably do people who listeners to the station. and comment on it once the bulletin feel slightly more professional in my He provided a number of questions, has been completed. programme presentation; but then the answers to which were key to again, I’ve yet to pin down a regular preparing a programme. After a break for lunch, the delegates were introduced to the listener to ascertain whether the The preparation element continued concept of teasing, trailing and telling. information I pass on is done so more developing throughout the morning, Using audio examples, Peter played professionally and lucidly! with Peter providing more tips as to snippets and asked the group whether Overall, the experience was well how to make your programme it fitted the teasing, trailing or telling worth the travel from and back to personal to the listener. category. He also provided useful Aberdeen, basically a three day course! phrases to use during a programme to The focus then moved to the Apart from the training, the keep the listener tuned to the station. programme itself and how to structure opportunity to network with friends a successful link, Peter once again To follow this, was a 40 minute old and new from other hospital radio providing examples of how to do it DVD of professional presenters giving stations was well worth attending and and in some cases how not to do it. their tips on how to be a good I’ll certainly be going to the next presenter. training day. Peter then encouraged the delegates to think about what they did once Finally, the delegates on the Brenda Massie they had acquired their preparation. fundraising track joined us to round Secretary He asked them whether they read it off the training day with a selection of Grampian Hospital Radio
ON AIR
HBA Southern Regional Training Day
20th February, 2011 Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading
Stations from as far as Bridgend in Wales gathered in Reading on 20 February for the third Southern region training day. The event was held at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading with help from Hospital Radio Reading. The location was at the very north of the southern region but attracted stations from Wales, Swindon, Oxford and London. The aim of the day was to ‘uncover and find ways to address the key elements in the challenge of getting new volunteers on board and keeping them, including getting across a positive message about the roles and responsibilities of trustees’. Ned Seabrook, the trainer, is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development with over thirty years experience in HR, Learning and Development. A good time seemed to have been had by all and the feedback has been very positive about the day. The slide presentation from the day and other notes taken from the flip charts have been added to the HBA website.
ON AIR
News Round-up
Royal Marines Concert Holding Out for a Hero The makers of the successful BBC shows ‘In It To Win It’, ‘Who Dares Wins’ and ‘Eggheads’ are developing a quiz show with a difference for ITV and are looking for extra special contestants to take part. On this game show, contestants don’t play to win themselves a prize; they play to win a life-changing sum of money to make someone else’s dream come true. Whatever money they win, they will be handing it over to their recipient – a deserving person, local cause or small charity with an amazing story who has no idea someone has decided to be their ‘hero’. We do ask that they do not tell the person or cause they wish to help, that they have applied to be on the show as we would like this to be a surprise! Could your general knowledge change someone else’s life forever? • Is there a local cause or small charity close to your heart that you would love to help out financially? • Is there someone who works The Rotary Clubs of St. Albans, tirelessly for others in your Verulamium and Radlett presented community who you would love to their annual concert of H.M. Royal reward? Marines Portsmouth Band on Friday, • Is there a local group crying out 21st January 2011. Their charities for funding in order to survive in the this year were Chronic Lymphocytic current tough economic climate? Leukaemia and Earthworks and Mind. • Or would you simply like to help The concert was transmitted live someone in your community achieve from the Arena to Watford Hospital their dreams? Radio by engineer, Paul Andersson, If you would like the opportunity to which was then tuned into by any be a real life hero by putting your hospital radio who could take the general knowledge to the test to programme via internet from Watford. phone calls praising the show. potentially win BIG money to help Graham Etsell, Chief Engineer at There have been many requests for others then we would love to hear WHR, carried out the technical 'stuff' a repeat next year, so hopefully here from you! at Watford’s end when we went on air. goes. We’re looking for contestants We handed over to Andy Stroud of Hilary Forde (now Chalkly) throughout the UK who would like to WHR at the closure of the concert. take part. If you're interested in Deryk Nicholson, Chairman of WHR, Help with Headsets applying to be on the show email your twiddled the nobs for Hilary Ford and story to [email protected] Syd Chalkly as presenters, who tried to Please
ON AIR
... Countrywide ... news from the stations ... Lottery Grant for MDR producer, Wendy Thomson. Previous shows have included tributes to Kate Winslet and this one included an affectionate tribute to The Office’s Ricky Gervais. ‘He’s one of our favourite people’, explains Wendy. “We like taking the mickey out of Reading celebrities.” As with the troupe’s previous shows, The National Lottery has given a it is was performed for one night only grant to Mid Downs Hospital Radio to and is in aid of Hospital Radio help upgrade its broadcasting Reading. equipment in its studios at the This is the first time the gang have Princess Royal Hospital. been back at South Street since they The current equipment was made their debut in the 2008 Comedy installed at the end of the 1990s. The Festival. And having performed in new equipment will enable the station David Fortune, Stuart Shanks, John Matson, Reading and London, Wendy has a Craig Levein, John Clark to significantly improve its bigger target in mind. programming capability and enhance from the station’s sports team. ‘I’d like to do Edinburgh next year,’ the quality of the different After the interview, quite a few she says.Whether they make it there programmes listened to by patients, fans were waiting outside the studio or not, you can be sure that visitors and staff right across the PRH. where Craig chatted and signed tomorrow’s show will be a winner. It will also eventually lead to patients autographs. The Reading Berks presented The in the Community being able to listen The interview can be heard on the Shaftas at South Street Arts Centre. to the station via the Internet. Radio West Fife Youtube channel, the The cost of the upgrade is £8,500 of link to which can be found at Carols for Patients which the National Lottery is www.radiowestfife.org.uk providing £5880 with the rest being
ON AIR
... Countrywide ... news from the stations ... Anniversary and Jonathan Dack, Communications charity organisations such as hospital and Media Officer at the JPUH were radio. Celebrations among the guests for the occasion. All present agreed it had been a very Grampian Hospital Radio (GHR) They were very impressed with the uniting, enjoyable and uplifting was formed in February 1980 and first new studio and promised more occasion. went on air on 14th January 1981 frequent visits and closer liaison from studios located on the Lower between the hospital and its radio Charlie Meets Yare Ground Floor of Ashgrove House. station. To celebrate 30 years of Bear broadcasting to the hospitals on the Foresterhill site, Grampian Hospital Radio held a 30th birthday party at the Dee Swimming Club in Gerrard Street on 15th January 2011 at 7.30pm. The party had an optional fancy dress theme based on Hospital or Radio themes and there was a prize for the best fancy dress and tickets for the event. GHR broadcasts from two studios in Ashgrove House within the NHS Foresterhill complex and broadcasts to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital and Roxburghe House, a total of approximately 1000 beds. GHR provides patients with a locally based radio station within a hospital setting catering for all musical tastes with a wide variety of music Hospital Radio Yare mascot Yare programmes including Scottish, C&W, Bear is a frequent visitor to the James Celtic, Classical, Dance Hall, songs Paget University Hospital and recently from the shows and music from the Brandon Lewis was most interested he made a new friend in local boy 60s, right up to today's music. in radio and confessed he once enjoyed Charlie Howkins, who had been GHR broadcasts a request show being a presenter for Phoenix FM, admitted to the hospital for an every night and plays some 4000+ community radio for Brentwood and operation. requests annually. Requests and Billericay in Essex. Through this Chatting with Yare Bear, six-year- dedications are collected from patients insight he was genuinely appreciative old Charlie, of Lowestoft Road, by a team of request collectors, of the skills involved in such things as Gorleston, confessed he wasn’t really a alternatively patients or their relatives being entertaining into the football club supporter and seemed can phone or e-mail in a request. microphone while operating the even less impressed with Fabio’s In the last 29 years GHR have complicated technical equipment. England team. However, he did like received many HBA Awards. On the ribbon cutting ceremony Yare Bear and had brought his own Jim Simpson Brendon said, ‘I congratulate all the collection of smaller cuddly bears into Media & Public Relations station’s members who have given hospital with him. Grampian Hospital Radio their time and skill to renovate this Questioned about what music he studio to be a finely tuned instrument would like played on Hospital Radio VIP Official Opening bringing comfort to the patients of Yare, Charlie couldn’t think of a Hospital Radio Yare's newly our local hospitals it serves.’ request at first but then whispered to refurbished studio was opened in style During the MP’s visit, Station Yare Bear that he liked Scooby Doo. on 19th November by Brandon Lewis, Chairman, Shawn Lovatt politely The cartoon film request had to be MP for Great Yarmouth. Andrew asked an important question written down by request collector Harris was well into his request concerning broadcasting licences and Stuart McGee as the blue panda said programme for the Children’s ward of future wavebands that may be he couldn’t hold the pen properly in the James Paget University Hospital at available to hospital radio stations. his paws. Stuart then passed the the time of the opening ceremony but Brandon immediately took the point request to Andrew Harris, presenter of vacated the desk for the cutting of the on board promising, as a matter of the Yare Bear children’s request show ribbon. urgency, to ask questions in the House every Friday afternoon. The electronics, mixing desk and of Commons. Yare Bear joined the station in May computer equipment had been Before Brandon left he recorded a and has appeared at OB events, finished and working for a few weeks short ‘Happy Christmas’ message to opened several fetes and helped with but there were final touches still to be be played to the listeners over the many supermarket bucket collections. done to the reception area where a festive season. Although it had been a On all those appearances, he has only mini buffet had been prepared by short opening ceremony many things been on loan from the Children’s Ward radio presenter, Diane Clarke. had been discussed like the ‘Big which is his preferred home. Ann Filby, Head of Communications Society’ and the invaluable function of Brian Frederick
ON AIR
... Countrywide ... news from the stations ... Radio Wishing Well tunes and classic wind-ups to keep you hospital, particularly in light of the going. recent snowfall. There are many Radiothon 2010 2pm-4pm: Tricky Ricky’s Back to the patients every year who are unlikely to Radio Wishing Well held their 2010 70s have visitors over the Christmas Radiothon on Saturday and Sunday Join Richard as he plays you the hits break, so we try to ensure we can 23rd and 24th October. The timetable: from the 1970s with tunes from his bring them happiness at times when it Saturday: featured artist Showaddywaddy. He is most needed through visiting the 10am-12noon: Ray Mudd’s Country will also play any requests especially if wards or simply playing a favourite Round-up the are connected with the 1970s and song’. Just over £560 was raised, a Ray kicks off the event with a look at keep you updated with any sport record amount. the world of country music. For throughout the afternoon. country greats, phone the Hospedia 4pm-6pm: Bill Ball’s Sunday Afternoon Help Find Lost hotline. Extravaganza 12noon-2pm: Nigel’s Magic Mix Join Bill as he plays you a selection of Archives Two hours of musical brilliance. All nice relaxing music as you enjoy tea. Rare interviews with some of the the requests as well as a faburoony 6pm-8pm: Back in the Day with Gavin biggest names in show business could quiz Singleton be amongst a hidden archive of 2pm-3pm:Marie Elder’s Saturday Gavin plays tunes from three decades. recordings made especially for hospital Afternoon Thing 8pm-10pm: D.A.T’s 80s the decade patients in Wirral. Join Marie as she keeps you Dave rounds off this year’s Radiothon Volunteers at Radio Clatterbridge entertained for the next 60 minutes with the best music of the 1980 as are trying to uncover what recordings with a varied mix of music. well as radio bingo. still exist as they prepare to celebrate 3pm-5pm: Dilys Bray’s Radiothon Fave Quiz sheets will be distributed around the station’s 60th anniversary in April. Tunes the Wards on Saturday and bingo Over the years, presenters have Don’t you dare miss Dilys’s hour of cards on Sunday. interviewed everyone from Billy Fury good music Guess the teddy competition, 50p per to Gerry Marsden and The Beatles for 5pm-6pm: Sport at the Well guess the hospital radio station but many of Radiothon Special: Richard Parkinson the tapes have since disappeared. brings you up-to-date with what’s Festive Cheer in Now the trustees are appealing for happening in the world of sport. help from former presenters to try to 6pm-8pm: Barry Davies My Kind Of Chelmsford recover the missing audio which will Music be used in a special programme tracing Join Barry as he plays you a selection the history of the station. of both his radio shows, ranging from Chairman of Radio Clatterbridge, classical music to the hits from the Steve Lord, said: ‘Over the last 60 shows and musicals. years our volunteers have interviewed 8pm-12midnight: AJ’s Saturday night many stars from the world of show LIVE business. The one we are all proud of Join Radio Wishing Well’s very own is The Beatles’ first radio interview at party girl, Amanda Jordan, as she Hulme Hall in Port Sunlight just after keeps you going until midnight with Love Me Do entered the charts in her own unique style. I’m sure she’ll 1962.’ sneak in some Johnny Cash in ‘Unfortunately, many of the other somewhere. tapes and discs have gone missing over Sunday: the years. We sincerely hope they are 12midnight-3am: Mikey’s Really Late Volunteers at Hospital Radio gathering dust in various lofts across Bit Chelmsford brought festive joy to the Wirral and would love to make copies Mike Williams takes over for two patients of Broomfield Hospital to use on our 60th anniversary.’ hours of classic tunes including the through a series of charitable events The station is also looking for old original and the best 70’s Step by Step in December. photographs, videos or even just Segway as well as some Dooleys On 9th December, members were stories about its early days. 3am-7am: Jim ‘Jogs’ Hardey joined by the cast of ‘Aladdin’ from the Anyone wanting to get in touch Join Jim as he keeps you entertained Civic Theatre in Chelmsford spending should email: with top class jazz and comedy the day visiting the children’s ward at [email protected] sketches. the hospital, giving out toys and or visit the website at 7am-10am: The Paul Black Breakfast having photos taken. www.radioclatterbridge.co.uk Show The following Saturday, volunteers We do not need to trace the Beatles Join Paul as you munch into your from the station were out in force in interview – we already have a copy. cornflakes and listen to a wide the High Chelmer Shopping Centre, The station will launch a full selection of music. blaring out festive favourites to broadcasting service on AM to the 10am-12noon: The Harrison Thing Christmas Shoppers and passers by. entire site of Clatterbridge Health Park Join the brothers Pete and Rob There were also opportunities to win later this year. Harrison as they keep up the prizes donated by local shops and For more information about Radio entertainment. business. Clatterbridge, interviews or audio 12noon-2pm: Liam Merchant’s Sunday Ben Hutchens, Communications clips, contact Andy Bonner on 07767 Lunchtime tunes. Officer for HR Chelmsford, comments: 654101 or visit Liam plays you a wide selection of ‘Winter is a very busy time for the www.radioclatterbridge.co.uk
ON AIR
... Countrywide ... news from the stations ... Hooray for the stations ups and downs. We have Waitrose Customers been through a lot together for the Heatherwood furtherance of hospital radio, it has to Donate to Hospital be acknowledged today, the reason the Radio Reading station is still here and on air to the patients, is because of his tireless efforts in maintaining our station. David Smith, Station Manager MP Visits Radio Lion
Thanks to the generosity of customers of Waitrose, Reading and to Waitrose themselves, the sum of £380 PJ receives the HBA 30 year service was collected for Hospital Radio award from League of Friends Chairman Reading. Roy Ryman and his wife The monies collected will be used Radio Heatherwood recently for purchasing new and replacement celebrated the long service items for the radio studios at The achievement of PJ Davidson Smith, Royal Berkshire Hospital. station engineer and secretary of the The cheque was presented by Fiona radio and the Heatherwood League of Blake, a member of the Waitrose Friends. Community Matters committee and Peter joined in 1980 as broadcast retail assistant at the store, to Ian staff. Prior to this he had provided Crimp, one of the presenters on jingles and station IDs, being a whizz hospital radio, who made the original with the tape and a razor blade. contact with Waitrose. Last year he honoured my service Anne Milton in Radio Lion’s studio Pictured Ian Crimp with Fiona Blake through these pages and I am now Guildford MP and Parliamentary- handing over the cheque returning the favour and apart from Under-Secretary for Public Health, being the other half of the station Anne Milton, came into the Radio Radio Wishing Well management, he is bruv to me as well. Lion studios for a start-of-year Halloween Party Although at first he was just on the interview early in January. Radio Wishing Well,Trafford presenting side, a loss of regular Mrs Milton discussed issues General Hospital’s Hospital Radio engineering cover at the station saw a surrounding her role as a Member of Service, held their Halloween Party on new station engineer born; he then Parliament and minister with Friday, October 29th at The Metro turned builder and studio designer. presenter Gareth Wakefield. She also Sports and Social Club in Stretford. I’ve lost track of how many studio spoke about her work in health, There was cabaret from Steve Yorke, rebuilds there has been, due to more topical local issues, what it is like a raffle, a quiz and a young lady selling space being made available to us. working in a coalition government and home made jewellery. PJ has helped in managing many her experiences with the media. Radio Wishing Well’s Dave fundraising functions over the years, Radio Lion members Jax Davis and Thompson provided the music for including in 1987 when our radio Graham Russ devised the popular lucky people to dance to. appeal put us on the medium wave. He dip of questions on issues outside The whole evening raised £606.72 designed and sourced loan radios for politics and listeners heard of Anne's and Radio Wishing Well would like to patients’ use on the wards, the list is interests in running and gardening as thank the Executive and Social endless. His self taught skills have well as her musical choices such as committees for letting us use the room reaped rewards for the radio station Meatloaf and Roberta Flack. and the club’s facilities. and the League of Friends, taking the Fellow member Dan Holt kindly Also thanks to Steve and Dave for form of new web sites which he has took some photographs of Anne and keeping the audience entertained and designed and maintained They are well Radio Lion members in the studio. a big thank you to Barbara for worth a visit for the history and news Mrs Milton is a regular visitor to organising the quiz and to Dilys Bray they contain. Radio Lion, attending events such as for making the evening possible. In 2000 the station moved to new Literary Lion and the annual carol service. premises within the hospital, PJ’s Both she and neighbouring South biggest project to date, which included West Surrey MP and Culture Secretary the computerisation and installing of a Jeremy Hunt were present during 24 hour play out system, training staff Radio Lion's 40th anniversary COPY DATE on the system and the new studios. weekend in December 2008, along MARCH 30th 2011 It has been a pleasure to work with many other local dignitaries and alongside him over the years through celebrity guests.
ON AIR
Outside Broadcasts Using a VOIP System
For most hospital radio stations, did find a software version that would Rack Room for their Engineer to covering football matches has been run with laptops and modems and connect up to. going on for decades. GPO landlines although we gave it a try, it was not At which point we had a bit of luck. We were part of the studio furniture for entirely what we were after. had applied for a BT Community years and as new technology has At this point thoughts turned to Connections Award a few months before become available, the upgrades have Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) and found we had been successful in happened almost without thought. But systems that would allow an internet securing a year’s free Broadband what if your town suddenly acquired a connection to be used as a provision and a laptop computer. Our Football League team almost overnight? transmission medium. We looked at a Broadband provider also gave us some How would you go about setting up the number of Internet phone systems, but extra free access time for being a charity. facilities to broadcast matches back to the quality was worse than a normal The laptop was put to good use as the the Hospital? This was the situation phone line. We finally found a system heart of the football ground system. An that Milton Keynes Hospital Radio that claimed to provide studio quality interface unit was designed, built and found themselves in four years ago bi-directional stereo audio links from a developed to link to commentators when we began to cover MK Dons home standard internet access point. This headsets, an effects microphone and the matches. system was available with dedicated, transmitter for the ‘Soccersight’ service Initially, our broadcasts took the scaleable, hardware for each end of the that allows us to transmit within the form of half time and full time reports link, or as software to run on a ground for the benefit of visually but as time went on, our coverage laptop/PC. We downloaded the trial impaired fans. At the studio end, we evolved into full match commentaries. software and tested it and were upgraded the computer that runs When the new Stadium:mk opened, the astonished at the quality it provided, ‘Myriad’ and interfaced a new dedicated Football Club provided us with with very little delay. Decision made, sound card to the studio mixer. dedicated seats in the new Press area, but we weren’t quite there yet as the And so last August we were all ready complete with free access to a phone system required an internet connection to go. The new football season was line. Whilst the phone line was fine for at the studio with a fixed external IP approaching and we used the pre- reports, it presented problems when we address and the ability to ‘port season friendlies to trial the system. All went to live commentary. The sound forward’ through the firewall. As our went well, although the internet quality of a phone line is fairly poor internet connection was provided via connection at the ground, being shared and, even with a ‘professional’ interface the NHS net, this proved to be a major with not only the other journalists but unit, is still prone to hiss, crackle and hurdle to overcome and after also the new hotel, was a bit slower pop. It soon became apparent that protracted and ultimately fruitless than we expected. Fortunately the something better was required for the discussions with the NHS IT boys, we software has modes of operation that longer term. were forced to admit defeat. The only can optimise for less reliable We looked at the options available. option left was to secure our own connections and we hav e found ISDN was quickly discounted due to Broadband connection. But even this settings that work really well. The the high cost of line rental and the was not as straightforward as we quality is excellent with only a minimal equipment required at either end of the thought. BT were happy to take our delay. If only the football team were link. We looked at POTS Codecs, order but the practicalities of running a performing as well! devices that use a normal telephone line into the hospital were complicated. Details of the system we are using line to provide ISDN level quality but In the end we had to provide our own can be found at www.audiotx.com. again the equipment was expensive. We circuit from the studio to the hospital Other systems are also available.
ON AIR
Top of the Pops
Hospital Radio Basingstoke’s All Time Top 100
Sarah Beattie Steve Fox David Blower Vernon Pearce Every year, Hospital Radio stage was to compile the chart based Thursday evening but haven’t Basingstoke spends the second Sunday on the spreadsheet of figures kept by presented together for about 15 years. in January counting down the top 100 the station over the last 27 years. As It didn’t take them long to get back most requested artists since it began well as the artists and groups into it again though. as HRB on 11 January 1984. requested, figures are also kept on Vernon joined in live from Spain The show is presented by how many each of the 194 HRB with Sarah at 3, and during their two Programme Controller Neil Ogden members since 1984 has played and hours, there was even a link with Neil along with former members Sarah how many hours they’ve spent on air. on the wards, giving away two signed Beattie, Steve Fox and David Blower. After compiling the list, the process Westlife CDs as competition prizes. For the 2011 show, Neil wanted to of putting the songs into the running Spain, studio and D5 ward all live at push the boundaries of technology a order of Myriad started. Much of this the same time! little further so came up with the idea could be done remotely this year, Finally it was Neil and Vernon with of involving the presenter of HRB’s which saved a lot of time. In reality, the final hour and all five were back ‘Postcard from Spain’ presenting live the chart was much the same as last for the final countdown before as part of the show too. This was made year so using the saved pad lists finishing with the number one – Sir possible using Skype, which was within Myriad from last year’s show Cliff Richard. connected to the studio 1 desk last also saved time. Chart shows are difficult to get right autumn. A chart show is complicated The aim was to make the when done in the standard way, but enough as it is but Sarah, David, Steve programme itself appear to be producing a seven hour show, with five and Vernon were all up for the presented by all five presenters presenters, live from three locations challenge. throughout although in reality not while playing 100 artists and still The presenter line-up was everyone would be in the studio all the finishing on time seemed quite an confirmed in December and the time. Neil started the show and was achievement. process of compiling the chart started then joined by Steve and David who Neil Ogden the day after Boxing Day. The first used to present together on a Hospital Radio Basingstoke Hospital Radio Station Continues to Entertain
Radio Camelot, the station that There are also some daytime broadcasts to Yeovil District Hospital programmes during the week and the has released the chart of the most station has a new play-out computer. requested pieces of music from the The station was also proud to have past year. accommodated more students from Topping the chart is Mozart’s ‘Eine local schools on work experience than Kleine Nachtmusik’, which also topped ever before. One student has joined the charts last year. Johnny Cash’s the station as a permanent presenter. ‘Ring of Fire’ notched up the number New volunteers are always welcome, two position, up four places on the to prepare programmes, collect previous year. Britain's Got Talent star requests, maintain the studio, Susan Boyle entered the chart for the fundraise as well as to present. The first time at number three. station will be broadcasting The most popular artist to request Presenter Daniel Mortimore joined the station continuously for 58 hours from 12 was Jim Reeves, who stood at number after a week on work experience. He presents midday on Saturday 30th April when it 7 in 2009. Frank Sinatra remained the the request show each Saturday evening. broadcasts the top ten from each year second most requested artist at benefitted from the new nurse-call since the charts started in 1952. Studio number two in the chart. systems on many of the wards which visits will be welcome and a fundraising The station played a total of 3624 include a new radio handset. tombola will be taking place. For requests over the 12 months compared Radio Camelot has been broadcasting further information about the station, to 2953 in 2009. The station has since 1973 from studios in the hospital. call the studio on 01935 384499.
ON AIR
An Amazing 24 Hour Broadcast
A unique event at hospital Radio Lion in Guildford was not only a massive success but raised a staggering £3,000.
Broadcasting morning, noon and night, Alan Bosson took to the air for a non-stop 24 hour broadcast from midday on Saturday to noon on Sunday (January 22-23).
Producer, Sharon Bennett, stayed on hand throughout, keeping each other company and the outside world informed with regular updates via a myriad of modern means!
Alan and Sharon spent months planning the enterprise: sorting music, organising sponsorship and liaising with hospital staff.
The money raised will be split equally between Radio Lion and the Royal Surrey’s Abracadabra Appeal for Hascombe Children’s ward.
The Mayor, Marsha Moseley, officially began proceedings at 12 noon on the Saturday by cutting the ribbon and hoping the event would be a success.
‘Don’t Stop me Now’ by Queen was the first and last track played by the presenters, chosen by the Mayor.
Over the next 24 hours, members, friends and relatives helped to ward visit and raise money, as well as assisting with production work and dedications. One patient wanted we had started and I knew then that offering support. £190 was raised Heather Small and Proud as a way of we would be able to see it through,’ with the foyer bucket collection summing how he felt about the he said. alone. event. ‘We had a slight wobble around Those not able to be a part of the Sharon said the motivation for 4.30am, the same kind of thing that exciting endeavour were able to view going on air for such a marathon runners get when they hit the wall.’ proceedings on a studio webcam and broadcast had come from the desire keep in touch with regular Twitter to support the Abracadabra Appeal ‘It was, though, with updates on the website. in memory of a close friend. determination and grit that we carried on and the feeling of elation Hundreds of tweets gave followers ‘It wasn’t all about fundraising,’ as the clock ticked round to 12 a vivid account of proceedings and Sharon said. ‘It was Radio Lion o’clock was amazing.’ Radio Lion received hundreds of working as a team for current and texts and numerous phone calls future patients within the hospital ‘I could have carried on for from well wishers. One even came community at the Royal Surrey.’ another two or three hours,’ he said. from The Netherlands. These views were echoed by Alan Alan has also said he would be A number of patients also made Bosson. ‘It was with great willing to do something like this contact in addition to members trepidation when we started this, again! What a sport! collecting loads of requests and though I had great confidence once
ON AIR
View from the Basement
Our columnist, Brett Ellis aims for the top! to the HMV board of Directors (information easily available on Google). Within ten minutes I received a phone call from the CEO’s PA who confirmed that I would receive the refund and also, as way of apology, I would be going to the ball with a free ticket.
I battled through the snow (with a return journey which included a midnight, -6 degrees, eight mile walk, but that’s another story) ... to the Apollo. After the first song (Sergeant Pepper) I could tell this would be one of those ‘I was there events’. McCartney was rocking and then I received a wake- up call. A slightly built Chinese gentleman told me I was in his seat. We compared tickets and we both had the same seat number! Visions of being kicked out flashed through my head as we went to sort out the issue with the venue staff. After 15 minutes they came back up and asked us to follow them.
I thought that at least I had seen a few songs by the great man and a hasty exit into the cold was now to be mine. I furtively asked where we were being taken too and was surprised when he replied ‘a seat upgrade Sir’.
I promptly sat myself down in the VIP area directly behind Macca’s daughters Mary and Beatrice (along with their As I get older, I find irritations in numerous areas. I also Nanny and security guard). Watching their reactions to their find my inability to deal with these irritations calmly and father was of great interest. Mary was cheering, dancing, sensibly to be both a benefit and a curse. singing and waving to her Father and genuinely enjoying herself. The youngest sibling sat with ear protectors on (she I, like tens of thousands of others, am a huge Paul is only eight years old) and played on a hand held games McCartney fan. Having never seen any of the Beatles device for the duration. My biggest surprise was her choice perform (although I have met the great Macca before of game. To see the daughter of renowned veggies playing courtesy of my attending the same public school as his ‘Bacon and Eggs’ was ironic. offspring), I was champing at the bit to buy tickets to his Hammersmith Apollo show on December 18th. The gig itself surpassed any other gig I have ever seen by the proverbial country mile. The set was tight, yet fluid and I logged on and waited until the tickets came on sale at he jammed on various occasions, told reminiscence tales, 10.00am a couple of weeks before the concert. I tried and played a ukulele, made a song about a Russian woman up, tried and eventually found a single ticket (costing £112). had a sly dig at Roman Abramovich and Lady Gaga and led a After an hour on a website that ran like the proverbial slug chant of ‘Give peace a chance’. through treacle, I managed to purchase the golden ticket having clicked on ‘payment confirm’. And then disaster. The As well as his solo songs (dance tonight, which sounded screen went blank and would not refresh. I thought my great), he played a number of Wings hits and true Beatles chance had been missed to see one of the two remaining anthems as well as accapello’s such as Blackbird. band members (now aged 67) and arguably one of the, if not the greatest songwriter of all time. The highlights were ‘Get Back’ and ‘Baby you can drive my car’ although every fan there would have enjoyed them all. It I called my bank. They confirmed that a payment of £112 was legendary and he played for two and a half hours solid. had been made. I was in rapture ... I was off to see the great Younger wannabee throwaway rockers take note. man. I then called HMV to ask when the ticket would be sent. They then dropped the bombshell, ‘you have not got a All in all, a wonderful event and one which I doubt I will ticket’. Asked why the money had been taken, the response repeat due to his advancing years. I was glad to be there and of ‘we sometimes do that’ did not suffice, but I took it on the am happy that HMV managed to turn it around for me and chin when they agreed to refund the money within 48 hours. rectify a consumer wrong. 72 hours later the money had not been refunded and ‘no record of taking your money, Mr Ellis’ could be found. My advice if you would like similar treatment from any company is simple and a well trodden path.Speak to the Again, 48 hours later, no record could be found and their company organ grinder and not the monkey. As Macca sang asking of my ‘booking reference number’, despite my not ‘Everybody’s got something to hide except for me and my having a booking was really starting to grate. Monkey’. This may not necessarily be true.
At this point I was feeling irked, so I sent a stinging e mail Brett Ellis RC Contacts 133:20 Contacts 127 14/03/2011 10:17 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 Emma Sysum Membership Enquiries Tel: 0870 321 6017 Tel: 0870 321 6003 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected]
General Enquiries Tel: 0870 321 6019 e-mail: [email protected]