FRONT COVER DOCUMENT 120 21/1/08 12:29 pm Page 1 IFC Sonifex 120 21/1/08 2:23 pm Page 1 01 INTRO 120 21/1/08 4:21 pm Page 1 January/February 2008 Issue 120 The Official Journal of the Hi Everyone, Hospital Broadcasting Association This is traditionally the time of year for resolutions which probably means beating yourself up over bad habits and setting yourself up for even more failure! But why not kick the New in this issue ... Year off to a good start ... make a point of writing a report, feature or article for On Air ... then at least you will begin to Committee Report .......................................................................... 3 feel good about yourself. To produce the magazine every other The National Hospital Radio Awards 2008 ................................ 4 month needs a constant supply of articles and I really do need A Reflection on Newport .............................................................. 5 your help. Phil Moon and the Stars ....................................................................6 In this issue you will find details of the Judges for the 2008 National Hospital Radio Awards and a report from Darren View from the Basement ................................................................ 7 Whittenham-Gray on the Newport Conference. Darren June’s Travels ...................................................................................... 8 received the HBA Bursary and I urge you to read his feature. Beware Bogus Callers ........................................................................9 Welcome also to our new columnist, Brett Ellis .... I am sure Countrywide ... News from the Stations .................................. 10 his article will bring a smile to your face but I would really like Hello from your new PR Manager .............................................. 11 to have your comments as well. Golden Celebrations for Scunthorpe ........................................ 12 At the time of writing, the Awards finalists are to be Celebrations at Radio Brockley .................................................. 13 announced shortly and you will be able to find full details on What I’ve Learnt ............................................................................ 14 the HBA Website. Thank you to all who have written for this issue and I look The HBA Grants Programme ...................................................... 15 forward to hearing from those of you haven’t, very shortly. HBA Grant Application Form ...................................................... 16 The HBA Conference Bursary .................................................... 17 Michelle Bursary Application Form ............................................................ 18 Regional Rep Details ...................................................................... 19 DIARY DATES Who To Contact ............................................................................ 20 28th-30th March 2008 SPRING CONFERENCE 2008 29th March HOSPITAL RADIO AWARDS 2008 QUEENS HOTEL, LEEDS 29th March 2008 HOSPITAL BROADCASTING WEEK FRONT COVER STORY: 10th-12th October 2008 AUTUMN CONFERENCE Members man the HBA stand at the RENAISSANCE HOTEL, SOLIHULL SBES Exhibition last autumn. 11th October 2008 HBA AGM Check out details of this year’s SBES in 27th-29th March 2008 SPRING CONFERENCE 2009 the magazine on page 2. HILTON HOTEL, BLACKPOOL 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 ©2006 of HBA and may not be reproduced in any form without the written authority of the Editor. Views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of HBA, or the Editor but are the personal opinion of the contributor. Whilst every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of the publication, all advertisements and articles appear in good faith and HBA and the Editor accept no responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies. Address for On-Air: The Editor, On Air, 2 Falkland Close, Boreham, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 3DD Tel: 0870 321 6011 Fax: 0870 321 6019 Email: [email protected] COPY DATE NEXT ISSUE 16th February, 2008 02 SBES 120 21/1/08 2:24 pm Page 1 03 Committee report 120 21/1/08 2:25 pm Page 1 Committee Report Congratulations Queen’s Hotel in Leeds on 29th Congratulations to HBA’s patron, March, during our Spring Conference. John Whitney, on being appointed Details and a booking form can be CBE in the New Year Honours list, for found on the website. Good luck to all services to radio broadcasting and the who have entered. arts. Charity Law update Appointments England and Wales At its meeting on 17th November, The government’s Office of the the EC decided that it would not seek Third Sector has published a revised to fill the vacant Trustee position of implementation plan for the Vice President. It was noted that, when introduction of all aspects of the he was in this role, the majority of Dave Charities Act 2006. New rules Nicholson’s time was spent working on regarding the so-called ‘solicitation the National Hospital Radio Awards statements’ given when fundraising and on various other ad hoc come into force in April. Also due to responsibilities which he kindly took on. come into force around the same time These responsibilities have now been are: taken on by a number of others, leaving • changes to accounting and auditing little for a Vice President to do. As it is requirements (these should not impact intended to re-structure the Association most hospital radio stations); after the AGM in October, it was • the new definition of charity and decided to leave the position unfilled, by Nigel Dallard, Secretary the public benefit requirement; rather than create a new role • the Charity Tribunal; description and attempt to fill the • various new powers for the position, only for things to change again concrete for the EC to take away from Charity Commission; in less than a year. the consultation, other than that some • changes allowing Trustees of a To ensure that there is little chance of of those who responded were charity, in certain circumstances, to be EC meetings being inquorate and to unhappy, or unconvinced, by the EC’s paid for work they do for a charity – compensate for PR Manager Sean proposals to restructure the Association. but not for being a Trustee; and Dunderdale being unable to become a Noting the near-unanimous vote at the • changes making it easier for Trustee, Mike Skinner was appointed as AGM in favour of the principle, the EC unincorporated charities to update their a Trustee. The current set of Trustees has decided to proceed with its plans charitable purposes. are therefore: and more details should be available in Some time during the summer, • Julie Cox (Radio Witham, time for the Spring conference. charities will be able to register as Grantham) Various comments made in response Charitable Incorporated Organisations • Nigel Dallard (Winchester HR) to the consultation regarding ‘On Air’ and by so doing gain many of the • Iain Lee (Scunthorpe HR) magazine are being reviewed; expect to benefits of incorporation (such as • Dave Lockyer (Valley Park Radio, start to see a few changes in the coming limited liability) without the need to be Dartford) months. Likewise, comments regarding subject to Company Law. • Phil Moon (Radio DGH, conferences and regional events have The changes to the licensing of Eastbourne) been taken on board; a proposal from a public charitable collections will not • Mike Skinner (Mid Downs Radio, working group looking at this topic is now come into force until 2009. Haywards Heath) scheduled for discussion at the January In the meantime, the Charity • June Snowden (York HR) EC meeting. Commission and the Office of the The full list of responsibilities for all The Association is here to support Third Sector are consulting on further EC positions, plus the list of ad-hoc and represent member stations. It is, changes to financial thresholds, with the responsibilities taken on by individuals therefore, important that you tell the intent of further reducing the in addition to those defined in their role EC what you feel about what the HBA administrative burden on small charities. descriptions, can be found on the is doing today and what you think we It’s a question of just how far you can website. should be doing tomorrow. Even go without damaging the charity ‘brand’ In addition, Dave Lockyer has though the formal consultation has by not keeping a sufficiently close eye recently appointed Elliot Kennedy, of finished, the EC is always interested in on what charities are doing, only for Radio North Tees, Stockton-on-Tees, as hearing your comments about what the malpractice (or worse) to come out the new North Regional Rep, replacing HBA is doing – good or bad, just so very publicly later. Tony Swinhoe, who stood down in long as they are constructive! October. Northern Ireland National Hospital Radio The Northern Ireland Charities Bill The Future of the Association Awards and Spring Conference started its progress through the The number of responses received to 2008 Northern Ireland Assembly just before the formal consultation paper ‘The By the time you read this, the closing Christmas. Once passed,