AGM Report
The station was going from strength to strength and the annual report listed below was delivered at the League of Friends AGM by the secretary.
Radio Heatherwood Annual Report *1988*
An annual report is a time to quantify the past years performance good or bad. The overall performance of Radio Heatherwood should be classed as the most successful ever. At the beginning of 1987 the radio appeal was launched and by July last year we were well on our way to our target, but still unsure of the outcome.
In the previous twelve months that un-certainty came to an end, when on April 2nd this year the mayor Bill Cooley of Windsor & Maidenhead officiated the opening of the new service and studio's, that was the climax of the last 5 years of re-building and re-shaping of the whole structure which is radio Heatherwood.
In it's twelfth year Radio Heatherwood had completed one major project, never to be repeated. It would be impossible to quantify in such a short report, all the effort of support and problems encountered in the last 18 months during the appeal and transition period. Heatherwood hospital is now one of the most fortunate hospitals in the UK to have this new and innovative way to communicate too not only the patients, but the staff as well. We must all work together to see that this new service can be a benefit to everyone, providing musical entertainment as well as being informative on the community outside and of good health practices.
I hope the hospital staff will play a more active role and consider the value of radio within hospital life.
Staff problems or the lack of, caused a sour note to the opening of the new service, with currently two nights closed. Recent adverts in the local papers has provided us with a new batch of recruits, and we are keeping our fingers crossed that service will be able to expand as soon as possible.
Trevor Kensall has been appointed public relations officer for Radio Heatherwood and has continued to help and support David and I. In time we hope he will be able to take over all secretarial duties. Our nucleus of DJ'S who have stayed with us over these traumatic months are dedicated personnel and we must thank them for all their efforts and support.
At the end of the radio appeal I expected the bank account to be empty, but surprisingly our bank account has some pennies in it.( David must be good at cooking the books ) no seriously, Radio Heatherwood must and will always be self supporting. ( See David after for this years grand draw tickets.)
In 1987/8 Radio Heatherwood changed, but so did the league,! personally and I'M sure David will agree definitely for the better, and the efforts of Pat, Gavin and our ladies was tremendous WE THANK YOU. Whilst we're on about thank you's, We at Radio Heatherwood would like also to thank the league for their contribution of £3000 to the radio appeal for the new Chilton mixer without which Radio Heatherwood would not be on the air now. THANKYOU. We would also like to convey our thanks to the hospital for their help and support during this difficult twelve months.
On April 2nd the radio appeal closed and a never to be repeated project came to a close, that's not the end, because who knows what the future holds, certainly a new era has begun. One thing we do know every patient now has that opportunity to participate and to be entertained, and it works, never under estimate the power of promotion.
Radio Heatherwood is the voice of the League of Friends, and we can all be proud, that voice is in evidence 7 nights a week on 999Khz/301m medium wave and Channel 3.
Here's to the next twelve months, lets hope they can continue to be successful for the radio service Radio Heatherwood.
Compiled By Peter Davidson-Smith 12th July 1988
