Stories and snippets of information taken from the staff newsletter
and from behind the scenes.
A look back at 1995 at Radio Heatherwood and all the events of the
year.
January to March
Over the Christmas new year period PJ spent all of his holiday on the
major construction work to studio one and the library, as part of the
room with a view project.
The presenters newsletter continues to inform the staff of the day to
day news about the station. The newsletter however has now been
changed and will only appear every two month's.
The new year sees a crop of thank you letters to the radio station.
Ethel a former patient writes:- 7/1 Thank you for lots of pleasure
I've had from your little radio I'm passing it onto the next bed, just
a little donation enclosed £5.
Karen McBrien writes:- Thank you very much for making my stay in
Heatherwood hospital more enjoyable by playing our records over the
radio for Eleanor ( Born 13.12.94 ) and myself and the christening mug
given to me on ward 6. I would like to take this opportunity to wish
you all a happy Christmas and peaceful New year. enclosed £5.
Jessica Godliman writes:- Dear Radio Heatherwood I Enclose £5 towards
your funds. I was a patient for 41/2 weeks in ward 5 and I can't thank
you enough for the lovely music you played for everyone it really kept
me going in my stay there. The way you put the program and requests
out are great. Keep up the good work, best wishes to you all.
Francine writes:- I would like to say how much I enjoyed the request
you played for me on Saturday 4th February you managed to find an
excellent version of “bewitched” thanks to your DJ. It
really gave me a lift also I know how much the Andy Williams record
was enjoyed by another lady on the ward she was thrilled. Thank you
for an excellent service. Yours Sincerely Francine Heastie.
A patient on ward ten recently has a novel way of disposing of flat
batteries in his radio he puts the radio in the rubbish bag. An eagle
eyed domestic found two radios in the rubbish.
In early February a message on the grapevine network from the hospital
staff informed us that ward nine was about to be demolished and moved
to Wexham. Panic set in and a frantic phone call to the on site
electrician confirmed our worst fears as a ward would be demolished
and with it the cable network for the inductive loop service. The
hospital didn't consult us, the result was a bill for £350 to repair
the cable network for cable run 2.
On the 10th February sweethearts ball 3 took place at the Turnberry
suite at blue mountain golf club £302 profit is realised from the
ball.
On the 22nd February David and PJ attended a meeting with Frank
Johnson and Chris Burke to discuss the radio systems and obtain a
commitment from the hospital in maintaining the am service on the
wards during any building alterations. Frank Johnson said he could see
no reason why the cost of any alterations to the am service should not
be included in the project cost of the associated building work. He
agreed to accept responsibility for the damage to ward 9.
A discussion took place over the future of both systems and Frank
Johnson said he was committed to providing the bedhead system in any
new builds as he felt this was expected. A suggestion was made to move
the bedhead system rack from the plant room in the EMI building to
Radio Heatherwood's studio and scrap the existing unit which is almost
twenty years old. The idea is Radio Heatherwood provides the manpower
whilst the hospital pays for the cost of parts etc. It is also
suggested that a new link be provided to re-instate the bedhead system
on ward ten.
The cable for ward ten was cut in 1988. An estimate of the cost and
feasibility study will be submitted to the hospital shortly. There was
no definite commitment to install the am service in any new builds,
but Frank Johnson did indicate a willingness to keep us informed of
any major changes which might affect the am service.
On Monday 20th March Gordon Young posted his resignation through
David's door. After a long absence because of work commitments and
additional family commitments Gordon has no option but to resign from
the station and the League. Gordon Joined Radio Heatherwood in June
1988 and was an enthusiastic supporter to the radio station taking on
the role of team leader studio manager and trainee officer.
A new batch of radios has been allocated to the wards bringing the
total to 165 on the wards. In addition to the new units, those numbers
which were listed as unknown have been allocated new units. This
raises the total on each of the wards to 33 units.
Lesley Reports 31/3:- Colin took a £10 donation from a gentlemen on
ward 10 called Richard Pearce. He would like the money to be used for
a loan radio in memory of his wife Mary Pearce who died in Heatherwood
on 6th April 1994. He was obviously quite upset and really wanted the
money to be used for this purpose as his wife had worked at the
hospital and been involved with Heatherwood for a long time.
On Monday 20th March Lee Henty was appointed Studio Manager. Lee
joined Radio Heatherwood in September 1989.
Council Grants
Cash boosts for several groups and projects throughout the borough
have been made by Winkfield parish councillors. At a meeting last
week, council chiefs recommended that £100 be given to Radio
Heatherwood, to the Room with a view project.
Peter Barnes a former patient in Heatherwood in November 94 popped
into the studio 2/6 to drop off some records for us.
Jane Castle of Bullbrook Bracknell 2/6 donated some excellent records
and CD's for the studios.
Norman & Hilda Evans of the RHSG donated their ticket money from
the Charity Buzz. Norman was unable to go due to illness but they
still wanted the money to come to us.
Mina ( Dorina Cunningham-Brown )on ward 4 6/6 donated £10 for a new
loan radio. One year ago when Mina was on ward 5 she donated £10 for a
loan radio ( 152 ). Tuesdays collected the donation.
On Saturday 10/6/95 a large box of tapes was left for the studio from
Lilian Harfield of Hanworth Bracknell. This is the second time the
station has benefited from her support.
On Saturday 17/6 Malcolm Howard on ward 3 donated £10. This gave
Saturdays the opportunity to let PJ loose on the wards again after a
long absence. A thank you letter was quickly made up at home and we
delivered it personally to Malcolm. He praised the service and said we
all do a marvellous job.
Stanley Pope of Slough donated some LP's.
On Friday 30th June ( Roger Hawkes )returns to Fridays.
July to September
20/7 Marion Rathbone our trolley shop manager has collecting pot in
her house which generally gets donations from all her visitors
especially during Ascot week. Marion has kindly donated this years
donations to us which has added £46.50 to our total.
W/E 29/7 nearly turned into a disaster for the loan radio service on
wards 1,2,3,10, and the day surgery unit. The reason the hospital have
started to renovate the mother and baby unit on ward two the aerial
situated in this area was ripped from the wall, as the wall was to
come down: an emergency repair by PJ has re-sited the aerial further
down the corridor.
On Saturday 12th August this years bandstand proved a hot spot to be
with records books and bric-a-brac quickly snapped up by punters. Dave
Griffiths, Dave Smith, PJ, Lisa, Barry, Keith, Lance, were the stars
of the spectacle.
The increased battery sales over the first four months of the new year
has also had a knock on effect with regard to faults as the units
become used more we are suffering a little with over 141 faults
repaired since 1st April. We have also had to replace ten units
completely because of broken volume switches.
1995 Year Nineteen Story Unfolds
1995 was a very busy year for the station management and as the year
unfolded there was much to do and organise
For further information about this year:- Follow the links
Loan Radio Sponsor 171.172.173.174. On the 1st November in the post
bag was a card from the Forget-me-not club of South Ascot. A cheque
was enclosed £45 to be used in memory of Meg Probert one of their
members who had passed away.
Thursday 9/11 Marjorie on ward 5 was so pleased with the service we
provided she said it really cheered her up and helped her get through
her stay and wanted to personally thank us, she then presented us with
a box of chocolates as she was hoping to go home on the Friday.
Loan Radio Sponsor 175 Whilst in Heatherwood Hospital for 3 weeks
following a road traffic accident, I used the loan radio service and
had several requests played. I should like other patients to enjoy the
facility and enclose a cheque for £10 to sponsor a radio. Regards Anne
Coburn
On Sunday 22nd October a coach load of Radio Heatherwood Supporters
left to find Dave's Crinkley Bottom. Three hundred miles later and
still no sign: however they did find Mr blobby and Noel's Crinkley
bottom. Mr Blobby was celebrating his birthday with the aid of the
RHSG.
RHSG Tenby17/18/19/20 November
On a cold Friday morning in November a coach load of supporters set
off for the wilds of Wales. Where men are men and the sheep run
scared. So would you if you saw David's dress !!!!.
Loan Radio Sponsor No176,177,178 In memory of Elizabeth Gambriel who
passed away in Heatherwood's ward 15. She was the sister of one of the
RHSG members. Mrs Bailey asked that the radio's be put out in her
sisters name.
On Monday 4th December Lance collected a donation and thank you letter
from ward 5. It comes from a patient John Webb he writes:-
To the ladies and Gentlemen of Radio Heatherwood
Thank you for helping me through the first 44 days of my stroke with
your evenings of music. I have been tied to a bed for that time or in
a wheel chair going to Physio, now I am starting to walk again and
going home tomorrow Saturday.
Wednesday 13th December was the last broadcast night for the time
being as staff levels have forced the temporary closure.
In 1995 24 loan radio units replaced through broken volume controls,
25 units added to wards and 38 missing?.
The Grand Draw Raised Gross £1405.73 Nett £1243.74
On Sunday 28th May this years charity buzz left for Dorset
& east Devon tour. Two coaches departed from Bracknell
early morning and returned after 11pm. A great day out was had
and all in the cause of Radio Heatherwood.
On one of those occasions where some excess food was left over
from an event David spends time making up food parcels for the
presenters as Keith Smith watches in awe.
