1999 Our Presenting Stars and Backstage Information

Welcome to our Picture board

Some captured moments of our volunteers,during this year.

Our Stars of 1999

1999 Year Twenty Three Story Unfolds

1999 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

• 1999 Year Twenty Three
• 1999 Events & Promotion
• 1999 Patient Booklet
• 1999 LPAM At Heatherwood
• 1999 LPAM End of the Line
• 1999 Staff Newsletter
• Story Of the Archive
• Radio Video Archive
• History Site Map

Wave Database ( MP3 's )

The provision of a sustaining service for LPAM would demand music and speech in an MP3 format and work on this got underway in June 1999.

The music scheduling program used wave music files, which under the hood were actually mp3's.

Whenever we referenced the service it was always referred to as the wave database.

A criteria for recording songs and categorizing them was drawn up and within the first month 1100 items were added.

An Access database was created and was designed and administered by the station secretary.

That database would later include all the existing vinyl entries and a search system which allowed a view of all entries in either vinyl or wave format.

And in the End

That was the year that was 1999

As another year draws to a close in the fortunes of the radio service. We can look back and ponder on what might have been.

In December 1998 David & I were optimistic for the fortunes of the radio. The hospital was keen for the development of LPAM and an ultimate prize seemed within our grasp. However as 1999 developed we have learnt the bitter truth.

This year saw 4 long service awards for Jim Trendell, Mark Gibson, Sylvia Dungate, and Mathew Robinson. All completing three years service. In addition David our leader clocked up 20 years at Heatherwood. A magnificent achievement.

In the early part of the year we at long last ditched the old bedside amps and replaced them with a nice new system. This had an immediate effect of lowering the temperature in the studios.

Grand Draw this year was left to it’s own devices and people were asked to fill in their own time slots. Sad to say as expected we lost more selling times than ever before and this was reflected in the overall total.

Staff Departures this year 7, Arrivals 4 no change on the staff front still hard to attract members despite the money which was spent on advertising.

There has been some super feedback letters from patients this year in the form of donations and loan radio sponsors. This is what it’s all about the real people who appreciate our efforts and look forward to our visits to the wards.

On behalf of the League and David Roger and Ada we wish all our staff a very Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year.

Have a wonderful time with your families.

We will see you all in the new year. when we do it all again and hopefully we’ll have some good news to bring you.

P. J. Davidson-Smith Secretary December 1999

Archive Gems

Just some extra's we found:-

• Bedhead Amp Conclusion

  The conclusion of the bedhead amp project change out was concluded this year.

  In 1998 the fundraising was achieved to replace the ageing bedhead amps.

  In early 1999 the station engineer began work on replacing the original amps and rack.

  A trial period with one amp, was run for a number of weeks with the replacement of channel 3(our channel).

  Later on, the rack was completely replaced and the new rack and amps were installed. patients which still had access to the old bed head panels, now had four radio stations to choose from.

• Bedhead Radio Choices

  Channel 1 Radio Berkshire.

  Channel 2 London's Magic.

  Channel 3 Radio Two / Radio Heatherwood.

  Channel 4 Classic FM.

  The cost of the equipment was £3000.

  December 2016
  The unit is switched off when the station closed.

• Press Report Volunteers

  Heatherwood Hospital League of Friends would like to know of anyone who wants to be a DJ.

  Heatherwood Hospital Radio provides a friend at the bed- side of patients and plays a large part in their well-being and recovery.

  They are looking for evening volunteers from 6.30pm to 10.30pm once a week.

  The first part of the evening consists of ward rounds, visiting the patients to taking requests.

  The second part involves playing the requests and other records.

  The League is looking for anyone aged 18 to 70 and full training will be given. All they ask is that you are committed. Phone Dave Smith on (01344) 489496 for details.

• E-Mail

  This year the station secretary & engineer was using email to deal with correspondence with the radio and the league of friends.

  The first use of the email was with the project of LPAM. Previously using fax messages but the use of email opened up new possibilities.