This page was part of the original web site information on the thirtieth birthday.The compiling of the complete radio history and adding the history to the web brings us to this year 2006.We have left this page in but a more detailed review of the history can be found by reviewing all the pages in our history.
The early beginnings of radio Heatherwood can be traced back to 1969 when one man decided to play records to the patients of Heatherwood. Bill Berry the then works foreman at Heatherwood used his own records and with a turntable and mike would play requests to patients from a room in the old admin block. Bill was providing a record request program to the general wards on a Tuesday evening for two hours.
A press article from a local paper featured a story on Bill and the service and the need for records and volunteers.
When the station celebrated 30 years in 2006 Mrs. Berry, Bill's wife passed us some pictures and the press article listed here.
Radio Heatherwood started broadcasting on 10th June at 8pm.The service was on the air three nights a week Tues, Weds and Thursdays.
There were six DJ's at the start.
On that first day in 76, the then honorary patron Michael Parkinson came along and visited the wards, and presented a toy kangaroo to the first baby born in the maternity unit. This was presented to a Mrs Valerie Smith of Ascot.
On that first program, there were recorded messages from Bruce Forsyth:
Those volunteers who featured in the staff records for the day were:-
Bill Berry, Beryl Berry, Chris Garrood, Andy Morton, Mark McCarthy, John Savage, Derek Robinson, Matthew Unknown, Mike Unknown.
Back to Top2006 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
The hospital radio service at Heatherwood has undergone many different changes over the years. As the hospital has changed and the medical care has changed, so Radio Heatherwood has had to adapt to the changing turn around of patients.
When in 1976 patients had longer stays, today it's a much shorter stay but still important to the listeners is the ability to have a request and listen to some pleasant music which might relieve the pain.
The station has received support from all aspects of the local community in and around Heatherwood.
The most important part of that support is encouraging volunteers to help out. The volunteers today are much more skilled than their earlier colleagues. A new volunteer today could expect up to six month's training before being let loose on the airwaves.
Playing an enormous part of the service today is the 24 hour service from our rhapsody computer and the ability of the patients to listen either in stereo from the bed head terminals or the ability to listen on our medium wave frequency of 999kHz AM. Rhapsody today is helping the radio service to deliver useful information and guidance on many different subjects i.e. giving up smoking, healthcare, and local charitable events.
The music content today always reflects the age of the patients who make requests. The majority of music played would be classed as middle of the road or easy listening. We mustn't forget the local charity trusts and sponsors who have over the years pledged large sums of money to provide the hospital radio service and were it not for them we would not be here today. We raise our glasses to them and give a hearty cheer for their support.
The station like the hospital faces an uncertain future as on many occasions the local health care policy is discussed and reviewed. We hope the station will be here in the next thirty years. If we are lucky enough to be here, it will only be possible by the generosity and the good will of the volunteers who walk through our door.
To remind everyone of our start back in the seventies the month of June 2006 the clock was turned back as the station brought to life the sounds of the seventies with music news and trivia.
Station Secretary PJ Davidson-Smith
May 2006
Archive Gems
Just some extra's we found:-
A Look At Radio Heatherwood's Past:-
Studio Now On Air
Not associated with the radio but visiting a patient in the wards on this day were the British screen actress Diana Dors and her husband Alan Lake. They were photographed, with Michael Parkinson by the press and those pictures are now part of the history, which is Radio Heatherwood.
The press made everyone aware of the new service at Heatherwood with stories in all the local papers.
One of the unsung heroes of the radio was Adrian Brown hospital electrician who throughout our history was always there to protect our installation and help out when we needed it.
Adrian's brother Steve Brown was a presenter on the radio in the early days and his picture can be found in the year 1979.
Sad news for us this year as Adrian passed away.
In recognition of his work at Heatherwood and his humour and character, a bench seat dedicated to “Ade” sits outside the estates department to remind everyone, what a bright spark he was.
30 Years The Patients Choice 1976 - 2006
2006 The Story Continues!
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