2016 Year Forty October

October 2016

October

1. 1stNew tune in video.
   New tune-in video is published on facebook music request page. Included on this web page.
2. 2ndDown the decades promotion.
   A slide show on the theme of the down the decades programs is posted on the facebook music requests page.
4.  
5. 3rdWhat can I expect to hear on the hospital radio station ?.
   New post to facebook music request page.
6. 3rdInvitation to meet the chairman of the trust.
   Letter dated 29th September invite to Windlesham Golf Club to meet the trust chairman.
7. 5thStation manager meets with trust lease people.
   Meeting with lease people.
8. After introductions and a look around and an update on our internet broadcasting to the patients of Heatherwood, the Radio put forward it's hopes for the future, this included the hope that we would remain until the bulldozers moved in on the site, which would be after the new hospital would have been built, meetings for the future studio's in the new hospital, any policy the trust might have or view for hospital radio in the future.
9. The trust said the notice to quit would still stand, we would have to vacate our premises by December 31st 2016, we had been granted extra time to leave due to the size of the studio's etc.
10. The trust was asking all third parties to leave the Heatherwood site, we being one of the last to go, it was to make preparations for services etc for the new hospital and we were in the way of these.
11. It was stated the trust didn't have a policy toward hospital radio as such, they would be happy for us to continue broadcasting to the hospital from other premises off the hospital grounds.
12. In particular it had been noted the contribution given by Myself and PJ Davidson-Smith over the years and the radio's to Heatherwood, they would be happy to broker talks with the 3 radio stations, Radio Heatherwood, Radio Wexham and Frimley park hospital Radio with the view of sharing premises.
13. When asked about the new hospital and space for the radio during these talks, it was revealed that any non clinical departments or third parties, would have to have a good reason to be there and essential to the hospital. Given this reason it was apparent that space for hospital radio was not ever considered.
14. The radio explained the situation regarding the ward 4 Wi-Fi, that once the radio leaves, the ward will not have the free service or any other form of entertainment at the bed head, it would obviously be missed by the patients and staff.
15. Both sides realised that the march of mobile technology and entertainment would also affect the future for the remaining stations the trust has at this time, as space for clinical use is in high demand. As the meeting closed, the trust thanked Radio Heatherwood and all it's volunteers for the 40 years of service broadcasting to patients and staff.
16. David would be in touch after some consideration is given to the suggestions made over future talks with the other radio stations. David and PJ's response was emailed on the 1st November 2016. Given that Radio Heatherwood was always about “A Friend at The Bedside”, the answer could almost have been known straight away when it came to remote broadcasting.
17. David Smith Station Manager.
18. 6thLeague secretary resigns.
    Taken from facebook post 29th October :-League Secretary Stands Down
19. After 26 years supporting the League of Friends secretarial role, Peter Davidson-Smith stood down at the AGM meeting today(24/10/16).
20. Peter first became correspondence secretary in 1990 and in 2005 took over as full secretary.
21. The League committee thanked Peter for his many years of voluntary service to the committee. Peter was instrumental in the promotion of the league on the internet and recognising volunteers service with the introduction of long service certificates.
22. Peter has been a member of the League since 1980 working on Radio Heatherwood.
23. Peter will continue to maintain the web presence for the League.
24. The role of secretary has now passed to Mrs Pauline Richardson.
25. 6thStream quality dropped to 96kps.
    The internet stream is dropped to 96 from 128 so to lower our costs to BT.
26. Since the change in our broadband earlier in the year, usage for the Wi-fi had escalated to a point where each month we were picking up excess charges for the amount of data usage on the broadband. Lowering the data stream for the radio would help reduce those charges.
27. 6thStudio two turntables.
    The first of the equipment from studio 2 Technics SL1210’s, are sold.
28. 10thOctober final show compiled for rhapsody.
    Working from the most requested songs from 1986 a simian(Rhapsody) playlist is drawn up and then tweaked with, to the final cut which was used on 3rd December.
29. 24thLeague of Friends AGM meeting.
    Last league meeting for PJ Davidson-Smith.
30. 31stForty and out facebook post.
    It is with great sadness that we confirm Radio Heatherwood will pass into the history books.
31. Saturday 3rd December, after broadcasting the “Final Hour”, the station will close at 10.a.m.
32. In preparation for the new hospital, our building is in the way.
33. We are currently broadcasting 24/7 on the Rhapsody Wi-Fi and the internet.
34. Whilst technology allows us to broadcast from anywhere to the hospital, the friend at the end of the bed has always been what it is about.
35. We would like to thank our supporters over the years, from the individuals to the company's, council's and charitable trusts, all is well documented in the station's web site.
36. Thank you to the volunteers who turned up spent time in helping to make a difference, they all came from near and far, a lot from the Ascot and Bracknell area.
37. Peter is staying as an ordinary member of the league, our parent body, to maintain the radio and League of Friends web sites, Ian Butcher will remain on the League Committee, I shall remain as the League Treasurer.
38. The Final Hour programme is made up of a selection from the patients top 20 of 1986, broadcasting from 09.00 to 10.00 on Saturday 3rd December 2016, tune in and catch a piece of local history. As this is going to be an emotional day for David, PJ & Ian, the computer will be playing a recorded programme.
39. Our last thanks goes to the hospital staff, always pleased to see us, the many friends we made over the years.
40. Whilst talking of friends, the one friend to all of us that is Radio Heatherwood, visited by David and PJ 37yrs, Ian 16yrs, is going to be missed dearly.
41. Finally, although it was explained to BT about our situation, not of our choice etc, they are still going to charge us £1,000 for terminating our phone and broadband early, nice understanding people, NOT.
42. 31stEmail to trust declining their offer.
43. Thank you for the meeting, it was nice to meet you both and to understand the reason for us to leave by the end of the year.
44. It has taken awhile to get back to you as we wanted to give some serious thought about some of the suggestions made at the meeting, also to make the League of Friends aware of our thoughts as well. Can I thank you both for the ideas put forward and X offer to broker talks with the Trust's two other Stations.
45. With much thought, Peter and I have decided to call it a day when Radio Heatherwood goes off air on Saturday 3rd December at 10.a.m., after broadcasting our final hour programme. For us to be starting all over again somewhere else does not enthral us at all, and the continuing advances in technology and medical practices, or demand for space increases, we could be facing the same story in a few years time at Wexham or Frimley or elsewhere.
46. The rest of the equipment will be dismantled by the end of December.

2016 Year Forty Diary

2016 Year Forty Story Unfolds

For further information:- Follow the links

• 2016 January-February
  
• 2016 March-April
  
• 2016 May-June
  
• 2016 July-August
  
• 2016 September
  
• 2016 October
  
• 2016 November
  
• 2016 December
  

2016 Year Forty Stories

• 2016 September Facebook Promotion
  
• 2016 In Camera
  
• 2016 Rhapsody Wi-fi Switched Off
  
• 2016 How Did We Fall Out of Favour?
  
• 2016 What Option Did We Have?
  
• 2016 Internet Service(Shoutcast Stream)
  
• 2016 Our Little Black Boxes
  
• 2016 And in the End
  
• 2016 News Desk Archive
  
• Story Of the Archive
• Radio Video Archive
• History Site Map