Radio Heatherwood
32 Years the Patients Choice

On 10th June 1976, the radio service known as Radio Heatherwood was officially opened by Michael Parkinson.

Michael Parkinson & Patient On opening day in 1976 Michael then honorary patron visited the wards. Michael shares a joke with an orthopaedic Patient. June 1976.	Michael Parkinson On Maternity Michael presented a new mother Mrs Smith with a baby Kangaroo for her new born. June 1976.
Michael Parkinson & Patient Just one of the many patients Michael visited. June 1976.	Michael Parkinson with Diana Dors & Alan Lake On opening day in 1976 Diana & Alan were also on site visiting a relative. An opportunity for them to have their picture taken. June 1976.

The service had actually been on air prior to the date of 10th June. It was the then works foreman( Bill Berry ) who was providing this early service. This early service relied on the record collection of Bill, of which most were 78's. This service lasted off and on for about six years.

An injection of cash by the League of Friends ensured the service got off the ground properly on the 10th June 1976.

Back to Top

32 Years Later

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

Back to Top

Radio Heatherwood is the broadcasting service of the League of Friends Charity No ( 900282 )

© League of Friends Heatherwood 2000 Last Update 17/02/2008