In the Jan of this year,
four dee jay's formed the chain gang carrying out much needed painting to
the studio complex.
The abortive studio two
which never worked was replaced with listening facilities during this
change. The reception was painted by Frank Blasi of the Friday crew. The
main studio was improved, on the wiring front with all the dodgy
connections being replaced. This was then painted, it's worth noting at
this time, that some parts of the studios, were never ever painted from
the start, that part which was had turned into a smokers yellow. All of
the work was carried out on Saturdays and Sunday mornings.
The practice of putting
in fillers from the chart was discouraged this year, in an effort portray
a more middle of the road image in line with the age group of the
patients:35 to 65.
In Feb this year the
radio was off the air for a week whilst the main amp was repaired, by a
former engineer of the station.
A League of Friends
meeting was told that £500 to £600,would be required to re-build the so
called studio two. The introduction of the patients chart meant a large
top thirty board in the studio displaying all those artists or records
that were being requested. The chart was based on the amount of requests
from patients. The service replaced the national chart which was being
used prior to this.
A change to the way
requests were taken; was implemented with restriction on seven per half an
hour. The introduction of compulsory ward rounds, for all presenters came
into force "No wards, no program".
In March this year a
character from the children's ward, who was a regular guest on the WD2
show, passed away at the age of fourteen. A week after her birthday. A
frequent patient on ward 2:suffering from cystic fibrosis, a disease which
affects the lungs of young children, Samantha laws who had the most
marvelous ability to laugh in the face of adversity, was dearly loved by
all. In the few years WD2 show was broadcast, she became a very dear
friend to everybody.
Ascot carnival stall
this year raised £60.
Steve Wright paid a
visit to the studio one Saturday evening this year after visiting his
future mother in law, who was a patient on a ward. Steve promptly left,
after We threatened to play one of his records. He did give us a mention
the following afternoon on his Radio 1 Sunday show.
In July-Ward one closed,
for renovations.
Treasurer and Secretary
John Walters resigned from the league this year as he moved from the area.
The portable tape
recorder came in handy this year; when PJ. went along to the Ascot
vineyard to interview the owner Colonel Robbie Robertson. The program was
broadcast as a special Saturday magazine program: along the lines of
Desert island discs.
The September bank
account of the radio boasted £35 on the current account and £5.63 on
deposit.
A voice recorder and
time switch were installed in the main studio to cut out objectionable
practices and misuse of the studio outside of normal times.
In October a chain gang
disco was organized in the social hall but was a financial loss.
Chain gang were:- Peter
Kemp, Tim Green, PJ. Davidson Smith, & Dave Smith.
A £50 donation came in
this year, from the Bracknell bottle bank service.
The first radio survey
of the radio units on the wards, to find out the amount of faults.(18% had
faults).
The last WD2 children's
show was broadcast at the end of December. A change in grading of the
children's ward meant a decrease in the amount of children in the ward at
weekends, which caused the demise, of a much loved radio show by the
staff, parents and children.
By the end of this year studio management was taken
over by Dave Smith( Present manager ).The engineering and secretary
position was taken by his brother PJ. Davidson-Smith.( Presently Held ).
