1988 Am Service Everywhere

Am Service Reception Map

 When the inductive loop am service was installed, the station engineer and manager walked round the site to see where a signal could be heard. The site plan opposite shows all the buildings and the aerials which were installed.

The dotted boundary line around the site was where the signal would drop off and become un-listenable.

The Fleetwood Mac song "Everywhere" became the adopted tune to promote the am service as the lines in the song summed up what we were trying to achieve.

" Can you hear me calling out your name, Oh I Wanna be with you everywhere "

The song to this day, brings back happy memories of the excitement and satisfaction we felt at the time.

March 8th Letter From Secretary League of Friends

Dear Peter,

I am sure the Friends would wish me to write and thank you for all the hard work and effort you have done for the new Radio Station I know all of us enjoyed the visit behind ; scenes at the studio on Monday. No need to say how rewarding your efforts will be from the patients point of view and I am sure you must feel most proud or your achievements.

All the very best of luck to you and all your Radio Heatherwood Staff.

See you on April 11th

Pat Bidgood League Secretary

March 9th Letter To Unit General Manager Heatherwood

Dear Mr Neate

I am writing to inform you of the completion of the inductive loop transmission system at Heatherwood.

We have enclosed full installation details for reference for the works department to hold on file. In the event of new works being carried out where cables or aerials are sited, we would be most grateful for prior knowledge of this so that if need arises, we can arrange modifications with the installation company and the home office. The front page of the document clearly indicates work must be carried out by qualified personnel after permission and re-documentation with the home office.

We are very pleased with the completed system, as parts of the hospital which were not planned to be covered are. A good quality signal can be heard anywhere within the boundary line, including all buildings in the reception area. The primary areas designated are the most important and are very well served.

We know the health authority has plans to expand the hospital patient areas in the years to come and we hope the management team will allow us to extend the inductive loop system as it becomes necessary.

The new service will commence on April 2nd at 14:00 hrs, any member of the management team are welcome to attend at 13;30 for the press call. The aim of the radio will be as before but with emphasis on more staff and patient involvement, including news items regarding events in and around the hospital. We will be looking for help from the staff in areas such as news worthy items, i.e. if it interests patients or their families send the details to the radio studio and we will broadcast the material. it will also be necessary to educate patients to bring in with them their own personal radio's, perhaps a note in the patients handbook about the service, will help.

On January 9th when Radio Heatherwood closed down, an era ended and a new one commenced.

We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the management team for their insight and cooperation which has made this possible. Please also convey our thanks to the works dept in their support during installation.

I hope in years to come the radio provides not only entertainment for the patients, but we can be the news room and voice for all future events at the hospital community which is Heatherwood.

Regards

Secretary Peter John Davidson-Smith

22nd March Reply

Thank you very much indeed for your letter of the 8th March, 1988, letting me know that the inductive loop transmission system has been completed at Heatherwood Hospital. I am sending the enclosed full installation details to Mr. Downey, Unit Works Manager.

I very much regret that I shall be unable to attend the press call on the 2nd April, 1988, as I shall be in Germany on holiday. I do, however, hope that all goes well and I will make arrangements for someone from my team to come along.

I should like to take this opportunity of thanking you and your colleagues for the tremendous work which you carry out in providing a radio service and for the real enthusiasm and effort you have put into the establishment of this new system. We very much appreciate all that you do.
With very best wishes.

Yours sincerely

J.P.G. Neate Unit General Manager Heatherwood/King Edward VII Hospitals Unit

1988 The Story Continues