The station was going from strength
to strength and the annual report listed below was delivered at the League
of Friends AGM by the secretary.
Radio Heatherwood Annual Report
*1988*
An annual report is a time to
quantify the past years performance good or bad. The overall performance
of Radio Heatherwood should be classed as the most successful ever.
At the beginning of 1987 the radio
appeal was launched and by July last year we were well on our way to our
target, but still unsure of the outcome. In the previous twelve months
that un-certainty came to an end, when on April 2nd this year the mayor
Bill Cooley of Windsor & Maidenhead officiated the opening of the new
service and studio's, that was the climax of the last 5 years of
re-building and re-shaping of the whole structure which is radio
Heatherwood.
In it's twelfth year Radio
Heatherwood had completed one major project, never to be repeated.
It would be impossible to quantify
in such a short report, all the effort of support and problems encountered
in the last 18months during the appeal and transition period.
Heatherwood hospital is now one of
the most fortunate hospitals in the UK to have this new and innovative way
to communicate too not only the patients, but the staff as well. We must
all work together to see that this new service can be a benefit to
everyone, providing musical entertainment as well as being informative on
the community outside and of good health practices. I hope the hospital
staff will play a more active role and consider the value of radio within
hospital life.
Staff problems or the lack of,
caused a sour note to the opening of the new service, with currently two
nights closed. Recent adverts in the local papers has provided us with a
new batch of recruits, and we are keeping our fingers crossed that service
will be able to expand as soon as possible. Trevor Kensall has been
appointed public relations officer for Radio Heatherwood and has continued
to help and support David and I. In time we hope he will be able to take
over all secretarial duties.
Our nucleus of DJ'S who have stayed
with us over these traumatic months are dedicated personnel and we must
thank them for all their efforts and support. At the end of the radio
appeal I expected the bank account to be empty, but surprisingly our bank
account has some pennies in it.( David must be good at cooking the books )
no seriously, Radio Heatherwood must and will always be self supporting. (
See David after for this years grand draw tickets.)
In 1987/8 Radio Heatherwood changed,
but so did the league,! personally and I'M sure David will agree
definitely for the better, and the efforts of Pat, Gavin and our ladies
was tremendous WE THANK YOU.
Whilst we're on about thankyou's, We
at Radio Heatherwood would like also to thank the league for their
contribution of £3000 to the radio appeal for the new Chilton mixer without which Radio Heatherwood
would not be on the air now. THANKYOU.
We would also like to convey our
thanks to the hospital for their help and support during this difficult
twelve months.
On April 2nd the radio appeal closed
and a never to be repeated project came to a close, that's not the end,
because who knows what the future holds, certainly a new era has begun.
One thing we do know every patient now has that opportunity to participate
and to be entertained, and it works, never under estimate the power of
promotion. Radio Heatherwood is the voice of the League of Friends, and we
can all be proud, that voice is in evidence 7 nights a week on 999Khz/301m
medium wave and Channel 3.
Here's to the next twelve months, lets hope they can continue to be
successful for the radio service Radio Heatherwood.
Compiled By Peter Davidson-Smith
12th July 1988
