Radio Heatherwood Studio’s 1976-2000
The first studio at Heatherwood was an office in the main administration
building (1969-1976). When the service was officially launched in 1976 it
moved to the ground floor of the Maternity unit next to the hospital
switchboard. The total area for this studio was 12ft by 12ft. This was
divided into two rooms, a small reception area and the other which was
used for broadcasting, this included one Dexion rack full of singles 78’s
and LP’s.
It was only later, in the eighties when another room was added, which
increased the overall room size to 12ft by 20ft. This allowed the addition
of a second studio and a dedicated area for the library.
In the early days 78’s and a few singles and albums were used to produce
the request shows. Thirty years on and the library boasts 50,000 titles
spread between singles, Albums, CD, and computer.
The library continued to expand and a separate area was set aside. The
singles however remained within the studio two room.
In the mid 90’s after some long time talks with the hospital trust, a room
vacant adjacent to the radio studio’s was allocated to the station.
This allowed the complex to offer for the first time proper reception
facilities and an area was also set aside for presenters to make
refreshments.
And in the end
Saturday 22nd July 2000
Radio Heatherwood bid farewell to it’s old premises today 7pm when after
24 years it broadcast it’s final shows, presenters, Peter Davidson-Smith,
Roger Hawkes, Matthew Robinson, Dave Smith, Alan Holder, Sarah Bishton,
Jenni Ferguson, Bruce Crosland, and not forgetting behind the scenes work
by Ada Hawkes, all ensured the occasion was one to remember.
The final record played " Time to say Goodbye " Sarah Brightman & Andrea
Bocelli.
Radio Heatherwood vacated it’s old premises on Saturday 5th
August 2000 The last of the equipment and records & CD’s were moved to the
summer-house( New Studio ).
End of an Era
