Radio Heatherwood History
News Desk 2006

Previous News Stories From Radio Heatherwood 2006:-

November 2006

Radio Heatherwood has received a donation of £458 from local supporters the Victoria Hall Fund. Each year the fund has sponsored the broadcast licence for the radio service. The fund have been quick off the mark to sponsor the licence fees for 2007

The support of the Victoria Hall Fund is critical to the service each year and the volunteers of the radio service are grateful to the fund for their on going support.

October 2006

Romance has blossomed on the airwaves at Heatherwood recently when James Shurley from the Thursday team proposed to Tuesday Presenter Sarah Foot. The proposal was accepted and one sunny Saturday in October they tied the knot. All the staff of Radio Heatherwood wish Mr & Mrs Shurley all the best for the future.

July 2006

The station completed it's month of the seventies and the word has it patients were pleased with the content. Presenters were given a particular year to research and then broadcast. A good time was had by all and a note of thanks goes out to the presenting staff for their hard work and continued support for the radio service.

Well Done Team PJ Davidson-Smith station secretary

June 2006

Many congratulations to Radio Heatherwood on their 30th year celebrations.

You have taken me back to 1976 when I was a presenter on your radio in it's early days. I remember going round the wards collecting requests and turning up at the studio with my own records ( EP's and LP's ) to play.

My signature tune was "stranger on the shore" by Acker Bilk and my records were mostly easy listening, the seekers were very popular. I would introduce the records, but it was Billy Berry who saw to all the technical side of things.

My son Graham was then 17 was also a DJ, in fact we were interviewed on the same day.

Yours Sincerely Pam Maunder

June 2006

As Radio Heatherwood celebrated it's thirty years of service, a letter was received in the post from a relative of one of the founding members of the radio service. Mrs M Berry Writes:-

" I was reading about Radio Heatherwood in the paper's I was very surprised and pleased to read about Bill starting the radio. It was nice too know he's name is still remembered, he loved and put a lot of his time into doing it. I have some lovely photo's of him with different stars. Sadly Bill passed away five years ago. wishing you many more years with the radio.

Yours Truly Mrs M Berry "

June 10th 2006

Radio Heatherwood celebrated it's 30th birthday today. Station manager Dave Smith opened the proceedings this morning with a look back at 1976. Radio Heatherwood continues the theme of the seventies for the rest of the month of June.

Bearing little resemblance to the service that was started in the 1970's David gave an insight into those early days. The only resemblance to those early days, is patients requests for music etc still the reason the service survives. The patients choice a friend at the bedside.

May 2006

Visitors to the radio web site now have an instant option which will allow them to pass on their thanks to the volunteers of the radio service. The new guest book launched will we hope encourage former patients and visitors to the web site to share their memories and recollections, of their time in Heatherwood.

April 2006

A new recruit has joined the ranks of the presenting staff, Patience the Bear. Patience has been in training for 30 years and has now come of age. Patience can be found around the hospital dispensing good will and fostering friendship. The exploits of patience will be followed with interest over the coming months as she helps Radio Heatherwood celebrate 30 years the patients choice at Heatherwood hospital.

April 2006

As part of the new image for Radio Heatherwood from June new jingles which help promote the new day and night service. These have been supplied by Devaweb. Greg Marston has been used to help promote the day and night service.

Patients through the day will hear an up tempo type format for the station. From 10.30 each night until 6.30 am a more mellow format will be broadcast.

Rhapsody the automated broadcast service of Radio Heatherwood will deliver the new service from the 1st of June.

April 2006

In preparation for Radio Heatherwood's 30th Birthday. Presenters are now wearing a new polo/sweatshirt which clearly identifies the commitment of the radio service to Heatherwood patients. 30 years the patients choice.

The shirts have been provided by Thread Bear Embroidery who have been excellent and the quality delivered by them as earned them a place on our links page as one of our preferred suppliers.

February 2006

Radio Heatherwood once again benefits from the Ascot ale festival.

Roger Hawkes from the station attended a presentation by the Ascot Trafalgar 200 committee. A cheque for £250 was received. The station thanks all those who support the festival which benefits many local charities.

February 2006

Radio Heatherwood will celebrate thirty years of service to the hospital this June. Radio Heatherwood is set to broadcast a month of sounds of the seventies throughout June.
A new station image and a step back in time will help the station reflect on the past and look forward to the next decade of broadcasting.

Patients will be able to hear all the classic hits of the seventies every day and hear trivia and information which shaped the 70's

Presenters are busy researching for material and will deliver a unique view of the seventies.

Janaury 2006

Radio Heatherwood has received a donation of £500 from local supporters the Victoria Hall Fund. Each year the fund has sponsored the broadcast licence for the radio service. This year they have included the cost of the PPL licence.

The support of the Victoria Hall Fund is critical to the service each year and the volunteers of the radio service are grateful to the fund for their continued support.