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 ).
