Thirty Five Years of Hospital Radio Bedford
Frank Palmer looks back on our first thirty five years.
In March 1976 I became a member of Hospital Radio Bedford; some nine months after it was born. Since those pioneering days from a broom cupboard next to the hospital telephone exchange things have changed as one would expect.
I have many memories of the first studio which housed radio equipment still in use today (a result of our philosophy of buying decent gear which would last). From that cramped studio we were given a plot of land to house a new studio because the telephone exchange needed to expand. A 40' x 10' portakabin was purchased and the studio was re-opened on the 11th January 1982. I remember it quite well because Anglia TV did a feature which I still have on video (now also on DVD) to this day - mainly because I appeared in it!
Well here we are many years on in another studio which was re-launched on the 7 January 1995. This time we are back within the main hospital building. Another full circle. From those early days when we had 120 members, HRB has maintained an output of programming which any professional station would be proud of. I could write reams about our achievements over the years covering outside broadcasts of local events, shows, concerts, etc. but at the end of the day we never forget the most important reason why we are here; the patients.
January 1982 - New studio complex opens
February 1995 - HRB moves to dedicated studio complex inside hospital.
2003 - Start of 24 hour service.
To me the most satisfying aspect of broadcasting is the knowledge that a patient can be made to feel important for a while because their name has been mentioned on the request programme and a record of their choice has been played. That is good therapy!
Despite the fact that our current average membership numbers 40+ we still manage to produce a good mix of programme material and with the help of modern technology this is a little easier. I started my broadcasting career many years ago when 78s were still in use plus the use of ‘slip mats' for instant starting of records. How things have changed what with cassette, carts, CDs, DAT, DCC, MD and computers, one needs a degree these days in operating control panels.
So whilst I can still see, hear and talk, I intend to carry on with HRB because it has played a major part of my spare time, and hopefully, along with my colleagues, provided a little light relief to patients during their stay in hospital.
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