Help hospital radio celebrate 50th anniversary
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CARMARTHEN’S hospital radio is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Radio Glangwili began on Christmas Day 1972 and has been a part of patients’ days across the wards ever since.
A special programme is planned to celebrate this milestone by life president and founding member of the radio station Sulwyn Thomas and president Arwel Fowler want you to be a part of the it.
Sulwyn, who enjoyed careers with HTV and BBC alongside his volunteering at Radio Glangwili, said: “Were you in Glangwili on Christmas Day 1972, were you born on that date? Are you one of the hundreds of people who have spent some time with us, either as a broadcaster, a song request collector visiting patients on wards, or fundraiser? If so then we want to hear from you and make your part of the special celebration to mark 50 years of Radio Glangwili.
“Get in touch or record a greeting and your memories briefly on you mobile phone and send them to 07778435765 or email sulwynthomas@icloud.com
“Radio Glangwili was first mooted in 1971, when a team of young Urdd members came up with a radio experiment involving a hospital trolley payphone and miles of cable.
The wires ran in and out of wards, relaying interviews back to the studio and then “live” through the piping system to patients’ bedsides.
Following the trial run the idea won the backing of the League of Friends and the hospital.
Sulwyn added: “We have had some of Wales’s well known presenters start their career at Radio Glangwili.
“S4C’S Angharad Mair started with us, getting song requests from patients on the wards. That volunteering sparked her interest in broadcasting.”
Others include comedian Rhod Gilbert and opera singer and star of the Go Compare adverts Wynne Evans.
Sulwyn added: “Several other volunteers have also moved into broadcast work – maybe not in front of a camera or microphone – after starting at Radio Glangwili.”
To celebrate its 50 years on air Radio Glangwili is arranging a reunion of those involved in the station over the years on Saturday, December 10 at the Focus Carmarthen Enterprise Hub, St Catherine’s Walk, between 10am and 2pm.