Hospital radio team celebrate half century on air
A RADIO station at Wales’ largest hospital is celebrating 50 years of broadcasting.
Hospital Radio Glamorgan, at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, marked the milestone by broadcasting live for 50 hours, non-stop and entertaining listeners with music from across the decades.
The “50@50” marathon broadcast celebrated music from every year since Hospital Radio Glamorgan was founded in 1967.
An hour of music was dedicated to each year from 9am on Saturday, June 3 right up to 11am on Monday, June 5 without any breaks.
All of the programmes broadcast during this special celebration were produced by the station’s own 40+ volunteer force.
Two of the volunteers, Simon Field and Karlo King, have been at the station for more than 35 years.
Hospital Radio Glamorgan’s chairwoman, Clare Sinclair, said: “This was a very exciting event that all of our volunteers took part in to help celebrate our 50th anniversary.
“Broadcasting, and all the behind the scenes work to maintain and develop the service we provide takes a team of dedicated and talented people.
“It’s very fitting that our event takes place right in the middle of Volunteers’ Week – the annual campaign to thank volunteers and celebrate the difference they make.”
Maria Battle, chairwoman of Cardiff and Vale UHB said: “Hospital radio makes a massive difference to those in our care and provides entertainment and a welcome distraction when a patient is with us for a period of time.
“I have a regular slot on one of the shows so I get to see the hard work and dedication the volunteers put in behind the scenes.
“I’d like to wish everyone at Radio Glamorgan a very happy 50th birthday and say a huge ‘thank you’ to all the volunteers who make our hospital radio station possible.”
As well as being an anniversary celebration, ‘50@50’ aims to raise money for the charity to create a multifunctional space in which volunteers of all abilities will be able to learn new skills which will enhance the varied and diverse programmes broadcast.