Friday 27th August 2004 saw a visit to HRB by the Basingstoke Observer.
Lindsey Mitchell, one of the the staff journalists at the local newspaper
reported for duty as a hospital radio presenter for the day. The visit was
to provide an insight into the work of a presenter and the technical staff of
the station. The Observer is assisting the station in our Autumn
recruitment drive and Lindsey was keen to find out what a radio show involved.
Unlike our regular presenters, who spend three months training before taking
on their own show, she was put through an intense training course in just a
single afternoon. After the training session, next on the agenda was a
ward round to collect requests and to publicise the work of the radio station.
The ward rounds are an important part of a presenter's work as they are one of
the main links between the station and its audience. Lindsey, with other
HRB staff toured the Maternity ward and spoke to staff and patients with an
Observer photographer. Several photographs and half an hour later, it was
time to head back to the studio to prepare the show, selecting music for the
requests and scripting the show.
The countdown to 5 o'clock came and the show began with the news from IRN.
Just three minutes later and Lindsey went on air for the first time ever to
welcome listeners to her one hour show. Modern studios rely heavily on
computers to assist with music and jingle play back.
HRB is no exception and our novice presenter had the job of running the
playout computer as well as using CDs and even 7" vinyl records. Even with
the assistance of a technical operator to guide her through the more complex
parts of the studio, Lindsey worked hard to master the technical aspects of the
show and performed wonderfully. At the end of the show she commented
"I've never concentrated so hard in my life" And we have to
agree. It was a terrific performance by Lindsey, who managed to give the
impression that she cruised through the show with ease.
Lindsey's article was published in the Basingstoke Observer on 7 October 2004
(see below) and we will welcome her back to the studios whenever she wants to visit
again. We are always looking for new volunteers to join the station,
either as presenters or in one of the many other roles within the organisation.
While we can't promise to get you on air in quite the same way that today's
guest managed, we are keen to train new volunteers to give them the skills
required to present shows or undertake a research or admin job. Please get
in touch if you want to know more.
The
award winning FREQUENCY
CAST - details of this month's shows are now
available here
The Sound of Sunday
has a brand new website - here
777000
REQUESTS and counting... Another milestone has been reached.
HM Royal
Marines Band Concert - We'll be back in St Albans for a
special concert performed for hospital radio.
National
Request Chart - Mark Snowden is back with the annual
countdown of the most requested songs on hospital radio in the
UK.
In
The News
We're
looking for ward visitors... Your job would be
to go around the wards during the day or early evening to
promote the station, tune listeners in and collect
requests. Interested? Click
here for an application form to apply to be a WARD
VISITOR
2012 is a
big year for HRB - we will be celebrating 40 years of
hospital radio in Basingstoke. Watch this space for some
exciting plans to help celebrate this milestone
anniversary.
