05/10/2008 Halloween Charity Auction

Hospital Radio Plymouth are hosting a charity auction on Saturday 1st November to raise funds for the station. The event, which will commence at 8pm in the main hall at UCP Marjon and be compered by Radio Devon`s Douglas Mounce, is open to the public and entry tickets are free of charge. Live entertainment will be provided by Beatles tribute band Backbeat who will be performing 2 sets during the course of the evening, and also by local singer/songwriter Kate. The night will end with a disco courtesy of HRP`s Jamie Hughes. Halloween fancy dress optional! The hall will be open for lot viewing from 7:30 onwards, and we are delighted to have a fantastic range of auction lots kindly donated by local businesses, including: Signed ball & 2 home tickets - Plymouth Raiders Basketball Team Five hours studio session - Deep Blue Sound An amber and silver pendant - The Gem Box A set of juggling batons - Hawkins Bazaar Studio session and portrait - Dawson Strange Photography 9ct Gold Necklace - Express Goldsmiths Headphones - Panasonic Shop Framed picture by R Baskar - The Armada Gallery FOR FREE TICKETS PLEASE CALL THE STUDIO ON 01752 763441

16/09/2008 Bob Smith Remembered

A memorial service for Bob Smith took place on Tuesday 16th September, at the Derriford Chapel on Level 7 of the hospital. Attended by Bob`s family, friends, members of HRP past and present, plus Trust Chairman John Bull and Voluntary Services Manager Elizabeth Pollard, the service was conducted by Chaplain Paul Snell. Senior Trust Chaplain Rodney Baxendale gave the reading, and Station Manager Andrew Hill and Assistant Station Manager Keith Jolley spoke about Bob`s life. Keith Jolley said afterwards "It was a moving service, and a fitting tribute to Bob. I chose the music as I knew Bob`s musical taste. The difficult one was the Motown track, but it worked very well." The music played during the service was: That`s How Strong My Love Is - The Rolling Stones; Nights In White Satin - The Moody Blues; You`re A Wonderful One - Marvin Gaye Andrew Hill added, "The collage of photos screened during the playing of Nights in White Satin really brought into focus what a large part Bob played in hospital radio over a period of 4 decades."

10/08/2008 Peter Wren

More sad news for Hospital Radio Plymouth as honorary member Peter Wren has passed away. Although ill health prevented his active involvement in the charity for several years, Peter always stayed in touch with members and kept an eye on the station`s progress. Longer serving members will vividly recall his days with Hospital Radio and the invaluable work he did behind the scenes, particularly with ward OBs. Station Manager Andrew Hill said, "Peter`s dedication to the charity was unquestionable and resulted in him being bestowed a much deserved honorary membership. His death is a great sadness but at last he is relieved of the suffering he has endured for a number of years now."

19/07/2008 Showtime For Hospital Radio At Music Of The Night

Hospital Radio Plymouth were delighted to once again provide the pre-show entertainment at this year`s Music Of The Night, the biennial spectacular hosted by 29 Commando Regiment at the city`s Royal Citadel. The HRP showstage entertained the crowds with local acts including Souled Out, Kate Olver and Felicity Dukes. A nightly prize draw organised by HRP and the Rotary Club of Plymouth Mayflower also helped to raise much needed funds for the station. Many thanks also go to all members who helped out throughout the week, donators of the raffle prizes and Clockwork Audio.

10/07/2008 Bob Smith

Hospital Radio Plymouth is saddened to announce the death of Bob Smith, one of the charity`s founder members. Bob was also the charity`s Station Manager in the late 70s / early 80s and again from 1993 to 2007. Bob passed away on 9th July and his funeral will be held at Efford Crematorium at 1.30pm on Thursday 17th July 2008. Current Station Manager, Andrew Hill, said "Bob spent a significant part of his life in the service of Hospital Radio Plymouth and was always very passionate about radio here in the City. His vision led to us being one of the first hospital radios in the UK to broadcast on FM and to have regularly had a schedule of programmes which leads the field in the world of hospital radio. We are greatly saddened by his death."

30/03/2008 Hospital Radio Plymouth Crowned Station Of The Year 2008

Hospital Radio Plymouth is celebrating success after scooping two prestigious awards at the National Hospital Radio Awards last night. HRP was announced as the gold winner in the coveted Station Of The Year 2008 category, beating off competition from hospital radio stations from around the UK. Congratulations also go to Nostalgia Time presenter Connal Cather, who picked up the special John Whitney Award – the Hospital Broadcasting Association`s equivalent of a lifetime achievement award. This was in recognition of Connal`s unfailing dedication to HRP since he joined the station back in 1970. The ceremony, which was held at the Queen`s Hotel in Leeds, was hosted by IRN`s Jon Godal, with video messages from HBA Patron Sir Terry Wogan. Many thanks go to the hard work and enthusiasm of our volunteers, who have made becoming Station Of The Year possible. Station Manager Andrew Hill says "To be judged by industry professionals as having the best mix of programmes and content out of all the hospital radio stations in the UK is a phenomenal achievement."

14/12/2007 Hospital Radio Joins In City Centre Festivities

Hospital Radio Plymouth has been busy entertaining the late night shoppers of Plymouth in the run up to Christmas this year. The station`s Showstage was outside Drake Circus Shopping Mall on the 29th November, playing Christmas hits and live music courtesy of singer Felciity Dukes. One lucky shopper won a weekends drive in an Audi TT, kindly donated for raffle by the local Audi dealership. On the 13th December the Showstage was back, this time on the Armada Way Piazza, to provide the soundtrack to the City Centre`s annual Carol Service which was organised by St Andrews Church. Primary schools from around the city brought their own choirs, who each performed a spot in front of the gathered crowd. This coming Sunday, Hospital Radio will be at Frankfort Gate from 1pm onwards as Santa arrives in Plymouth with his reindeer. Public Relations Officer Emma Tyler says "We are delighted to be involved in this year`s City Centre Christmas festivities, and in particular Thursday`s Carol Service. The children were wonderful singers and everybody had a great time. I`d like to thank all those members who have helped out with these events and we hope to be back again next year!" Thanks also to Jigsaw Sound & Light, who kindly provided the speakers for the Christmas events. Visit Jigsaw at www.jigsawsoundandlight.co.uk

11/12/2007 Hospital Radio Decks The Halls!

On Tuesday 11th December, patients at Derriford Hospital tuned into a special programme broadcast live from the hospital`s main concourse area. Hospital Radio Plymouth left its usual studios to host a 3 hour Christmas show, in which patients, visitors and staff all particpated. Presenters Steve Glanville and Jill Bright were joined by regular Tuesday host Dawn Cawley, who brought along friends to sing traditional carols and Christmas songs. Programme manager Keith Jolley said "This is the first time we have attempted this and it was a great success. I`d like to thank everyone involved and also the Trust for enabling us to do it." Thanks go to members Steve Glanville, Jill Bright, Dawn Cawley, James Sanders, Matt Bennellick, Emma Tyler, Keith Thompson and Claire Smith for their hard work on the night.

11/11/2007 The Wards Need You!

Hospital Radio Plymouth is currently recruiting volunteers to undertake ward visiting in Derriford Hospital and/or The Royal Eye Infirmary. We are looking for friendly individuals who can spare an hour or two each week, to collect music requests from the wards and chat to the people they meet. Ward visiting is an integral part of Hospital Radio, as it sets us apart from all the other stations on the dial - and we may be the only visitor the patient receives that day. This is a great way to get involved with the charity, especially if you are microphone shy or don`t fancy the technical side of radio. For more information, please call the studio on 01752 763441 or download an application form from the volunteer section of this site

05/11/2007 Remember, Remember, the 5th of November!

Hospital Radio Plymouth helped Bonfire Night go off with a bang as usual this year, as the Showstage made its annual pilgrimage to Plymouth Hoe. The station provided the soundtrack to packed crowds gathered to enjoy the dazzling fireworks display, which was set off from the Citadel ramparts into the night sky. Many thanks to all those members of the public who donated to the station on the Hoe - over £350 was raised, which is absolutely fantastic. A big thank you also to all the HRP volunteers who helped out on the night. Keep your eyes peeled for the Showstage over the Christmas period - it will be in Plymouth City Centre during Thursday late night shopping, and also at the Torpoint lights switch-on, on the 1st of December. If you see us, come and say hello!

08/10/2007 HRP Under New Management

Thanks to all who attended this year`s AGM - it was positive to see such a good turnout. As members may be aware, our previous Station Manager Bob Smith has been suffering from ill health and as such, was unable to continue in office. The Exco wish him all the best in his recovery. At the meeting, members voted for the Station Manager position to be taken over by Andrew Hill. A committed volunteer at HRP for 25 years, Andrew is looking forward to his new role: "Hospital Radio is entering an exciting new phase with an enthusiastic and dedicated membership, and I look forward to leading the organisation with its plans over the coming months and years." The positions of Audience Liaison, Fundraising and Public Relations were also filled at the AGM by Richard Hillborne, Andrew Greenaway and Emma Tyler respectively.

30/09/2007 easyfundraising.org.uk: a foolproof way to raise money!

You can now raise funds for HRP via the internet and it doesn`t require much effort! If you ever buy goods or services online, then register with easyfundraising.org.uk and choose HRP as your charity. It costs nothing, yet every time you make a purchase via one of the retailer links, up to 15% will be donated to the station. There are over 400 retailers participating, including favourites such as amazon, play.com, NEXT, John Lewis, HMV, Debenhams and eBay. If you don`t shop online but do search the internet, then please still register and start using the sister site, easysearch.org.uk. This is an excellent search engine powered by Yahoo, and for every search you make, 1 penny will be donated to HRP. Those pennies will soon mount up!

29/09/2007 HRP Announces Sponsorship Deal

Hospital Radio Plymouth has signed a sponsorship deal with First Devon & Cornwall Bus Group, which will bring in over £2000 for the station over 3 years. First are the new sponsors of Argyle Live, HRP`s Saturday sports coverage. They will also soon be advertising with the station to promote their Park and Ride Services. HRP has been broadcasting Plymouth Argyle games for over 50 years. Adrian Rickard, host of Argyle Live, believes this is a major coup for HRP: "We are delighted that we are now working with First, and their co-operation with us can lead to an improved commentary service from Home Park."

Upcoming Events

01/11/2008 Halloween Fundraiser Main Hall, UCP Marjon

Charity auction and entertainment. See news section for full details