Radio Clatterbridge takes to the airways after 60 years (From Wirral Globe)
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Radio Clatterbridge takes to the airways after 60 years
12:42pm Monday 31st October 2011 in News By Geoff Barnes
The Radio Clatterbridge team of volunteers who give up their free time to keep the station on air and to visit patients at the health complex.
A WIRRAL hospital radio station takes to the airways next week – 60 years after it was first launched.
Wirral cultural ambassador Mike McCartney will next Monday press a button and Radio Clatterbridge’s new AM service will begin transmissions to patients across Clatterbridge Health Park, including Claire House and St John’s Hospice.
The station provides programmes round the clock, but until now they have only been available to listeners with bedside headphones cabled to the studio.
Volunteer presenters wanted to extend the services to other parts of the health park and that was achieved with a new transmitter and aerial. Programmes will now be broadcast on 1386AM (medium wave) to anyone with normal radio on the Clatterbridge site.
Station chairman Steve Lord said: “Music is often the best therapy. In these days of the internet and iPods patients still appreciate hearing their name and favourite song on the radio.
“We can help relieve their boredom and take their minds off their stay. We are delighted that, for the first time, the young people at Claire House, those staying at St John’s Hospice and many others will be able to enjoy the great service we already offer.”
Programme controller Paul Johnston said: “ As well as playing requests and entertaining patients and staff we will also be giving a voice to the different organisations at the health park by promoting and celebrating their work.
“Every single day staff are making a massive difference to people’s lives and we want to reflect this as much as possible in our programmes.”
Former Scaffold singer Mike will switch on the new service in front of several guests from various organisations based at Clatterbridge.
Radio Clatterbridge was formed in 1951 when young members of Port Sunlight Boys’ Club first took a pile of 78rpm records to play at the hospital’s Pensby Ward.
From those humble beginnings the services Radio Clatterbridge grew to become a registered charity providing music, entertainment and information to patients and staff in a 24-hour operation.
