WELCOME TO OUR HISTORY PAGE
Our new management committee are proud of Radio Glan Clwyds heritage but also committed to moving forward and taking Radio Glan Clwyd into a new era.
So enjoy reading about our history but at the same time check out what we are doing today, tomorrow, next week, next month & next year.
Ceri Jones — Chairperson
Radio Glan Clwyd over the years…
Here are some of the key events that have taken place since the beginning of Radio Glan Clwyd back in 1976.
1976 – The radio station was first set up at the Alexandra Hospital in Rhyl, playing music to the patients who could listen using headphones next to their bed which they plugged into a socket.
1980 – Glan Clwyd Hospital opened in Bodelwyddan and the radio station moved to the new site. In fact, the radio station started broadcasting before any patients had actually been admitted to the hospital!
November 1995 – Having been in operation for almost 20 years, the studio equipment had become old and unreliable. Through a range of fundraising activities, and though acquiring grants and donations from local companies, the radio station was able to purchase new equipment, and extend in terms of floor space to add a record library and more space for guests so that interviews could take place on air. on the 9th November 1995, the re-opening of the radio station took place with guests which included Mr Gren Kershaw (Chief Executive of the hospital at the time), Mr John Walker (Facilities Manager), representatives of the building company, and Mrs Margaret Smith of the Ron Smith Cancer Appeal, who was the first person to be interviewed in the new surroundings.
October 2001 – An AM transmitter was purchased and the application to broadcast on 1287MW was accepted. This now meant that our broadcasts were more reliable and could be picked up in all parts of the hospital including the wards, offices, waiting areas and even in the car park. It also enabled us to broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Patients could now listen using their own radios which they could tune to 1287AM or on portable ‘target tuned’ radios which were (and still are) provided free of charge. The big launch of this improved service took place on 13 October 2001, with special guests which included Welsh Assembly members Ann Jones and Alun Pugh, and Labour MP Chris Ruane.
2006 – As part of the 30th anniversary of Radio Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, we undertook a tour in our outside broadcast vehicle of other hospital radio stations across the UK. A real highlight of the trip included meeting new friends at Ayr Hospital Radio – the northernmost point on our tour. We also held an open day, which was attended by local politicians and the chairperson of the NHS trust at the time, Hilary Stevens.
Hospital Radio members meet with colleagues from Ayr Hospital Radio during the tour. It was a great opportunity to share ideas and experiences.
Hospital Radio members stand proudly with Ann Jones AM and Hilary Stevens, Chairperson of the NHS Trust, as they welcome visitors to their open day.
2007 – Radio Ysbyty Glan Clwyd came seventh in the National Hospital Broadcasting Awards run by the Hospital Broadcasting Association, in the ‘Station of the Year’ category. A 15 minute documentary was compiled outlining the work of the station, clips from live shows and from outside broadcasts, and testimonials from patients and figures from the community.
2009 – Our programme of Outside Broadcasts and Community Roadshows reached a peak; being a charitable organisation means that we must raise funds through a range of methods. Here are some of the team undertaking a Christmas collection at Tesco in Abergele.
2011 – 35th Anniversary covered in the local press, and presenter Brenda Jones was filmed for ITV Wales News.
As part of the celebrations, we held a ‘radio quiz’ for the patients to take part in. Presenter Brenda Jones was joined by Hospital Broadcasting Association President, June Snowdon.
2014 – A brand new outside broadcast vehicle was purchased. Kind sponsorship by Gough Electrical Ltd meant that we were able to purchase new equipment for the inside and have it painted up professionally on the outside.
2015 – As part of the redevelopment of Glan Clwyd Hospital, the radio station was relocated from the first floor to the Estates building and Radio Glan Clwyd continues to this day to broadcast from this building.
2019 — In March of this year like everyone across the country THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC took a hold of our lives and as you can imagine being based in a hospital it meant we had to operate in much different ways including of course broadcasting from our own homes.
2022 — As the pandemic eased and our daily lives went back to some normality we formed a new management committee and from our AGM set a course of new beginnings to ensure sustainability and growth taking Radio Glan Clwyd into a new era.