Hospital Radio Ipswich

IODS present HRI with a cheque

Mark Keable — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:53:31 +0000

Hospital Radio Ipswich the volunteer radio station that serves patients of Ipswich’s Heath Road Hospital has been presented with a cheque by members of IODS (Ipswich Operatic and Dramatic Society).

During their show, “Sounds Familiar” at Felixstowe’s Spa Theatre last summer £651.40 was raised from raffles and has now been donated to the hospital radio station.
Two of IODS members recently experienced the service provided by Hospital Radio Ipswich first hand when they were hospitalised and the station played them requests.
The local amateur theatrical group are about to perform their latest production, Lionel Bart’s Oliver, at The Ipswich Regent, 18th-21st April.

Members of Hospital Radio Ipswich are volunteers and the station receives no funding from the NHS. Therefore they rely on donations and collections to fund the service.
The station broadcasts to the Ipswich Heath Road Hospital 24 hours a day and members visit patients to collect requests. These are then played back to be heard either via the bedside units within the hospital or via the station’s website at www.hri.org.uk.

If you would like to know more about Hospital Radio Ipswich’s service or maybe volunteer telephone 01473 704666 or visit the station’s website at www.hri.org.uk.
You can also meet the HRI crew at Asda Whitehouse, Ipswich this Saturday.

HRI Thanks Responders

Mark Keable — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:51:22 +0000

Hospital Radio Ipswich the volunteer radio station that serves patients of Ipswich’s Heath Road Hospital has benefitted from another radio group.

Local Amateur Radio is a hobby based around the use of a two-way radio and associated technology. As part of the hobby the local group have the use of a system of repeaters which extend the range of their hand-held and mobile radios, these repeaters are based ontop of the roof of the Ipswich Hospital.

Because the group do not pay any rental for the use of the roof space they wished to make a donation to a hospital related charity and therefore thought of a radio-linked charity, Hospital Radio Ipswich, which broadcasts to the bedside of the patients at the hospital.

The South Anglia Repeater Group recently presented Hospital Radio Ipswich with a cheque for £50.

Another facet of Amateur Radio is the Emergency Communications and the local group are part of RAYNET which can assist in emergency situations where normal methods of communication does not work. The local group are involved in assisting the Ipswich Half Marathon and Christchurch Park Firework Display.

More on RAYNET can be found at http://www.btinternet.com/~gauntki/ctysuffk.htm

Egg-tra Easter Shows

Mark Keable — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 09:13:01 +0000

Happy Easter from HRI – if you or a loved one is in hospital this Easter, you can be sure that Hospital Radio Ipswich will be there to provide entertainment.

Our programmes continue as normal…. however there are a few “EGG-tra” goodies:

Easter Sunday
4-6pm Rachel Bowen with an Easter Extra of the Pick Me Up Poetry Club.
6pm The Eighties Hour
7pm The Dusty Record Show
8pm Easter Requests with Mike Bugg and Kevin Ashford

Easter Monday
2pm to the Hospital Live Coverage of the ITFC v Leicester game (on channel 1 only)

(online regular programmes)

6pm Gemma G Easter Request Show
7.30pm Feeling Groovy Special – the start of Radio Caroline
8.30pm Ward on the Wards

As always if there’s a piece of music you’d like to hear then give us a call or fill in the request form on this website.

Buying Records not Breaking Them

Mark Keable — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 09:32:31 +0000

Local Ipswich man, Steve Collins likes a challenge, especially one that drags him away from the fridge and the kid’s sweet tin, so when the opportunity came to take part in the Silverstone Half Marathon and the Henley on Thames Sprint Triathlon, Steve jumped at the chance and thought that it would also be a great way to raise some much need funds for a local charity.
Steve then set about finding an organisation to raise funds for, that’s when he came across Hospital Radio Ipswich (HRI).
HRI broadcast a free to listen to service from within Ipswich Hospital and is run entirely by unpaid volunteers. The Hospital Radio Station is primarily a ward visiting service, collecting requests from the patients that are later played on the radio. Music really is great therapy, and the patients that the HRI ward visitors meet really do benefit from time talking about their musical tastes and not something medical. The station also broadcasts via the internet so that long term patients can keep in touch with their favourite shows and hospital news.
“ I was very surprised to learn exactly what Hospital Radio Ipswich do.” Says Steve, “ It’s great how the charity visit and befriend many patients at the Hospital in their time of need.
“I’m not particularly keen or even good at running, many years ago I did the Great North Run (also a half marathon) – which I found pretty tough.” Steve Continued, “Now older and certainly less fit, this will be a challenge, the triathlon is probably more my sort of thing – and I am hoping to go for a good time at this, rather than aspiring not to end on a ward listening to Hospital Radio (as with the run).”
Steve is taking part in the Silverstone Half Marathon on Sunday 11th March and the Henley On Thames Sprint Triathlon on Sunday 27th May.
“With so many worthy charities each with compelling stories it is often difficult to decide who to help, I don’t think it is any secret that in recent years, smaller charities and those who are not so much in the public eye are struggling – Hospital Radio Ipswich, I believe is a great cause and one where we can make a real difference.” Says Steve, “For a smaller local charity – the amount we can raise can have a much larger impact and make a real difference. It doesn’t need to be about big donations, if as many people as possible donate a small amount, I’ll be chuffed!”
To find out more about Hospital Radio Ipswich visit www.hri.org.uk
• If you would like to support Steve his fundraising page can be found at www.everyclick.com/steve-collins
Relatives of patients can also make requests for their loved ones by calling 01473 740666 or by visiting the website www.hri.org.uk.
In addition to their regular daily live broadcasts the station also plays an automated 24 hour non-stop mix of music and news 365 days a year.
If you would like to know more about the service or maybe volunteer telephone 01473 704666 or visit the station’s website at www.hri.org.uk.

Behind the scenes of Football Commentary

Mark Keable — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:48:55 +0000

Hospital Radio Ipswich is very fortunate to be allowed to broadcast “live” commentary of every Home match at Portman Road.

We have our own team on site at the games who sit with their professional counterparts in the commentary box. Their coverage is relayed from Portman Road back to our studio at Heath Road Hospital where it is then transmitted to the bedside Hospedia sets. A HRI member controls the sound in the studio at Heath Road and stands by should there be a break in the connection (this is job is normally carried out by Gemma G).

We thought it would be fun for you to see some behind the scenes pictures of the team in action at the Middlesborough game on 11th Feb – a very cold day!

Tim Ward - is that some kind of new lip-warmer?

Commentator Terry Betts tries to keep warm

Programme Changes

Mark Keable — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:27:31 +0000

Monday 30th January (2012) sees some changes to the HRI evening schedule.

Bob Davis is now back in his regular slot (Mondays 18:00-19:30) with American Graffiti, the music choice is wide and it’s presented in Bob’s very laid back and relaxed style. Our resident American always has some nice stories to tell about the music and his life.

It’s nice to welcome back Paul Brown (described by some as the father of HRI). Paul was a regular on the HRI airwaves for a number of years and has been responsible for training many presenters (some of whom have gone on to professional radio careers). Now Paul is back and can be heard every Monday evening (19:30-20:30) with a brand new programme “Feeling Groovy” celebrating the swinging 60s. There will of course be lots of music from the era that brought us flower-power and the Fab 4, pirate radio and men on the moon. In addition you will be able to relive those days with the sound of commercials and much more.

Tim Ward

Completing the new Monday evening line up is the welcome return of “Ward on the Wards”. Tim Ward returns to a spot that he held for many a year on a Monday evening with quite possibly the most well remembered programme to ever grace the HRI airwaves. In a packed programme you can hear the Monday night lyric, a look back at HRI of yesteryear, and the return of Something Old, New Borrowed and Blue.

It’s your chance to get your favourite tunes played by calling *800 from your bedside phone or on a BT or mobile phone 01473 704666.

Tim will also be visiting patients on the Wards, complete with microphone as well to get your request from you in your own words.

We hope you enjoy our great new Monday line-up… and remember as your bedside friend we are here for you!

New Year’s Holiday – 31st Dec – 2nd Jan 2012

Mark Keable — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:47:23 +0000

New Year’s Eve

0600 Breakfast Time – Music, news and information
0900 The Golden Hour with Mark Eley
1000 Kevin Ashford in the potting shed
1300 The Tiger Club with Gemma G
1430 Fusion with Tim Ward
1700 Mike Bugg with some late year jazz
1800 Pick Me Up Poetry with Rachel Bowen
2000 Keith Clempson
2200 Night Moods late night easy listening
2300 Night Moods Extra

(Midnight – 0600 non-stop music and news)

———————

New Year’s Day
0600 Breakfast Time – Music, information and news
0900 The Golden Hour with Mark Eley
1000 The Library with Tim Ward
1100 HRI Country our cowboys Bob & Paul
1200 Your Bedside Friend
1300 Stage and Screen with Bob Davies
1400 Chapel Talk with Charlie Riddleston
1500 Chart of The Year 2011 With Mark & Tayla – Biggest Selling Albums & Singles of 2011
1700 Wendy Cook starts 2012 in the 1980s
1800 When Decades Collide – Mark Keable joins Wendy to feature a selection of artistes who had hits in more than one decade?
1900 The Dusty Record Show – celebrating the vinyl record
2000 Kevin Ashford in the potting shed with your requests
2200 Night Moods late night easy listening
2300 Night Moods Extra

(Midnight – 0600 non-stop music and news)

——————

Bank Holiday – 2nd January
0600 Breakfast Time – music, news and information
0900 Sounds Pleasant with Hugh Pocock
1000 Kevin Ashford in the potting shed
1300 The Tiger Club with Gemma G
1430 Ipswich Town live Ipswich Town v Nottingham Forest live commentary from Portman Road
Please note that football commentary only on Channel 1 to the hospital – webstream will feature non stop music.
1700 Chapel Talk with Charlie Riddleston
1800 Through the Eye of a Needle with Charlie Riddleston
2000 Keith Clempson
2200 Night Moods late night easy listening
2300 Night Moods Extra

(Midnight – 0600 non-stop music and news)

Christmas Schedule – 24th-26th December

Mark Keable — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:40:55 +0000

We’ve got some great programmes lined up for the Christmas period.

Christmas Eve
0600 Early Breakfast – Music, news and information
0800 Christmas Eve Breakfast with Mark Eley, including The Golden Hour
1000 Kevin Ashford in the Potting Shed
1230 The Tiger Club with Gemma G
1400 Rob Medd with Christmas Number Ones of the past
1600 The Trust Carol Concert – recorded on Dec 14th
1700 Mike Bugg with some festive jazz
1800 Pick Me Up Poetry with Rachel Bowen
2000 Keith Clempson with your Requests
2200 Seasonal Nights Moods – with Tim Ward, Wendy Cook or Mark Keable – 2 hours of late night festive listening.

(Midnight until 6am Non Stop music and news on the hour)

——————–
Christmas Day
0600 Early Breakfast – Music, news and information
0700 Tim Ward with a special early start with Ward on the Wards
0900 Keith Clempson
1100 Kevin Ashford in his Christmas potting shed
1300 The Trust Carol Concert recorded on Dec 14th
1400 Charlie’s Christmas Chapel Talk
1600 Matt Monro’s Christmas Special
1700 Pick of the Pops 2011 the “artists” with Tim Ward
1800 My Favourite Music with Gwenda Gibson
1900 Mark Keable’s Festive Dusty Record Show
2000 The Christmas Library with Tim Ward
2100 Seasonal Night Moods with Tim Ward
2200 Seasonal Night Moods with Tim Ward, Wendy Cook or Mark Keable – Two hours of late night festive music

(Midnight until 6am Non Stop music and news on the hour)

—————————-

Boxing Day
0600 Breakfast Time – Music, info and news
0900 The 60s Golden Hour with Paul Brown
1000 The Christmas Library with Tim Ward
1100 HRI Country our cowboys Bob & Paul
1200 Your Bedside Friend An introduction to HRI
1300 Gemma G with a Boxing Day Special
1500 Tiger Club Christmas Special With Mark & Tayla – Festive Christmas No1′s
1700 Matt Monro’s Christmas Special
1800 Mark n Wendy’s Turkey Leftovers
2000 Keith Clempson
2200-2400 Seasonal Night Moods with Tim Ward, Wendy Cook or Mark Keable

Hear the Trust Carol Concert Tonight

Mark Keable — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:58:04 +0000

Ipswich Hospital Trust’s annual Carol Service takes place this evening (Wednesday 14th December) and thanks to Hospital Radio Ipswich it will be available to quite literally “everybody”.

Hospital Radio Ipswich will be broadcasting the service to patients on Channel 1 of the Hospedia bedside entertainment units. Additionally as Hospital Radio Ipswich now broadcasts via the internet, the Carol Service will also be available to anyone with an internet connection.

The service which will feature Ipswich Hospital Brass Band Ensemble, Village Voices and God’s Gift International will be held in Ipswich Hospital’s Courtyard Restaurant on Wednesday 14th December at 7.30pm and everybody is welcome.
In addition to broadcasting the Concert live on the night Hospital Radio Ipswich will also record the event for re-broadcasting over the Christmas period.

To listen to the Concert either tune in via a Hospedia unit, within the hospital, on Channel 1 or click the “red headphones” button at the top of this page

Tiggy on the Cornhill

Mark Keable — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:47:13 +0000

Tiggy and friends on the Cornhill

Tuesday 25th October started out dull and cloudy, a typical pre-Christmas Half-Term!!!

What could we do to brighten things up and put a smile on the faces of the people of Ipswich? How about let loose Tiggy the Tiger?

That’s just what we did and you welcomed us with open arms. Tiggy and friends were outside Debenhams and were soon drawing a crowd, the children all wanted to shake hands or give him a “high-five” or to buy one of our very Ipswich-y blue wristbands.

Thank you to everyone who put money into our bucket to help us continue to provide our service to the patients of Ipswich Hospital, and remember you can now listen to us via our website as well as www.hri.org.uk.

In just two hours we raised £50 – So a BIG Tiggy-rific Thank You!!!

See the pictures on our gallery HERE»

Young Jessica loved meeting Tiggy