Durham Hospitals Radio celebrates 60 years

Durham Hospitals Radio volunteers celebrated their 60th broadcasting anniversary last weekend (August 26-28) with a rich program of music, guests and inquiries.

The station has been broadcasting since the early 1960s, providing comfort and support to patients at North Durham University Hospital.

Read more: The Durham Hospital radio presenter has been recognized after 11 years as presenter

When it began, the station consisted only of a record player on a cart that was moved from station to station. 60 years later, the volunteers have their own studio in the old Porter’s Lodge at Dryburn Hospital.

Guests at the big 60th anniversary celebration included former BBC presenter Alfie Joey, Smooth Radio’s Steve Colman and even Jeremy Vine, who began his career at the broadcaster.

Eileen Thompson, who has been presenting shows at the hospital for eleven years, spoke of a “great” weekend

“60 years is just incredible and the weekend was absolutely phenomenal. The staff and patients loved everything.

“It’s just amazing to see how we’ve evolved from a portable record player to a studio.”

The station’s chairman, Terry Clough, has been a volunteer at the station for 60 years.

He first came into contact with presenting while working in a record store in the early 1960s. At this point the ward managers borrowed records to play for patients, with Terry being asked if he wanted to try presenting.

And in Terry’s words, “The rest, as they say, is history.”

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Terry Clough. (Image: EILEEN THOMPSON)

Terry played a big part in the celebrations as he opened the three day event on Saturday August 26th and closed it on Monday August 28th at 8pm.

He said: “It was a long weekend as we were broadcasting for three days in a row and of course had different guests.

“It was a good experience and I really enjoyed it. On Monday evening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. I rounded off the celebrations with two hours of exquisite music.”

The broadcaster has stated that it is always looking for volunteers to speak and anyone interested can click here to find out more.