QUARTERLY BLOG – JULY 2021

Well, what a roller-coaster few months it has been for Harrogate Hospital Radio, oh, and of course for the world too!
As the pandemic is still causing lots of problems with our everyday lives, I personally believe we are learning to live and manage it as best we can.
The good news for Harrogate Hospital Radio is we are going from strength to strength.
So much has happened, and is happening at HHR.
Let’s take a brief lookback at the last few months….
I would like to thank everyone who sneakily nominated me for the John Whitney Outstanding Contribution Award – which ‘celebrates an outstanding contribution, by an individual, to their station/hospital radio’ – at the HBA (Hospital Broadcasting Association) Awards, held online for a second year due to the pandemic. To say I was ‘gobsmacked’ was an understatement, but very proud to receive it.

Listening figures at Harrogate Hospital Radio are the highest they have ever been. Last month, just short of 7,000 hours listening hours – amazing.
The first big event took place on Bank holiday Monday, May 1 yes, The Marathon Broadcast organised and run by Daniel Wilson. It was a huge success. The whole 24-hours were streamed live on YouTube. We had 99 per cent of our presenters take part during the 24-hour broadcast, some notable shows, in particular the launch with Daniel and me (ably assisted by George, Daniel’s partner). We did a tour of the hospital and interviewed a patient who had arrived in A&E.

Local Artist, Stan Smith, played live in the studios and was interviewed by Richard Smith. We then had the ‘Pride Hours’, two hours of amazing music, fun and listener interaction.
The event raised over £1, 500. An amazing total and thank you to everyone who donated and took part in the whole event.
The first live outside broadcast took place outside the front of the hospital, as Harrogate Hospital Radio joined forces with the trust’s charity, HHCC (Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity) for THE HHCC STEPATHON, lead by Sammy Lambert and her team; Dan, Lorraine, and Emma. A full 12-hour stepathon around the perimeter of the hospital. The weather was incredible and HHR was given over 40 requests to play during the broadcast.

So, the BIG NEWS……..
As Chairman I am incredibly proud to announce that Harrogate Hospital Radio has been granted a licence to broadcast on the FM frequency.
I first applied back in November 2018 to broadcast on FM, but kept being knocked back. However, with the help of our MP, Andrew Jones, and my perseverance, I finally received confirmation on June 9 that HHR had been granted the licence to broadcast on 95.3FM from September 1, 2021.
Work is well underway to get ready for the launch, which will be launched by MP Andrew Jones and The Chairman of HDFT, Angela Schofield.

The other good news is Ofcom has announced DAB Multiplex will be available in Harrogate and Wetherby, and parties have been invited to apply for the licence.
I had a meeting with Nick Hancock, formally of Stray FM, and now with online radio station, Your Harrogate Radio, and have agreed to be part of the DAB multiplex syndicate.
More news on that when, and if, we are successful.
So, the future of Harrogate Hospital Radio is possibly the brightest and most exciting its ever been in its 43-year history,
For more updates and information on Harrogate Hospital Radio, do keep tuned in, and also visit our website and Facebook page.
Until next time, take care and get well soon. And from me, personally, thank you to every single person who has helped HHR to get where we are today.