Prospective Winchester MP Steve Brine dropped into a birthday party this evening (Thursday 24 September 2009) to mark 25 years of Hospital Radio in Winchester.
The organisation, which broadcasts every day of the week from its studios at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester, first broadcast in September 1984. Miss Winchester from that year was the first voice heard on the airwaves and she joined the celebrations this evening alongside current and past members of WHR.
Also present at the celebration was Cllr Dominic Hiscock, the current Mayor of Winchester and Martin Wakeley / Mike Gretton the Chief Executive / Chair of the Winchester & Eastleigh Trust.
WHR Chairman Tony Knight shared memories of the past 25 years and the President of the Hospital Broadcasting Association was on-hand to present long-service certificates to many local volunteers, including one for 25 years to Tony Knight himself.
Steve Brine said; “I spent six and-a-half great years with Hospital Radio myself (with Hospital Radio Lion in Guildford) so have a very personal appreciation of the, often unsung, work that goes on. It was so nice to be there this evening to help them celebrate, I was honoured to be asked. They are such a nice bunch of people and deserve all the credit they are getting.”
Steve is pictured with WHR Chairman Tony Wright during an interview at the station in 2007. Download an MP3 file of Steve's interview.