The 29th September 2016 saw the 50th anniversary of Hospital Radio in the Dorchester area and culminated in a day of celebration with a special reception 
for invited guests held in the Hospital’s Education Centre which included an excellent buffet and celebratory cake prepared for us by the DCH catering department. During the event the Ridgeway Radio Chairman, Andy Worth, gave a short address and invited the Mayor of Dorchester, Councillor Tim Harries to unveil a commemorative plaque specially made by former Ridgeway Radio member Rob Mott. That was followed by the cutting of the cake by three of the founder members of Dorchester hospital radio.
Our live programming during the day was very much focussed on the 50th anniversary with recollections of the past 50 years of hospital radio broadcasts together with various excerpts of past programs. The first broadcast by the Dorchester Hospital Broadcasting Society (as it was originally known) was at 8pm on 29th September 1966 and 50 years later – at exactly the same time, date and day of the week! – the occasion was remembered by playing what had been the Society’s original signature tune ‘The Farmer’s Boy’ heralding a programme of more remincences and anecdotes from those 50 years by the founder members, Peter Foster, Heather Foster, Andy Worth and Andy Venton. The Mayor and Mayoress of Dorchester, Tim and Anita Harries also took part in the programme and Tim was invited to unveil a second plaque, this time in the studio.
Earlier in the day, at 12 noon, Ridgeway Radio’s President and Dorchester Town Crier, wearing full ceremonial costume as he did for the rest of the day, gave a special cry at the Town Pump proclaiming the 50th anniversay to a large group of passers by which was broadcast live via phone to our listeners. Click the Play button below to listen to it.
See also these related articles –
- 60s Quiz Night
- Hospital Radio marks milestone – View News report
- Dorset Echo report by Joanna Davis
- 50 years of hospital radio in Dorchester – View News report
- Evening of fun at Radio Daze
- Town Crier invites South Street shoppers to Radio Daze
- Feature on the 50th anniversary of hospital radio in Dorchester on the Hospital Broadcasting Association’s website
Below is a gallery of images from the reception and studio (click on a picture to enlarge it) and two short videos made by Kieran Williams.
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- The excellent buffet prepared for us by the DCH catering dept.
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- The splendid cake created for us by Wayne of the DCH catering department
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- Cutting the cake
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- Our President and Dorchester Town Crier starts the proceedings
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- Our Chairman presents his address
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- The Chairman introduces the Mayor
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- The Mayor unveils the commemorative plaque
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- The Plaque made by Rob Mott
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- Alistair and Dan
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- Vice-chairman, Peter Foster
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- Jenny covered the event for Sherborne based Abbey 104
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- Geoff and Rob
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- Chairman, Andy Worth
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- Treasurer, Andy Venton
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- Pesident and Chairman with Rob Mott who kindly made the plaques
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- Pete and Heather in the studio for the evening show whilst eating cake kindly made by Abi
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- The Mayor and Mayoress taking part in the programme
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- Chairman introduces the Mayor prior to unveiling of the second plaque
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- The Mayor unveils the plaque
Anyone for #cake? #celebrating 50 years of #HospitalRadio in #dorchester pic.twitter.com/0rDsTnh6So
— Ridgeway Radio (@RidgewayRadio) 29 September 2016
Our #chairman introduces everyone at our celebration! pic.twitter.com/dSiK0lzt6N
— Ridgeway Radio (@RidgewayRadio) 29 September 2016