News

2012

January 2012

29th

Saturday Soccer gets into full swing in 2012...
Paul Ronson is joined every Saturday afternoon between 3 and 5pm by co presenter Dan Eyre.
Dan is a keen Liverpool fan and takes great pride in winding up dedicated Manchester City fan Paul whenever possible!!!
Tune in every week to hear some great banter on 1575am

Liverpool fan Dan in the studio

24th

Dez Kay recently interviewed Brendan Cole one of the Stars from Strictly Come Dancing who is curently on a Nationwide Tour with his show "Brendan Cole Live & Unjudged".
The show came to Aylesbury's Waterside Theatre and Brendon spoke to Dez about Strictly Come Dancing, his career and how well the Tour was going.

Dez Kay with Brendan Cole

2011

December 2011

23rd

Presenters and producers of SMHR descended on Munchies in Fairford Leys, Aylesbury on Thursday night 22nd December for the Christmas curry night. We would like to thank the management who kindly donated £5 per head to the radio station in return for us holding the party at the restaurant.

A good time was had by all and we even got to pull crackers with each other!!!

17th

Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio were in Aylesbury's High Street today raising funds and playing Christmas music for Aylesbury's shoppers. Many thanks to those that came over to contribute towards our fund raising, all money raised goes towards the running cost of the station which is a registered charity.

With thanks to MJD Photography for the photo

November 2011

29th

Dez Kay was at The Waterside Theatre today to interview two of the stars of this years Panto
'Dick Whittington' Dez spoke to West End Star Jonathan Wilkes (also known for being Robbie
Williams best mate) and Gillian Wright who plays Jean Slater in Eastenders.
he talked to them about the Panto and their careers which listeners can hear over the coming weeks.

Dez with Jonathan Wilkes and Gillian Wright who will be in 'Dick Whittington'
at Aylesbury's Waterside Theatre
For more details, visit the website Here

October 2011

29th

Members of Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio were today very sad to learn of the death of Sir Jimmy Savile at his home in Leeds, Sir Jimmy was a regular face around Stoke Mandeville Hospital and although he was not involved in the radio station he was a keen supporter, and in the past had paid for new equipment in our studios.
Just recently he had agreed to come into the studios and co present a show with Martin Kinch who had known him for 32 years.
Martin said "Back in the 80s Jim asked me if I wanted to co present his show with him on Radio 1 which I did and we wanted to to do it the other way around with Jim helping me, it was due to happen in the next few weeks"
In a recent interview Sir Jimmy told TV and newspaper reporters that the members of Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio did a great job for the patients and staff at the Hospital, he was a regular listenter to the station when he stayed at the Hospital and would sometimes ring in for the odd request

Jimmy Savile and Martin Kinch presenting Jimmy's show on BBC Radio 1

Sir Jimmy Savile, OBE, KCSG, with members of Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio in 2009

The news of Sir Jimmy Savile's death was announced just before Paul Ronson went on air with his Saturday Soccer show and Paul dedicated the whole of the show to him,
Paul met Jimmy back in the 70's at Piccadilly Radio, and earlier this year met back up with him in the hospital, Paul said "He remembered me well given my spinal muscular atrophy condition...he joked with two foreign consultants that I could do the best impression of him and said "hey you..you can do me better than I can do me so do it for the guys"...He also called me his favourite 'inmate' in the National Spinal Injuries Unit given the work that I've done for research into SMA over the last 20 years. We've lost a truly GREAT man...a true Yorkshire Man through and through..!!"

Paul Ronson with Sir Jimmy Savile in 'Jimmys' earlier this year

11th

Dez Kay and Stells Withey spoke to former heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno MBE in a special programme on Saturday, Frank spoke about his career and personal life in the one hour programme.
He also spoke to Mark Withey during the show and congratulated him on his achievement of presenting 1000 chart shows. Frank later went around the Hospital to meet patients and staff.

You can hear the interview and see more photos Here

You can also see more photos of Franks visit on our Facebook page Here
With thanks to MJD Photography and Simon Daniels

8th

Today Mark Withey will present the 1000th edition of The Aylesbury Chart Show between 9am and 1pm. Mark started the show back in April 1990, it went out on a Wednesday evening and lasted for an hour, it featured the Top 20 best selling singles in Aylesbury (with sales supplied by Record House)
When SMHR went to 1575am back in 1997, the chart show was extended to two hours featuring the local Top 20 singles and album charts.

The show now lasts for 4 hours and features a 'Golden Oldie' chart from years gone by, the midweek Top 40 album charts, and the midweek Top 40 singles chart.

Mark started with us back in September 1988 as a producer of the Tuesday night request show which was presented by Martin Kinch. As well as presenting The Chart Show, Mark has also presented other shows including Request Shows, The love Hour, Hit Trip, Sunday Special, Seventies Sunday,
Kids Zone, and Bingo On The Wards.

Everyone here at Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio sends their congratulations to Mark for his years of service and dedication to the station.

More information about The Aylesbury Chart show can be found Here

Aylesbury Chart Show presenter Mark Withey

Following the chart show today, Dez Kay and Stells Withey will be talking to former heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno MBE in a special programme from 1pm.

September 2011

22nd

Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio held another fund raising golf day at Studley Wood Golf Club,
The main sponsor of the event was Barclays and was organised by Designer Golf Days
and Stella Withey. This years winners were Ardenham Energy who are coming back next year to fiercely defend their title. To find out more, Call us on 07870 319316 or text ‘GOLF DAY’ to 07870 319316 and we will call you back.

The Ardenham Energy Team, Winners of this years SMHR golf day event

You can see lots more photos of the 2011 Golf day on our Facebook page Here
With thanks to MJD Photography

13th

We now have an official Facebook page, Click the logo above and follow us

August 2011

19th

One of the brightest new shows on Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio has received a welcome cash boost from Aylesbury’s Nuffield Health and Fitness Centre
Known as one of the best places to go to keep fit in the town; the centre is sponsoring the ‘Soccer Saturday’ show that is presented by Paul Ronson every Saturday afternoon with producer Dan Eyre.

The show runs from 3pm to 5pm on 1575 AM and aims to provide staff and patients with all the latest developments in the world of football. Centre boss Richard Whitaker has agreed to sponsor the show for the 2011-2012 football season as well as sponsoring a hole at the SMHR charity golf day in September.

As part of the deal, Paul promotes the centre on his show and gives the link details for their website
“I’d like to thanks Richard for his unstinting support – it is very much appreciated,” said Paul.
“The sponsorship is a welcome cash boost for the station which serves patients and staff at this world famous hospital and we are really looking forward to working with Richard this season.
” The station is run by volunteers who are responsible for the fundraising.
Paul has played an integral part in the fundraising efforts since joining the station last year.

Aylesbury’s Nuffield Health and Fitness Centre sponsoring The Soccer Saturday Show

July 2011

28th

When S.M.H.R Secretary Chris Dickens went on holiday to Zante in July the last thing he expected
to do was bump into a former member and Presenter but that's exactly what happened.
Chris was enjoying a night out with friends when he thought he recognised the DJ and Compere in the bar.That Compere turned out to be Ginge Coldwell who was a member of the station some years ago.

Ginge has been in Zante now for some years acting as Compere and DJ around the island.
He also has his very own English speaking show on Ermis 91.8 Radio.
Chris (and gang) were invited to join Ginge for a show which was great fun followed by a short tour and a spot of lunch

Chris Dickens with ex SMHR member Ginge Coldwell

Chris said "It was certainly a nice surprise to meet up with a former member but not something
that you expect when you go on holiday. Ginge was a great host and certainly knows a lot about the island and the people. He takes a lot of pride in what he does and also the place that he now calls home".

Ginge occasionally visits the U.K and has the invitation to come and visit us when he's next on these shores.

Chris in the studios of Ermis Radio

13th

The SMHR team were on hand at Bedgrove in the park on Saturday the 9th helping the day along
with coverage of all the events. It was the 50th year for 'Bedgrove in the park' and the event was opened by Councillor Jenny Puddefoot .
A great time was had by all and the day was a big success

Councillor Jenny Puddefoot with members of Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio
(And a tall man with big boots)

11th

Today we are pleased to announce that Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio can now be heard on line,
As from today our programmes can be heard all over the world, We often hear from patients and
staff who tell us they miss the station when they leave the Hospital, so now they will be able to hear
us wherever they are.
Station engineer Simon Daniels said "With wifi and internet access becoming widely available now in hospital we want to ensure we give the patients every possible means to listen to SMHR"
Tonights live shows start at 6pm with Martin Kinch presenting 'Solid Gold' and that will be followed
by The Monday Night Request Show at 8pm with Jack Andrews and the team playing your requests and dedications.
Click the link below to find your prefered media player and to find out how to contact the studio.

June 2011

29th

Jen Taylor the Policy and Campaigns Officer from The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign visited our studios tonight and was interviewed by Dez and Stella. They discussed the whole topic of the various types of muscular dystrophy and the annual contribution that The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign makes to research in the hope of finding a cure.

SMHR presenter Paul Ronson was also interviewed as a sufferer of a type of Muscular Dystrophy called Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy. They also discussed the work that the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is doing in our 'south central' region and their latest 'invest to save' campaign which is aimed at saving the NHS large sums of money. Paul chairs the quarterly meetings of the 'south central' region where local sufferers and healthcare professionals come together in Milton Keynes to update each other.

Dez and Stella with Jen Taylor (Right) in the studio

23rd

The Fonz actor Henry Winkler gave one of his infamous thumbs ups to Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio when he caught up with two of our presenters recently.
Henry, who is best known for his starring role in the US 80s situation comedy 'Happy Days', was interviewed by Dez Kay and Stella Withey at Aylesbury's Waterside Theatre. He visited the theatre to lend his support to the 2011 My Way! Campaign - which promotes literacy and learning to children through creativity. The My Way campaign has already had a huge impact on raising awareness of the needs of children with learning challenges in schools throughout the UK.
Henry, who is dyslexic, shares his story with school children and reassures them that everyone can learn - whatever their ability. He has written 19 books, 12 of which are available in the UK - telling the story of the adventures of a dyslexic boy. "Henry spoke frankly about his own experiences at school and is a real inspiration to children who are having difficulty learning to read and write," said Stella.
"It was real pleasure to interview Henry on such an important subject - he is a real character and a great ambassador for the campaign," said Dez.
The interview is being broadcast throughout this week during the live shows on 1575 AM.

Happy Days for SMHR presenters Stella and Dez as The Fonz comes to town

20th

Two Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio members fulfilled their lifelong ambitions to meet veteran entertainer Joe Longthorne recently. SMHR chairman Steve Andrews and celebrity interviewer
Dez Kay got to meet Joe following a performance at Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatre.
Singer and impressionist Joe also gave an emotional interview to Dez, which was broadcast live on SMHR recently, about his past battle with cancer. Brave Joe directly addressed patients about his struggle and urged them not to give up hope.

SMHR Chairman Steve Andrews with Joe Longthorne at Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatre

Joe is currently touring the country with his one-man show and revealed live on SMHR that a possible
appearance in Las Vegas could be on the cards. “Joe has been one of the UK’s leading entertainers over the past few decades and it was a pleasure to meet him,” said Steve. “It was a great honour for me to interview Joe live on air and we thank him for the positive words of support he gave to patients of Stoke Mandeville Hospital,” said Dez.

Dez Kay with with Joe Longthorne

7th

Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio presenter Dez Kay had a ‘thrilling’ afternoon when he was given behind the scenes access to a spectacular show of music and dance that celebrates the musical career of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5.
Dez, who conducts celebrity interviews for the station, met the cast of Thriller live during rehearsals for their show at Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatre. He got the chance to moonwalk with ‘Michael’ and get an exclusive glimpse of the sensational singing and dance routines that are helping keep the unmistakable Jackson sound alive – nearly two years on from Michael’s tragic death.
“There is no doubt that Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 made a significant contribution to the music of the 70s and 80s and it’s fantastic that Aylesbury Theatre goers got the chance to join in the celebrations of this unforgettable era of Motown music,” said Dez.

Dez meets 'Michael' and learns to Moonwalk

1st

Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio has been able to buy 40 more radios to distribute around the Hospital
after volunteers successfully applied for a Community Chest microgrant of £450.
A collection day raised the remaining money needed to purchase the radios which will be used in day rooms as well as wards.

The Community Chest fund, which is run by Aylesbury Vale District Council and the Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust, previously awarded a £10,000 grant towards studio equipment in 2008. Councillor Janet Blake, Chairman of AVDC, said: “The patients of Stoke Mandeville rely on the hospital radio service to keep their spirits up when they are feeling under the weather but the service wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated volunteers who give up their spare time to keep the station on air. We are very pleased to be able to support the valuable contribution they make in helping others.”

Hospital Radio Chairman, Steve Andrews said: “Thank you to AVDC and VAHT for the donation of £450, so we could buy 40 new radios for patient use on the wards. This helps the patients to listen to their requests on Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio.”

Councillor Janet Blake and Sarah Rothwell from The Community Chest fund (Right)
with members of Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio and some of the new radios

With thanks to MJD Photography for the photo

May 2011

17th

Meet Steve Glomski, he works for Sodexo here at Stoke Mandeville Hospital as Patient Dining Manager.

Steve was recently featured on a programme hosted by Stella Withey and Dave Gamage talking about
a charity ride he is doing in mid June. He is cycling 750 miles around Wales in 12 days to collect money for Stop Hunger charity.

Steve has his own web page where people can sponsor him and find out more about his challenge here

16th

Grass Roots Group, the global performance improvement company based in Tring who are the company behind the 'The Sprit of Tring' taking place at The Grass Roots Stadium, Cow Lane, Tring Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th of June are sponsoring Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio.
They have sponsored our local weather bulletins to create awareness of the event and Nick Wake, Head of Marketing Communications and Charlotte Moore-Moffatt, Special Projects Executive will also be participating in two special shows featuring the music of the The Spirit of Tring, which will be hosted by Stella Withey and Dez Kay on Wednesday 18th and Wednesday 25th May.

The company has also donated four tickets for long stay patients nearing the end of their rehabilitation in the National Spinal Injuries Centre, to attend the Saturday evening 'Music of Abba' show and they have also included complimentary tickets for their carers.

SMHR producer Paul Ronson presents the tickets to Jackie Bailey, Patient Liaison Manger,
in The National Spinal Injuries Centre

For more information, please visit The Sprit Of Tring website.

April 2011

22nd

In a special show today, Dave Gamage and Stella Withey spoke to June Snowdon who is
The President of The Hospital Broadcasting Association.
June talked about Hospital Radio and her role as President of the HBA as well as reading out patients requests. Our picture below shows Dave, June, and Stella

June was also pleased to present presenter Tom Clare with a 10 year long service certificate (Below)

(Dave Self was awarded a long service certificate for 15 years service, but was unable to attend)

20th

Stella Withey will be talking to Nicole Russell (Publicity and Communications Officer from The Calibre Audio Library) between 6 and 8pm tonight.

16th

On a special Kids Zone show tonight, presenter Stella Withey was joined in the studio by two special guests, Curtis & Aimee Foster.
Here they are in our studios with Stella waiting for the show to start

Guest presenters Curtis and Aimee reading out requests for the children in Stoke Mandeville Hospital

1st

On the 22nd of April (Good Friday) Stella Withey will be presenting a special show between 5 and 7pm. Stella will be talking to The President of the Hospital Broadcasting Association, June Snowdon.
June will also be talking to some of our members and presenting them with some long service certificates.

Stella with June Snowdon, President of the H.B.A.

March 2011

24th

Misco, a leading IT reseller in the UK, donated over £760 worth of IT equipment to SMHR earlier this month. Station engineer Simon Daniels said “The donated IT hardware will make a huge difference. Now, we’re going to have reliable equipment and be able to continue providing patients with music and entertainment. This gift may be small in relation to Misco’s turn over, but to us, its value is huge. We cannot thank Misco enough.”
Misco worked in conjunction with Lite-On, Netgear, and Western Digital manufacturers to make this donation possible and would like to thank those supporting partners. Full story here

9th

Miles Brooke, General Manager for D & M Pro Europe, recently came to our studios to
donate two Marantz PMD340 CD Players.
The picture below shows Miles (Right) with SMHR engineer Simon Daniels

This is an important and generous donation and these units replace some old equipment
which had come to the end of its life.
You can see the new CD players in the picture of Studio 1 below.

February 2011

9th

Stella Withey was joined in the studio tonight by Paul Hester who is the director of resources at
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People in Princes Risborough
Our picture shows Paul (left) with Wednesday night request show presenter Tom Clare

7th

Just a reminder that there is now another way to send in your requests and dedications.
You can text us on 60777 - Please ensure you start the message with SMHR.
Texts are charged at your normal message rate.

We would like to say many thanks to Txtlocal for their help and support in providing this service

January 2011

19th

On a special programme tonight, Stella Withey interviewed Richard Berry Managing Director of
Sytner High Wycombe and Lorna Muir their financial controller.
Both are big supporters of SMHR and sponsor our golf day which is a big fundraiser for us.

Richard and Lorna (pictured above) arrived at the studio ladend with gifts which you can see in the
photo below. In the gift boxes were toys, nintendo's and games, all for the children's ward.

Tom Clare (far right) presenter of the Wednesday night request show accompanied Richard and Lorna to the children's ward and presented the gifts. The sister and staff on the ward were delighted and passed on their gratitude to Sytner High Wycombe.
Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio would also like to thank them for all the support they have given to the
station in recent years.

2010

November 2010

28th

As from today, there is now another way to send in your requests and dedications.
You can now text us on 60777 - Please ensure you start the message with SMHR.
Texts are charged at your normal message rate.

We would like to say many thanks to Txtlocal for their help and support in providing this service

23rd

Tonight, Ken Bruce from BBC Radio 2 officially opened our new studios, Ken spoke about how he started in Hospital Radio and how much the patients & staff appreciate the work that the voluntary members do, Also present were Hospital staff and guests from the many organisations and trust funds that have supported our fund raising. Steve Andrews and Dez Kay presented a special request show which included interviews with Ken and many of the evenings guests.

SMHR Chairman Steve Andrews with special guest Ken Bruce from Radio 2
With thanks to MJD Photography you can see see more photos from the night,
Please click here
(Go to the gallery and look for Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio Grand Re Opening)

October 2010

4th

We started broadcasting live programmes from our new studios today with Martin Kinch at 6pm,
followed by the Monday night request show at 8pm, it was presented by Jack Andrews with Carol Jenkins and Matthew Doherty

September 2010

10th

Work is nearly completed on our new studio complex.

More pictures Here

9th

Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio hosted their annual charity golf day today at Studley Wood Golf Club. The event was organised by Holly Small and Stella and Mark Withey.
Alvin Printwhistle provided the evening entertainment and was as ever absolutely brilliant.

The main sponsor, Barclays bank cash - matched the first £3000.00 which helped the event raise in excess of £9000.00.

For more information, Please Click Here

The golf day has proved to be the highlight in our fundraising calendar and we have already booked next years for the 22nd of September.

To view the Results, sponsors and gallery, please Click Here for The Designer Golf Days Website and select the ‘SMHR Charity Golf Day 2010’ tab from the left hand navigation tabs.

May 2010

28th

An automated test broadcast started today, We hope that in the next few weeks we willl be able to re start our live programmes.

2009

Dec 2009

12th

Barclays Bank have again come up trumps helping the station to raise more needed funds. They held coffee and cake days for their customers, first at the Gatehouse branch on the 10th of December, then on the 11th at the Market Square branch. Some cakes were donated by members of SMHR but most were given by the Barclays staff. They worked extremely hard during the day and thanks to their efforts and the community manager Stacey Midwinter, SMHR will be receiving a cheque for well over £200.00. Coffee cups were very kindly donated by Cafe Republica.
Our Treasurer Stella Withey said "I would like to thank everyone for their support".

Mark Withey and staff from Barclays Bank

Oct 2009

15th. We were back in 'The Sun' again today with a quote from our Stella regarding the makeover we had earlier in the year

Sept 2009

17th. Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio held a fund raising golf day at Studley Wood Golf Club today. Barclays will be doubling the first £3000 raised. The event was organised by Designer Golf Days,
Stella Withey, and Erica Neal from SMHR.

We would like to thank the following for their help and support, Barclays, Keith Maylin at Driftgate Press, Lorna at BMW Sytner High Wycombe, Amthal Security - St Albans, Hughes and Co of Tring,
Kar World Aylesbury, Gibbs Garages of Thame, ESRI (UK) Ltd, Buckinghamshire County Museum,
Burgess Office Equipment, The Bugle Horn, Waddesdon Manor, Schwarzkopf, Pendley Manor,
Verna House Limited, Bahlsen Biscuits, Toni and Guy, Chiltern Brewery, The Cinnamon Tree,
Diamonds Hair Designers, Fairford Eyes Opticians, Aylesbury Flooring, The White Swan Aylesbury,
DAC Removals, Gerry O’Brien (IOSH) Health and Safety Advisory Services, Destiny Fairford Leys,
Escape Fairford Leys, BSG Financial Solutions, Vina Wines - Fairford Leys, Amy at Touchshiatsu,
The Harrow Aylesbury, ASM metal recycling, Reynolds Parry Jones - Solicitors of High Wycombe,
Excel office supplies, John Dennis 4X4, RJG Flooring of Aylesbury, Ingenuity IT, Delta Force,
Ellesborough Golf Club, Footprint Photography, Stuart Collier at Stoke Park Golf Club, Designer Golf Days, and Studly Wood Golf Club.

The BMW for the weekend was won by one of the Barclays team and presented by Lorna Muir.

With special thanks to Colin from Burgess office equipment

To view a PDF of the Programme click here

More pictures plus results and prize winners on the Designer Golf Days web site Here

There will be another golf day on the 9th September 2010 with entertainment by Alvin Printwhistle,
one of the Top UK Elvis Tribute Artists

July 2009

20th. SMHR presenter Dez Kay was once again the compare of this years 'Aylesbury On Sea' event yesterday.
During the afternoon Dez introduced special guests John Challis and Sue Holderness aka "Boycie and Marlene" from Only Fools and Horses to the Aylesbury crowd

Dez Boy with Boycie and Marlene

June 2009

25th. For the second day running, Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio were featured in 'The Sun'

Our recent makeover was chosen as an advertisement feature for The Sun/Dulux 'Paint For Change' feature. (For a larger view click here)

24th. Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio made the national papers today.

The Sun newspaper along with the paint company Dulux have been running a competition for charities in the UK to have somewhere of their choice painted, and Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio were voted as one of the lucky winners.
Special thanks go to all the people that voted for us, Also a big thanks to our treasurer Stella Withey who entered us into the competition in the first place.

Stella is pictured in today's 'Sun' helping to decorate our new studios.

5th. At a special award ceremony tonight, two of our members, Martin Kinch and Mark Withey were presented with long service certificates by Voluntary Services Manager Helen Wareham and The Chairman of Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Graham Ellis.

Mark receives his 20 year long service certificate from Helen Wareham and Graham Ellis





And Martin gets one for his 30 years service

May 2009

19th. The Sun newspaper along with the paint company Dulux have been running a competition for charities in the UK to have somewhere of their choice painted, and Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio were voted as one of the lucky winners.
Special thanks go to them and the people that voted for us, Also a big thanks to our treasurer Stella who entered us into the competion in the first place.

Today The Sun and Dulux came to our new studio complex to help decorate our new reception area, Our President, Freda Roberts was there, as well as members of the Hospital Trust, and Sir Jimmy Savile also came along to pay tribute to the volunteers at the station.
Many of our members were also on hand to help out.

With thanks to Footprint Photography you can see lots more photos from the day Here

You can also see Bucks TV's report on the story Here

STOP PRESS - Nick fixes it for Dez.

When our presenter Dez saw this photo of himself with Sir Jimmy Savile he jokingly asked Nick if he could give him more hair. Click the photo to see Nick's magic

February 2009

28th. Today we finished moving all of our equipment, records, and CDs from what has been our temporary home in Ward 4X .Work has started on our new studio complex in another part of the Hospital.

We are currently 'Off Air' while the work is in progress..
Please keep checking this website to find out when we will be back On Air.

14th. Today was the last day of broadcasting from our temporary studio in Ward 4X.
Mark Withey presented The Aylesbury Chart Show which was the last show to be broadcast.

2008

December 2008

23rd. Deputy Leader of Bucks County Council Bill Chapple OBE recently paid a visit to our studio to present our Treasurer Stella Withey with a cheque for £1.075 towards the cost of building our new studios.

Bill Chapple OBE (seated) with Treasurer Stella Withey (right)
presenter Dave Gamage and his son Matthew

Photo © Derek Pelling/Bucks Herald

20th. Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio were in Aylesbury today raising funds and playing Christmas music for shoppers in the High Street.

Last year, with your help we managed to raise the fantastic sum of £1033.30.
This year (despite the credit crunch) you donated a very generous £1021.65, so once again we would like to say a very big Thank You to everyone for supporting us and helping us to continue to entertain the patients and staff at Stoke Mandeville Hospital

4th. It was 30 years ago today that Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio first started broadcasting to the patients of Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Current members of the station as well as some former and founder members got together for a chat and a bite to eat. Also present was the President of the Hospital Broadcasting Association June Snowden, who presented some of our members with long service awards.Members of The Hospital Trust were there as well as the Voluntary Services Manager Helen Wareham, We even had a return visit from broadcasting legend DLT who originally came to see us back in 1980.
Presenters Faye and Mark Grantham presented a special request show during the evening and also interviewed some of our guests including June Snowden, Grahem Ellis (Chairman of The Bucks Hospitals Trust) Ian Garlington (Director of Facilities and estates) and former SMHR Chairmen Chris Long and Terry Meades.

Photo © Footprint Photography

June Snowden, President of The Hospital Broadcasting Association presents our President
Cllr Freda Roberts MBE JP with a 30 year certificate for the station


For more photos click here

Read more about the history of the station here

November 2008

13th. SMHR presenter Jack Andrews recently asked his boss Carl Carter at Martin Mccoll's in Haddenham if he could put one of our collecting tins in the shop.
In the space of a few days the tin was full and has added £21.20 to our fundraising total.
Well done Jack and many thanks to the customers of the shop, and also to Carl and the rest of the staff.

9th. With the help of the deputy store manager Andy Taylor, Sainsbury's supermarket in Aylesbury has recently held a week long fundraising appeal for the benefit of Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio which is a registered charity.
Andy said that he was delighted to be raising money for a local charity and a worthy cause. There were collection buckets at each of the many checkouts and at the kiosks for customers to make their donations. £300 was raised by customer donations but in an effort to help SMHR further Sainsbury increased the sum to a grand total of £1000.

Matthew Nash, the Chairman of SMHR said that this is just one of the many ways that we are asking local shops, businesses and organisations to help with our appeal to raise much needed funds for the hospital radio station and we would like to extend a very large thank you to Andy Taylor and his fantastic team at Sainsbury in the centre of town for all their help.
Stella Withey, the Treasurer of SMHR and chief fundraiser said that the money raised will go towards providing furniture and equipment for our new radio station premises, and to help us maintain our round the clock radio broadcasting facility for the benefit of the patients and staff of the hospital.

Sainsbury's staff raising money for Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio



SMHR secretary Nick Sievewright thanks deputy store manager Andy Taylor (right) for their help in our fundraising efforts

Photos © Footprint Photography

1st. As another way of raising funds we have set up an account with Easyfundraising

The website provides a FREE service where you can shop with your favourite online stores and at no extra cost raise funds for our charity (and others) You still shop directly with each retailer as you would normally, but simply by using the links from the web site, each purchase you make will generate a donation.
You can shop with 600+ Brand Name retailers and to raise funds you just use the links from our site first, it's that simple! (and you pay the same prices exactly as if you visited each retailer's website directly).

For more information please visit the site here, and if you would like the donations to come to us, please search for 'Aylesbury Hospital Radio' (Our registered charity name)

October 2008

28th. We are very grateful to the committee of the Haddenham Real Ale Festival who have allocated us £1,200 of the money raised at this years festival.The money will enable us to replace two of the computers that keep the station running.

Martyn Broughton who is the treasurer of the committee said "We are really pleased to be able to associate ourselves with such a worthwhile cause as yourselves and are thrilled to be able to assist you with funds raised at the Festival"

You can find more information on the Haddenham Real Ale Festival, including dates of their future festivals by visiting their website here

A photo of the cheque presentation will be on this page soon

16th. The Buckinghamshire Community Foundation is an independent registered charity who specialise in making awards to groups at grass roots level. Since January 2000 they have helped over 1000 projects within the County and given over £1.5 million in grants. The Foundation is administering the Grassroots grants programme throughout the County on behalf of the office of the third sector, a central Government department. These grants are designed to reach small volunteer led community groups working on a diverse range of projects for the benefit of local people.

As our fundraising continues, we were pleased to meet Cherry Aston a trustee of the foundation who this week presented us with a cheque for £5,000 towards equipment for our new studios. As with everyone who has helped us raise money needed to equip and build the studios next year, we would again like to say a very big Thank You !

Cherry Aston presents the cheque to our programme controller Mark Withey
(Note the egg boxes on the wall ! next year we hope to have proper soundproofing)

Cherry hands the cheque over to our Treasurer Stella Withey

13th. Three Councillors from Aylesbury Town Council came to our studios today to present us with a cheque for £2000 which will go towards the cost of having to build our new studios.

Photo © Footprint Photography

Councillor Pat Jamieson has a go on the desk,
watched by Councillor's Mark Willis and Zulifqar Ahmed

Photo © Footprint Photography

And here they are in our music library with the cheque which is being handed to our Chairman
Matthew Nash along with those familar faces of Martin, Stella, Nick, Dez, and Mark.

3rd. We are very pleased to report that early in 2009, Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio will be moving to an exciting new onsite location. The new premises provide the vital extra space required to enable us to upgrade our facilities to include a second live studio, which will also be used for the training of new volunteers. These new facilities will enable us to offer an even better service to the Patients and Staff at Stoke Mandeville Hospital by way of more request shows and children's entertainment programmes, along with many other programmes promoting patient and listener involvement. We have raised some of the funds to pay for the move and equip the new studios, however fund raising efforts continue to ensure that the very best personal radio service is delivered to our listeners.

September 2008

29th. Our fundraising efforts were given a big boost today when our President Freda Roberts MBE JP and John Leggett from The William Harding Trust came to our studios to present the radio station with a cheque for £10.000.

We are very grateful for this generous donation.The money will go a long way towards the cost of us having to move and build new studios at the hospital.

Photo © /Footprint Photography

Freda Roberts MBE JP and John Leggett from The William Harding Trust with a cheque for £10.000

Photo © Footprint Photography

Freda and John are joined in the studio by SMHR members Martin Kinch, Mark Withey, Stella Withey,
Dez Kay, Nick Sievewright, Mark Grantham, and Zoe Murray.

14th. Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio once again provided the music and P.A for this years Charter Day in the Market Square in Aylesbury

Entertaining the crowds are Nick Sievewright, Steve Andrews, Zoe Murray
and Mr 'Solid Gold' Martin Kinch

August 2008

4th. We would like to thank Argos, Morrisons, and the Odeon Cinema in Aylesbury for their recent donations, and also to Aylesbury United Football Club for their support in our fundraising efforts

1st. The Bucks Herald have kindly agreed to include our programme schedule in their weekly newspaper

July 2008

20th. Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio were in 'Aylesbury On Sea' today.

Original photograph by Ken Poole

The event which was organised by Aylesbury Town Council was opened by Chris Fountain
star of Hollyoaks and Dancing On Ice.
The compere for the day was our very own Dez Kay


Dez is pictured introducing Chris Fountain to the crowds of Aylesbury On Sea
Photo © Martin Kinch

More photos here

17th. Many thanks to The Buckinghamshire Foundation who have awarded us £500 towards the cost of our new studios. The Foundation is an independent charity dedicated to promoting charitable activity in the county.
In the photo below (With thanks to Derek Pelling of The Bucks Herald) Les Sheldon, a consultant for the Foundation is pictured presenting the cheque to our treasurer Stella Withey.Also in the photo is Mark Withey, Ralph Chadwick, Dez Kay, and Dave Gamage and son Matthew

Photo © Derek Pelling/Bucks Herald

12th. We had a special guest on last night's magazine show, Local classical singer
Rowan Carter came in to chat to Stella Withey and Dave Gamage about her life and her music.

We would like to wish Rowan all the best for the future and thank her
(and her Dad) for the donation to Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio.


For more information on Rowan, please visit her website

11th.We are very grateful to the customers and staff of The Bell in Stoke Mandeville for all the money that was collected in one of our collecting tins

8th. We'd like to say a very big Thank You to Aylesbury Vale District Council's 'Community Chest'
because Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio are very pleased to announce that they have given us a grant for £10.000 towards the cost of building new studios when our current building is demolished due to the redevelopment of the Hospitall.

June 2008

24th. Our very own Childres's show 'Kids Zone' recently held a competition to win free tickets for a trip to Go Ape at Wendover woods.Children in the MacCarthy ward were invited to draw a picture of apes and monkeys or how they imagine Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio to look.

The winner of the tickets was Ryan Bailey who is pictured below with his winning picture and tickets.
Also in the photo are Kids Zone presenters Mark Withey and Olivia Saunders.

Congratulation to Ryan, and many thanks to 'Go Ape' for donating the tickets

Click here to see Ryan's winning picture and a few of the other entries

22nd. Many thanks to our friends at Aylesbury Police station for the money they raised for us by having a collecting tin on their reception desk.

We would also like to say thanks to The Limelight Theatre at The Queens Park Centre, Aylesbury, for the tickets to the Comedy Night on the 27th.
All the requests from this weeks Monday night request show were put into a hat and one lucky listener won the tickets.

May 2008

13th. We would like to say a big Thank You to The Midcounties co-operative for giving us £500.00 from their community project. We are currently raising funds to help towards our next move when our current temporary studios are knocked down.

Gavin Minshall of the Co-op in Fairford Leys, Aylesbury, hands the cheque to our Treasurer Stella Withey. Also pictured are SMHR Programme controller Mark Withey and presenter Martin Kinch (right)

April 2008

25th. With thanks again to our friends at Tesco's in Broadfields, Aylesbury, we have purchased some more radios to donate to wards in the Hospital that have difficulty hearing us.

If you know anyone in the Hospital that is currently having problems listening to the station, please contact us and we will do our best to help

Our telephone number is (01296) 33 1575 and our email address is studio@smhr.co.uk

March 2008

1st.Today we started broadcasting a new programme called Kids Zone.The show was presented by Mark and Stella Withey and special guest presenters James and Olivier.

The show is especially for the Children in the MacCarthy Childrens ward at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and features stories,reviews and music requests from the ward.

The photo below shows Mark (back) with James and Olivia in the studio before the show went out live between 2 and 4pm

For the news archive, click here