1986

January this year saw the arrival of a new hospital unit general manager John Neate. A visit to the studio at Heatherwood is made, John giving his full support; for the work of the volunteers, on the radio. It was John who gave us site plans for the hospital which allowed us to investigate the option of bringing the medium wave service to the hospital.

The gas board raffle and donation of the gas cooker from cannon industries raised £550.

The radio received two prints of the magazine this year read the full story story:-

The Bracknell marathon provides more funds for the Radio, with the sponsored run of Frank Blasi: £220 Raised. This was Frank's second go and to offer support the Saturday crew raced around the course in their cars to shout encouragement for frank.

A 10th birthday disco, was organized for the 9th May in the social hall Kevin Broadbridge provided the evening with his twin bridges Disco.

Radio Heatherwood Tuesday crew collected stamps to raise funds for the station.

This years fete was opened by Nanette Newman. The fete was relayed live to the patients, on the stethoscope headsets.1986 Fete Day The unit General Manager John Neate describing Nanette Newman uttered those now famous words. "She always looks good on the Radio".

The ground work for the introduction of the medium wave was carried out. A second survey was conducted of the old headset system to find the amount of faults. An increase of 80%.

The radio service received a £1000 donation, from the Windsor Lions. The result of which was to completely give the studio a redesign and facelift. The library area was created ,and the second studio area assigned. New library racks were purposely built to accommodate the ever increasing in-flux of records.

On the Saturday after charity night, the new look studio work commenced with four presenters giving up a weeks holiday from work to get the major building work under way. After the initial week, every Saturday and Sunday till lunchtime saw Dave & PJ carrying on with all the necessary changes this lasted non-stop until the end of Jan 1987. This was the time when the first suspended ceiling was introduced and for the first time sound proofing of the walls. The existing premises had a very high ceiling which meant a lot of echo for the studio and poor lighting.

A 10th birthday buffet was held at the Stag Public house October 22 for all members of the radio service. The patients chart was ceased at the end of the year due to commitment by the librarian to other duties.

At the end of 86 backing by the league of friends, and an application to the council set the scene for the introduction of the medium wave service and the need to raise £10,000 in 87.

The charity night Grand draw is drawn by Ron Allen of Radio 210.

It's 1986

A DECADE PASSED 1976 to 1986

On the birthday bash of October the station celebrated the first ten years of the radio service, it was also the time to celebrate 1986 as a major contribution to the future of the station.

The year 1986 had been a successful year all round, and as the shape of the studio's themselves were changing, two people were waiting for what promised to be the biggest, and most significant development since the birth of the station.

A lot of behind the scenes work was being conducted by Dave Smith & PJ. Davidson-Smith throughout the year. The change which was to come would top all other events staged by the radio. All would be revealed : January 1987.

Grand Draw/Charity Night Raised:- £ 1742.87 This Year