20th April 2024

150 years of service to York Hospital Radio

Three volunteer members of York Hospital Radio are celebrating as they clock up 150 years of service between them.

James Gavigan, June Snowden and Maria Bewers all recently received long service awards, after each being members of York Hospital Radio for 50 years.

All three received their certificates from the station’s patron, Alan Dedicoat, the voice of Strictly Come Dancing and the National Lottery.

York Hospital Radio is a registered charity, and offers radio shows 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to listeners in the York hospital, but also broadcasts online, via smart speakers, and via a free app. The station is celebrating 60 years since its very first recorded programme was broadcast in January, 1964.

The output includes music shows, interviews and features, live commentaries on all York City home games, concerts and shows from venues around the city, and information for listeners about services and facilities in the hospital.

York Hospital Radio chair Ian Clennan commented : “This is a very big year for York Hospital Radio, so it is especially fitting that we have no fewer than three of our members who have themselves reached a major milestone. Congratulations to James, June and Maria, and my sincere thanks to all three of them – and indeed to all our volunteers – for their amazing work over so many years to keep our radio station going and sounding so good!”

All three recipients have been broadcasters for many years, and all have had other roles in the organisation, including Outside Broadcasts and training new members. June Snowden is also the President of the Hospital Broadcasting Association, the national organisation representing hospital radio stations all over the country.

To listen to York Hospital Radio outside the York hospital, listen online at www.yorkhospitalradio.com or download the free app from your app store, or ask your smart speaker to play York Hospital Radio.