Radio General
(Warrington Hospital Radio)
Your
feel better station for
Warrington Hospital & surrounding areas.
Listen on Hospedia Radio Channel 1 or online.
History
The present day Radio General, owes its origin to two separate
organisations....
Warrington Rugby Commentators Association
In 1952, Jack Steel of the Warrington Guardian reported that rugby
commentaries had started in Oldham. He wrote to the Warrington Rugby League
Club asking for permission to do the same.
The Warrington board agreed to the scheme and on
Saturday 28th February 1953, just before the 2nd round Challenge Cup tie at
Wilderspool Stadium between Warrington and Workington Town, Fred Davies, the
Warrington Club Chairman broadcast a goodwill message to the patients of the local
hospitals. This was then followed by the first live match commentary by George
Duckworth, Ossie Roberts and Paul Cowell.
Ever since that day in 1953 a dedicated team of commentators have with the
blessing and assistance of the Warrington Club broadcast a full live commentary
on each first team match played at the stadium.
Warrington Council Of Youth Hospital
Broadcasts
The Hospital Request Service was started
on 7th November 1957 after months of preparation by the Warrington Council of
Youth. The idea of a hospital radio station came after some members visited an
existing one in Stockport. At first the records requested were borrowed,
played, then returned. Teams took it in turns to collect requests or present
the programmes. Broadcasts were originally on Thursday evening and Sunday
morning.
In 1974 we did our first Outside Broadcast with coverage of the Warrington
Walking Day. This started a tradition of Outside Broadcasts which continues
today. Also in 1974 we did our first Christmas broadcast from the retail
market. Our OB's now span from Victoria Park and Walton Gardens to live events
and concerts from The Parr Hall.
Two become One
In the mid 1970's it was felt that the two
sides of hospital broadcasting in Warrington could be better served if they became
one organisation, although it must be said there was never any conflict between
them. So Radio General was formed, providing both the rugby commentaries and
the Hospital Request Service.
During the time Radio General has been on air, the studios have moved around
the hospital somewhat. In 1982 we moved into our last home, our first custom
built studios. These were subsequently extended in 1986 in order to increase
our broadcasting facilities.
In 1984, in order to raise funds, we did our first 50 hour sponsored broadcast,
which included using nearly all our OB locations. In 1997, the station
celebrated 40 years of Hospital Requests. The occasion was marked with a
birthday party, followed by a non stop 40 hour broadcast. The sponsored
broadcast was extended to 50 hours the following year to mark the 50th
anniversary of the NHS.
2001 saw us move again to our present home in the main entrance of Warrington
Hospital. Our studios are the best we've ever had and we thank the Hospital
greatly for allowing us to move here.