IT takes a lot to be a volunteer for 45 years, but that is exactly how long David Jackman has been a member of Harlow Hospital Radio (HHR), and this commitment was recognised recently when David received a long service certificate from the Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA) – the body that represents the 250+ hospital radio stations throughout the UK.

David recalls joining HHR soon after the station commenced, having been a member of nearby hospital Radio Stortford before then: “At first it was easy, less technical than now although you had to be careful in cueing records using a felt mat under the record which had to be held ready for release as the turntable was running constantly, no auto start in those days. In my first years at HHR you were either presenter or technician, presenter in a soundproof studio, technician outside controlling the mixer desk.”

But Jackman sees the advantages of the new computerised broadcasting equipment: ” There is a good team of very dedicated “Professionals” running the station now, all due to the training involved before being let loose in the studio as presenter/technician. I hope that HHR continues the good work of the past and who knows they may eventually arrive at a fully automatic studio without the need for any of those accident prone, lost for words, fallible human beings!”

Before complete automation happens though, HHR depends on a dedicated team of volunteers – of all ages – who broadcast a mixture of live and recorded programmes 24 hours a day to the patients of Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow. The station has won multiple awards from the HBA for its specialist programmes – with the station’s output carefully matched to the time of day and listening profile of the audience.

HHR Chair Andy Meadows added: “We are honoured that volunteers like David Jackman continue to play an active role in our station after so long – but we are always keen to encourage new members to join us. It’s both rewarding and fun, we all enjoy what we do.”

Caption