Jubilee Radio recreates its first show on 40th birthday

Monday marked 40 years to the day since founders Barry Bridel and David Eaton first put the show on air at the Princess Elisabeth Hospital.

To mark the occasion Mr Bridel recreated much of his first show, including playing songs featured in the broadcast from 1978, guest messages from numerous different radio stations and a speech opening the station by Prince Charles, which was recorded at the time.

Mr Bridel said he was honoured to take part in the celebrations.

‘It was a proud moment for me to be at the mixing desk on Monday, at exactly the date and time 40 years after we opened the station 1978,’ he said.

‘I think it’s great that the station Dave Eaton and I founded in 1978 is still available to patients within the Princess Elizabeth Hospital and now worldwide via the internet.’

The first official radio station in Guernsey, the idea came about as a way to use money from The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Trust Fund, which aimed to get young people working in the community.

The initial set-up cost was £12,000 in 1978 before Mr Bridel, Mr Eaton and fellow inaugural presenter Stan Green could first start broadcasting.

For just two hours on Sunday nights, with a library of 2,500 singles, 150 LPs and some 75s, the trio went on air.

Many changes have happened in the last 40 years, including a move of studio from converted rooms in the now-demolished nurses’ home to the attic above the Gloucester Room, major developments in technology and a move to include online broadcasting.

Listeners can now tune in from anywhere in the world by downloading Jubilee Hospital Radio’s app.

With changes in volunteers, locations and technology, Mr Bridel said it still has an important role to play in the community.

‘Well, in the hours when there are no visitors, our ward visitors offer a local community-friendly companion who will listen to what the patient would like to hear,’ he said. ‘Our continuing goal must be to always provide what the patient would like.

‘Jubilee Hospital Radio was created with youth in mind, to provide an outlet for them to express themselves and help others at the same time – after 40 years, that remains my goal.’