About
Mid-Downs Radio....
In the Summer of 1976, a handful of intrepid 'disc jockeys' took a table, a chair and an old homemade disc console, wired it all up amongst the mailbags of the Cuckfield Hospital post room and bingo - Radio Cuckfield was born.
The 12 foot by 10 foot room, affectionately known as the broom cupboard, was turned into a 'studio' with letters by day and music by night. The old saying 'two's company and three's a crowd' was never more appropriate!
All was well until five years later when a management disagreement saw Colwell Radio formed at St Francis Hospital and Hospital Radio Cuckfield, as it was now known. Now two hospitals in Mid Sussex had their very own Hospital Radio station.
As equipment was updated and the presenters became more 'professional', HRC branched out to relay programmes from the South of England Showground back to the hospital using the outside broadcast unit of the new full time radio station Southern Sound (now known as Southern FM).
With the new Mid Sussex Hospital being opened at Haywards Heath and the closure of Cuckfield Hospital, HRC became Mid-Downs Radio. Phil Porter presented the closing programme at Cuckfield and then loaded the equipment into two cars and it was put into storage. The broom cupboard closed but a brand new studio opened thanks to £20,000 that had been raised by the hardworking members.
When HRH Princess Anne officially opened the Princess Royal Hospital, MDR’s technical team worked its usual miracles and the proceedings were broadcast throughout the hospital.
Spurred on by the need to expand their broadcasting ideas, the MDR committee took possession of an old caravan and over a two week period it was transformed into an 'OB' unit with the old decks from HRC coming out of storage.
Tin shakes, fetes and other engagements that required a PA system ensured that Mid-Downs Radio became the voice of Mid Sussex and in doing so helped to raise thousands of pounds for local charities.
Eventually the old caravan needed replacing so a trailer unit was purchased and kitted out by Phil Porter and Jeff Chester, ensuring that to this day it can be seen around Mid Sussex carrying on the good work of its predecessor.
Never ones to sit back on their laurels, the committee organised a one month Restricted Service Licence and throughout December 1997 the radio station broadcast on 107 FM to listeners throughout Mid Sussex. This was an ambitious but extremely worthwhile project enhanced the reputation of the radio station amongst the local community.
Nearly three years ago we reached the point where the one table and one chair were replaced by CD players, tape machine, mini disc players and a computerized music library, broadcasting on our own frequency - 1350AM.
This year we have
purchased state of the art disco equipment and now put a lot of professional
DJs’ to shame with all the kit needed. This includes lighting and
smoke machines. We can be hired at very reasonable rates.
Check it out!
At the end of 2003 Patientline was introduced to the Princess Royal and Hurstwood Park. This will mean that every patient now have the radio system in glorious stereo and also be able to ring the studio direct for requests.
So, from those humble beginnings we are now able to broadcast 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year on 1350AM to both patients and staff across the whole Brighton and Sussex University Hospital NHS Trust at Haywards Heath.
It has taken 25 years of hard work and imaginative ideas by successive committees and members to provide entertainment, information and pleasure to MDR's listeners. Who knows what the next 25 years have in store.
Members of our charity would like to thank our sponsors, friends, the hospital staff and you, the listeners, for supporting our station. You are now part of our history and for that - we thank you.
Mike Skinner
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