[16/11/12] SUNSHINE HEROES!

It's with great pleasure that the volunteers at Sunshine Hospital Radio have received the NHS Hero Award.

This new scheme was set up to recognise the great work that individuals and teams do every day in the NHS to make sure that each and every patient receives the very best care.

The nomination for Sunshine Hospital Radio was submitted by a patient:
“When I was in hospital I had the pleasure of being visited by the friendly folk from Sunshine Hospital Radio.
These volunteers really made the extra effort to help me and the other patients through what was a worrying time in hospital. Cheerfully chatting with us, spending time with those who may not have had any visitors and playing song requests to remind us of happy times and special memories.
They create wonderfully entertaining shows in the simple pursuit of making patients happy. It certainly worked for me!”

Weston Area Health Trust Chair, Chris Creswick presented the award to Sunshine Hospital Radio Chair Jo Newey and Programme Controller Steve Ledbrook.

Jo Newey said "This award is a lovely surprise for the volunteers at Sunshine. They all work really hard and so it's lovely to know that we helped to make a difference. We're very grateful that this patient kindly took the time to nominate us."

Pictured right: Chris Creswick presents the NHS Hero award to Jo Newey and Steve Ledbrook..

[08/11/12] SUNSHINE PODCASTS!

Thanks to the lovely people at SoundCloud we are now able to give you an online taste of the shows on Sunshine Hospital Radio!

We're starting with podcasts (no music) of a new show which we're piloting called 'The Sunshine Cinema Club' (Saturdays 3pm-4pm).

This exciting new show features the latest movie news and cinema & DVD reviews. Each episode revolves around a genre or theme and brings you a lighthearted and informative view. You can also test your film knowledge with the challenging quiz!

If this proves popular we hope to add more shows so you get an idea of what you can listen to during your stay in Weston General Hospital.

It's free and easy, so to have a listen just click HERE. Or go to www.SoundCloud.com and search for "Sunshine Hospital Radio".

Pictured right: Thanks again to the SoundCloud Team for generously providing the space.

[10/10/12] SUNSHINE RADIO - THE MOVIE!

After months of hard work Sunshine Radio member Nick Chaffey has put together a wonderful information film about the work of the station's volunteers.

Special thanks to all who were involved and also to Ryan Inglis for allowing us to use his song 'Feel Any Feeling'.

Pictured right: View the film on Youtube.

[27/09/12] SUNSHINE RADIO AWARDS!

Every year Sunshine Radio members nominate their colleagues for 3 very special awards. These are the 2012 award winners:

Mike Coles - 'Karen Radford Award' for best all round member.
Mike had solidly contributed in all areas of Sunshine Radio. As well as his dependable attendance to the Friday Wardround show and fundraising events throughout the year, Mike had also been helping with maintenance to the studio and also ensuring that the patients had working headphones.

Charlie Hockin - 'Jill Dando Award' for best show contribution.
With his feature packed programmes, Charlie enthusiastically presented some creative and entertaining shows.

Nick Chaffey 'Clive Townshend Award' for best Newcomer.
If we needed a demonstration of what a new Sunshine Radio volunteer can contribute, we could use Nick. Always there on time to visit the patients and present the Wardround show, Nick also took time to create his own show full of detail and fun. Nick was always happy to help out at fundraising events and also put a great amount of effort into creating a promotional video for Sunshine Radio.

Pictured right: View the film on Youtube.

[22/09/12] JOHNNY GETS LIVE AND LOCAL!

Sunshine Radio's newest show, Live and Local presented by Steve Ledbrook (Saturday 6pm to 7pm) recently welcomed Johnny Edgar to their studios.

The talented acoustic guitarist, singer and songwriter regularly performs locally in Weston-super-Mare and the South West of England. He calls his shows ‘an acoustically fruity cocktail of music’ that include his own original tracks as well as covers of well known songs that he skillfully adds his own style to.

In a blog about his visit to the Sunshine Radio studios he said “I was made to feel welcome and had a good chat with Steve Ledbrook, played two songs live and another two off my soon to be released EP, which I have yet to give a name to!”

Presenter Steve Ledbrook said, “It was delight to have Johnny perform live in the studio, and to hear about his life performing gigs.
The response from the patients was great as they really enjoyed the live, soulful, acoustic music from such an engaging musician”

This interview is available to Listen Again.
To find out more about Johnny Edgar you can also visit his website at www.johnnyedgar.com

- ‘Live and Local’ keeps you in touch with the local music scene and includes interviews and music from local artists and bands. If you know a band or a singer that would like to be interviewed on the show then please contact us.

Pictured right: Johnny Edgar performing in the studio.

[17/09/12] LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC MEDALLIST PRESENTS AWARD TO SUNSHINE RADIO.

London 2012 Olympic Hockey Medallist Helen Richardson returned to her former home town to present awards to staff at Weston Area Health NHS Trust.

Bronze medallist Helen, who helped to secure GB women’s hockey’s first Olympic medal for 20 years, was the guest of honour at the Celebration of Staff Success held at the town’s hospital on Monday evening.

Sunshine Radio received the hospital's P.R.I.D.E. Award in recognition of their success at the HBA National Radio Awards.

Pictured right: Sue Walker, Marcus & Helen Richardson. (Copyright Bob Bowen)

[16/07/12] IN PERFECT HARMONY FOR THE PATIENTS!

Harmony trio Just 3 joined Laura Tremelling in the studio for Talk of the Town (Monday 7pm-8pm).
The band is made up of singers Lydia Cook and Michaela Fedeczko, and guitarist Everton Hartley, and they are based in the Bristol area. During the show they sang four songs live to entertain the patients, including cover versions of Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder and Higher and Higher by Jackie Wilson.

Just 3 have an extensive repertoire of soul, gospel and pop, and regularly perform at , festivals, events and weddings.

The band also took part in the Talk of the Town’s Headline Word quiz, where they were challenged to guess to blank word in the news headlines. Unfortunately they didn’t get them right, but they had fun trying!

Presenter Laura Tremelling said: “It is lovely to have live music in the studio as it gives the patients something different to enjoy.
I'm really grateful that Just 3 gave up the time to perform on my show, and their rendition of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" sent a tingle down my back!”

Pictured right: Everton Hartley, Lydia Cook and Michaela Fedeczko

[02/07/12] SUN SHINES FOR T4 ON THE BEACH!

Almost 50,000 music fans flocked to Weston-super-Mare for T4 On The Beach 2012. With over twenty acts between two stages, people travelled from all over the country to share the experience of the seafront show.
And, once again, Sunshine Radio was backstage in the press tent to chat to the performers, get the latest gossip from the soap stars and record a few 'get well' messages for the patients too!

Although the day started out grey and drizzly, the rain stopped almost as soon as boy band The Wanted kicked things off on the main stage. The wind died down and the sun came out, cheering everybody up until long after Rizzle Kicks closed the party with a bang.
In the press tent, Sarah Bostock and Nick Chaffey were ready and waiting to score some interviews with some of the biggest musical acts in the country.

Barbados quartet Cover Drive, fresh off their success with number one single Twilight, were overjoyed with the reception from the crowd, after watching last year’s show in their New York apartment: “This has been one of the highlights of our year so far,” said singer Amanda, “The sun came out just as we got on stage, which made everyone happy and got them jumping!”

Up-and-coming Londoners Lonsdale Boys Club revealed how they got their name (“Lonsdale” being a road, not the sporting brand), and how label boss Gary Barlow will be getting involved with their music: “He’s been giving us some good advice about performing live and interacting with fans,” frontman Charlie told us, “He doesn’t contribute much to our actual music, but occasionally he’ll throw down some beatboxing!”

Rapper Wretch 32 revealed how he was asked to be an ambassador for this year’s Olympic Games, and what his role will be: “I was ecstatic to be asked. I said ‘yes’ right away! I was especially happy to be able to contribute musically, rather than just being a name in an advert.”

Everyone that spoke to Sunshine Radio were in good spirits and more than happy to help support the station. (Sarah even got a peck on the cheek from Lonsdale Boys Club!)
Sarah and Nick returned to the studio with a stack of interviews and plenty of new ‘get well’ messages, all of which will be used in a special, hour-long show coming soon, so stay tuned!

[12/05/12] T4 ON THE BEACH IS 10!

The biggest beach party in the South West is returning to Weston super Mare on July 1st and Sunshine Radio will be reporting back.

T4OTB is celebrating 10 years of pop perfection by assembling a jaw dropping line up guaranteed to wow the 50,000 strong crowd.
Performers already confirmed include Wretch 32, Marina and the Diamonds, Tulisa, Little Mix, Dappy, Labrinth, Professor Green and Rizzle Kicks.
Britain’s Got Talent winners Ashley and Pudsey are amongst the celeb guests that will also be making an appearance

For the full line up click HERE.

T4 On The Beach will be hosted by T4 presenters Jameela Jamil, Nick Grimshaw, Georgie Okell, Matt Edmondson and Will Best, but expect to see some familiar faces from the past.

Tickets are available from the Channel 4 website www.channel4.com/t4 and from the Grand Pier Retail shop.

[29/04/12] BIG MOOSE DONATION!

Moose International Weston-super-Mare Lodge 55 and Ladies Circle have made a very generous donation of £1465 to Sunshine Hospital Radio

Members of Moose International, a Fraternal Service Club, established in the UK in 1928 organised a range of fundraising events which included a Quiz Night and a Charity Auction.

Chairman Sue Walker was presented with the cheque by Carol White following a buffet lunch.

Sue Walker said "We're really grateful for all the hard work that Moose International Weston-super-Mare Lodge 55 and Ladies Circle put in to raising such a large amount. Their support has been wonderful!"

Pictured right: Sue Walker being presented with the cheque by Carol White

[01/03/12] SUNSHINE WIN GOLD!

Sunshine Hospital Radio scooped the Gold Award for Best Speech Package at the National HBA Radio Awards held in Northampton last night!

The awards, known as the Hospital Radio Oscars recognise the very best in hospital broadcasting and this is the first time that Sunshine Hospital Radio has taken the Gold in a category.

The winning 30 minute programme 'Famous Five Reunited' was recorded in West London and succeeded in reuniting the original cast of the 1970's Southern television adaptation of the classic children's books for the first time in 30 years.

Presenter Andrew Read from Nailsea was thrilled and said:
"This award recognised the time and effort that had been put in not only by the station volunteers but also the original stars of the TV series, Marcus Harris, Gary Russell, Jennifer Thanisch and screenplay writer Gail Renard."

Gary Russell, who played Dick in the 1970's television adaptation, said:
"We are all thrilled by this award. Not only was it wonderful to be all together again sharing memories and anecdotes from a special time in our lives, but for Sunshine Radio to be there to turn them into an award-winning programme was the icing on the cake."

Sunshine Hospital Radio Public Relations officer, Marcus, added:
"This programme was a true example of the team work at Sunshine, we're all very proud. We'd had a wonderful response from the patients that had listened to the programme so the Gold award was a terrific bonus."

The programme engineer Jack Daley was presented the award by Barnie Choudhury, best known as the BBC News Correspondent, at the awards ceremony at the Park Inn by Radisson in Northampton.

'Famous Five Reunited', the full 30 minute group interview, can be downloaded HERE.

Pictured right: Barnie Choudhury presenting the award to Jack Daley.

[24/03/12] JOHN, YOKO & ME - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW!

Aged just 16, Beatles fan Gail Renard snuck into John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Bed-in for Peace, staying with them for 8 days.
She then followed that with a successful career as writer for many television series.

Sunshine Radio's Andrew Read travelled to London to record an exclusive interview with the BAFTA award winning writer.

Click HERE for the interview.

Pictured right: Gail Renard with Andrew Read at the BAFTA HQ.

[01/02/12] SUNSHINE SHORTLISTED FOR RADIO AWARD!

Sunshine Hospital Radio are delighted to have been shortlisted for an award at the 'National Hospital Radio Awards 2012'.

Hospital radio volunteers Andrew Read and Jack Daley travelled to London to record a world exclusive interview with the reunited cast of the 1970's TV adaptation of Enid Blyton's 'Famous Five'.
The resulting programme has been extremely well received by patients and downloaded over 1000 times, worldwide, from the stations website.

The awards, which celebrate the best in hospital radio broadcasts from across the country, are organised by the Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA) and are proud to have Sir Terry Wogan as the patron of the association.

Sunshine Hospital Radio is pitted against Choice Radio, Hospital Radio Lion (Guildford), Hospital Radio Plymouth, Radio Fox, Radio Frimley Park, Radio Redhill, Radio Tyneside Network, Radio Wey and Whipps Cross Hospital Radio in the Best Speech Package category.

Andrew Read, who reunited the cast for their first group interview for over 30 years, said: "I'm thrilled that we've been shortlisted. We're in a very strong field, which is testament to the high standards of the awards. The interview was such fun and I hope the judges enjoy listening to it much as we did making it!"

Marcus Harris who played Julian in the 1970s series said "We were all thrilled to be interviewed together for the first time in 30 years and news of this shortlisting is the icing on the cake. Let's hope Sunshine Radio wins in March."

The winners will be revealed on 31st March at an awards ceremony at the Park Inn by Radisson in Northampton, which will be hosted by Iain Lee.

'Famous Five Reunited', the full 30 minute group interview, can be downloaded HERE.

Pictured right: AndrewR interviewing Famous Five cast and writer from the 1970's TV series..

[22/01/12] YOUR NORTH SOMERSET 2012.

The multi-cultural spectacular that is the 'Your North Somerset' event took place this month and Sunshine Radio were once again asked to run the music for the day.

Hundreads of visitors were drawn to the Winter Gardens to take part in a wide range of activities and enjoy a selection of performances from traditional Irish Dancing to local theatre groups.

The annual free event, organised by North Somerset Council, unites communities and provides an opportunity for local charities to exhibit and recruit new volunteers.

Pictured right: MarcusT, SarahB, JackD & Nick C beside the stage at YNS 2012.

[04/01/12] NEW POSTER CAMPAIGN.

The talented creatives from advertising agency Mercieca have very kindly created a poster campaign to help raise awareness of Sunshine Hospital Radio.

The amusing and eye catching designs have been put up around the hospital and are already being well received by patients, visitors and staff alike.

So next time you're in Weston General Hospital keep an eye out for the 6 different designs, and why not let us know your favourite!

Pictured right: The exciting new poster designs.