CHR Archive

  A Short History of CHR

Hospital Radio came to St. Richard’s Hospital, Chichester on Friday 22^nd September 1972, when a small studio, previously used as a storeroom, was officially opened by Chichester’s then Member of Parliament, Christopher Chataway.

The aim of CHBA (Chichester Hospital Broadcasting Association) has always been to provide a ‘Local Radio Station’ for the patients in hospital; to bring them up to date with local events and personalities and to play requests for records from relatives and friends.

The Association moved to its present studios next to the West Ward Block in 1975 following extensive conversion work on the building. This transformed it from a one room glass building, used as a pram store, into a large main studio with a smaller secondary studio and reception/library area. This new facility was officially opened by Leslie Crowther on May 24th 1976.  

The  Hospital League of Friends provided much of the financial support needed in the early years to furnish and equip the studios. Although they continue to assist, much of the money needed to run the service is raised through the efforts of the membership, and the generosity of local individuals and organizations.

During 1999 our studios were computerised allowing prerecorded material to be broadcast automatically without the need for anyone to be in the studios.

In May 2000 we launched our AM radio service on 1431Khz complimenting our existing ward cable service on Channel 11 to create a 24 hour, seven day a week, hospital community radio service.  

Throughout 2002 CHR celebrated it's 30th Anniversary with events and special broadcasts leading up to the big celebration day on 22nd September 2002.

Looking to the future we plan to continue our policies of improvement and enhancement to the radio service. Our aim is to provide an ever better schedule of relaxing, informative and entertaining programming and maintain, as funds allow, all radio broadcast and reception system equipment to a high standard.

We hope very much that it wont be too long before we shall be able to relocate our studios to larger premises on the hospital campus.  

A lot has been achieved in the last 30 years and our dedicated team of volunteers look forward to continuing to provide a quality and unique radio service for everyone at St. Richard’s Hospital.

Colin Jenner

PRESS RELEASE 17/09/02  

Chichester Hospital Radio celebrates 30 years of broadcasting

It was at 8:00 pm on 22^nd September 1972 that the first ever programme was broadcast to the patients at St Richard’s Hospital by, as they were known then, Chichester Hospitals Broadcasting Association. Fifteen minutes later, the service was officially launched by Christopher Chattaway, MP for Chichester at that time, who then read the first ever request – ‘Too Young’ by Donny Osmond.

Now known as CHR – Chichester Hospital Radio will celebrate completing 30 years of broadcasting by holding a party at the CMEC Centre at St Richard’s this coming Saturday evening.

Unfortunately, the three original broadcasters on that day – John Charlton, Rees Porter and Roger Skinner – have lost touch with CHR, but many presenters from the last three decades will be meeting up on Saturday, not only to reminisce but also to see how Hospital Radio has developed in that time, and also to look at future plans.

In this 30^th Anniversary year, CHR has already completed 5 out of 8 planned outside broadcasts at superstores and venues throughout Chichester and Bognor Regis. In late June, volunteer presenters broadcast nearly 300 requests, for the patients and staff at St Richards, in a 30-hour non-stop Requestathon. Then in July, 15 walkers and cyclists took part in the renowned Chichester International Challenge March raising over £1200 and finally a monster raffle will be drawn at the end of September with, yes you’ve guessed, 30 magnificent prizes.

All these events are geared to fund-raising and awareness as CHR has agreed to share all funds raised in its anniversary year with the MRI Scanner Appeal at St Richard’s Hospital, hoping to raise thousands of pounds for this worthwhile and much-needed equipment. So far CHR has raised over £1500 for the Appeal and hopes to increase this sum by the year-end.

The station’s AGM this year is to be held at Goodwood House, the home of their President, The Duke of Richmond & Gordon, on Sunday 3^rd November 2002.

Paul Morris  

OASIS Studio Opened - 30th September 2004

Chichester Hospital Radio has for over thirty years been helping raise the spirit of all who stay, visit or work at St. Richard’s Hospital. All members are volunteers and give their time endlessly to support their local hospital.