Hospital Radio: You don't know until you give it a go

What’s the old saying, ‘It’s never too old to learn’?

Well, that is something I can agree with, even if I only look back over my six years or so with Torbay Hospital Radio. I genuinely think it applies to everyone. Now I was already retired and frankly not expecting to learn a lot. I had no concept that we were an individual charity; I, like most of our presenters, will, I think, have thought we were a part of the hospital volunteer team.

Don’t get me wrong, we are; it’s just that we sort out our own stuff within the framework laid down by volunteer services. It’s not as complicated as I made that sound.

That was one of the first things I learnt: we are a charity, which means that we have to find our own funding because we do not get a slice, big or small, of the budget from the hospital itself. So, I soon learnt that outside broadcasts were the way that we funded most of our expenditure. We have fifteen or so of these a year, and we provide PA services for a donation to the cause.

On the day we are quite often asked to provide commentary on whatever is going on; my own personal favourite is commentating on dog shows. The fact that I know nothing about dogs does not hold me back; I have learnt that a lot of enthusiasm and a few kind words usually carry me through.

Over the years I have also picked up how a radio studio operates, from the actual broadcast to all the bits and pieces that go on behind the scenes. I’ve been roped in to preparing jingles, producing shows and interviewing guests. I had no idea I would be doing that when I first joined up. I would not claim to be an expert on any of these, but it just goes to show that when you do something wholeheartedly, it is amazing what skills you can pick up.

When I first came, I was shown how the systems worked. At that time, we used record decks and CDs and had a wall filled with thousands of vinyl records. I sat in a good many shows, proved I could present a show and was soon able to present my own radio show. Fast forward a few years; it was out with the old and in with the new.

No, I don’t mean the personnel! All the vinyl, CDs and means of playing them were replaced by a digital library and a flashy desk to enable us to play the songs. I like to think my dog show commentaries help fund that modernisation. So, it was a case of retraining and learning something new.

Now sometimes I say I’ll do something before I consider the consequences, and this has happened as well, but for me personally, some positive results. I have always enjoyed writing, so when the opportunity to write a weekly column here in the Torbay Weekly came up, I jumped at it.

Had I not interviewed Jim Parker, the paper’s editor, on one of my shows, I may have never had that opportunity. An example of an opportunity to do something new that came up in a roundabout way, but something for which I am grateful.

I guess what I am saying is that there are many opportunities out there, and you need not be worried about trying something new. It does not always work out; if it doesn’t, try something else.

The thought of not trying is a bit alien to me, but I have found that if you show an interest in something, most people in the know are only too willing to help and guide you. I am not sure what is around the corner, but I am looking forward to finding out because you are never too old to learn!