2000
Our aim to provide patients with a 24 hour service came to fruition with the purchase of two computer systems followed by many, many hours (still continuing) devoted to transferring audio material on to them for semi-automated relay right through the night and day, whenever there are no live programmes. News of this was been welcomed by staff since sometimes patients have difficulty in sleeping and a radio service specifically for them will hopefully be beneficial. The new 24 hour service was up and running by May 2000 and is a potpourri of music, interviews, and features together with the popular breakfast show, Solent Today (from BBC Radio Solent) which is included daily at the request of patients.
The installation of the computers followed the refurbishment of our studio in March 2000. We have a very small room, piled high with equipment, CDs, singles and LPs, the latter including many, rarely, if ever, played albums which we are gradually disposing of to create more space. Primarily we have gained more space by simply changing the layout of the studio and installing extra shelf storage. This has increased accessibility for our wheelchair-bound visitors, which was a prime reason for the revamp. This was achieved mostly in a weekend's intensive work - some of the photos below prove it!
 "Where did I put my lunch?" |
 "Ah, yes here it is - in the Hoover" |
 "'Ere - where's me fingers gone?" |
 "Just a bit of gentle persuasion with this hammer and I'll soon get the desk working" |
 "This new office furniture is just great" |
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 "..Fed up?...who us?...never!" |
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 (Manic laugh) "Oh what a tangled web I weave" |
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