Malcolm Mardon: 50 Years of Hospital Radio

Malcolm Mardon, chairman of Hospital Radio Exeter, tells the story of a station that has been on air since 1974, and reflects on fifty-one years of walking hospital wards, collecting requests, and keeping patients company.

Hospital Radio Exeter was founded by police inspector Terry Roberts, who had spent years trying to persuade hospital management to give it a go. When they finally said yes, the station started with five hundred pounds from the League of Friends, a small mixing desk, two microphones and two record players. Malcolm joined at the founding meeting in December 1974, offered to make the tea, and has never left. He is the only member from that original group still on the station.

The station broadcasts seven days a week to patients at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and to care homes across the area, with a weeknight request show at eight o'clock that has run unchanged since the beginning. Each evening, volunteer ward visitors go out in pairs to chat with patients and collect requests, returning in time for a mad dash to prepare the show. Some patients have not spoken to anyone all day.

Malcolm also supports around twenty hospital radio stations across the country and talks frankly about the challenges facing the sector, and the joy of friendships built around a shared love for playing records.

Get Involved

• Hospital Radio Exeter website
• Hospital Radio Exeter on Facebook
• Make a request online
• Listen free in the RDE Hospital (Wonford) on your bedside TV, Channel 1.
• Listen anywhere via hospitalradioexeter.com, the Hospital Radio Exeter app (iOS and Android), or Alexa: say 'Enable Hospital Radio Exeter' then 'Play Hospital Radio Exeter'.
• To make a request: phone 01392 402020 (reception) or 01392 402019 (studio, 7pm to 10pm); text 07469 979 881; email requestshow@aol.com; or use the online request form.
• Volunteer opportunities available in presenting, ward visiting, technical support, marketing and social media. Apply via hospitalradioexeter.com. Note: joining takes a minimum of two to three months including DBS check and seven mandatory training modules.