3.Still music in the air ... !

Do you remember Joyce Green Radio ?

Its lively, enjoyable and encouraging programmes? Its dedicated team of DJs and backroom personnel? Its interviews and stories ? Its music and jingles? It ran for 25 years between 1975 - 2000 and it almost goes without saying that it was a very sad day for many people when it eventually closed down after the transfer of patient services to the new Darent Valley Hospital.

But while there's life, there's hope

But for those of you with a great fondness for the old station ... or those readers who don't know much about hospital radio services and want to know more - help is at hand. This help comes courtesy of John E.Davies, one of the early members of RJG, who maintains the RJG website.

So, if you are interested, why not pay the website a visit? (Simply tap Radio Joyce Green into your search engine). Once there you can delve into its history, find pictures of many of its staff, listen to a some of the original jingles AND maybe use the site as a launch pad for getting into contact with some of the volunteers who ( ...believe it or not ...) are still encouraging patients in various hospital wards in the S.E. of England.

The change

In 2000 Radio Joyce Green closed and Valley Park Radio began to transmit across the new hospital site. The new hospital radio website address is www.valleyparkradio.org.uk and through it you can still make contact with volunteers who used to work within Radio Joyce Green and West Hill Radio.

John E. Davies, (the enthusiastic Radio JG website manager) now works with Meridian Radio which provides hospital radio services for the patients of the QE2 Hospital in Woolwich, South London. Their website address is www.meridianradio.co.uk .

To finish with

But what about us ending this posting with a word of thanks PLUS a question?

Firstly let's say a word of thanks to all hospital radio services volunteers everywhere (both past and present) for their very impressive work for patients. Many dispirited, lonely and pain-wracked people have much cause to be greatful to you all .... so a word of thanks to you - the volunteers - from all those who have benefited from your services.

Then secondly, let me suggest that there are many people 'out there' who have benefited directly (and had their spirits lifted) as a result of listening to JGR in days gone by ?

Action stations

So wouldn't it be great if someone contacted John directly or left word on this weblog about something good that happened to them as a result of being encouraged by Radio Joyce Green ?

Feel free then now to have a stab at re-connecting with one or two of your old JGH friends or colleagues via one of these hospital radio sites OR why not leave a message, a comment, some information or a memory here relating to the "old gal" (Joyce !) ?