[21/11/09] SUNSHINE SUPPORTS CHARITY FAYRE

Over £10,000 was raised for charities and other good causes at Weston Rotary Club's Christmas fayre, and Sunshine Radio was there to help!

The event, staged at the Winter Gardens and attended by a host of local dignitaries and saw more than 60 groups promoting their activities and raising money towards key services.

Bernard Land, president of event organisers Weston Rotary Club, paid tribute afterwards to those who had helped make the event a success.
He said: "We would like to thank Weston Town Council for its sponsorship and Sunshine Radio for their broadcasts, jingles and great support during the day."

Sunshine Radio were busy throughout the day interviewing the various charities and giving them the opportunity to tell vistors more about the work they do.

Steve Ledbrook from Sunshine Radio said "It was a really busy day, but so nice to be able to speak with so many wonderful charities. It was a great event and we're looking forward to next years!"

Pictured right: Sue Walker, Ruthe Nattee, Steve Ledbrook and in the back is Jack, ready to attack, mixing it up and making fools look wack, and when the mix is done you're carried home in a sack....yeah boyyy!

[05/10/09] NEW MAYOR IS 'TALK OF THE TOWN'!

The Mayor of Weston popped into the Sunshine Hospital Radio studio to take part in a brand new talk show.

Mayor Mike Kellaway-Marriott and Mayoress Carmela Bianco de Kellaway aired their views on the seaside town in the topical evening show, ‘Talk of the Town’.
Along with host Laura Tremelling and co-host Selina Cross they debated issues affecting the town, including the pier redevelopment and the ever contentious Tropicana!

Cllr Kellaway-Marriott was very supportive of pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael, and is looking forward to seeing the pier restored for the people of Weston to enjoy.
He also spoke of his love for the town saying:
“It is a great honour to be the mayor of such a wonderful place.We came to the town for a holiday and decided straight away that we wanted to move here…..and we have been here ever since”
Following the hour long show they were taken on a tour of the wards by wardrounder Victoria King. There they met patients, and wished them a speedy recovery.

‘Talk of the Town’ is a new show to Sunshine Radio, every Monday evening 7pm-8pm, where patients and a studio guest discuss topical issues in Weston.

Previous shows have seen MP John Penrose, Weston College principle Paul Phillips., Weston Hospicecare fundraiser Penny Star and Roger Noble from STAR Radio all talk about the town.

Future guests lined up include Kerry Michael, Councillor Elfan Ap Rees, the R.N.L.I., musician Adam Lipinski and a Halloween special with the Witch of Wookey Hole Caves!

Pictured right: Selina Cross, Mayor Mike Kellaway-Marriott and Mayoress.Carmela Bianco de Kellaway, Laura Tremelling.

[19/07/09] T4 ON THE BEACH '09!

Weston-super-Mare once again played host to T4 on the Beach, when thousands of people descended on the town to watch acts such as The Saturdays, Peter Andre, JLS and Alesha Dixon. Sunshine Radio presenters, Laura Tremelling and Matt Begent were invited to interview the stars.

Peter Andre spoke of his love for Weston, which he visited as a child, and said he was honoured to perform at T4. When Peter was asked what song he would request if he was in hospital, he said anything by the Jackson 5 because he admired the family and said that any song by them would lift him up, and make him smile.

Singer Paloma Faith gave an interview straight after her performance. She was very friendly, happy to chat and was particularly interested in the work of Sunshine Radio. Paloma was also asked what song she would like to hear if she was in hospital, and whilst she couldn’t choose a specific song she did say it would have to be something more upbeat than relaxing.

While in the press tent, the wardrounders spotted Malachy from Hollyoaks, played by Glen Wallace. The actor talked about hospital radio, and said he thought it was a brilliant idea, a great way for people to help others and learn about radio at the same time!

Many stars at T4 recorded “Get Well” messages, which can be heard exclusively on Sunshine Radio. One of the most memorable was Keith Lemon, the fictional character created by Leigh Francis. He joked with the wardrounders about radio and kangaroo attacks, and recorded a very funny “Get Well” message. Keith said that laughter is the best medicine, and so he wanted to make the patients laugh.

Throughout the day the yellow ‘Never mind the Anaesthetic’ t-shirts worn by sunshine radio members were praised. Many of the stars commented on how much they liked them, and asked where they could get one from! (via HERE of course!)

Pictured right: Peter Andre being interviewed by Sunshine Radio at T4 on the Beach

[21/05/09] WESTON'S SUPER MAYOR!

In his last evening as the Mayor of Weston super Mare, Andrew Horler paid a visit to the Sunshine Radio studio accompanied by Mayoress Camilla de Bernhardt Dunkin.
The Mayor & Mayoress had chosen Sunshine Hospital Radio as one of their three 'Charities of the Year' and during the relaxed interview with Marcus they discussed the many public engagements and fundraising events that the prestigious role had taken them to.

Music was also on the agenda as the Mayor was asked to choose three songs. The first was one that he would choose if he were in hospital and wanted to be cheered up, and he chose Mr E's Beautiful Blues by Eels. He explained that whilst not a being a particular fan of the band it was one track that always made him smile.

The second song was one that meant something special to him. Honey and the Moon by Joseph Arthur was the track of choice. This less well known song is featured on the soundtrack to the TV show, the O.C. The Mayor dedicated the lyrically beautiful track to the Mayoress, Camilla de Bernhardt Dunkin.

His final choice was a song to dedicate to the patients of Weston General Hospital. This was a tricky choice for him as songs can mean something different to different people. In the end he chose a song that was uplifting and full of energy, he went with Viva la Vida by Coldplay.

The Mayor & Mayoress have had a very successful term in 2008/2009 and the team at Sunshine Hospital Radio would like to thank them for their support and wish them all the best for the future!

Pictured right: Mayor Andrew Horler and Mayoress Camilla de Bernhardt Dunkin

[07/04/09] PARKY POPS IN!

The King of interviews, Sir Michael Parkinson paid a visit to Sunshine Radio today (Mon) to help promote the 'Dignity Campaign'.
The legendary broadcaster has been appointed a "dignity ambassador" in the governments campaign to ensure that everyone using care and health services are treated with dignity and respect at all times.

Sir Michael had accepted an invitation to visit the general hospital when he met with Staff Nurse Jayne Biddiscombe last year – shortly after she became the 3,000th Dignity Champion in the NHS.

Following a tour of the wards, Sir Michael, 74, made time for a quick interview with Sunshine P.R. Officer Marcus. During the interview Sir Michael explained about how he'd agreed to be involved with the Dignity Campaign because of his mother's experience in care, where he saw at first hand what can happen, he said "I saw a mixture of indifference and wonderful nursing."

They also found time to chat about current topical issues such as Jade Goody's mistreatment by the media, how Frank Sinatra would fair on the X Factor, as well as Sir Michael's passion for music.

(The whole interview can be heard exclusively on Sunshine Radio.)

Pictured right: (Top) Marcus, Sir Michael Parkinson, Steve Ledbrook & Sue Walker
(Below) Sir Michael admires our playlist, Sinatra, Fitzgerald & The Beatles all feature!

[31/03/09] NATIONAL AWARD FOR SUNSHINE RADIO'S PIER FIRE COVERAGE.

Sunshine Hospital Radio were once again award winners at this years 'National Hospital Broadcasting Association (H.B.A.) Radio Awards.'

The charity that broadcast from Weston General Hospital, were presented with an elegant glass trophy in recognition for their coverage of the tragic Grand Pier fire.
The volunteers were complimented for capturing the emotions of the day, and it was noted that, as an event that drew international media interest, it was high praise that the local hospital radio station should receive an award for the quality of their coverage.

The gala award ceremony took place at the Hilton Hotel in Blackpool on Saturday 28th of March with ITV's Dr Chris Steele presenting awards.
The evening also featured video messages from Sir Terry Wogan and the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, both of whom congratulated the hospital radio volunteers for their hard work and commitment.

Public Relations Officer Marcus said "We're all absolutely thrilled with this award! Particular acknowledgment has to go to the team that were out recording and broadcasting interviews with the public from first thing in the morning until late that evening.

We always try and keep our listeners informed of significant events, which is particularly important for those who have had a long stay in hospital."

He added, "This is a great start to the year for us, and we hope to use the momentum from this to go on and fund raise enough money to introduce a new hybrid telephone system which will allow us greater on-air interaction with the patients as well as their friends and family."

Kerry Michael, owner of the Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare said: “It was a terrible day for us and the media coverage worldwide was unprecedented with pictures appearing on the front page of the local newspaper in Sydney, Australia and over three million hits on the BBC website.
“But the events of the day were most important to Weston people and it is fantastic that people gave up their time to ensure those in hospital on that day were kept informed. It is great that Sunshine Hospital Radio has received this award and we look forward to them broadcasting from the pier when we re-open.”

Sunshine Radio also received an armful of prestigious radio accolades for other areas of their broadcasts, including a pier documentary and an Occupational Therapy health care promotion.

Pictured right: Steve Ledbrook (Programme Controller), June Snowden (H.B.A. President), Katy Blake (Treasurer)

[14/02/09] CRICKET STAR BOWLS OVER THE LISTENERS.

Somerset ace Peter Trego took a break from his winter training to pop into the Sunshine Radio studios on Saturday for a chat on the stations sports show, Saturday Sports Focus.

The popular, Weston born, all-rounder proved to be a hit with the listeners, answering their questions and recounting some of the more amusing incidents he had witnessed on the pitch. One such event focused on a "barking bowler" who, as the name suggests, would run up to batsmen and bark at them after bowling them out.

Unsuprisingly Peter was also asked about his England aspirations, to which he responded;
"Representing England would be a dream come true, but I have to prove that I have the ability. I've been set targets that I must reach and if I do that and the targets are raised then I'll simply have to raise my game. I'm working hard and hopefully that will show in our results this season."

Pictured right: Cricket star Peter Trego hits us for 6!

[03/02/09] SUNSHINE RADIO SHORTLISTED FOR NATIONAL AWARDS.

The volunteers at Sunshine Hospital Radio have been informed this week that they have been shortlisted in a total of four separate categories for this year’s prestigious H.B.A. (Hospital Broadcasting Association) Awards.

The categories that they have reached the final ten in are: Station of the Year, Special Event (coverage of the Grand Pier fire), Best Speech Package (Grand Pier documentary) and Station Promotion (promotion of Occupational Therapy Week).

The organisation hopes to be among just a handful of winners, which will be will be revealed on March 28th at a glitzy ceremony in the Hilton Hotel, Blackpool.

Commenting on the Awards, Marcus, Public Relations Officer for Sunshine Radio, said: “It's fantastic to have reached the finals for this year's awards, especially when you consider that the H.B.A. represents over 220 stations from all over the U.K.
“Our shortlisting is testament to the dedication and hard work of our volunteers, we're all keeping our fingers crossed for when the judges make their announcement in March!”

Guests at last years awards ceremony were greeted by a video message from long standing Patron Sir Terry Wogan.

[25/01/09] SUNSHINE AT CULTURAL DIVERSITY EVENT!

Sunshine Hospital Radio were on hand to provide music and announcements throughout the day at the North Somerset Cultural Diversity Festival.

P.R. Officer Marcus said, "This was the first year that Sunshine Radio were involved with the Diversity Festival and it was clear to see why it has become such a popular event. Providing the music for the colourful and vibrant dancers was a real pleasure."

He added, "We met so many interesting people from such a broad range of countries, it was the perfect opportunity to record 'Get Well' messages in different languages for the foreign patients at Weston General Hospital.
We look forward to supporting next years event."

Pictured right: (Top): Sunshine O.B. Team playing the music for the traditional Filipino dancers.(Bottom) Bollywood Dancers Becky Slade and Reshma Rajagopan.