Bay Trust Radio

Community & Hospital Radio for the Morecambe Bay area

“Around the wards and around the clock since 1977” 

Bay Trust Radio is a registered charity and relies 100% on sponsors, donations, grants and fund raising to remain on air. 

They have been broadcasting 24 hours a day to patients and staff and visitors of hospitals in the Morecambe Bay area for 35 years. 

However Bay Trust Radio is much more than Hospital Radio as not only can you hear them on the wards, but in hospital waiting areas, NHS Clinics, Dentists and all around the World via the internet.

And now you can even listen on your mobile by downloading their Mobile App. 

Bay Trust Radio broadcast a mixture of music, information and entertainment including, uniquely for their area, National and International News from SKY News Centre.

History 

In December 1976, after an initial meeting of recently formed committee, accommodation was arranged by Westmorland County Hospital and, the originally named, Kendal Hospital Radio was up and running. 

On Sunday 6th February 1977 the first broadcast was made which attracted 60 dedication requests and 22 tracks of music were played. 

Major changes came in 1991 when Westmorland General Hospital was opened and a new studio was provided. 

By 1993 the record library had grown to 30,000 tracks of music which was larger than many commercial radio stations. 

In 2001 technology had moved on at a furious pace and Bay Trust Radio became involved in broadcasting via a ‘Computer Play-out’ system. This meant that with a particular computer package they could receive information from a satellite transmission and could thus place all their music on a computer data base and receive national and international news from SKY, plus the latest weather forecast for the region. 

Additionally, with this system of broadcasting they could now broadcast local events live, direct to their studios, and they have already covered Holker Hall Garden Festival and the Kendal Torch Festival. 

All this success comes at a price and they now require around £3,000 to £4,000 per year to continue to provide their service. This money is raised by Bay Trust Radio through the sponsorship scheme they have with local shops and businesses, as well as raffles, bag packing sessions at Asda Stores, Kendal. 

Presenters and Staff 

Bay Trust Radio’s presenters and staff are ALL volunteers. 

This dedicated band of people give up their time to provide a much needed and valued service to the local hospitals and community in the Morecambe Bay Area. 

Often these volunteers come to offer their services after being confined to a hospital bed and realise the value and pleasure that can be derived from having a 24 hour a day ‘companion’ during times of confinement. 

However Bay Trust Radio is also able to offer local young presenters the opportunity to gain experience in a real radio station and with the economy facing challenging times, providing young people with the opportunities to develop their skills and be supported in their learning, is invaluable. 

Some of these young presenters have gone on to be well known personalities in national broadcasting. 

Are you a budding radio presenter or would like to get behind the mike, and can spare a few hours a week? Then contact the station manager John Williamson at john.williamson@baytrustradio.org.uk. 

For more information about Bay Trust Radio go to their Feature on thebestof Lancaster at http://www.thebestof.co.uk/local/lancaster/business-guide/feature/bay-trust-radio/89950