Hospital Radio Burnley

Official opening and
50th birthday celebrations

on Friday, June 1st 2007, we officially opened the new studios and celebrated our 50th birthday. Good friend and patron of Hospital Radio Burnley, Julie Hesmondalgh aka Hayley Cropper of Coronation street, without a moments hesitation, agreed to do the honours. Below, in words and pictures is how the night unfolded...

Studio manager, Bryan Sisson, welcomes everyone to the evenings proceedings before he invites Radio Burnley Chairman, John Robinson to say a couple of words.

John praises the work of station engineer Colin Wakefield and Bryan Sisson for the stirling work they put into the rebuilding of the new studio's. John said, "Before I phoned Bryan or Colin at home, I phoned the studio first and got them there everytime" John also looked forward to a great future for the station.

Alan Green, Chief Executive of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust makes the point that, without volunteers within the NHS, it simply would not function. He praised the station for the professionalism of it's members and wished them good luck for the next 50 years.

Next special guest to speak was Hospital Broadcasting Association's very own June Snowden. " I like what I see here at Burnley", " if this is anything to go by, it shows there is a very good future for all Hospital Broadcasting stations". Obviously very impressed, June thanked the management committee of HRB for inviting her to this very austere occaision.

Bryan Sisson retakes the stage for the most important part of the evening. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome a very special friend of Hospital Radio Burnley, a young lady that has trodden the cobbled streets of Whetherfield, co-owner of Roy's Rolls, Coronation street. Miss Julie Hesmondalgh...Aka Hayley Cropper.

Nestling for a good view of the special guest are:

Standing: Alison Hoyle, Terry Butterworth, Richard Smith, Siobhan Fitzpatrick & June Snowden
Seated: Patrick McCann and Janet Sayner. Many more were in the corridor where the whole ceremony was relayed.

"Hello and good evening everybody", "Thank you Bryan, it's always a pleasure to visit the Hospital Radio Burnley Studios". Julie recalls the Guinness world record and how she helped by doing a four hour session as an independant witness. Taken aback with the new studios, Julie remarked on how well we had done and thanked the league of voluntary workers for their massive injection of cash. "It is very rare that you find some people that will do something for free", "I think that these people, in whatever capacity, get the recognition they deserve".

"It gives me great pleasure to officially open these wonderful new studio's" and with those words, Julie reveales the specially commissioned plaque to commemorate the event.

Thank you Julie, we have one more task for you to carry out if you don't mind. Not only have Hospital Radio Burnley moved to these fine new studio's...2007 sees our 50th year of broadcasting and it would be a thrill if you would kindly blow out the candle on our birthday cake.

Julie takes a deep breath and blows out the candle on the cake that is being held by radio Burnley presenter, Neil Cromack.

After all that hard work, please accept these flowers as a token of our gratitude...Thank you very, much....Ladies and Gentlemen please give it up for Julie Hesmondalgh.

Ladies and gentlemen, Madam president of the Hospital Broadcasting, Mrs. June Snowden, has an arduous journey to be with us tonight. Would you kindly accept this bouquet as an appreciation of your visit to Hospital Radio Burnley?