Two London hospital radio stations merge
Written by RadioToday UK - Roy Martin	 March 23, 2016 - 12:54 pm 1,725
Bedrock Radio in Romford is to extend its service to Goodmayes Hospital, taking over from GHR.
TheGoodmayes Hospital Radio Association, known on-air as the Jumbo Sound had recently celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2015 and soon after suffered major equipment damage, caused by a burst radiator flooding their studio forcing the station off-air. For several years volunteer numbers dropped as did income. As insurers evaluated the cost of damage, The Jumbo Sound voted to merge into neighbouring station Bedrock, Queen's Hospital, Romford.
The merger will see Bedrock Radio provide programmes to the Goodmayes area in April 2016.
Mathew Watson, Chairman, Bedrock commented: "I appreciate the team at GHR/The Jumbo Sound made a very difficult decision to merge. We welcome their volunteers to Bedrock and look forward to sharing ideas, meanwhile we are working tirelessly to repair the studios to reintroduce live & local programmes to Goodmayes Hospital & it's health community'
Goodmayes Hospital Radio Association was founded in 1977, in 2006 the station adopted 'The Jumbo Sound' as it's on-air name to modernise the station and attract new volunteers. The studios are still located in the old Goodmayes Hospital building, but provide a full broadcasting service to patients receiving treatment under North East London Foundation Trust.
Marj Young, (former) Chair of Jumbo Sound: "Our studio equipment was becoming unreliable, and our membership numbers dwindled making it difficult to fill our programme schedule and raise funds. I would personally like to thank everyone involved with Goodmayes Hospital Radio / The Jumbo Sound from the 70s through to the remaining members who have struggled to keep the station running, we have every confidence that Bedrock can take the station forward successfully."
Lee Howe, Engineer for Both Bedrock & Jumbo Sound said: "There is a lot of work ahead to re-build a studio at Goodmayes, but the merge with Bedrock will see an increase in programmes. Utilising the latest technologies available, we will be able to provide shows that are either presented specifically to each hospital, or shared between both."
Bedrock formed in 2002 as a merge between Oldchruch & Harold Wood Hospital Radio's in preparation for the opening of Queen's Hospital in 2006.
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