Victoria Radio Network
Encyclopedia
The Victoria Radio Network (VRN) is a hospital radio station based in Kirkcaldy
, Scotland
. It currently broadcasts 24 hours a day to the premises of the Victoria Hospital
and surrounding facilities on 1287AM/MW, and to patients' bedside radios.
The station moved to premises on nearby St Clair Street, approximately 1 mile from the hospital. However, when this area was later redeveloped, the station moved back to the hospital site. This time, a custom-built studio was created out of Portakabins. The final move was to an old boiler house on Willow Drive.
In 2002, VRN was awarded a medium wave broadcasting licence. The first AM (medium wave) broadcast took place on 2nd Feb 2002, and the station continues to broadcast on AM to the present day.
.
Main programming features include:
When presenters are not in the studio, a series of pre-recorded programmes are played along with music.
Notable former members of VRN include:
(HBA).
Recent awards include:
Kirkcaldy
Kirkcaldy is a town and former royal burgh in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. The town lies on a shallow bay on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth; SSE of Glenrothes, ENE of Dunfermline, WSW of Dundee and NNE of Edinburgh...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It currently broadcasts 24 hours a day to the premises of the Victoria Hospital
Victoria Hospital (Kirkcaldy)
Victoria Hospital is a large hospital situated to the north of the town centre in Kirkcaldy. As one of two main hospitals in Fife, this serves both the town and surrounding Mid-Fife area...
and surrounding facilities on 1287AM/MW, and to patients' bedside radios.
History
VRN was formed in February 1971 by a group of young people in Kirkcaldy. Its first broadcast took place on March 3, and the studio was originally housed in a cupboard of the main tower block of the hospital.The station moved to premises on nearby St Clair Street, approximately 1 mile from the hospital. However, when this area was later redeveloped, the station moved back to the hospital site. This time, a custom-built studio was created out of Portakabins. The final move was to an old boiler house on Willow Drive.
In 2002, VRN was awarded a medium wave broadcasting licence. The first AM (medium wave) broadcast took place on 2nd Feb 2002, and the station continues to broadcast on AM to the present day.
Status
The station is a registered charity (SC000302) and is run by a management committee. VRN holds a Restricted Service Licence to broadcast on AM (medium wave) and its output is regulated by OFCOMOfcom
Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
.
Membership
VRN is run entirely by volunteers, with no full-time members of staff. There are currently around 50 members of the team. The majority of members are presenters, but there are also ward visitors, fundraisers and committee positions.Broadcasting Output
As a hospital station, output is directed towards patients, staff and visitors.Main programming features include:
- Patient Request Shows every weeknight
- Live commentaries of Raith Rovers Saturday home matches.
- VRN's Book at Bedtime - a selection of audio books
- Getting to Know You - local people are interviewed, and select music to play
When presenters are not in the studio, a series of pre-recorded programmes are played along with music.
Former Members
An important function of hospital radio is that it has allows a first step for those looking to work in broadcasting.Notable former members of VRN include:
- Richard ParkRichard Park (broadcaster)Richard Park is a Scottish media personality and businessman, who is Executive Director of Global Radio. He was previously a media consultant and broadcaster in the UK and has also made appearances as the 'Headmaster' of BBC TV's Fame Academy programmes.-Professional career:Voted most influential...
- Managing Director of Global Radio - Arthur Ballingall - Managing Director of Radio TayRadio TayRadio Tay is a division of Bauer Radio which broadcasts two Independent Local Radio stations throughout Tayside and northeast Fife in Scotland....
- Jackie Storrar - Country and Western singer and broadcaster
- Scott DavieScott DavieScott Davie is a British football commentator for BBC Scotland and can frequently be heard on Sportsound, providing live radio commentary of Scottish Premier League football matches...
- BBC Scotland Football Commentator - Laura Haldane - Scottish News Anchor for ITV's DaybreakDaybreak (ITV)Daybreak is the weekday breakfast television programme on the British commercial ITV network that broadcasts on weekday mornings from 06:00 to 08:30 and is currently presented by Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley from Monday to Thursday with Dan Lobb and Kate Garraway on Fridays...
Awards
VRN has received many awards over the years for its output. Many of these have come from the Hospital Broadcasting AssociationHospital Broadcasting Association
The Hospital Broadcasting Association supports the 230 or so independent hospital broadcasting organisations serving hospitals, hospices and nursing homes in the UK...
(HBA).
Recent awards include:
2006
- Male Presenter of the Year (HBA): John Murray - bronze award
- Female Presenter of the Year (HBA): Laura Haldane - silver award
2007
- Male Presenter of the Year (HBA): John Murray - gold award
- Best Speech Package (HBA): Interview with Gordon Brown - silver award
- Best Specialised Music (HBA): Blues & Stuff - bronze award
- Station of the Year (HBA) - silver award
2008
- Best Radio Broadcast (Creative Fife): The Treatment Table
- Male Presenter of the Year (HBA): Neil Ingebrigtsen - bronze award