Esther Ashby-Coventry - Sep 04 2015
After three years of being homeless Timaru Hospital Radio is back in the recently refurbished and strengthened studio in the Gardens Block.
The building on the hospital grounds was deemed an earthquake risk and the studio and offices were vacated in 2012.
Hospital Radio continued to broadcast 24/7 using mobile technology during and after its move to a vacant shop next to the old Majestic movie theatre in Stafford St.
Timaru businessman Brent Birchfield, owner of radio station Port FM, provided the premises free of charge and paid expenses for the 18-month stay.
But relationships soured soon after when Birchfield was accused of running two adjacent frequencies either side of Hospital Radio's 88FM band, causing interference.
The next temporary home for Hospital Radio was at the Timaru Christian School.
Hospital Radio director Bryan Blanchard said he was grateful to Birchfield, and Bryan Rapsey of the school, for their generosity.
"Both places helped us out to keep on the air for our many loyal and long-time listeners."
The recent move back into the Gardens Block studio, which is now about 25 per cent larger than before, took place with the assistance of some of its 14 volunteers and a couple of listeners.
The station was founded in 1989 and started in a bedroom.
"We cater for mainly listeners from their 50s to over 90 and play music mainly from the 1920s to the early 1970s."
Blanchard said the refurbished studio was looking good and the extra space would allow for more storage.
After three years of being homeless Timaru Hospital Radio is back in the recently refurbished and strengthened studio in the Gardens Block.
The building on the hospital grounds was deemed an earthquake risk and the studio and offices were vacated in 2012.
Hospital Radio continued to broadcast 24/7 using mobile technology during and after its move to a vacant shop next to the old Majestic movie theatre in Stafford St.
Timaru businessman Brent Birchfield, owner of radio station Port FM, provided the premises free of charge and paid expenses for the 18-month stay.
But relationships soured soon after when Birchfield was accused of running two adjacent frequencies either side of Hospital Radio's 88FM band, causing interference.
The next temporary home for Hospital Radio was at the Timaru Christian School.
Hospital Radio director Bryan Blanchard said he was grateful to Birchfield, and Bryan Rapsey of the school, for their generosity.
"Both places helped us out to keep on the air for our many loyal and long-time listeners."
The recent move back into the Gardens Block studio, which is now about 25 per cent larger than before, took place with the assistance of some of its 14 volunteers and a couple of listeners.
The station was founded in 1989 and started in a bedroom.
"We cater for mainly listeners from their 50s to over 90 and play music mainly from the 1920s to the early 1970s."
Blanchard said the refurbished studio was looking good and the extra space would allow for more storage.