Banbury's Radio Horton celebrates anniversary with launch of new website and magazine

The station launched in 1964 and was the brainchild of local journalists, the late Ted Hanson MBE and Graham Wilton with the first listeners being greeted by the immortal words “This is Radio Horton calling.”

Recent circumstances have meant the radio station has had to adapt some of its processes to continue broadcasting throughout the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, with some intrepid volunteers now presenting their radio programmes from home studios.

The station has continued to provide vital information on behalf of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as well as promoting the work of the Horton General Hospital Charity.

In addition, Radio Horton has been working with local performing arts group, Voices Across Time to help deliver their bespoke outreach programme to patients in the Horton General Hospital and residents of partner care homes. The weekly programme, Bring Me Sunshine are themed around different topics each designed to stimulate memories and provide thought-provoking content intertwined with exercises for body and voice; songs to sing or dance along to; special guests and personalised voicemail messages from family and friends.

Pivotal to its success is the team of volunteers. The core principles of Radio Horton were built on volunteering, with the ambition to provide light entertainment, reassurance and a friend at the bedside to patients in hospital by playing their favourite choices of music at times when they need it most.

Radio Horton now has a membership of around 30 volunteers who either present programmes, visit the wards, assist with the delivery of the care home service or committee members (trustees) who manage the day-to-day running of the organisation.

Chairman, Anthony Brown, said: “Some patients may not see a friendly face, or non-clinical staff member during an entire day they are in hospital. Our ward visitors really do contribute and help bridge that gap. Hospital radio can be a welcome distraction away from the medical business and ward activities.”

On the same day as its anniversary Radio Horton launched its new website (www.radiohorton.co.uk) making for improved accessibility and a responsive layout, which enables access on the latest smart phones and tablets.

Publicity officer, Sam Smette said: “The previous incarnation of Radio Horton’s website was beginning to look tired and dated, with some limitations making it more challenging to maintain, especially with our expansion of service.”

“The new website comprises of a completely new, flexible design which has been completed over the last few weeks whilst I’d been on furlough from my day-job. Users should find a new, improved experience, better performance therefore enabling them to navigate, access content and most importantly, tune in!”

“Making our website more responsive so that it renders on smart phones and tablets was key and the framework of the existing site allowed us to do this relatively easily.

"With more patients going into hospital equipped with technology – especially at times where family members have been unable to visit their loved ones, ensuring easier means of navigation and accessibility has been paramount.”

Other improvements include a section for prospective volunteers to get involved and donation platforms.

The website is also complemented by the launch of Radio Horton’s new magazine, published by Hospital Radio Publications.

The magazine contains a wealth of content regarding the station, a history of Radio Horton and the Horton General Hospital, information from the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and quizzes and puzzles to help pass the time.

Sam added: “The magazines were delivered to us just weeks prior to lockdown. Unfortunately, we’ve been unable to distribute them to the wards, but we hope to be able to do so as soon as it is safe.”

Message from the editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.