Celebrating in style - Oldham marks 70 years of Radio Cavell

Celebrations were in the air at the Oldham Event Centre on Saturday night as the Mayor of Oldham joined a special evening of music and nostalgia recognising an esteemed local organisation which has loyally served the town of Oldham over the past seven decades.

Oldham’s Radio Cavell Hospital Radio Service marked its 70th Anniversary with a party at the plush Broadway Lounge facilities at Latics' Boundary Park stadium, site of the first documented broadcast to the hospital.

Many volunteers, old and new, were present to enjoy the festivities.

Historically, much hospital radio broadcasting owes its birth to football commentaries.

According to various sources, Spurs was allegedly the home for the first one in 1935.

In 1951, Portsmouth started regular coverage from Fratton Park and then, in the 1952/53 season, the town of Oldham began covering live commentaries from Latics when the likes of forward Eric Gemmell were at their peak.

The radio service covered a landmark season under Athletic legendary player-manager George Hardwick.

That year the club were to win the Third Division North championship title and a return to the Second Division for the first time in 17 years.

Named after First World War British Nurse Edith Cavell, the radio station is therefore widely acknowledged to be the second oldest in the country.

In 1972, the operation was expanded to provide music and interviews with a radio studio set up in the cellar of a nurses’ home sited at the Boundary Park Hospital.

It then evolved over the years to provide a full service to all patients at the Royal Oldham Hospital, formerly Boundary Park Hospital (and previously to the now defunct Oldham Royal Infirmary.)

Guest of Honour, The Worshipful the Mayor of Oldham, Elaine Garry, in one of her last official functions before she steps down from her position, was full of praise for the operation.

Speaking at the function (see picture above), she recalled her own joy when she was in hospital upon hearing her name read out for a request on the channel.

And, in a speech, Liam O’Toole, from the Hospital Broadcasting Association, presented the station with a special certificate for its outstanding contribution to “Hospital Health and Wellbeing Broadcasting”.

He also presented a 30-year award to stalwart Craig Miller, and to Arthur Chorley for his 25 years’ service.

Addressing the guests, Kent Wells, who has been with the station since 1983 and has been chairman since 2014, especially thanked both Oldham Athletic and Oldham Rugby Club “because without their support it would have made it all very difficult to do”.

Roger Halstead, the Oldham Chronicle’s long-serving rugby reporter was also present as guest to represent the rugby club, as the whole event recognised Radio Cavell’s many volunteers and their incredible feat of 70 years of broadcasting to the patients in the hospitals of Oldham.

Radio Cavell is run entirely by volunteers who are passionate about providing a source of entertainment and comfort to those who are in hospital.

The station offers a wide range of programming, including music, news, and chat shows.

The music played on the station is carefully selected to cater to a diverse range of tastes, from classic hits to modern pop and rock.

In addition to providing entertainment, Radio Cavell also plays an important role in keeping patients informed about what's happening in the hospital and the wider community.

The station regularly features interviews with hospital staff and local community leaders, as well as updates on health and wellbeing.

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