Seventy Five Years On Air
75 for 75
A series of 75 articles with photographs capturing aspects of our rich history since 9th April 1951 when we began as an activity at Port Sunlight Boys’ Club.
Read all about the station’s rich history.
75 for 75 series 31 to 45
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After 42 years, it was the end of an era in 1993 when we marked our last ever day at the original Larch House studios with a video showing highlights from every show broadcast on that significant Sunday in our history.
Supported by many other members, the day started with Ted Richards hosting ‘The Gospel Hour’. Neil Southerin was next with ‘The Neil Henry Show’ and then Neil Jackson urged you to ‘Relax a While’. ‘Sunday Plus’ was presented by Dave Harvey, Paul Culshaw was next, Simon Lee and Andy Williams co-hosted before Paul Stewart presented ‘Afternoon Edition’. Richie Moore helmed ‘Sunday Forum’ before Dave Wilson rounded off programming until 9pm speaking with many who had also turned up including Graham Johnson and Mike Eveleigh.
The stills taken from the video show Neil Jackson, Neil Southerin (who broadcast as Neil Henry) and Paul Stewart.
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In 1941 the Ministry of Health added an emergency hospital on farmland next to the hospital grounds. The new hospital consisted of a line of wooden huts, an operating theatre and an X Ray block. A line of brick huts was added to the site.
In 1950 three brick huts were declared obsolete and converted into nurses’ accommodation, later to be named Larch House.
Gerry Marsden opened our new larger studios at the front of Larch House on our 25th anniversary in April 1976. Mike Eveleigh met Kenny Everett at Capital Radio and asked him to record a jingle for our Anniversary. ‘Cuddly Clatterbridge’ was the result, featuring Tommy Vance’s throaty vocals at the end.
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By the early 1970s Roger Hazlewood was broadcasting solo. In 1973 the Chief Administrator at the Hospital phoned to say that he had received requests for alternative voluntary work. Dave Williams, who had just left college, visited Roger.
A fortnight later the pair were joined by Brian Sumner and Phil Price, and a full Saturday schedule began. Roger, Dave, Brian and Phil each presented a 2-hour show including, at 9am, ‘Mid-Morning Music’. It would stay on the air until 1998. All four reunited in 2023 for a special show!
Back in 1973, press coverage and word of mouth generated huge interest. Within two months, membership rose from these four to thirty and the Station began broadcasting weekends and week day evenings.
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On Sunday 8th June 2008 members of the station attended an ASDA Charity Night DJ’d by our very own Ian Grant pictured above with Radio Clatterbridge’s Treasurer at the time, Sarah Russell (now Jones).
We received a cheque for £300, as we were ASDA’s nominated charity. As well as the great music from such an experienced compere, there was a sumptuous spread, raffle and a good time was had by all.
The well attended Event took place at the Scout Hut in Birkenhead’s Park Road East. Birkenhead of course being the birthplace of the Scouting movement.
Radio Clatterbridge has had strong links with ASDA over the years thanks to its community champions. Ian Grant assisted by Helen-Louise Sestan-Burton broadcast regularly for many years on a Thursday morning and have arranged many a supermarket collection for us at their stores at Arrowe Park and Bromborough.
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By the early 1990s there was a very familiar feel to Monday nights with 4 employees from Lever House, Port Sunlight making up the schedule.
Roy Gregory presented ‘Big Band Music’ assisted by Bill Drinkwater, followed by Graham Johnson (at the desk in the picture) with a mainstream pop vibe.
Roger Hazlewood rounded off the evening with middle of the road music.
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As well as our studio complex being decorated at Christmas every year and our Christmas tree having pride and place in the Lobby, members of the request team do love to dress up.
Here are pictures from 2023 and 2025 with fancy dress supremos Carol Croston and Mandy Shepherd appearing in both pictures. Going around the hospital sites dressed in these wonderful costumes went down extremely well with patients and staff alike.
Joining in the fun in the first picture are Mal Vaughan and April Lloyd.
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September 2008 marked 35 years of ‘The Beatles Spot’ on Radio Clatterbridge. It was part of ‘Mid-Morning Music’ for the entirety of its run.
Dave Williams (pictured) is a lifelong Beatles fan and bought all their 7-inch singles on their release.
Asked if he had a favourite, Dave replied that it would have to be ‘Penny Lane’. Each single cost 6 shillings and 8 pence. His biggest regret is that he never saw them live.
Dave brought one of those original singles to the broadcast. ‘Let it Be’ was released in 1970. Dave explained that he brought this one as it was the Beatles' final single before McCartney announced his departure from the band.
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Over the years there have been many ways to receive Radio Clatterbridge ranging from stethoscope style earpieces to bedside control devices but, when we became an AM station, a trip was arranged to Radio Glan Clwyd at Glan Clwyd Hospital in North Wales to see what support system they used.
Chairman Steve Lord and members of the request team including June Wood and John Roberts discovered that plastic ward tubs were used for patient radios when patients were discharged and for any staff radios which were no longer working. The tubs were regularly checked and emptied by their ward team.
This was the system that we took on at Radio Clatterbridge and have used for over 15 years now. Here are pictures of one of the current tubs issued in 2025.
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In 2008, to mark 60 years of the National Health Service, the Trust organised an interactive exhibition at Clatterbridge. Radio Clatterbridge Chairman, Dave Adams, was invited to take part in the ‘hand hygiene’ test in one of the tents and Clatterbridge Hospitals League of Friends Chairman, Philip Owen (with back to camera), also attended this special day visiting the exhibits at Post Grad.
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We have met many artists and aired countless live performances such as when Elbow Jane came to our studios in 2011. They were about to appear at The Floral Pavilion and were regarded as one of the UK’s best acoustic acts.
Members of the Port Sunlight Boys Club including Peter Smethurst are pictured with Gerry Marsden in a side room at Hulme Hall. Country and Folk legend Charlie Landsborough (with presenter Geoff Peters) is one of the musicians to visit us and we had a full Studio when The Rock Choir performed.
