On Sunday 7th November 1971, hospital radio began proper as the first faltering words were heard on 'Radio Titania', although there were probably more listeners in the Studio area than in the hospital wards.

The idea for a hospital radio in the town had been floated by two lads who had already tried and failed with a similar venture elsewhere. The first few months were a frantic melting pot of harebrained ideas and planning, but gradually a pattern emerged and long meetings in to the early hours established a democratic structure. Space for a studio was provided by an understandably cautious Health Authority, in the form of a vacant nurses bedroom on the top floor of the old part of the hospital above the Billing Road entrance. This 150 square feet housed a studio, record library, switching equipment, office and reception for several years until a second bedroom was also provided.

The name of course had to go, as the station became known as a shortened version of it's name - 'Radio Tit', which was less than dignified.

For the next 12 years Radio Nene Valley, as the station was renamed, began to build itself a reputation and a niche within it's role of providing a service to the community. Then in 1983, we moved to a brand new broadcast suite which were formally the hospital kitchens. We have stayed there since and as hospital radio stations go we are proud to be one of the best resourced with two presentation studios, interview studio, music library, reception area, workshop, store and offices.

Our accommodation isn't the only thing that has changed since the 70's. From somewhat bodged together domestic hi-fi equipment our current studios are based around professional broadcast equipment and custom built sound desk that are equipped to local radio standards.

In over 30 years of broadcasting we have had the luxury of trying many different programmes. Our schedules are ever changing to make sure that we reflect listener trends and provide informative and - most importantly - fun, interactive and entertaining radio.

Money is obviously very important to Radio Nene Valley. We need to generate in excess of £3,000 per year just to keep our service ticking over, let alone expand into additional broadcast hours, invest in the ever-growing and improving equipment or to produce even more innovative programming. This revenue is raised through our own fund-raising efforts, including 'The Percy Club'. We also welcome donations from anyone interested in the work that we do and encourage local and national companies to support our efforts through Programme Sponsorship. This has already proved successful and we hope to expand in the future. If your company is interested in such a venture then please contact us for an information pack.

Over the years, Radio Nene Valley has become a much respected service within the local community and its work is often praised by both listeners and governing bodies alike. We've collected a number of awards including the Mayor's Award for Community Service and an award in the Chronicle and Echo's New Years Honours List for our outstanding service and support to the community. It's thanks like this, together with the warm response we get when visiting the wards that helps make it all worthwhile.

Our membership is made up of around fifty unpaid volunteers who come from all walks of life and range from school leavers to pensioners. This in turn is reflected within our extensive range of programmes and music.

Every week we work hard at keeping our public profile as high as possible as the average stay of a patient is only a few days. Those that have been associated with the station since the early days are proud that there pioneering work continues to go from strength to strength and whilst the people and programmes change over the years our goal remains the same. And we think that we are just about getting it right!