“Working together for the good of the local community”. This is the aim of Aycliffe Radio who have now teamed up with Prince Bishop Hospital Radio who have the same ethos.

Both organisations have a selection of excellent volunteers who give up their time to entertain and inform the local community, or, in the case of PBHR, entertaining hospital patients, visitors and staff at Bishop Auckland General Hospital, Darlington Memorial Hospital and The Richardson Hospital in Barnard Castle.

The two organisations will be working together to bring a more varied selection of shows to all listeners and at the same time help each other with station events, aims and objectives as well as fundraising.

Prince Bishop Hospital Radio has been broadcasting since 1963 and all the volunteers enjoy the camaraderie and team spirit; which is also the case at Aycliffe Radio who are a fledgling broadcaster having only launched on 1st December 2017.

Aycliffe Radio is in an enviable position with nearly forty volunteer presenters.

The two stations will be using each others resources and volunteers to help with show scheduling.

Aycliffe Radio Station Manager, Paul Howarth said “to be working with our local hospitals is a great connect and has inspired many of our volunteers to aim further than their local community radio station. I am sure the joint venture will prove fruitful for both parties.”

Simon Temby, Programme Coordinator of Prince Bishops Hospital Radio said: “We enjoy making radio for the patients, staff and all those who visit our hospitals. We are always excited by new ideas and have found the same enthusiasm and drive whilst working with Aycliffe Radio”.

Craig Robinson, Chairman of Prince Bishops Hospital Radio, said: “Hospital Radio is often seen as a closed broadcaster, only serving those who are unfortunate enough to find themselves in hospital. We enjoy entertaining the patients, staff and visitors within our hospital communities and the opportunity to work with Aycliffe Radio could not be passed up. We look forward to making some entertaining radio for both communities to enjoy”.

You can find out more about Prince Bishop Hospital Radio on the website www.pbhr.org.uk