Radio Horton launched in 1964 and has provided patients in the Horton General Hospital and the community of Banbury with a hospital, health and wellbeing broadcasting service.
One of the main objects of our charitable activities is to relieve sickness, poor health and old age amongst people living in North Oxfordshire by providing a local broadcasting service for hospitals, residential homes and similar institutions, and for patients receiving community care.
However, there is also some incidental benefit and impact for our volunteers, many of whom commit their time, dedication and passion into ward visiting, producing or presenting programmes. Some of our volunteers have previously moved on to successful careers, and here, we’ll be sharing their stories to inspire future generations.
Matthew Holroyd
Matthew joined Radio Horton at the age of sixteen after looking for volunteering opportunities in and around Banbury, and heard about the hospital radio station through family and friends. After initially spending some time on the wards, visiting patients and gathering requests, Matthew moved up the ranks and quickly became a familiar voice on the airwaves, presenting his own programmes. Today, Matthew lives and works in Lyon, France at Euronews as a multimedia journalist.
Georgie Sullivan
Georgie’s passion for radio first began after hearing Chris Moyles presenting the breakfast show on BBC Radio 1. After deciding radio was the vocation for her, Georgie spent time pestering the local radio stations, and was invited to join Radio Horton at the age of fourteen. Following a stint on Ted Hanson’s show, presenting the quiz, Georgie took to assisting at events before landing her own show! Since, Georgie has worked as a producer at the BBC, and still recalls her fond memories of life at Radio Horton…
Philip Tolmie
Joining Radio Horton at twenty-one, Philip found his inspiration for radio during his time on student radio whilst studying at university. After applying to Banbury’s hospital, health and wellbeing radio station, Philip quickly got to grips with using the studio, before he was (eventually!) let loose on the airwaves and hosted a weekly programme. Once a cheeky-chap of the station, Philip now leads a rather exciting career as an English teacher in South Korea and regales his experiences from Radio Horton.