Double birthday for Eastbourne hospital radio
Radio DGH is marking two anniversaries in 2026 as the Eastbourne station celebrates 50 years of broadcasting and 75 years of hospital radio in the town.
Hospital radio in Eastbourne began in 1951, when volunteers pushed portable record players around wards at four different hospital sites playing music requested by patients.
The service found a permanent base in 1976 when the District General Hospital opened in the town and Radio DGH was established. Founder members Adrian Tongue and Philip Bull described launching the station at the time as “a dream come true”.
Today the station continues to broadcast with a team of volunteers providing programmes for patients, staff and visitors at the hospital, as well as listeners in the surrounding community.
Programme Controller Shaun Crowhurst said it was a privilege to be part of the station during its anniversary year.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to be a part of an amazing, dedicated team here at Radio DGH – even more so during our anniversary year.”
He added that the station’s music output ranges from the 1960s through to current releases, alongside specialist programmes covering genres including soul, Motown, indie, country and musical theatre.
Over the years a number of former volunteers have gone on to work elsewhere in broadcasting, including James Barr, Russ Williams, Richie Firth and Joe Haddow.
Celebrations planned for the year include an open day, prize giveaways, involvement in the town’s carnival and a special weekend of programmes featuring returning presenters.