History of Radio Bronglais

Radio Bronglais broadcasts music and information-based programmes for an audience consisting of the patients, visitors and staff of Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth through the medium of English and Welsh.

Radio Bronglais began broadcasting in early 1970 when members of 'Bow Street Youth Club' presented a request programme on a Sunday evening between 7pm and 9pm which was broadcast to the patients in all Wards. The station was set up in a small cupboard sized room in the hospital. Equipment back in 1970 was very basic, with disco decks and a small amplifier. An Executive committee was set up to raise money to purchase our studio and to provide equipment. With a lot of hard work by the committee members and the help of Dyfed Health Authority and others we managed to purchase a portacabin and equipment which was opened in September 1985.

Internal Request Phones

In September 1997 with the support of the Halifax, we installed internal request phones in each of the day rooms within the hospital. These enable patients, relatives, friends and staff to phone our studio directly to request and dedicate songs.

The successes of Radio Bronglais have received external recognition. In 1991 and 1999 we won a British Telecom Award for 'The Best in Wales' and we were the runner-up in the same competition in 1996.

New Studio Site

In September 1998 land became available on the hospital site and so we applied to the National Lottery Charity Board of Wales. In the spring of 1999 we were awarded £117,455.

During September 2000 building work began on the new studio, and this was completed in early February 2001.