©Jane Collins
Mid Downs Hospital Radio (MDR) celebrated 50 years of broadcasting on 3rd October, bringing together members past and present, friends, and supporters for a golden anniversary celebration at Rok Skool in Haywards Heath.
The evening was opened by MDR Patron David Hentschel, who reflected on the station’s proud history of bringing music, companionship and entertainment to patients, staff and the wider community. Town Mayor Councillor Duncan Pascoe and Deputy Mayor Abdul Bashar also joined the celebrations, paying tribute to the generations of volunteers who have kept MDR on air for half a century.
There was a real sense of history as early presenters and former Chairs David Spear and Alan Jenkins returned to celebrate, alongside former Chairs Julia Mewes, Cathy Barnett and Sol Mead, creating a very special link between MDR’s past and present.
The evening also celebrated today’s volunteers. Ellen Symonds became the first recipient of the DC ‘Let’s Rock’ Award, named after MDR presenter DC Rogers and recognising exceptional service to the station. Former presenter and long-standing mentor Paul Halliday received a surprise honorary membership for his many years of dedication and encouragement of new broadcasting talent.
The station thanked Rok Skool, the event’s photographer, the makers of the award and everyone involved. Above all, the celebration captured the friendship, fun and family spirit that has always been at the heart of MDR. To round off the evening, Ellen joined fellow young presenter Tommy Kennedy for a musical journey through five decades: a reminder that, after 50 years on air, the station’s future is in good hands.