Southend Hospital Radio Meets the Voice Behind Mummy Pig

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Southend Hospital Radio chairman Joe Smith enjoyed a memorable visit to the Cliffs Pavilion today, where he met actor and performer Charlie Culkin, currently starring as Mummy Pig in the hugely popular Peppa Pig stage production.

The meeting took place ahead of the show’s Southend performances and gave Joe the opportunity to chat with Charlie about bringing one of children’s television’s most beloved characters to life on stage. The pair posed for photographs alongside the iconic Peppa Pig artwork and discussed the enduring appeal of the globally successful franchise.

For generations of young families, Mummy Pig has been a familiar and reassuring character, making Charlie’s role one that carries a special connection with audiences. The live production continues to delight children across the UK, bringing Peppa, George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig from the screen to the stage in a colourful and interactive adventure.

Speaking after the visit, Joe said:

“It was an absolute pleasure to meet Charlie today. As a dad myself, I have a toddler who is firmly in the Peppa Pig demographic, Mummy Pig is something of a celebrity in our house. Charlie was warm, engaging and clearly passionate about the show. It was fascinating to hear about the work that goes into bringing such a well-known character to life for live audiences.”

The visit also highlighted the strong relationship between Southend’s cultural organisations and the local community, with the Cliffs Pavilion continuing to attract major touring productions and family entertainment to the city.

Southend Hospital Radio has been serving patients, visitors and staff at Southend Hospital for 50 years, broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The station is run entirely by volunteers and continues to support patient wellbeing through music, entertainment, information and interviews with local personalities and visiting performers.

Mummy Pig and Joe Smith from Sotuhend Hospital Radio Mummy Pig and Joe Smith from Sotuhend Hospital Radio

Events

Chiana Tackled The Tower in May 2026

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Saturday the 16th of May 2026, presenter Chiana Tackled The Tower!!

She bravely abseiled down the side of the Southend University Hospital tower block to raise money for our wonderful A&E department here at Southend Hospital, and contribute to the radio team also.

Here is a short video of Chiana’s adventure:

Before the jumps, Chiana said: “I am thrilled (and terrified!) to be participating in the charity abseil this year – your support means the world, thank you!”

The event takes place on Saturday 16th May 2026

If you’d like to support Chiana after tackling the tower, go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/chiana-pettitt-6

Tackle The Tower 2024


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Fundraising, News

Southend Hospital Radio Nominated for 2 National Awards

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Southend Hospital Radio, providing a 24-hour service for patients at Southend University Hospital. as been nominated for two radio programming awards in the Hospital Broadcasting Association’s “National Hospital Radio Awards 2025“.

HBA National Awards 2025

In the annual competition that highlights excellence in broadcasting across the nation’s hospital radio stations, Southend’s hospital radio station has been nominated in two categories:

Best Special Event: Tackle The Tower

In May 2024, nearly 80 local people took the ultimate challenge of abseiling down the side of the Southend Hospital Tower Block for charity, including one of the station’s presenters, Charlie Palmer.

On the evening of the event, a 20 minute highlights programme was broadcast capturing the day’s events, talking to the event organisers, hearing some of the stories behind why people were tackling the tower, and finding out where the money was going. The highlights programme was produced and presented by Pete Sipple.

Tackle The Tower

Hospital Radio presenter Charlie Palmer as he Tackles The Tower

Best Speech Package: Election 24

It is station policy not to cover politics and not to provide live election coverage, so our team took a different approach in 2024. Rather than focussing on the politics and the results, we took a look behind the scenes at an election night count. The secondary aim was to understand the methods that exist to allow those not able to vote in future elections to still be able to have their say, which can be used as public service content for future local and national elections in and around the city of Southend-on-Sea.

We secured an exclusive interview with the City Council’s Chief Executive and Returning Officer Colin Ansell to find what goes on behind the scenes in the run-up to an election, who’s involved in counting the ballot papers and at the polling stations, and how those not able to vote in person can still have their vote counted.

Free from politics, we also spoke to candidates to find out how they, as individuals, feel on election day and why voting is so important. Located in the press area at the Garons Park, Southend-on-Sea count, we were able to gain a unique insight into what goes on behind the scenes making for several programme features heard on the radio station. 

Election 24 - Southend Hospital Radio

Watching the count – Election 24 – Southend Hospital Radio

 

A video of UK shortlists, voiced by “voice of the balls” Alan Dedicote, is available from the HBA YouTube channel.

The winners of the national awards will be announced in April 2025. Please cross your fingers for us!

News

Tackle The Tower 2024

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Southend Hospital Radio was proud to support Tackle The Tower 2024 at Southend University Hospital, and one of our team, Charlie Palmer, tackled the Tower himself.

Here are some extracts from our coverage:

Tackle The Tower 2024 Video

Tackle The Tower 2024 Interviews

Tackle The Tower – Feature broadcast 18 May 2024 (17 minutes)

Tackle The Tower 2024 Photos

Tackle The Tower 2024

Tackle The Tower 2024

Tackle The Tower 2024

View from the 10th floor – looking down!

The Southend Hospital Radio team for Tackle the Tower 2024

The Southend Hospital Radio team for Tackle the Tower 2024

Tackle The Tower 2024

Charlie’s Challenge

Southend Hospital Radio’s own Charlie Palmer took the challenge!!

Charlie, getting ready for the descent!

Charlie, getting ready for the descent!

Charlie, on his way down

Charlie, on his way down

Charlie, safely back on the ground

Charlie, safely back on the ground

View from the wards

Our thanks to Debbie Ann Miller from some photos taken from her window on Shopland Ward, whilst listening to Southend Hospital Radio – Some great photos!

Ward Photo - Thanks to Debbie on Shopland Ward

Ward Photo - Thanks to Debbie on Shopland Ward

Ward Photo - Thanks to Debbie on Shopland Ward

Ward Photo - Thanks to Debbie on Shopland Ward

Ward Photo - Thanks to Debbie on Shopland Ward

Ward Photo - Thanks to Debbie on Shopland Ward

Ward Photo - Thanks to Debbie on Shopland Ward

And finally!

Essex Pets As Therapy Dog supporting the event

Essex Pets As Therapy Dog supporting the event

Well done to everyone involved with this event for their hard work and bravery!

Events

100 Years of British Broadcasting

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100 Years of British BroadcastingTo commemorate the centenary of the start of British broadcasting, a special one-hour show was created for broadcast on the 14th of February 2022.

For a limited time, this show is being repeated on Southend Hospital Radio at 5pm on a Wednesday.

 

What’s it all about?

Prior to the launch of the BBC in late 1922, a small experimental station, known as 2MT, started the first UK broadcasting service in Writtle, Essex. This was the forerunner to the first BBC radio station. In our special radio show, we look back at how it all started and pay tribute to some of the radio pioneers who led to the birth of broadcasting…. and it all happened here in Essex!

The show “100 Years of British Broadcasting” was timed for broadcast at the exact same time that 2MT started broadcasting in 1922.

The Marconi 2MT Hut in Writtle

The Marconi 2MT Hut in Writtle

What’s in the show?

The show features exclusive interviews with Jim Salmon, a local radio enthusiast, and Marconi historian Tim Wander, author of the booth “2MT Writtle, the Birth of British Broadcasting”, with anecdotes and extracts from the pioneering experimental broadcasts.

The show then takes a look at developments over the next 100 years, including wartime radio, pirate radio in the 1960s, the launch of BBC Radio 1 and the start of UK commercial radio. The show also includes an interview with Adrian Fox, one of the original presenters at Southend Hospital Radio recorded especially for the event, as well as extracts from the
station’s launch in 1977. The show concludes with a tribute to Marconi, the day that the
airwaves fell silent, and the revelation that Peter Eckersley, the pioneer behind 2MT in 1922, predicted how radio would be delivered in the 21st century.

Jim Salmon, interviewed on 100 Years of British Broadcasting

Jim Salmon, interviewed on 100 Years of British Broadcasting

Historian Tim Wander, interviewed on 100 Years of British Broadcasting

Historian Tim Wander, interviewed on 100 Years of British Broadcasting

Essex is regarded as the birthplace of broadcasting and local hospital patients will likely be aware of Essex’s radio heritage, the local Marconi and Ecko radio factories, and the fact that many of the 1960s pirates started from the Essex coast. The show aimed to capture the 100 years of local radio history, and that today’s broadcasting all started in a small wooden hut, 16 miles from our studios.

On the evening of broadcast, a group of radio enthusiasts took to the airwaves to have run on-air and support the centenary.

Radio Enthusiasts celebrating 100 years of broadcasting, in February 2022

Radio Enthusiasts celebrating 100 years of broadcasting, in February 2022

“100 Years of British Broadcasting” is presented by Southend Hospital Radio member Pete Sipple, and it’s been nominated for an HBA Award (thanks!)

For a limited time, this show is being repeated on Southend Hospital Radio at 5pm on a Wednesday. Listen online at www.getshr.uk


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Shows

Tackle The Tower 2022

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On the 14th of May 2022, over 70 members of staff and relatives of patients bravely abseiled down the outside of Southend University Hospital’s main tower block, raising money for local goods causes. The Southend Hospital Radio team was there to capture the voices of some of those ‘Tackling the Tower’ about their experience.

This package was used in the evening’s magazine programme, aiming not only to capture the atmosphere of the day’s events but to highlight how patients and staff are supporting the NHS.

The audio package includes an interview with the local MP and the Trust’s Events Coordinator.

Tackle The Tower 2022

Tackle The Tower 2022

One Giant Leap from the Southend Hospital Towerblock

One Giant Leap from the Southend Hospital Towerblock

Interviewing MP Anna Firth

Interviewing MP Anna Firth

Events

HRH The Prince of Wales, on Southend Hospital Radio

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News of a rather special programme on Southend Hospital Radio on Sunday the 4th of July 2021.

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, has recorded a special programme to say thank you to volunteers of hospital radio stations for their work in keeping communities connected and patients entertained during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Music & Memories with HRH The Prince of Wales

The programme, called Music & Memories with HRH The Prince of Wales, features some of The Prince’s favourite tracks, from artists including The Three Degrees, Diana Ross, Barbara Streisand and Edith Piaf.

In the programme, The Prince of Wales highlights the work volunteers at hospital radio stations across the UK have done over the last year, explaining that the role of hospital radio has been even more important during these current times, providing an invaluable service to patients, staff and families and reminisces on key life memories where music plays a significant role.

The show has been made possible thanks to the team at the national body the Hospital Broadcasting Association, and their Chairman Grant McNaughton said:

“The Hospital Broadcasting Association represents over 180 local radio stations delivering entertainment, information and health and wellbeing services to healthcare users across the UK, whether in hospital or the wider community. To express his gratitude to the army of dedicated hospital radio volunteers and their listeners, HRH The Prince of Wales, has offered to share his favourite music and his memories associated with each choice. We are exceptionally grateful for HRH The Prince of Wales to recognise the dedication to volunteers across the UK who have continued to assist healthcare providers throughout these difficult times.”

Pete Sipple, Chairman of Southend Hospital Radio said:

“We’re proud to be able to broadcast this special show presented by The Prince of Wales to the patients and staff at Southend University Hospital. Hospitals rely on an army of volunteers, especially during these challenging times. Hospital Radio has always been happy to play a part in entertaining patients and supporting the NHS, and it’s great that The Prince of Wales has taken time to record this unique show.”

The show will be broadcast across the UK, including on Southend Hospital Radio, on Sunday the 4th of July 2021. To listen, go to www.getshr.uk or ask your smartspeaker to “play Southend Hospital Radio”

News

Supporting Mental Health Minute 2021

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This Friday, the 14th of May 2021, Southend Hospital Radio will unite with every radio station in the UK for the 2021 “Mental Health Minute”

Millions of radio listeners around the UK, as well as patients and staff listening on the wards at Southend University Hospital, will hear a special message from The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, David Beckham, Dame Shirley Bassey, Joanna Lumley and Essex-born celebrities Jamie Oliver and Anne Marie.

Marking the end of Mental Health Awareness Week, the message will be broadcast at 10:59am on Friday, with the aim of reaching over 20 million listeners.

Mental Health Minute 2021

 

To listen to this unique message, go to www.getshr.uk at 10:59am on Friday.

Pete Sipple, Chairman of Southend Hospital Radio said: “The last year has been tough on many of us, and the Mental Health Minute highlights the importance of being able to reach out for help from organisations such as Shout 85258 when it’s needed. At Southend Hospital Radio, we’re proud to be one of 500 radio stations broadcasting this unique mental health message, and to be able to make this available to patients and staff listening within the hospital.”

Anyone who’s in need of support can text 85258, 24 hours a day.

 

More information

The event hashtag for the event is #MentalHealthMinute

This year, for the first time, the initiative is supporting Shout 85258 – the UK’s first free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service. The service provides round-the-clock support from clinical supervisors and trained volunteers to ensure no one has to face their problems alone. Shout was researched and developed by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as a legacy of the Heads Together campaign.

Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will voice the minute alongside influential voices from sport, music, and film. Featuring in the 2021 Mental Health Minute are:

• Anne Marie
• Charles Dance
• Dame Shirley Bassey
• David Beckham
• Hussain Manawer
• Jamie Oliver
• Jesse Lingard
• Joanna Lumley
• The Duke of Cambridge
• The Duchess of Cambridge

Simulcast to millions of listeners towards the end of the 2021 Mental Health Awareness Week – a national week hosted each year by the Mental Health Foundation, this year’s Mental Health Minute encourages everyone around the UK to keep talking about mental health. The message highlights how vital talking can be – just one conversation can be an incredibly powerful step for someone who is struggling with their mental health.

The script has been written by poet, writer, and mental health activist, Hussain Manawer, who has been a long-time supporter of both Shout 85258 and the mental health campaigns Heads Together and Heads Up, run by The Royal Foundation.

News

National Winners in the 2020 HBA Awards

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Southend Hospital Radio was proud to pick up two national awards in this year’s Hospital Broadcasting Association Awards

The national awards ceremony was due to take place in Bolton this year, but due to the Coronavirus situation, the awards were held virtually this year, on Easter Monday, the 13th of April 2020.

Southend Hospital Radio was nominated for four national awards, the results as follows:

  • SILVER AWARD – Kara & Kathryn – Southend Hospital Radio Kids
  • BRONZE AWARD – Joe Smith – Best Male Presenter
  • NOMINATED – “Focus”, Best Station Promotion
  • NOMINATED – “McMillan Coffee Evening”, Best Special Event

Southend Hospital Radio Kids

When announcing the Silver award, the judges “praised this nicely delivered content and said that Kara and Kathryn demonstrated the required relevance to the hospital patients and the wider hospital community – fun and enjoyable to listen to.”

You can listen to the award submission here:

Best Presenter – Joe Smith, Southend Hospital Tonight

Commenting on Southend Hospital Tonight’s entry, the judges said that Joe had a “lovely friendly style that was really engaging, with a good local feel about the show”

You can listen to the award submission here:

Joe Smith Selfie from 15 June 2018

2020 Awards

There were nine programming categories in this year’s awards and we were up against some very prestigious stations. For Southend Hospital Radio to be nominated in four of those nine categories is something that our team should all be hugely proud of.

Southend Hospital Radio has been providing its unique service to the patients of Southend University Hospital since 1977 and is staffed entirey by volunteers.

Hospital radio stations are playing a pivotal role in the current Coronavirus pandemic, with many stations broadcasting remotely with presenters hosting programmes from their own homes. While many patients in hospitals aren’t able to have visitors, hospital radio is always there to be a friend at the bedside, providing entertainment, information and relaying messages from family and friends. 

 

To see the full list of national winners, go here: HBA 2020 National Winners

Events

Hospital Radio and Amateur Radio

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Southend Hospital Radio is proud to be involved with an initiative to link amateur (ham) radio to the NHS.

Amateur radio is a technical hobby that allows people to make contact around the world using wireless technology, and is ideal for anyone with an interest in radio or tech. Here’s what you can do with amateur radio:

  • Make contact using radio with people around the course, and round the world
  • Send and receive signals from satellites and the ISS
  • Build antennas and radio equipment
  • Learn more about how radio and related technologies work
  • Make friends with likeminded folk

We’re involved with the team behind GB1NHS, which uses amateur radio to promote various NHS schemes that lead to improved patient care. You can hear interviews during the day with the GB1NHS team, as well as the crew of the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance.

We’ve recently linked up with local radio amateurs as part of the “Get On The Air To Care” campaign, and many have used their radio equipment to transmit messages thanking the NHS staff for their hard work – you’ll hear some of these broadcast throughout the day on hospital radio, and in our “Thank You Hour” show.

The pilot of the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance on amateur radio

The pilot of the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance on amateur radio

On-air with amateur radio

On-air with amateur radio

Southend-based radio ham Sarah on-the-air

Southend-based radio ham Sarah on-the-air

NHS nursing staff on the air End PJ Paralysis

NHS nursing staff on the air End PJ Paralysis

Want to know more?

Have a listen to the following interview to find out more about ham radio:

Handy Links

 

  • Essex Ham – Southend-based ham radio club
  • Ham Train – Free ham radio training course
  • Hab Hub – More about amateur radio in the UK
Focus ,
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