Pete Simpkin

I was a member from the mid sixties until my departure from Southampton in 1971.

At the time of my joining I was an engineer at the old BBC studios at South Western House and joined HBA to widen my broadcasting experience and to do what I could to support the tremendous work being done to bring a little bit of entertainment and distraction to hospital patients.

My first visit was to the home of Chief Engineer Geoff Allcock where the request programmes were recorded....in his garden shed. John Stranger and Zena Millard were the presenters. We eventually moved to cellars underneath the Toc H youth hostel at the top of Winchester Road.

I produced and presented a wide range of shows from requests to major OBs.....among the latter Princess Margaret's visit and the 200th anniversary of the Pilgrim Fathers' sailing on the Mayflower ..... both with Alan Lambourn commentating. I was able to introduce several colleagues to HBA including Clive Jacobs (South Today presenter), Carole Stone (who went on to produce any Questions for Radio 4), Arthur Brookes (Engineering) and Peter Maggs.

As a result of all my experience I got a Producer/Presenter job at BBC Local Radio at Pebble Mill Birmingham and this lasted until my retirement.

I cannot thank Southampton HBA enough for letting me have a go at broadcasting and have fond memories of the people already mentioned as well as the late Guy Garrett and Sonya Garrett (now Delamere), Dallas Stone, Ken Flood, Paul Shoosmith, Edwin Course and many others.

Best wishes and continued success Southampton HBA!

Pete Simpkin