Sunshine Radio Presenters
James Wilson
Presenter and Chairman
James realised that his life was too work orientated and wanted to balance it with something completely different. Sunshine Radio gives him theopportunity to share his eclectic musical taste and give something back to the community.
He has a fairly chirpy view on life and hopes that is reflected in his shows, making someone feel just a tiny bit perkier!
Annabel Locke
Presenter, Station Director and Vice Chair
Annabel, an outward going, chatty Sagittarian, joined hospital radio at Radio Marsden in Surrey many years ago.
On moving to the island she soon joined Sunshine Radio. As a former nurse she loves this way of contributing to make a patient’s stay at St Mary’s a happy one.
Christopher Lovelock
Station Engineer
Christopher spent his working life as a sound recordist with the BBC, and brings both audio engineering and programme skills to Sunshine Radio.
These skills were quickly put to use in a major station upgrade, which so far has consumed a large part of his retirement, and no doubt will continue to do so in the future!
Suzanne Longstone
Presenter
Suzanne was introduced to Sunshine Radio in 2009 by a former member, David Nove.
A retired teacher, her passion is singing and she also directs an Island choir.
She brings a touch of class to the station with her classical music programmes.
Mike Jarvie
Presenter and Programme Controller
Known professionally as Don Parker, Mike spent many years in the entertainment business, working in theatres, clubs, hotels and cruise ships. He has released records with Esquire, Pye-Nixa, Parlophone and Decca.
Living on the island since 1967 he has finally found the Sunshine Radio studios, where he is now one of our presenters.
James Harwood
Presenter and Studio Manager
James started his association with hospital radio in 1994 when he joined Radio Lion in Guildford, gaining two long service awards at ten and fifteen years.
When Radio Lion closed in early 2014, he joined Sunshine, having moved to the island. He has a wide musical taste and includes listeners requests in his local news and sport programme. Spotlight.
Dan Bes
Presenter and Committee Member Responsible for Fund Raising
Dan has been involved in radio since 2013 when he started presenting a drive time show for an internet radio station.
At Sunshine Radio he currently has two afternoon programmes where he hopes to put smiles on the faces of his audience. He is an enthusiastic member of the station and hopes that the listener gains as much as he does from his programmes.
John Sharman
Presenter and Committee Member
John grew up in a large musical family, giving him an abiding love for all sorts of different music.
Playing the records he loves to other people, and talking about them, feels like a perfect way to spend his time.
Ellie Foxwell
Presenter
After studying anthropology at university, Ellie returned home to the island looking for opportunities, and along came Sunshine Radio!
Sunshine is a great family community, it’s a unique hospital radio, and she loves that it has real purpose, not only in entertaining but also improving the hospital experience.
Patrick Norris
Presenter
Pat has been with Sunshine Radio since 1973 and has held most of the non-technical positions within the station during that time. He was also very involved with establishing and presenting on our own Isle of Wight Radio in the early nineties.
Pat strongly believes the intimacy of radio makes it the ideal medium for all of us to make a difference for our listeners here in St Mary’s.
Tosin Ajayi
Presenter
After years of being told that he has a good radio voice, Tosin (pronounced Toes-in) finally decided to call their bluff and pick an audience who couldn’t really run away from him – a hospital on an Island!
A healthy love of the aforementioned voice and an unhealthy love of movies have kept him around ever since.
Tony Hill
Presenter
Tony became interested in radio making crystal radio sets as a boy, while in a convalescent home.
His working life included time with MGM Studios and he served at hospital radio stations in Wrexham and Windsor before coming to the island and Sunshine Radio.
Tony is a leading light in our Country Music section.
Steve Knapp
Presenter
Steve was introduced to Sunshine Radio in the autumn of 1973, shortly after its formation when it was known by its formal name – The Isle of Wight Hospital Broadcasting Association.
As one of the “Old Guard”, Steve has been with the station through many stages of its growth, and today shares his love of radio with his love of railways.
Mark Ross
Treasurer
Mark moved to Wootton from London in June 2016, which also coincided with his retirement.
His interests are walking, kayaking and photography. He feels that to be Treasurer of Sunshine Radio is a great way to use his financial experience in a caring organisation.
Bob Wells
Presenter
Bob moved to the island in 2011 and saw a Sunshine Radio recruiting poster, which led to his becoming part of – in his words – “a great family radio”.
He enjoys putting together his Jukebox show, which is aired on Thursday evenings.
Andy Hollebon
NHS Trust Representative on the Committee
Andy is the Trust’s Head of Communications and Engagement and is the Trust’s link with Sunshine Radio.
He believes that Hospital Radio plays an important role for patients in hospital, and that there should be a strong connection between the Trust and the radio station.
Gordon Cooper
Presenter
Gordon has been with Sunshine since 1993, when his first job was transferring the record library onto the computer system.
He then graduated to presenting a variety of live and recorded programmes before ending up as Station Director. Gordon is now also involved in internet radio on the Island.
Pat Burge
Presenter
Pat was born and brought up in London, growing up through the swinging sixties. She has always been interested in radio, and has a background in volunteering, so decided to combine the two!
Music is a staple part of her life, and she now enjoys presenting her “Oldies from an Oldie” show featuring music from the 60s & 70s.
Ernie Saill
Presenter
Ernie has always been interested in acting and theatre as well as skydiving and motorbike racing.
Now that he is retired, he has found that a radio career is probably less dangerous and less traumatic for his other half, but for a bit of extra spice he has started flying lessons!
His musical interests are light classical and are a welcome addition to our schedule
Steve Parkes
Presenter
Steve is a highly qualified musician, singer and music teacher who has also worked in theatres and jazz clubs in a variety of roles.
Having also owned his own recording studios he is eminently suited to his new role at Sunshine Radio producing and presenting his weekly Jazz and Blues show, as well as continuing his career of live music in Sandown.
Fanny Hodgson
Presenter
Fanny joined the team at Sunshine Radio in Autumn 2016 and since then has been busy learning the ropes and finding her way around all the buttons!
She loves choosing her playlist, which is drawn from the last five decades of pop music, and picking topics to chat about in what she hopes will be a convivial and friendly hour.
Paul Foxwell
Presenter
After studying Physics at Luton, Paul made his home on the island in 1986 working for a microwave technology company.
30 years later he feels that he wants to put something back into the local community, and hospital radio satisfies his taste for music.