title: Victoria Radio Network
text: # Victoria Radio Network
  
  The Victoria Radio Network (VRN) is a hospital radio station based in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. It currently broadcasts 24 hours a day to the premises of the Victoria Hospital and surrounding facilities to patients' bedside radios and www.vrnkirkcaldy.com
  
  ## History
  
  VRN was formed in February 1971 by a group of young people in Kirkcaldy. Its first broadcast took place on 3 March, and the studio was originally housed in a cupboard of the main tower block of the hospital.
  
  The station moved to premises on nearby St Clair Street, approximately 1 mile from the hospital. However, when this area was later redeveloped, the station moved back to the hospital site. This time, a custom-built studio was created out of Portakabins. The final move was to an old boiler house on Willow Drive.
  
  In 2002, VRN was awarded a medium wave broadcasting licence. The first AM (medium wave) broadcast took place on 2 February 2002, and the station continued to broadcast on AM till Dec 2017. The station is now available on bed side tablets and on line at www.vrnkirkcaldy.com.
  
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  ## Membership
  
  VRN is run entirely by volunteers, with no full-time members of staff. There are currently around 50 members of the team. The majority of members are presenters, but there are also ward visitors, fundraisers and committee positions.
  
  ## Broadcasting Output
  
  As a hospital station, output is directed towards patients, staff and visitors. Main programming features include:
  
  * Patient Request Shows every weeknight
  * Live commentaries of Raith Rovers Saturday home matches.
  * VRN's Book at Bedtime - a selection of audio books
  * Getting to Know You - local people are interviewed, and select music to play
  
  When presenters are not in the studio, a series of pre-recorded programmes are played along with music.
  
  ## Former members
  
  An important function of hospital radio is that it has allows a first step for those looking to work in broadcasting.
  
  Notable former members of VRN include:
  
  * Richard Park - Managing Director of Global Radio
  * Arthur Ballingall - (former) Managing Director of Radio Tay
  * Jackie Storrar - Country and Western singer and broadcaster
  * Scott Davie - BBC Scotland Football Commentator
  * Laura Haldane - Scottish News Anchor for ITV's Daybreak
  
  ## Awards
  
  VRN has received awards, many of which have come from the Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA). Recent awards include:
  
  ### 2006
  
  * Male Presenter of the Year (HBA): John Murray - bronze award
  * Female Presenter of the Year (HBA): Laura Haldane - silver award
  
  ### 2007
  
  * Male Presenter of the Year (HBA): John Murray - gold award
  * Best Speech Package (HBA): Interview with Gordon Brown - silver award
  * Best Specialised Music (HBA): Blues & Stuff - bronze award
  * Station of the Year (HBA) - silver award
  
  ### 2008
  
  * Best Radio Broadcast (Creative Fife): The Treatment Table
  * Male Presenter of the Year (HBA): Neil Ingebrigtsen - bronze award
  
  ### 2010
  
  * The John Whitney Award(HBA): John Murray
  
  ## Website
  
  As a hospital station, VRN streams its output online. A selection of archived material can be listened to.
  
  