19th March 2004
All Radio Redhill members were deeply saddened that Les Fowler passed away on March 18th at the East Surrey Hospital.
Les founded Radio Redhill in
1974 along with his son Andrew, and the first programmes recorded in the station log were on Christmas Day from 7.00 p.m. to 9.50 p.m. Regular programmes commenced every Saturday evening from February 8th 1975.
Les was Radio Redhill’s first Chairman, but he particularly enjoyed devising and presenting programmes. Three of Les’s programmes were broadcast regularly for many years – Concert Hall, Rejoice & Sing and, of course 20-30-40 (first heard in 1975).
Les was a Lay Preacher and took great pleasure in recording two special programmes, “Christians Awake!” and “What’s Good About Good Friday?” which were broadcast every Christmas and Easter respectively.
He greatly enjoyed both live broadcasting and request collecting, carrying on visiting the wards until he felt he was no longer physically able to do so. But, even after that, Les was a regular broadcaster on Sunday mornings, arriving and departing in his wheelchair, often assisted by his daughter (and Radio Redhill Secretary) Sue. Many of us have happy memories of those Sunday request programmes and Les’s own very varied choice of music that followed.
Everybody in Radio Redhill owes a great debt of gratitude to Les, not only for founding the station almost 30 years ago, but also for being a guiding hand to the station ever since. We will remember him with great affection.
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