Tarka Radio was founded 40 years ago in January 1981 by a group of volunteers.

Their objective was to provide a personalised radio service for the patients of the North Devon District Hospital.

Tarka Radio’s first studio was officially opened by the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall, John Alderson.

The basic original studio was a rather compact arrangement on level 1 of the main hospital. Over the years the equipment was slowly upgraded with various pieces of often second-hand kit and redundant equipment from professional radio stations who were updating their studios with the new shiny kit!

The Tarka Radio Events team went to Sainsbury’s at Barnstaple for the weekend of 19th & 20th December to spread some festive cheer with Christmas tunes.

Whilst we weren’t able to have the usual interaction with the Christmas shoppers for social distancing reasons, we hope that our presence was enjoyed and would like to take this opportunity to thank the management and staff at Sainsbury’s for their support and cooperation for this to take place.

We would also like to thank the members of the public who kindly made donations in the collection buckets on the tills. Tarka Radio is dependant on the generosity of the public to enable us to continue our service to patients in hospital and care facilities in the area.

COVID 19 has meant that all of our normal fundraising efforts have been put on hold so your support is greatly appreciated.

Started in 2018 from an idea to hold a fun family event and to help raise money for charities close to our hearts, the event is set in the picturesque upper Tamar valley to the north of Holsworthy. As its name suggests, the site offers spectacular sunsets as a backdrop to the large main stage where local bands perform to the families enjoying the atmosphere whilst partaking in a picnic or food and refreshments on site.

Unfortunately, the 2020 event had to be postponed due to COVID19 but we are hopeful that the event will now take place on 17^th July 2021 (so pop that in your diary now and watch this space for more details nearer the time).

Our charities for this year will be the Devon and Cornwall Air Ambulances and entertainment booked so far includes The Countrymen and The Wyldwoods.

The station was founded by a group of volunteers in 1981 and continues to be operated and managed by its team of volunteers to this day.