Meet the team:

• 

  Ralph Winser

  Chairman and Drivetime DJ

  I'm ONE of the longest serving presenters on Hastings Rock and still loving this station now. I was here in 1993 when it all began with Nick Thomas , Johnny Diamond , Chris Miles, Jonathan Robson etc I was doing the mid morning show on weekdays. To be honest it was the first time I'd been let loose on a live radio station, having only done recorded pirate radio shows and mobile discos before. You could literally smell the fear when the “Microphone Live” light went on in the studio that first Monday morning AND I had two radio legends watching over my first links that morning. Breakfast DJ Brian Simms and lunchtime DJ Jonathon Robson. Brian had already played tricks on me at the top of the show by swapping the labels on the Jingle carts which meant I played the wrong name jingles etc.. Karma still has time to ...

  The other Fab ( do people still say that) thing to have happened to me that year was getting married to my still long suffering wife and love of my life Gill. So technically Hastings Rock 1993 was her Honeymoon, answering the phone, running requests, picking out vinyl and CDs for me to play Thank you babe. Love you. xxx

  My presenter/ DJ experience before was mainly being a mobile DJ / Disco and a few recorded shows for Pirate Radio Atlantis. But my main passion back then was playing Bass guitar in local bands and learning about sound and lighting. Still playing Bass now actually and enjoying it. After that first year at Hastings Rock the call came from my good friend Steve Masters (The Hippy Hit Man) and before I knew it I was on board the fabulous Ross Revenge 4 miles off Clacton on Sea doing shows for Radio Caroline. OMG What an Honour. I was on Radio feckin’ Caroline. I stayed with Caroline for a while including on shore at the Maidstone Studios broadcasting on Sky and internet doing a weekly lunchtime show. Circumstances changed both at Radio Caroline and for me personally and apart from Hastings Rock

  I left Radio alone for a while. But then Steve Price invited me to do a Sunday lunchtime show on ARFM. (If It's Rock it's on ARFM) I was hooked again. Rock music ( although I do have quite an eclectic taste in music) has always been a huge musical influence on me. Growing up with bands like Deep Purple, Rainbow, Pink Floyd, I,Q. Boston, Queen etc , they have all played an important part in my musical life.

  So here we are 😎. Shine On..........

• 

  Nick Thomas

  Founder and El Presidente

  Nick is responsible for the existence of Hastings Rock. Our former station manager, now head of music, he has long been a campaigner for a local rock music station and has spent much of his time working to put the station on air. A talented broadcaster and thoughtful diplomat, he has been able to build up a close working team of presenters and technicians.

• 

  Simon Halsey

  Treasurer and Variety Mix DJ

  I have lived in Hastings now for many years and have never failed to be impressed by the incredibly vibrant local music scene here in the town, and the talent which it embraces.
  
  I have loved music from a very young age although I cannot play any instruments. I was introduced to rock music through an excellent peer group at the Grove School, St. Leonards. Bands such as Deep Purple, ELP, Focus, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Wishbone Ash plus Can, Roxy Music, Stomu Yamashta and others were all in evidence at that time, played on a record player we were allowed to use at lunchtime.
  
  My first broadcast experience was on hospital radio at St. Helens Hospital in Hastings and I was involved there for a number of years. In 1991, I was invited to present a program on Radio Cracker, the first RSL and the first station in Hastings. I was given the honour of opening the station on the first day, for which I was very proud. After this, I gained some valuable experience as a volunteer on BBC Radio Sussex in Brighton.
  
  I have been with Hastings Rock since it first started in 1993 and enjoy every minute of it, both as a presenter and as a listener. Please join me if you can. I would love to have your company."

• 

  Jon Bird

  IT Thumping

  I've been involved with Hastings Rock since 1993, I do all the IT and back-room stuff that allows Hastings Rock to be heard all round the world. I also supply the Playout tool the station uses for broadcast: Playout.

• 

  Kayley Dobinson

  NEW DJ

  I’m Kayley and I’m pretty new to the business of DJ-ing, but I’m certainly not new to Hastings rock! I’ve been a listener since my early teens and am one of those people you may have heard roll-called from facebook when we’re on air. I’m delighted to now be so directly involved with the station.
  Music is a passion of mine that I attribute to my Mum. A lot of the style of music I listen to and the discovery of Hastings Rock itself is all thanks to her and as I’ve grown my musical interests have too. What I listen to now is definitely what you would call an eclectic mix! I’m a BIG fan of bands such as Rammstein and Leprous but am also really keen on the folk-rock alternative end of the scale with bands such as Blackmore’s Night and Heilung. (Though not ‘broadcast-able’ on this station you might also catch me in the wild listening to anything from Glenn Miller to Sia – It’s a real musical soup!)
  Artist, musicophile, Hastonian, Hastings Rocker, looking forward to sharing air-time with you all on the greatest radio station there is!

• 

  Andy Gunton

  Local Music & 70's

  I have been involved with Hastings Rock since 1995. Firstly by loaning the station a growing number of CD’s, then helping out the DJ’s and answering the phone in the studio, and finally presenting my own shows since the 2002 broadcast.
  During that time I produced and presented the Local Music Show from 2004 until 2018, as well as presenting ‘normal’ shows on every broadcast since 2002. I have also presented various shows on Carnival FM and Battle FM in more recent years. I also had the honour of being the Chairman of the Hastings Rock for eight years, a role I have returned to for the 2020 broadcast. Hastings Rock is a unique radio station, and it’s a real pleasure and an honour to be a part of it. Long may it continue to rock the airwaves.

• 

  Johnnie Diamond

  Programme Scheduler, Merchandise and Jingles

  Johnnie (JD) has been with Hastings Rock since the very start in August 93 when he and Nick Thomas hosted the first morning shows, since then he has been presenting shows every year we have been on air, including the popular Rock and Roll show.
  Johnnie, after many years doing pirate Radio Atlantis with Nick, has also broadcast on Radio Cracker in 91/92 and Radio Airbourne most years in Eastbourne from 2003. He also spent time on the Ross Revenge in 98/99 Xmas and New Year presenting for Radio Caroline then once again for Caroline on the LV18 lightship in Harwich during October 2000.
  Nowadays Johnnie still presents on Radio Airbourne but dedicates the majority of his time to Hastings Rock for which he is the programme controller and in charge of T-shirts. He is married to Tina who regularly co-presents his shows.

• 

  Paul Huggett

  DJ

  Paul has been involved in music, mainly in the Hastings area, for many years, playing and singing in bands and as a solo artist, writing a few songs, and enjoying the great local live music scene, in addition to doing commentary work on motorsport events, including stock cars at Arlington Raceway. The pandemic lockdown brought him into radio in 2020, since when he has presented over 300 shows on three different stations, and he is looking forward to joining HR’s DJ roster.

• 

  Catherine Cattaway

  DJ

  Hi! Well, I've fallen in to this joy of DJing recently, although performing isn't new to me, having grown up around music, theatre, & the Arts.
  I've listened to Hastings Rock every year since it started, although am happy it got moved to May as that's my favourite month of the year. I grew up in Hastings, & although I moved away for a while, home is very much here. As for my musical taste, well, it's eclectic! I love rock & country music the most, & my biggest loves are Prince, Def Leppard, & Roxette! You'll usually find me listening to Halestorm, or Queensryche, & I love live bands & spending a night out listening to new bands. I'm looking forward to meeting you all on the airwaves & on the socials

• 

  Jon Robson

  DJ

  Jon has been a part of the Hastings Rock 'fixtures and fittings' since the first broadcast back in 1993 He has worked in the radio industry radio for the majority of his career, apart from a couple of brief diversions selling cars and photocopiers!
  After learning his trade as a Technical Operator for BBC Network Radio in London in the 1980s he has since worked in various roles at several key private companies supplying the radio industry.
  He enjoys his time on the 'other' side of the microphone and has worked on many FM, RSL, satellite and digital radio stations including EKR, Radio Caroline, Steam Fair FM, Battle FM and Radio Airbourne.
  Jon lives just along the coast in Eastbourne. In his spare time he enjoys walking, cycling and sailing as well as spending a lot of time listening to music!

• 

  Tony Bell

  DJ, Progressive Rock, Webnoob, Techie

  Being a child of the Sixties, I grew up bathed in Pirate Radio, and some very fine Music. The idea of Free Radio caught my imagination and have been striving to realise it ever since. When I had the opportunity of joining the DJ Team for Hastings Rock (far too many years ago that I care to remember), I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had so much fun, and eventually, after a lot of persuasion by me to lend a hand, I joined the Committee. Hard work, but it pays off as many have commented. After a short stint as Chairman (Huge honour), I now content myself with tinkering about with the studio, the website and anything else I can get my hands on....Oh yes, and I am partial to a little Progressive Rock too....

• 

  Andy Knight

  DJ

  Andy started his love of radio in 1980 at the age of 16 when he did his first programme for Radio DGH, t he hospital radio station in Eastbourne. He went on to become Programme Controller at Radio DGH.
  In 1989 his dream of being a professional broadcaster was realised when he joined Southern FM in Brighton. For many years he was the overnight voice of the station and the show was also broadcast on Ocean FM, Power FM and South Coast Radio. During his time at Southern FM he also hosted the weekend breakfast show and provided regular holiday cover for other presenters.

• 

  Tony Davis

  Advertisinmg Manager and Local Music DJ

  Since the age of 10, in the early sixties, one of my greatest passions has been music. During the years since I have drifted in and out of being a disc jockey and in the last few years have returned to it in a big way becoming a presenter on Hastings Rock and other radio stations.
  Being part of Hastings Rock excites me and I always look forward to our broadcasts. As well as regular shows in 2019 I took over the hot seat for the specialist local music show and really enjoy the engagement with local musicians.
  The support we get from our listeners is tremendous and I always enjoy catching up with them at evnts like the Showcases, The Rockfest and End of Broadcast events.
  Long live Hastings Rock.

• 

  Trevor White

  AKA Stormy T - Blues

  A relative new comer to the HR family having been asked to host my first show in 2022. I’ve lived in Hastings all my life and have been tuning into and been a fan of the station since the very beginning in 93, never thinking that one day I would get the chance to host my own show, especially as I don’t come from a DJ background.

  I fell in love with the Blues when I first started playing guitar at the age of sixteen and have been playing and listening to Blues music ever since, and have amassed a huge collection of records, CD’s and books on the subject.

  I’m currently the Guitarist and singer with local Blues band Stormy-T and Bluesman’s Lane, we play regularly in pubs, clubs and festivals all over the country, and we run two local Blues Jam nights.

  I have to say it’s a real privilege to be able to share my love and passion for Blues music old and new with you all, and thank you to Hastings Rock for giving me this chan

• 

  Martin Turner

  DJ

  I'm Martin Turner (67yrs young), luckily asked to be on Hastings Rock Radio again, so chuffed I am too. It's always a sheer pleasure to get to play The music of Hastings Rock as there's nowhere else like Hastings Rock Radio. Always loved the areas around Hastings too, especially the Pier.
  I've been "doing" radio since 1973 at the age of 18yrs old. That was the GHBS, Hospital Radio at Buckland Hospital Dover.. I progressed to many other Radio Stations like Radio Atlantis (SW), European Klassik Rock, White Cliffs Sound (Dover), Shepway Sound (Folkestone) Coastline FM (Dover), Radio Caroline, Atlantis Fm (Tenerife) and currently on Dover Community Radio on Monday nights.
  Thanks again Hastings Rock 'for having me'.
  Rock on... Mart.

• 

  Ian Harling

  DJ

  I started in Pirate radio in 1978 after building radio transmitters and broadcast on shortwave to Europe and then on Medium Wave to the Eastbourne area and beyond.In 1990 after being chased by the DTI radio department I decided to stop my pirate radio "career" and go legit.
  I started the Event station called Radio Airbourne for the annual Eastbourne International Airshow each August and have enjoyed presenting each year.
  I was involved in the very first Hastings Rock broadcast back in 1993 and have been in involved with many broadcasts on Hastings Rock over the years.
  My hobbies include Amateur radio and I have an Ofcom licence to speak with fellow Radio "Hams"around the world. look forward to another great broadcast this year on Hastings Rock.

• 

  Phil Miles

  DJ

  My love of music, in particular Rock Music was initially inspired by my dad's taste, I grew up listening to the classics.... Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, The Who, Dire Straits, Jimmy Hendrix....the list goes on! My burgeoning passion was then nurtured by the most amazing Music Teacher at school, a legend of a man who played with Status Quo, Hawkwind, Nazareth and helped Lemmy towards Motorhead amongst other accolades, he encouraged my interests and had many a story to tell of his experiences.
  Hastings is my hometown and I consider myself very lucky to have spent my life surrounded by its vibrant music scene and we are fortunate to have an enthusiastic audience for the extremely eclectic and talented local musicians, as well as many venues in which to celebrate the Superstars of Rock.
  Hastings Rock Radio, in my opinion encompasses all of this and provides an excellent forum for the listeners to share their passion. After all, there's only 2 types of music...
  According to my fellow broadcasters, I have a tendency to 'bounce' my way through the broadcast. I make no apology for this and will continue to share my passion for music, life and above all.......FUN with my listeners

• 

  Miles

  Grunge

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• 

  Rob Woodward

  DJ - Blues

  Rob made his debut on Hastings Rock in 2016 and since then has presented the blues show on many occasions. His love of classic rock music grew from listening avidly to Radio Caroline in the 1970s, but he was ‘converted’ to the blues after hearing an Albert Collins track played on Paul Jones’ Radio 2 show back in the 1980s and has been a ‘true believer’ ever since.

  Away from the microphone, his bookshelves at home groan under weight of histories of the blues and biographies of bluesmen and women. He is the author of a two-volume history of the Climax Blues Band, described by ‘Blues in Britain’ magazine as a ‘superbly illustrated history’ and by ‘Record Collector’ as ‘one heck of a history book with gripping dialogue.’ He has also written a biography of the blues-rock guitarist, Pete Haycock.

• 

  Rick Triumph

  Wreck it Rick

  I've been playing music for people since starting as a DJ at my local youth club, in my teens, moving on to a residency in the late 70's at weekends in a pub in Hove. At the same time, I was playing guitar and blues harp in a couple of relatively successful bands in and around Eastbourne, Brighton and Sussex. My taste in music is wildly varied, as a quick glance at the thousands of tracks I own across multiple formats would show you; from 78rpm shellac records of early 1950's Rock and Roll, to the latest releases on MP3 downloads. I just love music, and don't care who made it, providing it's "honest" and well done, in my opinion.

  After being an avid fan of the station since the early days in the 90's, my active involvement with Hastings Rock began in 2001 as a member of the gone, but not forgotten Friends' group (FOHR). I MC'd several of the fund-raising events FOHR ran in support of Hastings Rock, at De Nero's and other venues around the area.

  I was first invited to DJ during the May broadcast in 2012, when the studio was at "The Robert de Mortain", assisted and encouraged by Andy Gunton, with fantastic support from Dom - Dr Rock.

  Since that time, I've enjoyed various different regular slots on Hastings Rock, both during May, and latterly, the October broadcasts. I love working with all the brilliant people involved with HR and thoroughly enjoy the lively and friendly interaction we have with our lovely, loyal listeners. As I often say "on air", playing music is the best fun I know of with your clothes on!"

• 

  Dominic

  AKA Dr Rock - Old & New Show

  Dom has been part of the HR Team for many years, and has presented plenty of shows, but his love of showcasing Old versus New music is at its best when he is presenting his Something Old, Something New show....