Tributes paid to former Stourvalley Hospital Radio volunteer

Deryne Horton passed away suddenly on July 16 at her home in Wordsley and a funeral service was held on August 19 at Stourbridge Crematorium.

Her sudden death from heart failure has left husband of almost 48 years, Alan, devastated.

He said: "She was the love of my life. She was a most wonderful, caring, generous and loving person who I miss so, so much."

The couple were a driving force behind Stourvalley Hospital Radio in the 1980s and 90s.

Deryne and Alan Horton in the Stourvalley Hospital Radio years. Pic courtesy of Janine Pingree

Deryne, who worked as manageress at the Stuart Crystal shop for a time, was membership secretary before becoming chairman in the mid 80s and overseeing the expansion of the station when it moved in 1988 from a tiny studio in the old Wordsley Hospital clocktower building.

While Alan, the station's technical manager, was involved with building a new studio which was created in a portacabin, opposite the old annexe blocks by the Ridge Hill site, which became the station's home until it ceased broadcasting due to the closure of Wordsley Hospital in 2005.

Respected as a firm hand at the tiller, Deryne was instrumental behind the scenes in the station's success in its heyday years when it was a familiar presence at local events such as Wordsley and Stourbridge Carnival, the Mary Stevens Hospice fete and Hagley Motor Show.

But she never hit the airwaves herself.

Deryne Horton at a Stourvalley outside broadcast. Pic courtesy of Janine Pingree

Former volunteer Jeremy Seaby said: "She used to go on the wards and collect the requests but she never went on the air. She was quite happy to sit in reception.

"If it was not for Deryne we wouldn’t have had the portacabin. She moved mountains to get that done and it just grew from there."

She eventually took a step back in the station's twilight days due to health problems and was succeeded as chairman by station manager Janine Pingree who said: "Deryne was the head and heart of Stourvalley. Without her initiative we wouldn't have gotten or completed our portacabin studio in the late 80s.

Deryne Horton at the Stourvalley Hospital Radio studio. Pic - courtesy of Janine Pingree

"To many younger members, like myself, she and husband Alan were our Stourvalley mum and dad. She was a great chairwoman and it was both an honour and quite terrifying taking over from her.

"We will all miss her and send our love and support to Alan in these difficult days."

Deryne Horton - a driving force behind Stourvalley Hospital Radio in the 1980s and 90s

As well as husband Alan, Deryne is survived by two brothers Michael and Andrew and five nieces.

Donations made at her funeral will be donated to Breast Cancer Now.