Book sales soar in support of Air Ambulance as the past gives life to the present
It has been announced today that book sales for The History of Rugby Radio Station has raised over two thousand pounds and counting to support Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.
The book, published by developers of the old mast site Urban&Civic, to preserve the vibrant heritage of the former Rugby Radio Station site, has captured the hearts of the town with its historical account of the radio station where over 800 Rugby locals worked during its time in service.
The semi autobiographical memoir, written by local historian and former radio station manager Malcolm Hancock, recounts Malcolm’s 38 years of experience working at the site as well as the groundbreaking first transmission to Houlton, USA in 1927, stories about NASA, Concorde, ‘Messages to Mars’ and the life-saving work of the station during WW2 and The Cold War.
Due to the success of the book, Malcolm Hancock was a finalist for Citizen of the Year at Rugby FM’s 2017 Pride of Rugby Awards, which took place last Friday, which recognizes individuals whose selfless efforts have left a lasting impression on the lives of others and those who have made a significant contribution to improving life in Rugby borough.
With all monies raised from the sales of the history book donated to Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and each life saving mission costing the Air Ambulance £1,700, Malcolm Hancock has allowed the charity to take on one more life saving mission in support of Rugby locals.
Jo Payne, senior fundraising manager for Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, comments; “I am thrilled to see the book has generated so much interest in the history of Rugby Radio Station, such an iconic feature and represents so much to all of us that live (and fly) in the area. We are so pleased that the proceeds from the sale of the book have been donated to keeping our team saving lives by road and air across the region and would like to thank everyone involved”.
With Malcolm Hancock adding, “I am so very pleased to hear that sales of my book on the History of Rugby Radio Station are going so well. The iconic "we are nearly home" 820ft high masts will now not be forgotten!
I am also thrilled that, with the help of Urban&Civic, all the proceeds of the book are going to another worthy endeavor, the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.
I was surprised and honored to be nominated as Rugby Citizen of the Year but, I am sure, that other locals were much more deserving and congratulate Joanne Finney on her win”.
Johanne Thomas, Communities and Partnerships for Urban&Civic confirms, “We know from working with the local community over the past couple of years, that people were very fond of the radio masts and the station and Malcolm has been instrumental in all that we have done to ensure that the history of the radio station lives on into the future of Houlton. It is his work that helped us name the place, Houlton, after the 1927 broadcast and his content that helped us produce the rugbyradiostation.co.uk website. Publishing his book was our thank you to him and I am thrilled that it has been so popular.”
The book, which details the technological advancements that went on within the grade II listed C Station Building, is still available to purchase for £5.99 in Rugby independent book shop Hunts, Rugby’s Library and Tourist Information Centre, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, both the Visitors Centre and Tuning Fork eatery at the heart of the first phase of Houlton and online at www.rugbyradiostation.co.uk
