Horowhenua Chronicle 16-05-14

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Ash loves being on air Veteran volunteer has milestones to celebrate By

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Levin farmer Ash (Ashley) Bell was the first voice to hit the airwaves of New Zealand’s Radio Reading Service (RRS) in 1987. Ash, who turned 90 this month, is still making waves at the RRS as a volunteer broadcaster and operator. The Levin-based station broadcasts New Zealandwide. ‘‘When the station was being established in 1985 land was needed for a transmitter,’’ Ash said. ‘‘I offered my farmland in Tararua Road, it wasn’t suitable and they found a place in Coventry Street.’’ Ash’s land may not have been suitable, but as a volunteer for the new station he was perfect. Completing his education at Horowhenua College, he joined the National Commercial Broadcasting head office. ‘‘I was transferred to 3ZB in Christchurch during the war, then on to 2ZB Wellington where I did accounts and copywriting.’’ Ash’s brother Bubs returned to Levin from World War II having suffered serious illness at Al Alamein

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ON AIR: Ash Bell, 90, is a volunteer extraordinaire. His voice was the first on the Radio Reading Service in 1987, and continues to be heard most days. and was unable to work on the family farm. ‘‘With Bubs out of action, I was needed on the farm,’’ Ash explains. ‘‘I took six months leave without pay, and I’m still here.’’ On Saturday May 9, 1987 at 6 o’clock the Radio Reading Service went to air for the first time.

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‘‘I gave the first live reading, it was from the Evening Post, I was a bit nervous,’’ he said. Nerves overcome, he has continued broadcasting ever since. Local listeners may find his voice familiar, not surprising as Ash was the voice behind the microphone at Horowhenua A.P. and I

show for 35 years. ‘‘I loved doing that,’’ he said. ‘‘I still have a keen interest in the show.’’ This has been a special year for Ash, as well as celebrating his 90th birthday he and wife Mary are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary this month.

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