In 1981, the International Year of the Disabled, a Mr Cyril Parsons (GW8NP), a past president of the Radio Socoiety of Great Britian (RSGB), phoned the manager of the Highfields Centre, a Mr Syd Hudson (later to become GW0NQQ), to enquire if any members of the Centre would be interested in Amateur Radio, as David Thomas (GW3RWX and an ex BBC engineer) had proposed the idea of setting up a Radio Club in the Disabled Centre to him.
Syd set up a client committee meeting with Cyril to discuss the hobby. After the meeting the Chairman of the committee reported to Syd that although they were unsure about the hobby the gentleman had taken the time and trouble to come and see them so they would give it a try.
An RAE course was arranged with Dan Adams from Barry Radio Club. He was the Senior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering at Barry Technical College. Dan set up a London City and Guilds Exam Centre in the Disabled Centre and contacts were made with local Radio Amateurs who kindly set up a shack.
Very soon, and with those Amateurs help, the Highfields Amateur Radio Club was formed. John Read (GW8TKQ / MW3JFR), Treasurer of the Cardiff Rotary Club, gave the newly formed Highfields Amateur Radio Club £600.00 to buy some equipment to set up the original station. Some of those original members are still with the club today. Sadly John Read, who later became a club member, died in March 2007.
The Radio Shack was officially opened by John Darren, a well known TV presenter of the time, and was attended by Councillors and Officials from Social Services, also by members of The Friends of Highfields Committee, who provided much of the funding for the shack equipment. The opening was filmed by Harlech TV and the BBC.
Many thanks to Syd, GW0NQQ, for his memory.
Additional information from Tom Roberts, GW0WHT.
We spent nearly 3 months 'in residence' at the Llanishen Scout Hall but, unfortunately, problems came to light that were unforseen, forcing another move to our present location.
The club is affiliated to the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) and boasts 3 of its previous members being past Presidents of the society, (an article appeared in RadCom in October 2003 about this, you can read the article here (opens in a new window)), they were:
Cyril H Parsons GW8NP, founder member of the Highfields ARC, RSGB president in 1975.
Ewart J Case GW4HWR, RSGB president in 1991.
Clive Trotman GW4YKL, RSGB president in 1995.
It is a very active club with some 30 current members, around two thirds of which attend the club on a regular basis. Many have disabilities and there are all ages represented, one licenced regular is just 9 years old, so there is no need to be shy, come along I'm sure you will fit in.
Currently meetings are on a Friday evening from 7.00pm till 9.00pm at St Philip Evans Church Hall, Llanederyn Drive, Cardiff (MAP)
After the move from the Highfields Disabled Centre we hope that the club will be able to go from strength to strength, overcoming any further obstacles placed in its way.
Highfields lives on in name and in spirit, if not in bricks and mortar!
