The North Devon District Hospital Radio Association, known as Tarka Radio, was founded in 1981 by a group of volunteers to provide a personalised radio service for the patients of the North Devon District Hospital. To this day almost 45 years on, the station is run and operated entirely by volunteers and is completely self financing. The station does not run receive funding from the hospital or the NHS. Tarka Radio is a registered charity and the station is financed entirely by the fund raising activities of its members and supporters.

Tarka Radio is managed and operated by a team of volunteers who work for the benefit of the North Devon community when they find themselves in hospital. The team work 52 weeks a year producing and presenting programs and processing requests in addition to the running of the station, administration, fundraising etc.

Former Tarka Radio Chairman John Lawrence, who helped out with a sponsored marathon broadcast in 1985 and celebrates 40 years with Tarka Radio this year,  Says’ “Whilst clearly there are other radio stations to listen to, Tarka Radio is run to give that personal touch and to prioritise patients' requests and dedications to make their stay in hospital that bit more bearable and to provide them with entertainment and information during their stay at NDDH”.

In 2012, Tarka Radio purchased a redundant show trailer from Mole Valley Farmers and a team of the stations volunteers, spent some 2000 man hours at weekends over a year renovating and converting the trailer into a new Outside Events Unit for Tarka Radio. This unit is now used to provide a cost-effective public-address service to local charitable events whilst helping to put funds into the stations own bank account.

Tarka Radio is always looking for more volunteers to help with this valuable service so if you would like to help or have an interest in radio or music or would like to learn as full training is given. Alternatively if you would prefer to support in other ways such as the ever essential fundraising or would just like more information please contact them either via their website http://www.tarkaradio.co.uk or email us from our website

Last year we were at lyn Valley classic car and JD bumped into Jodie Kidd and did a interview live on stage who will we bump in to this year? Join us at Lyn Valley on June 8th 2025 live from 8.30am from lynton town hall and Lynmnouth Manor Gardens.

Covid survivor Mandy organises charity concert to thank hospital that saved her life

In 2020, Mandy Mitchell, from Holsworthy, spent an astonishing 93 days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at North Devon District Hospital.

She was admitted to the hospital with Covid19 on Sunday March 22, just hours before the UK went into its first lockdown. Mandy spent the next five-and-a-half weeks in an induced coma and was given only a 50/50 chance of survival.

The ICU team risked their own lives to save Mandy’s, and against the odds, on June 22, a total of 96 days later, she was able to leave hospital and come home to her family.

Nick Jupp-Chair and Keith Turner- Vice Chair present a cheque to Kate Constable (Over & Above Fundraiser) for £1000 to The Special Care Baby Unit at North Devon District Hospital. This is just one of three charities that benefitted from the Tarka Haunted Live event at Seafield House, Westward Ho! back in october 2022. The Special Care Baby Unit hope to used these funds to help develop the unit for years to come!

Nick Jupp- Chair and Keith Turner- Vice Chair present Tasmin Andrew (Fern Centre Manager) and Kate Constable (Over and Above Fundraiser) at North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple, Devon with a cheque worth £2556.31 after the teams fundraising event for Tarka 36. This donation from the Tarka Team will go towards the running costs for the Fern Centre that provides accomodation for patients families while they are recieving treatment at North Devon District Hospital, Therapy sessions and counciling services that are run from this Health and Wellbeing Centre for patients who need it most in North Devon.