Rita Stavn is the competent lady who is
responsible for running the daily business of Radio Hallingdal. Her title in Norwegian is
'Daglig Leder' . Our Editor is Knut Medhus, known in Norwegian as a 'Redaktor'. He creates
programs and sends reports from the local council meetings in Hallingdal. A former teacher
turned 'Radio' man, he has been involved in the various stages of development of Radio
Hallingdal, since 1985. A reporter continually on 'the go', whether it be reporting from
the council meetings or interviewing local politicians, or just plain motivating children
to tell a story, 'Sometimes a difficult job' says Knut. He has a good memory for voice's
… can often refer by name to the many of the locals that ring in to his Friday night
program. Knut shares his time between the Radio Station and the politician's bench …
being an eager Centre Party member … he is often to be found in the thick of debates
in the local council chambers, and contributes often to the 'Readers Column' in our local
newspaper 'Hallingdølen'.
News, entertainment and culture , is the profile for the station. National news is
important … but just as important is the local news, and involving the 'locals' in
providing that news.
Entertainment comes in many diverse forms. Music … discussions …interviews
… all of the many things that make up the interests of a local community.
The music played on the station is of a wide and varied character. Ranging from 'Pop'
to the more serious classical. Including Country and Western and local folk music.
The station has a large number of voluntary workers … who make programs …
work as technical assistants and in general keep the station going. Normally there are
about twenty.
Easter is one of the most important times of the year at Radio Hallingdal. The reason
being it is the last of the holidays of the year, apart from the Summer holidays.
At Easter, everyone who has the possibility, escapes to the mountain's … for that
last ski tour of the year. Many Norwegians enjoy having a cabin in the mountain's …
whole families come together for the Easter break, because of this mass escape to the
mountain's, there has to be a certain amount of control. In Hallingdal this task is
undertaken by, The Red Cross.
Large numbers of Red Cross members take it in turns to work shifts … to provide
aid in the event of accidents … or to help in emergency situations. There are also
Doctors and Ambulance personnel on call. The Red Cross have their own ambulance, which is
also on duty. At the same time The Red Cross members go out on patrol and provide the
first line of aid in the event of accidents … snow slides … avalanches.
In the event of avalanches … dogs (lavine, mountain rescue dogs) as well as
voluntary helpers are on duty. The dogs are used to search for buried victims of the snow
avalanches. Radio Hallingdal provides a continual report of what is happening on the
slopes. Programs are on the air for many hours a day .
To cover this need the number of voluntary helpers swells to in the region of 60.
Without the voluntary helpers it would be difficult for Radio Hallingdal to provide such a
wide scope of programs.
Christmas is another time when Radio Hallingdal pulls out all the stops. Norwegians
celebrate Christmas Eve the 24th more than Christmas Day the 25th. On the evening of the
23rd of December (Lil juleaften) a sort of rehearsal for the main event on the 24th.
Radio Hallingdal on the evening of the 23rd, telephones various people from Hallingdal who
are abroad. Most are youngsters who have taken the opportunity to be educated in colleges
and universities, all over the world. For some it is an emotional moment …
knowing they are far from home and their families.
We aim towards the age group 30 and upwards although Radio hallingdal is trying to
encourage the younger listener.
Radio Hallingdal works closely with the National Carrier NRK and the local NRK
Buskerud.
Sometime early in the year 2001 Radio Hallingdal will be taking the big step into the
world of modern technology. The stations programs will be available on the Internet. Any
where in the world will only be a 'click' away. Our local newspaper 'Hallingdølen' will
also be going on the 'net' from December 1st. This means that no matter where
you are in the world you can keep in touch with the local news.
