Interviewer

So perhaps we could start by me asking your name?

Nevil WIlliams

Nevil Williams.

Interviewer

And which organisation are we talking about today, Nevil?

Nevil WIlliams

Well, I have two roles. I’m with the hospital radio and I’m also under the auspices of the NHS. I  am a volunteer chaplain.

Interviewer

Okay. Well, we might talk about both of those, if that’s all right?  And could I ask your age?

Nevil WIlliams

I’m 66.

Interviewer

Nice to meet you. Thank you. So tell me a bit, first of all about are you a local man? Have you always lived locally?

Nevil WIlliams (

Yes, I have been in three houses. I used to initially live in Machynys farmhouse, which has been demolished a long time ago now. That was on the coast. And then the next house was in Bwlch-y-gwynt which was next to Machynys. And I was there until 1969, and the Council wanted to regenerate the land because of the heavy industry there, which had become archaic. So I moved up then to Trinity Road in September of 69, and that’s where I’ve been ever since.

Interviewer

Excellent. So you’re a proper local boy then?

Nevil WIlliams

Yes.

Interviewer

So what got you involved with the hospital?

Nevil WIlliams

Well, I was author of a booklet on the locality of which I mentioned, Machynys,  and I concentrated mainly on my stepfather, who was a lay preacher and a tinplate worker and this book was brought to the attention of David Hurford, and he interviewed me on the book, and, then he gave me the opportunity to join his team.

Interviewer

Excellent. So my impression of Wales is that chapel faith is very important in the culture. Is that fair?

Nevil WIlliams

Yes, it used to be. It has lost its interest now because of the entertainment on the Sundays.

Interviewer

Okay. So your stepfather was a lay preacher?  And you are a chaplain?

Nevil WIlliams

Yes.

Interviewer

So tell me a bit about that.

Nevil WIlliams

Well, I became redundant from the Inland Revenue in 2013, and I just wanted to have some experience to help me to look for another job. And I tried to become a receptionist, but didn’t succeed. But I was able to take on the role as a volunteer chaplain, through the guidance of the Reverend Euryl Howell.

Interviewer

And what does a volunteer chaplain do?

Nevil WIlliams

Well, he was giving me training on how to approach people, and to give them something to think about positively, to cheer them up, and give them words of comfort.

Interviewer

So are you a religious person or is chaplaincy broader than that?

Nevil WIlliams

Yes, I’m a religious person. Yes. I’m the evangelical side of religious.

Interviewer

Excellent. So you decide to volunteer to do chaplaincy. So you get interviewed, as well, for your book that you’ve written?  By David Hurford?

Nevil WIlliams

Yes.

Interviewer

And somehow he then sort of lures you into Radio BGM. How does that work?

Nevil WIlliams

Well, I’ve always had an interest in people. I like meeting people, and there was Tim White who was with David Hurford, and Tim went around the wards, and showed me how to approach people, asking them whether they were interested in the radio service, and how to operate the devices that were there at the bedside. And so most people were interested. And on the Sunday night there was the request show, and I really enjoyed that, asking them what they liked, what they wanted to be played, you know, and when I come back to the room then, in the studio, and we looked through the various playlists we had, to see if we had what they were requested.

Interviewer

Nice. So it’s very much about creating a relationship between you, and the people on the wards. The role that you play?

Nevil WIlliams

Yes, that’s right.

Interviewer

And so do you do that sort of like every Sunday, you were out there talking to people?

Nevil WIlliams

Yes, that’s right. I did that for a number of years. And then there were many volunteers, and we were a strong team. We went around to the wards, but then they introduced some technology, which I didn’t have training on. So because of the decrease in the number of volunteers at that time, and the lack of training, that opportunity on Sunday night came to an end.

 

Interviewer

And I gather that you are now involved in the Committee, is that right?

Nevil WIlliams

Yes. I became a Trustee of the hospital radio about two years ago, when Radio BGM became a charity.

Interviewer

And how would you describe the role of a trustee?

Nevil WIlliams

Well, as someone who would scrutinise the accounts, and see that everyone was keeping to the policies, when, if it really came to it, how to discipline people, you know, who were not complying with the rules, and, but it would never come to that. Thank goodness.

Interviewer

So what keeps you staying on the Committee? What makes you stay there? What’s important about it to you?

Nevil WIlliams

They are very thoughtful, because I don’t have my own transport, and when they can, they give me transport. And so I appreciate that, you know.

Interviewer

Excellent. Now, when you were thinking about coming to talk to me today, is there anything you wanted to tell me that you haven’t had the chance to say yet?

Nevil WIlliams

No.

Interviewer

Okay. Well that’s lovely. Thank you for your time, Nevil.