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It took four years for the planning, fundraising and constant persuading to work, and by the time, registered as a charity, the station was launched in 1991, West Lothian had a brand new hospital, St John's Hospital at Howden in Livingston New Town. By 1995, Radio Grapevine was only broadcasting for 6 hours a week. At that time too, the original Committee, who had been there since 1987, needed a rest and handed over the baton to a new and energetic team of volunteers. This new refreshed Radio Grapevine started its journey in a new and complimentary direction. Broadcasting quickly stepped up and grew to cover several hours each night, 7 days-a-week.
In 1999, members
of Radio Grapevine got the chance to get involved in
real radio, with the setting up of a local RSL
(restricted service license) under the name of 'Real
Radio'. The project proved so successful, it was
repeated the following year. The management of the RSL's
were eventually successful in bidding for the West
Lothian commercial license, and broadcast until 2007. At the same time of the original RSL, Radio Grapevine started broadcasting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with the purchase of new computer equipment. In 2001, Radio
Grapevine launched its first web site, giving basic
information to anyone visiting. This has, since then,
been enhanced
This also led us to review the events the trailer was needed for. Given that it is 6 metres long, and weighs over 2.5 tonnes, it is too large or heavy to take to most venues. Instead, we now offer a flexible approach based on the size needs of the particular event. Sadly we no longer broadcast to St Michaels, Bangour or Tippethill, but the station continues to grow, providing live programmes every day of the week, to St John’s, and has music and entertainment to suit every taste. Radio Grapevine needs you. We offer the opportunity to be part of an exciting organisation, providing a professional quality service to listeners in West Lothian. If you want to know more, or be part of this history in the years to come, click here to find out about joining. Although commercial radio in West Lothian no longer broadcasts, Hospital Radio is growing stronger day by day – that’s Radio Grapevine!
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The
idea for a hospital radio station in West Lothian was
born in 1987, when a group of keen enthusiasts got
together to map a way for the new station. At that time,
Bangour General Hospital was still West Lothian's main
hospital, and the new hospital, St John’s, was still
plans on some drawing board. 
A
lottery grant was applied for and won, to provide a
trailer, fitted out to allow the station to undertake
road shows at various local gala days and fundraising
events. Over time, this has proved to be a popular
addition to many of the local events we attend.
several
times, to what you can see now. Following the
destruction of our original road show trailer in 2002, a
new unit was bought offering far more comfort and
flexibility. 
