Volunteerss at Tarka Hospital Radio are mourning the death of presenters David Bowes and Eric Godfrey Balchin.

David died on 18 February 18, aged 69, and Eric on 4 March at the age of 90.

David Bowes was born on April 22 in 1939, the only child of Joseph and Rose Bowes.

He was born and brought up in the village of Aldbourne in Wiltshire.

He attended Marlborough Grammar School and was a very keen scientist, particularly interested in chemistry.

This led to him working for many years at Harwell Atomic Research and Development Establishment in Oxfordshire, which was part of the department of Trade and Industry.

During a slowdown in the industry in the 1970s, David changed jobs and worked for 17 years as a computer consultant and lecturer in London.

Following on from this he worked as a freelance computer consultant, travelling all over the world.

In 1979 David met Carol and they eventually married in March 1992.

For many years they lived in Highworth, near Swindon in Wiltshire, with Carol’s daughter Lisa.

During this time both Carol and David worked for three years at GWR, a local radio network, assisting at outside broadcasts.

They then moved to Weymouth in Dorset, where they lived for seven years.

In 2001 Carol and David visited Berrynarbor Park and decided to obtain a lodge as a second home, to enable them to escape Weymouth at the height of the tourist season.

It soon became apparent to them that Berrynarbor was a much more tranquil location than Weymouth and they eventually became full time residents at Berrynarbor.

David became involved within the local community videoing local events such as the annual Berrynarbor Show. He also joined Tarka Radio at the North Devon District Hospital and became chairman.

The acting chairman of Tarka Radio Richard Wright said: “I would like to say that Eric and David will be greatly missed by all of the members and patients that have listened to them in the past.”