Ofcom gives the go-ahead for hyper-local Dorset radio station
SHERBORNE is going to have its very own community radio station dedicated solely to news and information in the town and surrounding area.
Radio Sherborne, the brainchild of Chris Tucker, has been granted a community radio licence by Ofcom for five years.
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BRIGHT FUTURE: Chris Tucker, chairman of Radio Sherborne, celebrates with other volunteers of the station which was awarded a five-year community radio licence, at the Rendezvous in Cheap Street where the station broadcast on an FM frequency for a four-day pilot earlier this year. Picture by Len Copland
The community radio station, which can currently only be heard online, has up to two years to start broadcasting.
Mr Tucker, Radio Sherborne’s chairman, said the station is aimed at older listeners
“The older population is not quite as savvy with modern broadcasting techniques, such as the internet,” he said.
“They are used to switching on the radio and tuning in, so Radio Sherborne is going to bring information about what’s happening in and around your local area. For example, if there’s snow, when the bins are going to be collected, when the buses are running or not, and also simple things like when the schools are going to be open.”
The organisers want Radio Sherborne to be a vehicle for hyper-local news and information to fill a gap which, in other areas across the country, is filled with county-specific BBC radio.
As part of its agreement with Ofcom, the station is not allowed to carry advertisements – which leaves the volunteers with the challenge of also fundraising for the project.
There are around 25 volunteers who are actively involved with Radio Sherborne and the organisers are appealing for more.
They use a temporary studio in Wincanton but are on the lookout for somewhere more permanent in Sherborne.
Steve Haigh, Radio Sherborne’s director, said: “We believe we have created a bit of history, we’ve created a great opportunity for the people of Sherborne.”
Much of the station’s equipment was bought from Mid West Radio which, according to Mr Tucker, has given the organisers a lot of support.
Anyone who would be interested in volunteering for Radio Sherborne, or might know of a potential location for a studio, or would like to donate money to the project, can contact the station on 01935 804669, or by emailing studio@radiosherborne.co.uk.
For more information, visit www.radiosherborne.co.uk.
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