People in Northumberland’s most heavily populated area will soon be able to listen to a new community radio station which eventually plans to broadcast to 140,000 homes. The fledgling Koast Radio station aims to offer a lively mix of music and talk, and help bridge the gap between public authorities and deprived communities in Blyth, Ashington, Cramlington and Morpeth.
It has just secured a £10,000 grant the National Lottery, Awards for All to help pay studio and equipment costs, and expects to receive a further £20,000 to £25,000 in the next couple of months.
The Koast Radio board has identified its own studio premises in Bedlington, and in about 5 weeks’ time people should be able to listen to its first output online, via its website. The station hopes to run two or three trial radio broadcasts early next year, before applying for a full-time FM licence from Ofcom later in 2011.
The Koast Radio website is currently being set up in readiness to stream content by the end of November or early December, but the long-term aim is to take to the airwaves with a mixture of 70% music and 30% talk.
Station manager Vicky Oakley, 38, who lives in Bedlington, gave up her job as an auditor with the county council in July to spearhead the project.
“I believe there is definitely a real need for a community radio station in this area. We want to bring communities together and feel this fits in well with David Cameron’s idea of a Big Society. We aim to bridge the gap between the authorities and local people by having debates and phone-ins about the issues, and make things more accessible in south east Northumberland. The area seems to have gone backwards, there is less hope around and we want to try to make things better.”
Koast Radio will look to work with local people, who will be given the chance to volunteer for roles both on and off-air. It is targeting 14 to 19-year-olds, from disadvantaged backgrounds, to help unleash their creative potential.
The station will also look to help adults who are unemployed, have not had a proper chance in life or who simply want a change of direction.
Vicky said:
From Journal Live:“The online streaming will be our initial lifeline until we obtain a full FM licence. I gave up my job at the county council because I didn’t think I was making a difference any more. I believe this radio station can make a massive difference.”
PEOPLE in Northumberland’s most heavily populated area will soon be able to listen to a new community radio station which eventually plans to broadcast to 140,000 homes.
The fledgling Koast FM station aims to offer a lively mix of music and talk, and help bridge the gap between public authorities and deprived communities in Blyth, Ashington, Cramlington and Morpeth.
It has just secured a £10,000 grant from a national funding body to help pay studio and equipment costs, and expects to receive a further £20,000 to £25,000 in the next couple of months.
The Koast FM board has identified its own studio premises in Bedlington, and in about 10 weeks’ time people should be able to listen to its first output online, via a website.
The station hopes to run two or three trial radio broadcasts early next year, before applying for a full-time FM licence from Ofcom later in 2011.
The Koast FM website is currently being set up in readiness to stream content by the end of November or early December, but the long-term aim is to take to the airwaves with a mixture of 70% music and 30% talk.
Station manager Vicky Oakley, 38, who lives in Bedlington, gave up her job as an auditor with the county council in July to spearhead the project.
Radio bosses say the station aims to ‘make a difference’ to South East Northumberland and provide volunteering opportunities for disadvantaged teenagers and unemployed adults.
Read More http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2010/09/14/new-radio-station-set-to-make-waves-in-northumberland-61634-27261355/#ixzz15kXP2UQ1Yesterday Vicky said: “I believe there is definitely a real need for a community radio station in this area.
“We want to bring communities together and feel this fits in well with David Cameron’s idea of a Big Society. We aim to bridge the gap between the authorities and local people by having debates and phone-ins about the issues, and make things more accessible in south east Northumberland.
“The area seems to have gone backwards, there is less hope around and we want to try to make things better.”
Koast FM will look to work with local people, who will be given the chance to volunteer for roles both on and off-air. It is targeting 14 to 19-year-olds, from disadvantaged backgrounds, to help unleash their creative potential.
Read More http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2010/09/14/new-radio-station-set-to-make-waves-in-northumberland-61634-27261355/2/#ixzz15kWtcqR1
The station will also look to help adults who are unemployed, have not had a proper chance in life or who simply want a change of direction.
Vicky said: “The online streaming will be our initial lifeline until we obtain a full FM licence. I gave up my job at the county council because I didn’t think I was making a difference any more. I believe this radio station can make a massive difference.
“We will work with community groups, the police, local authorities, health service and other voluntary organisations who can use the station as a platform to communicate messages to the whole area.”
West Bedlington Town Council has donated £500 towards the website and funding bids have been made to other local town and parish councils.
Read More http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2010/09/14/new-radio-station-set-to-make-waves-in-northumberland-61634-27261355/2/#ixzz15kVhu1QF
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