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Stafford Radio

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Stafford Radio
File:Stafford Radio yellow logo.png
Broadcast areaStaffordshire
Programming
FormatCommunity Radio
Ownership
OwnerIndependent
History
First air date
11th December 2011
Links
Websitewww.staffordradio.com

Stafford Radio is an online local community radio station, broadcasting to the people of Stafford and its environs, including Stone, Eccleshall and Penkridge, from the Broad Eye Windmill. It is branded as a 'Feel Good' radio station, and has been based in the windmill since 2011. It is the only known radio station in the UK to broadcast from a windmill, and uses the building in its logo.

Stafford Radio can be heard online, on TuneIn, and on Wi-Fi radios, and is operated entirely by volunteers, with no paid members of staff.

History

Stafford Radio started broadcasting on the 11th December 2011, the station having decided a year earlier that the Broad Eye Windmill was a perfect location for a radio station.[1] In preparation to start broadcasting, in studio one, a specially made curved desk was made for the presenters, which fitted around the building's curved interior. As well as this, partitioned walls were put up to create a studio space, and carpet tiles were fitted to the wall to make the studio more sound proof.

Since launch, Stafford Radio has been self-funded through show and feature sponsorship, rather than advertising, which means there are no adverts aired during the station's output.[2] As well as this, owing to its 'Feel Good' nature, the station airs no news or travel reports, and instead just has local weather reports, which air on a Sunday only. This, along with the renovation project and 'quirky' location of the Broad Eye Windmill, is to make Stafford Radio more unique, and to offer an uninterrupted listening experience.

Present day

Presently, Stafford Radio broadcasts online on Saturday nights and Sundays, with specialist shows in the evening, varying from Progressive Rock music to Dance music. The Sunday programmes are repeated throughout the week on Stafford Radio Rewind, a listen again service dedicated exclusively to the stations Sunday output. On the 4th August 2014, the station extended it's programming to seven nights a week, but due to logistical issues this was cancelled in February 2015.

Throughout its life, Stafford Radio has appeared at many events throughout the area, including the MOD Open Day at Beacon Barracks, Stafford Borough Council's Party In The Park and has become the official broadcast partner for Katharine House Hospice.[3] The station has also hosted some stages at the Acoustic Festival of Britain in Uttoxeter, which happened in 2014.

Stafford Radio regularly invites local guests to come into the Broad Eye Windmill studios, to talk about what they do and their activities. Over its years of broadcasting, members of Stafford Radio have interviewed many famous names too, including swimmer Ellie Simmonds,[4] pop band EverYoung, singers Steve Harley, Seth Lakeman, Glenn Tilbrook and Matt Cardle, Strictly Come Dancing stars Craig Revel Horwood[5] and Robin Windsor,[6] and ceramics manufacturer Emma Bridgewater.[7]

Aims

Stafford Radio has a number of aims. As well as being based in the Broad Eye Windmill, the heritage location reflects the stations ethos of working with projects within the Stafford community and assisting them in achieving their goals.

One of the aims of Stafford Radio is to work with the Broad Eye Windmill members to assist with fundraising and renovation, and to boost awareness of the windmill. Since its inception in 2011, the station has used the Broad Eye Windmill in its logo, to show that the windmill and radio station are intertwined at every level. All of the volunteers are fully paid up members of the Friends of The Broad Eye Windmill, who work voluntarily in conjunction with the Mill's committee. Indeed, a number of Stafford Radio directors also serve as Windmill directors.[8]

Another aim is to provide a platform for local talent and bands to promote themselves, and is also a feature for local people to talk about their trade, crafts and charities, including Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy,[9] who chatted with the team and the restoration work they are involved in, and former Stafford Mayor Angela Loughran, who visited the station in April 2014.[10]

Birthday Celebrations

On its first birthday on the 16th December 2012, Stafford Radio invited in local artists to come and play live at the windmill studios, including The Players, Neomantix, Sophie Bohanan, Helena Raby, Georgia Stanway and others.[11]

For its second birthday celebrations in 2013, the station held a light show, using the windmill as a backdrop. This showed cogs turning (to symbolise the Broad Eye Windmill's past) and Stafford Radio's logo.[12] As well as the light show, a special message was recorded with singer Kim Wilde, wishing Stafford Radio happy birthday.

In 2014, another light show was held, again using the windmill as a backdrop. A laser shone onto the Mill, showing a dancing man and Stafford Radio's logo.

Current presenters and shows

The Broad Eye Windmill, home of Stafford Radio
  • Jack Richardson (Saturday Night Big Fun) - Saturday - 19:00 - 21:00
  • Gavin Edensor (Saturday Night Party at the Mill) - Saturday - 21:00 - 23:00
  • Alan Nicklin (Guilty Pleasures) - Sunday - 07:30 - 09:30
  • Love Songs - Sunday - 9:30 - 10:00
  • Paul & Cliff - Sunday - 10:00 - 12:00
  • Laidback Lunch - Sunday - 12:00 - 14:00
  • Ian Tiso - Sunday - 14:00 - 16:00
  • Carol Lake and friends - Sunday - 16:00 - 18:00
  • Jack & Chris - Sunday - 18:00 - 20:00
  • Glenn Morris - Sunday - 20:00 - 22:00
  • Shaun Geraghty (The Prog Mill) - Sunday - 22:00 - 00:00

Even though Stafford Radio is a local community radio station, shows like The Prog Mill aim to introduce people to music which won't get played in the mainstream, and are made to appeal to fans all over the UK and around the World. The Prog Mill's sister show is The Ancient One on Progzilla Radio, presented by Jim Lawson from Portree on the Isle of Skye.

References

  1. ^ Stafford Radio | Page 2 | Stafford Forum
  2. ^ Stafford Radio at Broadeye windmill
  3. ^ Stafford radio station's campaign to save historic mill | Staff Newsletter
  4. ^ Ellie Simmonds visits Sainsbury's
  5. ^ Stafford Radio - Timeline
  6. ^ Stafford Radio - Timeline Photos
  7. ^ Stafford Radio – Mobile Uploads
  8. ^ Stafford Radio - Broad Eye Windmill
  9. ^ Stafford's MP Visits Stafford Radio
  10. ^ 2014 Official visit by the Mayor of Stafford Borough
  11. ^ Windmill radio blows birthday candles | Staff Newsletter
  12. ^ Light fantastic at radio station | Staff Newsletter
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