the community radio toolkit

Ssssh! Northumberland’s best kept secret is out! A new community radio station has launched onto the airways, without any fuss, fanfares or celebrity endorsements. Radio Northumberland is currently providing an internet based service broadcasting music, community information and talk based programming. As the station grows, an application will be made to Ofcom for a temporary RSL licence which will enable it to broadcast on an FM radio frequency to the people of Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth, Cramlington and Morpeth. Members of the Northumberland radio station have quietly spent the last six months planning programming; community involvement and scheduling with a view to heavily involve local people in their plans. Station Controller, Stewart Allen from Bedlington, who as a veteran of more than 25 years at Radio Tyneside brings a wealth of knowledge with him, is excited about the possibilities open to Radio Northumberland.

The station has already forged links with a number of schools and community organisations in South East Northumberland as well as securing,

“‘As it happens’ local news reporting for the hourly news”, he said. “There has been a tremendous amount of work undertaken in the background by our volunteers and I am delighted to at last be able to tell everyone about our plans.”

The station will broadcast a variety of music styles and genres with shows by experienced presenters and interviewers as well as running shows presented by schools, scout groups and other community organisations. Northumberland’s best kept secret can be heard online at http://www.radionorthumberland.com/. For media information contact Keith Newman at Highlights PR 07814 397951

Comments Off | In: News | tags: community radio, highlights, internet based service, keith newman, northumberland, ofcom, radio tyneside, rsl license. | #

Two volunteers on a temporary community radio station in Northumberland have stayed on-air together for 58 hours – beating the 52 hour record set by Chris Moyles and his Radio 1 team. Sarah Stewart and Jamie Thirlwell completed the broadcast last weekend on Koast Radio in Morpeth. Koast Station Manager Vicky Oakley, who came up with the idea, told the Morpeth Herald:

…

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From press releases to pogo dances and spin to safety pins, it’s all change for public relations consultant Keith Newman as he takes up the role of new wave and punk DJ for Northumberland’s newest community radio station.

Keith, who runs Morpeth based Highlights PR has joined Ultra Radio and will present a weekly show playing the best of new wave bands such as The Stranglers, The Clash and The Damned. Already, Keith has met and recorded interviews with Stiff Little Fingers front man, Jake Burns and one of his all time heroes, drummer Marky Ramone from The Ramones.

“I’ve been a Ramones fan since the late 1970’s and to actually get to meet Marky was a fantastic privilege,” said Keith. “He was very professional and gave me advice on how to manage my radio show as well as an insight into life as a Ramone.” …

This post was submitted by newwavenewman.

Comments Off | In: Community Submitted News | tags: keith, keith newman, marky ramone, new wave, northumberland, punk, the damned, the den, the ramones, ultra radio. | #

MUSIC-mad teenager Ryan Boden dreams of one day becoming a superstar DJ.

Now he is taking the first steps towards making the dream a reality thanks to a new radio station, which will soon be pumping out tunes to thousands of North East listeners.

Fifteen-year-old Ryan is hitting the decks as a disc jockey with Ultra Radio in Northumberland, which plans to take to the airwaves on the FM frequency next summer. …

This post was submitted by ultraradio.

1 Comment | In: Community Submitted News | tags: northumberland, northumberland radio station, radio station, ryan, ryan boden, ultra radio, ultraradio. | #

Journalism and Media students at the University of Sunderland, and volunteers at the university’s community station 107 Spark FM, will be  joining forces with the community radio sector across the North East on Thursday evening. It promises to be a huge night for the region’s community media outlets, with an eight hour election spectacular that will be simulcast on six stations from Middlesbrough to Alnwick.

The programme will begin just before ten in the evening as the polls close, and be heard on 107 Spark FM in Sunderland, Spice FM and NE1 FM  on Tyneside, Bishop FM in Bishop Auckland, Lionheart Radio in Northumberland and CVFM on Teesside. Reporters will be stationed at and reporting live from multiple counts, plus three outside broadcast locations across the region. The broadcast will come from 107 Spark FM’s state-of-the-art studios at the David Puttnam Media Centre at the university’s St Peter’s Campus.

Richard Berry and Katy McDonald from Sunderland media department’s lecturing staff will lead the team on the night, along with 107 Spark  FM’s Deputy Station Manager Lee Sevenoaks. Tune in and hear the most exciting election night for thirty-six years unfold. You can hear the show on any of the participating station’s FM frequencies, and streaming at www.sparksunderland.com

Information supplied by Fred Marden, Head of Radio – University of Sunderland, Station Director – 107 Spark FM and
Branch Chair – Radio Academy in the North East

3 Comments | In: Broadcasting Democracy, News | tags: bishop auckland, bishop fm, cvfm, election 2010, election coverage, election night, general election, lionheart radio, ne1 fm, northumberland, simulcasting, spark fm, spice fm, sunderland, teeside, tyneside. | #