Page 27 - link magazine

Swindon Wide 27

Community radio station celebrates Wedding Fayre
second anniversary with a move in mind
Swindon 105.5 will be two years old in March. Station manager at new ‘home from home’
Shirley Ludford talks to Juliet Platt about what has been achieved wedding reception venue
and the bigger and brighter things to come. Spittleborough Farmhouse
When an Ofcom community radio and help people understand their We have a great variety A quality service you can still afford
licence came available for Swindon role better.” to tickle your fancy including Excellent Value...
in March 2007, well known local Seeing how people develop their wedding items for sale, so cash • Wedding Cars
personality Shirley had a year to communications skills by volunteer- and cheque books at the ready! • Airport Transfers
pull a viable organisation together. ing with the station is something • Special Occasions
“I swore never to go back into that Shirley is very proud of. “Our 28 March, 11am - 3pm Chauffeur driven Mercedes for all
radio broadcasting,” said Shirley, service has gained great respect www.lovetoplan.co.uk occasions – pleasure or business.
who’s had an exciting and varied with all levels of Swindon society. SN4 8ET just off Rosstyles Chauffeur Services
career in Swindon media, includ- “We have people of all ages, T. 01793 845791 M. 07887 700595
ing BBC Wiltshire Sound, Wiltshire abilities and backgrounds on our J16 M4 towards www.rosstyleschauffeurs.co.uk
Radio (now Heart), and starting as team, and we’ve made a huge Wootton Bassett (License No: PO-0092)
a community TV broadcaster on achievement in broadcasting with
cable with Swindon
Viewpoint.
“But the oppor-
tunity to pursue my
passion of taking
radio out into the
community was too
great to miss.
“It’s a much more
personal medium
than TV or the inter-
net, and it’s becom-
ing increasingly mo-
bile as people now
listen to the radio
over their phones.
“We are very keen
to promote arts and Swindon 105.5, presently broadcasting from the County
cultural activity in the Ground, will be moving to much larger premises in
Eldene later in the year. However there will be major
town and we want costs involved and fundraising was kicked off at a
to be known as the Bombay Lounge charity evening in November. Shirley
station that likes to receives a cheque for £400 from Hanif Robani
say ‘yes.’ If there is
a creative idea, we try to fi gure out people rather than for them.”
how it can be put on air rather than Many secondary schools have
blocking it because it doesn’t fi t our also asked Shirley to provide media
broadcasting profi le.” training opportunities for pupils.
The community focus of the sta- Shirley is particularly pleased
tion has attracted a team of very that communities such as Broad
willing volunteers keen to learn Green and Penhill have begun to
about broadcasting, pursue a cre- produce their own programmes. 2010
ative interest, or provide valuable “It’s important that these areas fi nd
“One of our volunteers had been and positive medium for bringing Bridal
experience between jobs. their voice, and radio is a powerful
out of work for 18 months, but since people together to do that.” in store
he came to us he has featured on The station is funded by a com-
Sky TV, and has now moved onto bination of grants, donations and now
a new job,” said Shirley. support in kind. “Covering core
New College media student Jack costs is really diffi cult, so we do rely
Young has been working at 105.5 on regular donations from people Call now
since September which he said ‘has who are enthusiastic about what
been absolutely brilliant.’ we do,” said Shirley. to make your £715
“There aren’t many opportunities And what does the future hold
to learn about radio production. I for 105.5? appointment
even manned the desk a few weeks “We’ve made our mark on the
ago when we had our ‘New College town and because of demand
takes over’ slot. It was quite scary we’ve secured larger premises 01793 613000
to start with but I think I did quite for our studios and where we can
well by the end.” offer more structured training for
Finding out who listens is practi- volunteers and students. www.harmonybrides.co.uk
cally impossible said Shirley. “We “But to sustain our success all the
prefer to measure our success people of Swindon have to support Devizes Road, Old Town, Swindon SN1 4BG
by the value we give to our users, us by listening, donating money or
our volunteers and our community volunteering.” PART-TIME VACANCY – call number above
partners. For example the police are Tune in to Swindon 105.5fm
very keen to work with us to raise on your dial or visit or send CV direct to Harmony Brides
their presence in the community www.swindon1055.com

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