Community radio station Swindon 105.5 celebrated its 15th birthday with a party at its Liden headquarters.
Guests included presenters and team members past and present, representatives of local good causes, supporters and others with connections to the station.
Station manager Shirley Ludford acted as MC as people with connections to the station, and who have been helped by its work, told their stories.
Shirley said: "Fifteen years is well worth celebrating, because so many community groups have struggled and closed over the years.
"I think it's the engagement we have with the community - everybody feels it's their station. It's not just sitting behind four walls and saying, 'This is our station', it's very inclusive and accessible station.
"We have had, all throughout those 15 years, people just knock on the door and come in, wanting to be involved or look around the studios or have an idea for a programme or want some help.
"And the answer's always, 'Yes.' We work with people as individuals, which is time-consuming in one way but it's actually working with individuals' needs and interests, so they feel that they have achieved something here.
"I think the achievements of the individuals over those years - hundreds and hundreds of people have gone to volunteering, gone on to further education, gone into employment, forgot to leave and stayed with us! - there's a whole mix of people, literally of all ages and abilities, who have found their path through the radio station.
"The other ethos? I believe that once people learn a skill, you don't keep it to yourself, you share it. When you come in here, I might meet you but then you'll be buddied with somebody who can support you. You learn to share your knowledge, and I think that's also important.
"It's a key thing we do off-air that I don't think people realise we do."
Shirley has pledged to mark the anniversary with a sponsored swim of 105.5 lengths of a swimming pool, and aims to raise £2,000.
Also fundraising is Stratton St Margaret Parish Council media assistant Jessica Mutlow, who has been training at the station. Hearing that the fundraising activity Shirley would least like to do was a parachute jump, the intrepid Jessica decided she would skydive.
She said: ""I've been doing quite a lot of work, recording, chatting to people and going live. It's been a really nice experience with a lovely radio family."
Guests included South Swindon Labour Parliamentary Candidate Heidi Alexander, who said: "They're such an integral part of the community. I remember the first time I met Shirley - she told me about all, the fantastic work they do here.
"We've heard tonight about them bringing on young journalists and new talent and making sure that perhaps those who don't have a voice in the traditional media have a home here at Swindon 105.5.
"Some of their journalism definitely rivals the big boys! I think it's a fantastic organisation full of brilliant people, and I hope they go from strength to strength and their next 15 years are as successful as their last 15."
Further information about the station, its schedules and the opportunities it offers can be found at www.swindon1055.co.uk
Station manager Shirley Ludford acted as MC as people with connections to the station, and who have been helped by its work, told their stories.
Shirley said: "Fifteen years is well worth celebrating, because so many community groups have struggled and closed over the years.
"I think it's the engagement we have with the community - everybody feels it's their station. It's not just sitting behind four walls and saying, 'This is our station', it's very inclusive and accessible station.
"We have had, all throughout those 15 years, people just knock on the door and come in, wanting to be involved or look around the studios or have an idea for a programme or want some help.
"And the answer's always, 'Yes.' We work with people as individuals, which is time-consuming in one way but it's actually working with individuals' needs and interests, so they feel that they have achieved something here.
"I think the achievements of the individuals over those years - hundreds and hundreds of people have gone to volunteering, gone on to further education, gone into employment, forgot to leave and stayed with us! - there's a whole mix of people, literally of all ages and abilities, who have found their path through the radio station.
"The other ethos? I believe that once people learn a skill, you don't keep it to yourself, you share it. When you come in here, I might meet you but then you'll be buddied with somebody who can support you. You learn to share your knowledge, and I think that's also important.
"It's a key thing we do off-air that I don't think people realise we do."
Shirley has pledged to mark the anniversary with a sponsored swim of 105.5 lengths of a swimming pool, and aims to raise £2,000.
Also fundraising is Stratton St Margaret Parish Council media assistant Jessica Mutlow, who has been training at the station. Hearing that the fundraising activity Shirley would least like to do was a parachute jump, the intrepid Jessica decided she would skydive.
She said: ""I've been doing quite a lot of work, recording, chatting to people and going live. It's been a really nice experience with a lovely radio family."
Guests included South Swindon Labour Parliamentary Candidate Heidi Alexander, who said: "They're such an integral part of the community. I remember the first time I met Shirley - she told me about all, the fantastic work they do here.
"We've heard tonight about them bringing on young journalists and new talent and making sure that perhaps those who don't have a voice in the traditional media have a home here at Swindon 105.5.
"Some of their journalism definitely rivals the big boys! I think it's a fantastic organisation full of brilliant people, and I hope they go from strength to strength and their next 15 years are as successful as their last 15."
Further information about the station, its schedules and the opportunities it offers can be found at www.swindon1055.co.uk
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