Swindon FM
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Swindon FM was a Local DAB radio station broadcasting to Swindon between 2003 and 2006, previously it broadcast as Swindon 107FM for two trial broadcasts in 2001 and 2002.
Contents |
[edit] Everybody's Listening 2001/2002
Swindon 107FM (Which the station was originally named) broadcasted their first Restricted Service Licence (RSL) in September 2001. Founded by former Swindon Town Football club Chairman Rikki Hunt and Local Jazz Musician Ray Butt who felt a need for new station in the area which GWR FM had for many years been the only commercial station, along with BBC Radio Wiltshire Sound (now BBC Radio Swindon/Wiltshire). Their target audience was between 25-55 and played popular artists from the 1950s to the present day that catered for their audience, including local artists with specialist music shows which the area had been lacking and a local news service.
They set up a studio in Swindon's Brunel Plaza, a shopping complex based in the Town centre where they had a wide range of guests and because of where their studio was positioned, you could peek through the window and see what was going on.
The Second RSL Broadcast was in June/July 2002, which focused more on local talent to present their shows creating a "Totally Swindon" Station. Both RSL's were quite successful and it was decided that they would apply for an analogue commercial radio licence from The Radio Authority, which they did in 2005 after Ofcom took over from the licensing process.
[edit] Bringing Swindon To You
In 2003 the group started broadcasting using new technology at their new studios at Swindon's Old Town Court. Digital Audio Broadcasting had been experimented by the BBC since 1990 and now it was Swindon FM's turn. Broadcasting on DAB only across the Swindon area they continued to run as they did on the 2002 RSL however Swindon FM was only on air between 6am-10pm on Saturday and Sundays, Which changed to a full 7 days later in the year. On the first weekend of the 7 day a week broadcasts in 2003, they ran down Swindon's favourite 100 songs as voted by the Swindon People.
The station had many features including "The What's On Guide" and "The winning Weekend" and the target audience was changed catering for 35 + audience focusing more on the older range of the scale and was run completely by volunteers. In late 2004 presenter James Patterson attempted his second record breaking attempt for "The Longest Radio Show in History" however was informed that he had failed on the first night due to an electricity failure.
In 2005 the group applied for the Local Radio license, however Ofcom decided in favour of another group, Now FM later renamed to Brunel FM owned by The Local Radio Company
[edit] Ahead of its time
Swindon FM ceased broadcasting in 2006 after difficulties with their premises, which left Swindon FM homeless. There was also the problem that Swindon FM was ahead of its time. It started broadcasting when Digital Radio was new and in its infancy, it was a case of right place, wrong time.
[edit] Swindon FM Community Radio
At the end of 2006, Ofcom Advertised the Community Radio Licenses for the southwest of England and south/mid Wales. Swindon FM Community Radio applied for this license but was unsuccessful and was awarded to Swindon 105.5 (Community Radio Swindon).
[edit] Presenters
Name | Role | Last Seen/Currently doing |
---|---|---|
Dave Jones | Weekday/Sunday Breakfast | Flame FM rsl 07 |
Simon Hawkins | Saturday Breakfast | Brunel FM Saturday Breakfast |
Carl Humphreys | Station controller/Drive presenter | BBC Radio Swindon/Wiltshire - Flame FM - Event Radio Live: 07 |
Will Truman | IT Support/Presenter | GWR Bristol/Bath/Wiltshire Travel Presenter & GCap Media Regional Travel Editor |
Paul Langcaster | Saturday Brunch presenter | Press Officer North Wilts District Council |
Warren Hoy | Sunday Shutdown Presenter | Emigrated to Canada |
Alan Dee | Soul 2 Soul Presenter | Event Radio: Live rsl 07 |
Shirley Ludford | Sunday Brunch Presenter | Swindon 105.5 Presenter & Station Manager |
Bryan Barrow | Saturday Evening Presenter | Life Coach |
Mike Ganley | Crooked Road Presenter | British Folk Radio, Swindon 105.5 Presenter |
Ray Bewes | Sunday Afternoon Presenter | Hospital Radio Swindon, Swindon 105.5 Presenter |
Nick Anderson | Friday Drive Presenter | Swindon 105.5 Friday Drive Presenter |
Sophie Mayes | Drive Presenter | Went To Australia |
Ellie Johnston | Drive Presenter | Went To Australia |
Dave Harries | Weekday Afternoon Presenter | BizView.tv |
Alan Ford | Sunday Evening Presenter | Brunel FM, Weekend Evening Presenter |
Luke Edwards | Saturday Brunch Presenter | Hospital Radio Swindon / Flame FM / BBC |
Mick Jackson | Wednesday Night Presenter | Unknown |
Jonathan Robinson | Broadcast Assistant | Swindon 105.5, Saturday Evening Presenter & Technical Team |
Paul Dunn | Tuesday Evening Presenter | BizView.tv |
Ian Rowe | Early/Brunch Presenter | Swindon 105.5 Presenter & Director |
Richard Levenge and John Banks | Wednesday Blues Presenters | Unknown |
Chris Kerslake | Wednesday/Sunday Blues Presenter | Bass Player with 16 Speed |
Gregory Stevens | Weekend Early/Cover Presenter | 10 Radio Presenter & Swindon 105.5 Technical Team |
Sam Abercromby | Saturday Sports Presenter | Bath Hospital Radio |
Richard Grace | Saturday Sports Co-Presenter | successful Second life Artist, Swindon 105.5 Presenter |
Richard Scott | Sunday Breakfast Co Presenter W/ Dave Jones | Flame FM RSL, Swindon 105.5 Presenter |
Ray Butt | Founder and Tuesday Jazz Presenter | Unknown |
James Patterson | Presenter | Director of Brunel FM |
Jean Goodall | Presenter | Arts Centre Management |
Andrew Brewerton | Sunday Breakfast Show | Swindon 105.5 Arts Show |
[edit] Trivia
Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones. |
Jazz artist Jamie Cullum (whose father was a director of Swindon FM) was a presenter in the early years of the station.
Gina Akers, salon owner known for her time on Channel 4 (UK) made appearances at Swindon FM.
The space where Swindon 107FM's Restricted Service broadcasts from the Brunel Plaza used to be a Santa's grotto at Christmas in the 1980s and 90s until the complex was refurbished. It is now a juice Bar.
Swindon FM was the first Local DAB only station in the country.