A local radio station is embarking on ambitious plans as it marks a decade on-air serving the Derbyshire borough of Erewash.
Erewash Sound, a non-profit making organisation began broadcasting full-time on 96.8 FM in March 2010 from a former headmaster’s study at what was then Bennerley School in Cotmanhay near Ilkeston. Run almost entirely by volunteers, the radio station later moved to a new Media Centre on the same site where it has remained to this day. Programmes were launched from the former Ilkeston Co-op Buildings by locally renowned actor Robert Lindsay.
It has since developed an NCFE accredited training academy which has provided a depth and breadth of skills, both for radio and otherwise, whilst on-air, scores of community groups, charities and non-profit making organisations have benefitted from free publicity, raising their profile and encouraging greater support.
The radio station is also ‘award winning’, having picked up a number of business and radio industry accolades over the last four years, many of them within the last two to three years.
March 6th marked the beginning of the tenth year of 24 hour transmissions, both on FM and on-line with the day itself featuring Breakfast Show presenter Paul Stacey presenting his show live from trentbarton bus services as they toured the borough, giving him the chance to speak to and interact with listeners.
Radio station officials consider it to be radio FIRST to take a breakfast show on to buses. Jeff Counsell, managing director at trentbarton, said: “Congratulations to Erewash Sound on its first decade on the airwaves. We’re all looking forward to welcoming the Erewash Sound team on to our buses during the station’s big weekend. Our drivers and their customers will give them a warm reception.”
But presenters didn't stop there! On Saturday 7th, the radio station broadcast live from the window of Richdale Sofas, which occupies part of the former Ilkeston Co-op Buildings. The roadshow was staged almost 10 years to the day that the station was launched on the same site. Presenters spoke to a number of special guests in-store.
Members of the public are also snapping up tickets for an 80s night at The New Manor Ground, the home of Ilkeston Town FC on Saturday 28th March, whilst the station will also continue to celebrate ten years on with the support of Ron Brooks Toyota in Ilkeston who will sponsor celebrations for the entirety of the next 12 months.
An expected highlight of the tenth year will be the launch of a second FM transmitter serving Long Eaton, the south and south-west of the borough following the granting of permission late last year by broadcast regulator OFCOM. Work is ongoing to prepare to launch the second transmitter with station directors set to release further news as soon as possible.
Ian Perry is the Press and Media Spokesperson for Erewash Sound. He said: “It is hard to believe that a whole decade has passed for Erewash Sound which has continued to evolve in that time, whilst remaining true to its word of being “the radio station JUST for Erewash”.
“But it goes without saying that we could not do any of the things that we do without a truly dedicated team of volunteers who carry out everything from marketing to finances, HR to PR, production to training, engineering and IT to admin and fundraising and much more besides”.
“A big thank you must also go to our advertisers and sponsors, past, present and future for their contribution in bringing about the continued success of Erewash Sound and helping to benefit so many people in so many ways and most importantly of all, thanks go to our many listeners, the people of Erewash who tune in to and interact with our programmes each week”.
“We can’t wait to celebrate ten years with you!”