More radio awards for Erewash Sound presenters

Erewash Sound has secured more honours at the 2026 Community Radio Awards ceremony which was held in Gas Street, Birmingham on Saturday 24th October 2026.

A delegation travelled with fingers crossed to see if weekday daytime presenters Val Isaacs and Paul Glenn could scoop Gold, Silver or Bronze in the Newcomer of the Year category.

The finalists span various categories, including prominent tracks and individuals nominated for Station of the Year, Community Impact Project, Presenter categories, and various show and content awards.

Organisers said that there had been “more entries than ever” for the 2026 awards which mark the 10th anniversary of the competition.

The deadline for submissions passed on 30th June 2026, before being reviewed by an independent judging panel around 70 volunteers who narrowed the field down to a shortlist of 5 finalists per category.

The Erewash Sound delegation didn’t have long to wait because the Newcomer of the Year category was announced quite early on in the evening, with a caption flashed up on screen. The anticipation built, but the atmosphere was soon euphoric after Val Isaacs was announced as the winner of the Bronze Award, and Paul Glenn as the recipient of Silver.

Speaking to Press and Publicity spokesperson, Ian Perry after the ceremony, Val said: “I’m chuffed!  Really chuffed! To think that this time 12 months ago, I had been doom-scrolling through social media and saw an opportunity to volunteer at Erewash Sound, and now, here I am!”

Meanwhile, Paul, who was also relieved at not having to read out an acceptance speech he hadn’t produced, was almost speechless. On social media, he said: “Well done us!”

The award-winning pair intend to interview each other about their success on Thursday 29th October with Val following Paul on the weekday daytime schedule.

Ian Perry said: “We’re very proud of our successes at the CRAs, and particularly proud of all of our volunteer presenters who contribute, or who have previously contributed to what we know is a much-needed, much appreciated, and above all, genuinely local radio service for the Erewash Borough.

“We were very excited about the prospect of securing more awards, particularly given that we had two presenters – Val and Paul – receiving nominations in the same category, so we were hopeful of picking up at least one award, but to pick up two, is truly amazing.  We’re very proud to have secured not just one but two awards, which makes it a total of 15 CRAs in 10 years!”

Erewash Sound has a track of record of winning a number of business and radio industry awards, particularly throughout the history of The Community Radio Awards.

Notable Award Highlights

• 2026: Paul Glenn – Newcomer of the Year Silver, Val Isaacs – Newcomer of the Year Bronze
• 2025: Kirsty Corbett – Newcomer of the Year Silver
• 2024: Dave Dallard – Volunteer of the Year Bronze
• 2022: Paul Stacey & Lewis Allsopp (Iron to Iron) – Live Event or Outside Broadcast Gold
• 2022: We Are Young – Entertainment Show of the Year Bronze
• 2021: Lewis Allsopp – Young Person of the Year Gold
• 2021: Amelia Salmons – Best Newcomer Silver
• 2019: Emma Snow – Best Young Presenter Gold
• 2019: Lewis Allsopp – Newcomer of the Year Bronze
• 2018: Mark Jarvis, Emma Snow, Jeannie Nicolas (4 awards total) Multiple (inc. Gold)