A COMMUNITY radio station is set to hit the airwaves after being awarded an FM licence.
AIR (All Inclusive Radio), which is currently broadcast online, will become Weymouth’s newest radio station.
The Westfield Arts College-based station is one of 11 community radio stations across the country to be awarded a licence by Ofcom.
Carl Greenham, radio station manager and media manager, said he hopes AIR will start broadcasting next year and will reach an audience of more than 60,000.
He said: “It’s such an incredible thing to think that this is a brand new station for Weymouth.
“It’s a community radio station and I cannot wait to get going on it – it’s a dream come true, it will be brilliant.”
The radio station will be 70 per cent music and is aimed at everyone in the community. It will have a particular focus for children and young people, including young people with learning difficulties and their families.
The station will be made up of a mixture of live and pre-recorded shows between 9am and 3pm and will be presented by students.
After 3pm, the station will be handed over to community volunteers.
Mr Greenham said: “We want to involve people who are passionate about music and have some live bands.
“It will be refreshing for people to listen to a community radio station.”
As many people as possible will be encouraged to volunteer at the station.
Mr Greenham said: “This is an opportunity for a lot of people to get involved.
“We’ve been working to get schools on board, we’ve been looking at possible apprenticeships for the station.”
AIR staff don’t know what its frequency will be yet but is reviewing its transmitter location to maximise its reach.
Mr Greenham said: “We received so many congratulation messages from other top radio stations and supporters up and down the country.
“Broadcasting on FM will open up so many new opportunities for everyone associated with AIR.”
We, here at eJurassic, joint the many others who offer their congratulations and support to the project, well done Westfield staff and students.