Radio Warrington set to take to airwaves after winning community licence

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SEVEN years after first launching, Radio Warrington has at long last been awarded a community licence to broadcast on air for at least the next five years.
It is one of seven new licences awarded by Ofcom.
The news is a huge boost to the many volunteers who have been working hard March 2007, broadcasting online and with temporary licences.
Station Manager Steve Lewis, (pictured right) who helped launch the station, orginally named Radio Worm, said:”This is fantastic news not only for all of our volunteers and listeners but also for everyone in Warrington, as we now have our own bespoke radio station which will be full of local news, information, sports reporting and outside broadcasts involving and including as many local people, businesses and organisations as we can.
“Congratulations to us all and many thanks to everyone who made this possible.”
The station had hoped to broadcast on FM but has had to settle for an AM (medium wave) band.
Steve added: “We had been told that an FM frequency was not technically possible but we will be broadcasting on the AM (medium wave) band as soon as we have set up permanent studios and an AM transmitter in the centre of Warrington.”
The aim is to broadcast from a studio at Warrington Market, which has previously hosted the temporary licences.
warrington-worldwide has been involved in supporting the community station, providing a news service free of charge.
Editor Gary Skentelbery also hosted a rock show for several years and has made guest appearances during the temporary licence broadcasts.
Volunteers will now work over the summer setting up a studio and hopefully start broadcasting in September.
Licences have also been awarded to Radio Barnsley; Bury Community Radio; Heritage Community Radio in Manchester; Beyond Radio in Lancaster and Morecambe; Radio Victoria in Blackpool and Ribble FM in the Ribble Valley area of Lancashire.
Community radio services are provided on a not-for-profit basis focusing on the delivery of specific social benefits to a particular geographical community or a community of interest.


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Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.

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