Local radio station awarded FM frequency

LOCAL radio station, Red Kite Radio, has now been allocated an FM frequency by Ofcom, the Government broadcasting regulator.

General Manager of Red Kite Radio, Pete MacFarlane in action

107.2 FM will be the new home of the first dedicated radio station for Haddenham, Thame and the surrounding villages, which is due to launch in the Spring of 2017.

Mark Chapple, Chairman of Red Kite Radio said: “We’re over the moon with this allocation. This is at the top of the dial which makes us easy to find and because it’s away from larger broadcasters, it means we’ll have a nice clear sound with no interference.”

Red Kite Radio was awarded a full-time community radio licence by Ofcom earlier this year. The station came about thanks to the Summerfest Radio broadcasts in support of and funded by the Haddenham Beer Festivals Trust. The team of professional broadcasters, who are all volunteering their time, is currently seeking grant funding for essential studio kit and fees to pay to music royalty bodies like PRS. They’re also appealing to local people for donations of computers, office furniture and skills & materials to convert a building at the Haddenham Garden Centre into a broadcast centre.

Mark Chapple said: “We’ve still got lots of work ahead of us before our launch in the Spring- including moving into our permanent home at the Haddenham Garden Centre, building the studio, installing the transmission kit and of course building a music library, albeit a digital one.”

Early next year the Red Kite Radio team will hold a series of seminars and talks to encourage engagement with the new service and explain how local businesses, groups, charities, schools and people from all walks of like can get involved and benefit.

Red Kite Radio is a not for profit radio station and run for the benefit of the community. It will be funded through grants and the selling of advertising packages to local business of all sizes. Cost effective packages will open up the prospect of radio advertising to small traders, trades men & women and larger businesses alike. Companies and organisations will be able to benefit from radio advertising at a low price and in return know they’re supporting this great new community initiative.