WITH little over a week left of broadcasting for Radio Redditch before its temporary license expires, one enthusiastic listener has launched a petition to help make it a permanent feature on the airwaves.
Currently in the throes of their fourth one-month broadcast session from the Kingfisher Centre, station bosses will be lobbying hard now to secure a full-time license for the town, but to help them try and persuade licensing authority Ofcom to grant it, Crabbs Cross resident Wayne Brandrick claims to have collected 70 signatures in support of his campaign within days of getting it off the ground.
A staunch fan of the bid to get a full-time radio station for Redditch, Mr Brandrick said the station had done just what it claimed it would in its slogan - 'put the unity back in community'.
"With its very informative, professional and caring approach, Radio Redditch gives us the listeners every opportunity to know exactly what is going on in and around the town," he said.
He added he also felt the station was helping businesses, especially in a time of recession. And as a musician himself he feels strongly the work the station has done to promote local music is crucial.
"Radio Redditch dedicates part of its Friday evening show to promoting local music, inviting local bands to send in their demos and playing them on the show.
"This support is so important to the musicians involved in these bands, as promotion plays such a big part in their lives," he said.
Station manager Chris Gray said he was extremely grateful for the support from local residents, including Mr Brandrick.
"Obviously we need to show we have the support of the public, so whether this is from letters, texts, e-mails or a petition, it all helps.
"We have to show Ofcom that we are a viable project, that we are popular, commercially viable and can become a part of the fabric of the town."
Radio Redditch has been broadcast 24 hours a day on 87.9FM since November 2, but the airwaves will fall silent again at midnight on Sunday, November 29. A further 28-day broadcast is planned for the spring and bosses Mr Gray and Rob Ison have been successfully broadcast at The Wyre, serving Kidderminster and Wyre Forest, since September 2005.
Mr Gray added: "We couldn’t wait for this broadcast and it has been a resounding success, on and off air. Being housed in Evesham Walk in the Kingfisher Centre has been superb as everyone can see us on air and what we are doing, and we have been very pro-active in the community, involved with the local music and sports scene."
All letters of support are kept as evidence of the station's popularity. Those who wish to, can write to Radio Redditch, 78 Evesham Walk, Kingfisher Centre, Redditch B97 4HU.
Further details are available from www.radioredditch.co.uk.
