COLUMN - On The Radio with 103 The Eye (Christine Slomkowska)
Everyone on 103 The Eye works as a volunteer - we have no paid staff - and we greatly value the support given by our presenters, as well as other helpers beyond the microphone, to keep the station running.
We broadcast 24/7 without a break every day of the year and although we have back-to-back music overnight, the majority of our programmes during the day and in the evening are live.
So when our presenters reach a milestone anniversary - five, 10 or 15 years on air - it's nice to mark the occasion with a small celebration in the studio on the day.
They also receive a formal award in the presentation at the annual Christmas party.
The latest presenter to achieve 15 years' service is Emma Wilford, who joined the station when she was still at school after she and her mum and sisters became regular listeners in its early days.
Emma says she loves presenting her weekly show and really looks forward to it.
She adds that learning to broadcast has boosted her confidence and communication skills and helped her in her day job of nursery practitioner.
Our presenters are also ambassadors for the station within the local community.
Emma has done excellent work on live outside broadcasts at various events we have attended with our soundstage or the pop-up studio.
She's interviewed participants of the 1940s Melton Mowbray Weekend, the Defence Animal Training Regiment open day and summer fairs at the Brownlow and Grove Primary Schools.
Our station has strong connections with Melton Fire Station and Emma has presented several broadcasts from their road safety awareness days. She has also helped with the Trumpton fire engine Christmas collections.
Meanwhile, 103 The Eye, itself, has recently received recognition for its work in supporting events and activities of the Rotary Club of Melton Aurora over the years and, particularly, 2025.
Station directors, Christine Slomkowska and Patrick McCracken, were presented with an award certificate by last year's joint-presidents, Paul Saxby and Christopher Joseph, at a celebration evening for Rotary supporters and beneficiaries hosted by current president, Eddie Pearson, at The Venue, in Melton, earlier this month.