COLUMN - On The Radio with Christine Slomkowska of 103 The Eye
It's currently the 20th anniversary of community radio and the success of the sector was celebrated last Saturday with a ‘Summer Gathering’ organised by the Community Media Association at Melton Borough Council’s offices.
Melton was chosen by the CMA as the venue because 103 The Eye was the first station in the UK to have gone on the air when broadcasting regulator OFCOM licensed the then new tier of volunteer-run local radio in 2005.
We had our 20th birthday last November, but this summer marks two decades since the station moved to Melton from its original base in the Vale of Belvoir under new management.
It had been saved from closure after running into financial problems six months after launch.
Since then we have won many awards for our work in the community, including the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, and we have celebrated many achievements.
Just last week we heard that James Hall, who began his broadcasting career as a volunteer on 103 The Eye, had landed a prime slot on Kiss FM, a national commercial radio station.
The Summer Gathering drew representatives of community stations from as far afield as Scotland, Lancashire, Essex, London and Somerset.
Melton Mayor, Councillor Jim Adcock, officially opened the event and in his welcoming address to the visitors he emphasised the value of their voluntary work.
103 The Eye helped the CMA in organising the day. It included inspirational guest speakers and gave station managers the opportunity to network with their counterparts from across the country, exchanging information and advice.
A special visitor was Bill Gregory, the new president of Melton Aurora Rotary Club, who presented us with a cheque for £500 towards improving our studio facilities.
As Melton's local radio station, we want to support the local economy, including the hospitality sector.
Visitors were able to sample pork pies from Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe, a variety of soft drinks from Belvoir Fruit Farms and Indian specialities provided by the Harboro Hotel.
We also supplied tourist information for them to take back to their respective towns from Melton Carnegie Museum, the Great Food Club, Melton BID, Hidden Food Tours and Melton Mowbray Town Estate.