DO you have a voice for the radio and something to say? A passion you could teach? A love of sport, music, or history? Community station Westbury Radio will be launched in the coming weeks and is appealing for local people to get involved.
The station is the brainchild of Matt Carbine, who hopes to begin an active online community radio station to entertain a range of people across the town.
Matt, who has a background in live events sound engineering and web design, is waiting for licence applications to go through before he begins the station.
Matt said, “My idea is to set up Westbury Radio and keep it running, but to encourage people in the community to produce content; I want to be able to promote and support local events. I hope we will have many shows, but the real amount will depend on how many volunteers are willing to get involved.
“I have spoken to people from the Westbury area already who are interested in doing talk shows, audio dramas and country music-based shows. I have also spoken to a gentleman regarding the possibility of live broadcasting an annual event in the town.
“Hopefully the station will be launched by the end of April, but if things continue to go smoothly then it should be earlier! I am currently building the music database and studio systems.
“I enjoy everything to do with technology and Westbury Radio will allow me to do something I enjoy as well as being able to help others learn and gain experience. I believe Westbury Radio will allow people to have their voices heard via an ad-free radio service run by and for the community.
“I didn’t want people to feel limited by their ability to travel, so I have even set up a system to allow people to broadcast from the comfort of their own home!
“The aim is to build a solid fanbase and show structure first by broadcasting online, then if it is a success it would be great to try and move to local FM. The support and interest I have received already has been brilliant. There has been loads of interest before the station has even launched, and I hope it continues!
“I have always been inspired by my granddad who was into radio. I remember sitting in a room upstairs in his house when I was little, where I used to sit and watch him for hours. He also built and repaired computers, which sparked my passion for that too. I enjoy the technical sides of things as well as music, so I thought what better to do than set up a radio station? I am really enjoying working on getting the station running, but now the time has come to appeal to the people of Westbury and turn the dream into a reality with a professional community radio station.”
To find out more about Westbury Radio and getting involved, go to www.westburyradio.co.uk and click join. Matt is on the lookout for volunteers to become presenters, and for a station manager.
Westbury Radio is also in need of a permanent home – if you have a room/office that could be used as a studio, email matt.carbine@westburyradio.co.uk.
