The brand new community radio station for Bath got a visit from ministerial culture big wig, Ed Vaizey whilst he was in the City on Saturday.
After addressing the Community Media Association as a keynote speaker, Mr Vaizey hot footed it across town to visit Bath City Sound and a handful of its team members.
Talking about the station, Ian Dore, the Station Manager and Director, said: “Bath City Sound is a result of a demand for a local community radio station and has been set up specifically for social gain, skewed very much in favour of young adults. We are almost at the end of our testing and training phase, making sure that everything works correctly and that we can deliver the service to as many digital platforms as possible. It was incredibly gratifying that Mr Vaizey visited us at such an embryonic stage and he was very enthusiastic with what he saw and heard.”
Having visited the station, MP Ed Vaizey commented: “I think the set up of Bath City Sound is very exciting and it’s enterprising to try and fill a niche market, particularly young people who deserve to be served by a local community radio station. I look forward to programmes going on air. Of course the great virtue of it being on the internet, is that I’ll be able to listen in Wantage as I’ve got the app on my phone! I wish them all the luck in the world and I will be listening.”
Bath City Sound is a not for profit online Radio Station serving the communities of Bath giving young people and like minded individuals, the opportunity to actively take part in radio broadcasting and the creation of their own shows and features. Its 3 main aims are to support Youth, Charity and the Community.
Station Producer and Director, James Falconbridge said: “OFCOM have stated that there are no available frequencies in Bath and the earliest that it maybe revisited is potentially 2014. It is further understood that any such frequency would only become available is if another FM operator in the Bath area were to give up their licence. That realistically is not going to happen so by utilising the internet for now and the immediate future, we will provide a dedicated community station for the City.
“As Ian mentioned in an interview with Ali Vowles on BBC Radio Bristol last week, there are a handful of excellent community radio stations in the South West but all are a significant number of miles away from of Bath. Although these are providing robust services for their intended communities, they are licensed to those and those only. That of course is right and proper as that is what community is all about. However it still leaves a gapping hole in Bath and we are going to fill it.”
Ian finished by saying: “By using positive business solutions to achieve public good, it is believed that such a social enterprise will have a distinct and valuable role to play in helping create a strong, sustainable and socially inclusive economy. As well as supporting the all important youth, charity and community groups, Bath City Sound will also be proactive with the business and commerce sectors.
Mr Vaizey acknowledges what we are all about and how important such a service can be. That’s why he popped in on Saturday, spent time with some of the team, and gave us the thumbs up. The Ministerial equivalent of a Facebook Like!”
The full Service of Bath City Sound is to be rolled out in July and as they approach the firm launch date, they’ll bring everyone up to speed. For more information and to hear the restricted service visit www.bathcitysound.com.
