Melton and the Vale of Belvoir’s own permanent full-time local radio station, The Eye, will hit the airwaves this autumn.
Broadcasting regulator Ofcom has announced that TWC fm, who have carried out nine successful short-term trial transmissions over the past five years, have been selected to take up a community radio licence.
TWC fm have continually lobbied for the new station – which will broadcast under the name The Eye – and chairman Cliff Sanderson says the team is delighted with the result.
“Setting up the station and establishing it as an integral part of the fabric of the Melton area involved a great deal of effort from many people. We have received massive support from all sections of the local community.
“The Eye will give this area a great boost. The name comes from Melton’s river, and we plan to start broadcasting 24 hours a day on FM in about twelve weeks time. I would like to congratulate everyone who has assisted us in any way over the past five years and to thank them for their help and support.”
Rutland and Melton MP Alan Duncan, who has supported the idea of local radio and has visited the studios several times, welcomed the news. He said: ” With its excellent mix of music, news, views and local information, TWC fm has built up close links with the community and a strong audience base over the past five years.”
“The station has achieved a great deal – from helping charities raise thousands of pounds for good causes and training students in broadcasting techniques, to providing festive entertainment and live outside broadcasts for Melton’s Christmas lights switch-on.
” Both the town and surrounding area will benefit tremendously from having The Eye as a permanent local radio station. It will provide a vital communication link between Melton and the surrounding areas, for everything from police crime prevention advice and traffic reports to information on forthcoming charity events and opportunities for schools to get involved in the broadcasts.”
Melton Mayor Pat Cumbers said: “This is excellent news. There are endless possibilities for the community – social, entertainment and educational. I hope local people will have plenty of ideas concerning the future of the service so that it can make a difference to all our lives.”
Ron Marks, Melton Town Centre Champion, also welcomed The Eye: “I am very pleased that at last we have our own community radio station. There is a wide audience need out there for a local station and I Iook forward to fully supporting it in the future.
“The station will help to rejuvenate the area,” he added. “TWC fm’s participation in major local events has been of great value, not only to the event but to the whole area in general.”