'˜Exciting times ahead' for community radio station

Back row from left: Raymond Speck, Jerry Bradford, Jim Burlong, Paul Browne

Front row from left: Colin Holden, Julie Holden, Steve Bird — Back row from left: Raymond Speck, Jerry Bradford, Jim Burlong, Paul Browne Front row from left: Colin Holden, Julie Holden, Steve Bird

A community radio station which has broadcast online for 18 months has been granted an FM licence.

Burgess Hill Radio, a not-for-profit radio station which is run by volunteers in the community, broadcasts 24 hours a day to Burgess Hill, Hassocks, Ditchling and Hurstpierpoint.

Station manager Jerry Bradford told the Middy he was ‘still stunned’ after receiving the good news from regulator Ofcom last week.

“I am still stunned – I couldn’t tell anyone straight away, until Ofcom had officially released the information,” he said.

“We are very pleased to have been awarded the licence – we have worked hard for it.

“We are looking forward to providing the service that we have been running on the internet for the past 18 months to everyone, but on FM.

“It is very exciting times ahead for us and Burgess Hill – the town is going to have their own community radio station.

“And especially with the exciting developments ahead for the town too – it couldn’t come at a better time. We want to get the community involved as much as we can.”

The radio station is moving from its current studio in Station Road, Burgess Hill, to a new studio in Church Walk at the end of the month.

Jerry hopes this will attract more volunteers, especially when the radio station starts broadcasting on FM.

“We have a lot more reason for people to want to get involved,” he said.