John White

what about setting up an internet radio station first just to see if it actually gets listeners? save you loads on licences and equipment!

plus is'nt fm radio being turned off soon? as apart of the digital switch over!

We discussed the internet radio idea a while ago & decided we didn`t want Synergy to begin life as a souless automated, impersonal music station like many others. Music will be an important part of our output. But just as important will be the open, community participation aspect.

Also, done properly, stand alone Internet Radio is not cheap & is also a nightmare to administer. When we do an RSL it becomes much easier: it has a one off fee for the length of the licence.

Happily the Govt. has recently made it clear that FM is not going to be turned off for community broadcasters. The Metro radio`s etc of this world will lose it only when 52% or more of the country has bought a digital set.

Many thanks for the suggestions. Keep `em coming!

do you not think its an insult that they offered £300 each when they can waste thousands on rubbish statues and cycle paths that never get used!

a radio station would be a much better use of that money!

£300 is the maximum amount Parish/Town Councils have given us so maybe it is a capped amount.

We are grateful for any amount given as it gets us that little bit nearer to that test broadcast for SE. Northumberland with Bedlington, for once, being at the centre of it all!

We know times are hard but we think the project is achievable & believe the benefits for our area, especially Bedlington, are immense!

I`m heartened by the fact you also recognise this. That sort of support has kept us going over the last 2 years.

Many thanks.

whats £900 off 57k?

£11k is the first amount we are aiming for to stage a test broadcast. £57k is the estimated cost to get us to being able to apply for a full time licence.

Your words of encouragement & support are valued as ever Monsta!

South Northumberland Radio Group update.

Following our funding requests to Town/Parish Councils in our proposed broadcast footprint, we were requested to attend a number of their meetings to enlighten them on our radio project.

As a result of this Newbiggin & West Bedlington Councils have kindly pledged £300 each, with at least one other about to do so. Pegswood, as previously reported, have already done so.

Other larger bids are being processed at the minute. So we are getting there, slowly but surely!

If anyone has any fund raising ideas please feel free to contact me. It would be great to hear from you.

Or indeed if, like the councils, you are part of an organisation who would like to know more about Synergy FM, let me know & one of us will gladly come & chat to you.

SNRG update.

As I mentioned in a previous post we sent out numerous letters to try & attract funding for a test broadcast.

Started well with Pegswood & Newbiggin councils giving/pledging support.

Rejections from Blyth & Seaton Valley councils on the grounds of the radio project was not based in, or primarily for, their respective areas.

Other council funding applications, including Bedlington TCs, pending. As the station will be based in Bedlington I hope this might help when we are considered by them.

41 letters sent to County Councillors: 3 replies.

Our NCC Community Chest Scheme application, for £10k has been rejected this time but will be reconsidered in the next round.

Apologies for not being able to give a very positive report back.

Why not base it in ashington if its going to cut costs?

As I`ve pointed out licencing is a major cost factor for any test broadcast.

We want the station to become a permanent feature for our area. So basing it at the college is not an option.

In fact that would increase costs. Remember this:

http://www.bedlington.co.uk/2009/08/bedlington-base-for-county-radio/

The kind offer of a long term Bedlington studio area, by a local businessman, was an offer that could not be refused.

I think our town deserves to have this service based in it. I believe it would greatly benefit the local community & businesses alike, putting Bedlington at the centre of something positive for a change!

why does it cost £11,000? could you not just use the radio at ashington college! seems a tad bit expensive for a local radio station?

Monsta.

It`s an expensive business.

It costs £500 alone just to apply to Ofcom for the 28 day licence. Even then you might fail to get one!

Other licences have to be paid for the daily use of music to; ie. PRS, PPL & MCPS as well as the Radio & Telegraphy licence for the use of the transmission equipment.

As for using the college in Ashington; surely you are not suggesting that Synergy FM, broadcasting to SE Northumberland, should be based some where other than here in Bedlington!

Why don't you write to local business and offer them free advertising in the first year to the value of any contribution? In hard times that has to be an easier proposition than an outright gift.

Plus of course an entry on the eternal roll of honour of those that got our community radio off the ground.

It would be as interesting to see who didn't appear on that as who did!

In fact stick the proposition up here too. Andy will doubtless run your display ads on the banner engine.

Thanks threegee. This is something we would go for if we acquired a five year, full time licence.

At the minute we can only commit as far ahead as the 28 day test RSL broadcast. Then at least one more after six months, before applying for the big one.

Please keep you suggestions coming though. They are always welcome, as I have run out of ideas to raise funding.

SNRG update.

We believe that approximately £11,000 would be the cost of providing our 1st test broadcast.

Prior to Xmas I wrote to every County Councillor, Parish & Town Council, in our proposed broadcast footprint, to see if they might help us financially. 50+ letters.

Following our attendance at Pegswood Parish Council last Monday, a donation arrived through my letter box two days later.

Thank you Pegswood. Excellent start!

Hopefully lots more to come!

To be honest I thought it was already owned by the French ? Please correct me if I,m wrong

Lyonnaise des Eaux!

We're working on a grants policy for the town council in Bedlington. The aim of this is to help people who want to organise their own activities...

We still want to build a quality, Bedlington based county radio station.

We`ve got the studio site, thanks to a benevolent Bedders benefactor.

Getting funding over the last 2 years has proved near impossible.

When did the baths close down? I vaguely remember going there many, many years ago when it was all rundown & overgrown. Didn`t it also have a sundial clock somehwere?

If money is the real problem then there are other ways of raising the cash other than holding a begging bowl out to uncaring politicians.

I think that lots of people and enterprises would be prepared to tip-in a bit if the correct financial structure was in place, and they could see how the money was going to be spent. No mega-donations, just thousands of small ones.

There are several ways this could be acomplished on a proper legal footing.

And, as for would it fly; well, hasn't the last week shown that there are thousands of motivated people who care about their town and will get behind anything which busts the status quo?

Like the idea threegee. I would welcome more ideas `cos I`ve run out of them! I sent the begging bowl out last week!

Same as chamone; 16 out of 20. OK I confess, I copied!

Watched The Bill for the first time for a while last night to see PC Tony Stamp go.

I was amazed at the number of credits to script writers. How could so many come up which such a dour programme!

After so many years they couldn`t give the brilliant Graham Cole a great episode to leave on.

Speaking of credits. When you are looking at Bill re-runs check out the sound dubber. It might read Garry Nattrass. I taught him media at school back in the 70s.

We became friends back then & I have just produced an ad with him to be shown on the Dave channel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAJ5Rv4iXcY&feature=related Turn the HD off

will the station have a genre or just play the top 20 over and over like metro and real do? (exept when its guess the year or phone in requests!)

Following extensive research into the demographics of our intended broadcast footprint we have compiled a playlist that will see music from the 60s through to present day played throughout the day.

There will be music for everyone targeted at various times of the day. With a great deal of speech input from local, individuals, interest groups & organisations.

so you on air yet?

Monsta.

No not yet. We would like to do one of our 28 day test broadcasts on the lead up to Xmas.

We have the studio area. What we need is money.

We are currently extremely busy writing numerous applications to various funding organisations. Unfortunately without any success so far. Times are hard!

So if anyone has any ideas how to raise a few grand we would love to hear from you!

Be rest assured when we are about to go on air you will know about it!

John.

i love local radio and what better place to have a new one? i recently did inerviews and live songs for 2 community radio stations.. ne1fm and my favourute being lionheart up at alnwick.. and since never stopped listening to paul sucksmiths show up there.. he manages to grab lots of live musicians in the studio too .. so looking forward to see how bedlington radio will turn out Good Luck with it all ..

Hi. Thanks for the message of support. Re. Lionheart: Myself & another SNRG colleague were original steering group members, seeing it through from day one to the successful fulltime licence.

It`s a not well known fact that the first two LHR meetings were actually held in Morpeth. My other SNRG chums were also involved. One of them being a director for a time.

Look forward to having you on board!

Great idea - if you need further online promotion please get in touch.

Thanks MG.

Things are starting to move so we will be looking for volunteers to do various stuff in the not so distant.

Still need some funding though, I've got 57p to get you started

Thanks Andy. Very generous. When did you come into money?

Hello, John.

Good luck with the radio station. I'd listen.

Thanks HP.

One "Maybe" & a "Yes" from your good self. Not a bad start I `spose.

John.

Hi thought I`d say hello & introduce myself.

I`ve been involved with local media, in the form of Hospital radio/tv, & community radio as well as media education for more years than I`m willing to admit! I passionately believe in local TV & Radio for local people

You might of noticed the latest news on Bedders.co.uk, about the possibility of a Bedlington based radio station. What do you think? Do you think it`s got appeal? Would you listen if we manage to raise the many £Ks needed? Have you got a spare £57k? If that`s a yes I can come around tonight!

Look forward to your comments on this thread.

John W.

SNRG