Broadcasting to the community

A COMMUNITY radio station for Huntingdon and the surrounding area is set to hit the airwaves next week with two-and-a-half weeks of broadcasting.

Huntingdon Community Radio (HCRFM) will begin transmitting from Wood Green Animal Shelters in Godmanchester from Saturday, November 25, on 87.7FM.

It is the radio station's 11th year on the air and about 30 volunteers will be providing programmes for the area, 24 hours a day, up until Sunday, December 10.

Station manager Bill Hensley said: "I have given the schedule a tweak this year as it is important to ensure what we offer has a fresh feel to

it.

"For a change this year, Kelvin Taber is leading our breakfast show at 8am, while I will present the drive time show from 5pm, which for the first time this year includes Over To You, our community action programme."

There will also be HCRFM musical specials focusing on soul, rock 'n' roll, and big bands.

This year, the radio station will also include among its team a group of sixth formers who are learning about radio skills.

Mr Hensley added: "Our Saturday night musicals special returns, with Scott Andrews and David Brockman in the driving seat.

"We rightly anticipated the growing public appreciation of musicals, and mainstream television followed our local initiative with the BBC's recent Sound of Music series."

HCRFM is also launching Spotlight, a new two-hour Friday night peak-time show devoted to coverage of local events and activity.

Two of the biggest growing youth bands in the area, 9Foldpunch and The Moonjets, will head the guest list.

The radio station also hopes to speak with key community figures on the show, such as MP Jonathan Djanogly, Cambridgeshire Police chief Julie Spence, and Wayne Birks, the principal of newly formed Ramsey Abbey College.

INFORMATION: HCRFM is a registered charity, supported by local sponsors and advertisers, and hopes to become a full-time community radio station.

For full programme details visit www.hcrfm.co.uk