THE forms have been filled, the inspection has been passed and a date has finally been set - Huntingdon’s new community radio station will start broadcasting this Saturday (April 23).

Test broadcasts for HCRfm are already taking place on 104FM, but the full programme of music, drama, news and views kicks-off this weekend.

Huntingdon MP Jonathan Djanogly will cut the ribbon to open the Saxongate Centre studios at 11.30am before the town mayor, Councillor Jennifer Sarabia, will at noon push the button the mark HCRfm’s start as a full-time radio station.

However, the first broadcast will not be performed at the studio as the radio station will be setting up a special stage in Chequers Court for its launch.

HCRfm will be broadcasting live from the stage from noon until 1pm and again from 3pm until 4pm and will be joined by special guests.

Jon Hunt, the station’s head of marketing who is organising the launch event, said: “We have a range of special guests performing on stage including local celebrities Matt Harvey, Jon Orchard, Tom and Pete, and Matilda, the winner of Huntingdon Youth’s Got Talent.

“On Saturday our vision of having a community radio station in Huntingdon directly looking onto the High Street will have been achieved, and we are really excited as we make final plans to bring truly local radio to Huntingdonshire.”

The launch broadcast continues until 4pm - from both the stage and the studio - when the new programme schedule starts.

“On offer will be a fabulous supply of familiar popular music which will be instantly recognisable, plus all the national news on the hour followed by local news in association with colleagues at The Hunts Post,” said station manager and HCRfm founder member, Bill Hensley. “The core of the station will be our feature programmes covering all aspects of community life, action and volunteering, arts and events, politics, education, sport, business, and something for children and young people. Not forgetting of course our own home-grown soap drama Huntsford, set in Wavelengths hair salon, which will start in early May.”

Almost 100 volunteers have been - and continue to be - active behind the scenes, creating programmes, organising and fundraising - the station is a registered charity that has to raise half its running costs via donations and fundraising, and half through sponsorship of programmes and advertising.

The volunteers have also helped with the station’s website, which visitors can also use to listen to HCRfm.

“Anyone can listen online all over the world, so there is plenty of scope for ex-pats, people in the armed forces or those working out of the area to stay in touch,” said Mr Hensley. “We can also be followed on Facebook and Twitter.”

He added: “The launch day is going to be a huge event for the station and the community of Huntingdon and surrounding areas, we look forward to meeting everyone at 12noon next Saturday in Chequers Court.”

The website - www.hcrfm.co.uk - also includes details of how you can get involved in the new station. - just click on the get involved section.

INFORMATION: To find out more about the station call Bill Hensley on 01480 414 104 or e-mail bill.hensley@hcrfm.co.uk