Huntingdon Community Radio (HCR) has been award a gold accolade for its drama programme Huntsford.

The Community Radio Awards was set up three years ago to celebrate community radio and all the hard work and time that the volunteers put into their stations, shows and communities.

The awards are decided by judges drawn from the community radio sector, academics, and other associated areas. The awards are run not for profit and are independent of any organisation or association.

In the first year, two of HCR’s scheduled programmes, 21st Century Women and the Saturday afternoon sports programme, won a silver and bronze and, in the second year, Huntsford was nominated for an award, before picking up gold this year.

Sue Rodwell Smith, director and producer of Huntsford, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this national industry award, to be recognised by your peers is very humbling, this acknowledges all our hard work.”

There are more than 350 community radio stations throughout the United Kingdom run by many hundreds of volunteers across all sectors. Huntsford is the only soap drama broadcast on community radio and the directors of HCR are looking to increase the audience by approaching other radio stations who would be interested in airing the drama.

Bill Hensley, managing director of Huntingdon Community Radio, added: “As far as I know, HCR104fm is the only other radio station, apart from the BBC, (The Archers) who have a radio soap running. Producing this is very work intensive, and Sue and the team have done a fabulous job in producing two episodes a week with an omnibus on Sundays. As station manager, I am so proud that they have won the very prestigious gold award at the Community Radio Awards 2018.”

Andrew Moore, Huntsford’s script manager and co-writer said: “It’s a challenge weaving real local events into the lives of our characters. We have raised awareness of big issues this year including cancer, stalking and bereavement. Feeding our actors with the lines week in and week out is a real pleasure. Our cast bring the stories to life and give the stories impact.”

Huntsford is broadcast three times a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10.25am and repeated in the afternoons at 3.25pm with an omnibus edition on Sundays at 3.25pm.

Anyone interested in joining this award-winning drama, should contact Sue at: sue.rodwellsmith@hcrfm.co.uk.

“We are especially looking for a young male voice and another post production engineer” said Sue.

“We get together on the last Sunday of every month starting around 9.30am and we endeavour to get everyone away by 12.30pm so they can enjoy the rest of their Sunday. If any of the actors cannot make a particular Sunday, then the script writers will write the scripts with this in mind, as long as they are told well in advance.”

Recording is at HCR’s studio at Saxongate, in Huntingdon.