New community radio station Purbeck Sounds is officially going live on Saturday 5th October 2024 – and wants as many people as possible to join them for the launch in the heart of Swanage in Dorset.
The radio station first started broadcasting from its new studio in The Hub, Commercial Road, in May 2024 and has been increasing its programme content through the summer.
Purbeck Sounds station manager Graham Turner at the new studio in the Heart of Swanage
Filling gap left by Purbeck Coast FM
Now the team, led by Graham Turner and Andrew Birt, is ready to begin broadcasting 24 hours a day with a growing roster of presenters, and is throwing an official launch event to celebrate at 12.30 pm on Saturday 5th October 2024 and everyone’s welcome to come along.
The new station aims to fill the gap left by Purbeck Coast FM when it closed through lack of funding in February 2024, and while there are no plans to apply for an FM licence and broadcast via a traditional FM radio, there are plenty of other ways to tune in.
People can already listen online, on internet radio or via Alexa, who now recognises commands to enable and play the station on smart speakers.
A dedicated app for Android phones is in development, and as part of the station’s commitment to all members of the community, a selection of Purbeck Sounds interviews will be transcribed to text and appear on its website for those with hearing difficulties.
Guests have already been visiting the studio for interviews, including Swanage dance group Bahara Dance
Most shows are community focused
Station manager Graham Turner, who also broadcasts online as the Flying G said:
“Purbeck Sounds aims to be a source of entertainment and information for everyone and company for people on their own, featuring great music from Bach to Billie Eilish, local news and views and interviews with fascinating Purbeck people.
“We start the day with our Breakfast Show, or on Sundays, Jurassic Classics presented by Andrew Birt, we have a drivetime show with David Hollister’s Drivetime, chat shows featuring local people with Maggie O’Neill and Thelma Deacon, and afternoon tea with Paul HC.
“Most shows are community focused, with a wide range of topics from local events, health, literature and film to gardening, art, cookery, road conditions and traffic.
“Our new studio is now open – we are going to cut a ribbon to officially launch the centre at 12.30 pm on Saturday 5th October, and after that until 2 pm we are welcoming any members of the public who would like to pop in and say hello – on air or otherwise!”
A volunteer workforce helped transform space at The Hub into a fully functioning radio station
The broadcast studio had to be fully soundproofed
“It gives us a unique style of broadcasting”
Graham added:
“We are not setting out to be Purbeck Coast 2, but being an entirely new product with a different feel, highlighting local charities and self-help groups, and covering most genres of music.
“We think it gives us a unique style of broadcasting, and although music will be extremely important to Purbeck Sounds we will not be pumping out the same old songs as everyone else.
“We aim to be more of a varied and interesting magazine station, embedded in the heart of the community, and taking this opportunity to shine a light on events happening around us.
“Over the coming months we will be at local events, supporting and publicising them, and aim to attract and encourage younger listeners and presenters.”
Wayne’s Carpets was among several local businesses who helped to transform the space
For those who can’t sleep at night
Other content on the new station includes the Theme Show with Peter Haynes, a preview of weekend events with Jackie Temple, globe trotting with Travelling Man Jeremy Hoare, dance tunes with DJ Thomas, and funky Friday nights with Mr C.
Pierre Martel will be the voice of the station’s youth broadcasting with a commitment to working alongside The Swanage School and other schools in the Purbeck area.
And for those who can’t sleep at night, Through the Night plays between 11 pm and 7 am daily, featuring mellow tunes and selected highlights from the daytime shows.
The radio station’s logo features an iconic Purbeck landmark and a colourful sun
Station is a non profit organisation
Purbeck Sounds is run by volunteers and funded by member subscriptions and advertising income, with local businesses being offered 10 daily broadcast adverts for less than £2 a day.
The station is a not-for-profit organisation and any surplus at the end of the year will be given back to the community.
Its new premises at The Hub were made possible thanks to the support of local firms including Swanage Sparks, Purbeck Media Group, Jewsons, Wayne’s Carpets, Travis Perkins, Paul Barron Arts, the Loft Community Centre and the Emporium.
All of the station volunteers are members and pay a subscription of £10 a month to support Purbeck Sounds, as well as giving up their personal time to produce programming.
Further information
- Listen to Purbeck Sounds, the new local radio station
