Pendle Community Radio

Radio station


name = Pendle Community Radio
airdate = August 28 2007
frequency = 103.1 MHz
area = Pendle, Lancashire
format = Community, Contemporary, Special Interest
owner = Independent
website = [http://www.pendleradio.org PCR - Pendle Community Radio]

Pendle Community Radio is a community radio station based in Nelson, Lancashire. Starting broadcasts on 103.1MHz FM in September 2007, it aims to provide dedicated programming to the Asian Muslim population that live in Pendle, east Lancashire, during times of Muslim holy festivals. As common with many of the UK's new community radio stations, it will also have a wider remit to promote wider "social gain", for all local communities, through on-air access via voluntary opportunities. The station also aims to help with community cohesion and integration, economic regeneration and development and political wellbeing. [ [http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radio/ifi/rbl/commun_radio/tlproc/ctyraawa/apr06/ Ofcom & Community Radio] ]

History

Pendle Community Radio stems from several short term Restricted Service Licence broadcasts, dating back to 1999, that were awarded by Ofcom and its predecessor 'The Radio Authority'.

These 'RSL' broadcasts usually ran twice a year, each for 28 days, to coincide with Eid ul-Fitr (Ramadhan) and Milad un Nabi. Hence the name of the radio station changed between Radio Ramadhan or Milaad FM, to coincide.

Following the success of the RSL broadcasts and the fact that there wasn't another local radio station with any significant special interest programmes aimed at the local community, Ofcom awarded a full-time 5 year community radio licence in 2006 to the same group that ran the RSLs. [ [http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2006/04/nr_20060421b Ofcom licence awards April 2006] ] [ [http://www.commedia.org.uk/news-amp-press/news-items/six-new-community-radio-stations-brings-total-to-99/ Community Media Association Press News] ] The radio station is based at 15 Cross Street Nelson and named as AWAZ RADIO 103.1 FM (Pendle Community Radio). Minhaj Welfare Foundation UK is UK based charity and is funding the radio since it is started in September 2007 and is running on volunteer basis.

The Team that is driving force behind this huge project in pendle are dedicated professional and volunteers working day and night to make a success story in the community of the pendle. THE TEAM includes, Sagheer Akhtar, Shahid Kaleem, Tasawer Ali, Ismail, Shams ur Rehman, Sisters and Brothers, Presenters and Guests]

Funding

Ofcom stipulates that any community radio station that is situated within the area of a commercial radio station (with a served population of 50000-150000), must obtain at least 50% of revenues from donations and grants. A maximum of 50% can be derived from the sale of advertising and sponsorship. Any community radio station must also be run as not-for-profit. [ [http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radio/ifi/rbl/commun_radio/ Ofcom Community Radio] ] As such many community radio stations focus on using volunteers in many operational areas

Pendle Community Radio aims to find suitable grant funding from both the public and private sector. Some of this will be from the Ofcom 'Community Radio Fund', provided by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as well as other grants. [ [http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/Broadcasting/community_media/ DCMS About Community Media] ] [ [http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/csg/com_radio/ Ofcom Community Radio Fund Panel] ] It is envisaged that this will be used to further fund technology and studio equipment and facilitate the future progression of the station - ultimately leading to some paid positions.

References

* http://www.pendleradio.org
* http://www.pendlecommunitynetwork.org.uk/news_info.asp?id=229 Pendle Community Network News
* http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference_library/Publications/archive_2006/cradio_lookingtothefuture.htm Department for Culture, Media and Sport - The Community Radio Sector.