Witney News - Green light for new community radio station

Green light for new community radio station

A new community radio station, called Just Oxfordshire, will soon be transmitting on 87.9 FM. It will serve the wider community during the day covering a variety of music and reporting on local news and local items of interest. Evenings are dedicated to young people aged 11-25. Coverage will include most of West Oxfordshire.

A grant totalling £51,000 from the West Oxfordshire Network (WON) has given the radio station the
green light for a pilot of 6 months. This includes money from Europe and the South East of England
Development Agency.

Meryl Smith who chairs the WON Steering Group said, “I believe 'Just Oxfordshire' is the first ever community radio station in West Oxfordshire and I am sure it will be a great boost to better communications within our rural area. The Steering Group members are also particularly enthusiastic about the opportunities 'Just Oxfordshire' will provide for young people in the area.”

The project is the brainchild of Andy MacLarty from Witney who has worked in local and national radio. He said, “We are now one step closer to making local history and providing a much needed community
facility that will not only serve the younger people – but the community as a whole. We are committed to giving airtime to promote the work of the various initiatives and projects. Our local news and information will ensure that we make our local listeners feel like that Just Oxfordshire is their community radio station – because in reality it is.”

Just Oxfordshire's first broadcast is on Sunday 2nd July and this is an initial one-week pilot transmission. For the pilot the District Council has loaned some office space at their depot on Station Lane, which has been set up as a studio.

The pilot is part of the application process to OFCOM for a full community radio licence. There will be a second broadcast pilot later in the year, with the expectation of gaining the licence at the beginning of 2007. In between these times, the station is broadcasting on the internet at www.justoxfordshire.co.uk.

The station will be run by volunteers and will train those keen to learn broadcasting skills. They are currently encouraging young people and anyone who would like to be involved to get in touch. Contact can be through www.justoxfordshire.co.uk.