THE future of Melksham’s very own radio station, Melksham Town Sound looks bright, but £4,000 is needed urgently needed for equipment upgrades and running costs.
William Bridger, station manager, is passionate about the station remaining a community service and has recently revamped the broadcast content to focus not only on local event coverage and music, but on specific issues affecting the whole community.
The station going forward will also cover sporting events, culture, entertainment, as well as interviews with special guests.
But plans to rejuvenate the station are under threat if funding cannot be found soon to pay for essential equipment upgrades and licence fees.
Community activist Martin Pain has been working with the station and is asking the community to come together to support them.
Martin said, “I met William last year after the area board turned down his request for a modest grant to enable Melksham Town Sound to apply for a broadcast licence and upgrade to a full community based AM/FM station. I was sad to see young talent being stifled, rather than Melksham nurturing its youth. So I decided to find out what assistance William needed to help him grow to his full potential.
“Luckily he already had a small group of enthusiastic volunteers who have enabled him to keep the station up and going, even in the face of extreme financial hardship, so my task was made easier.
“Neither he nor they have ever drawn a penny in salaries, but it’s not just money although that is a pressing need if the station is to buy the equipment needed for his upgrade to AM/FM and to obtain a broadcast licence.
“It is also essential administration and organisation support which entails the complete restructuring of the station.
“Happily, the first phase of restructuring has now been completed – Melksham Town Sound is now a registered nonprofit entity with an oversight board and complete corporate identity.
The next goal is to obtain enough funding to purchase the upgrade equipment, the licence and initiate a sustainable operating budget; in short, the station’s immediate needs are £4,000 to cover the licence and equipment and enough money to cover operational costs over the next 12 months until the station can generate a revenue stream funded by advertising and event coverage.
“So now we know that we have young capable entrepreneurs in our midst, let us encourage them, seek out the others, and as a community join hands to assist them all in any way we can. After all, they are our future.”
You can listen live to Melksham Town Sound by visiting http://tunein.com/radio/Melksham-Town-Sound-s204153. To donate visit https://www.gofundme.com/2fu5jdg
