A COMMUNITY radio licence for Melksham will be available to apply for next month.
Ofcom, the regulator for the communications services, will be inviting applications from 43 areas across the UK, including Melksham, to apply for a community radio licence on FM.
Encouraging interested parties to apply, Ian Nockolds, who has a background in community radio and recently took to the airwaves to bring live commentary on the Melksham Town FC match against Paulton in August, said, “Community radio is an incredible vehicle for social change. I would never have had the opportunities to cover the sport I love if it hadn’t been for community radio and that experience has given me the chance to do so much more. It’s not just the broadcasting skills I’ve learnt, it’s the self-confidence it’s given me.
“What’s been most inspirational is the chance to work with some truly incredible young people. Traditional classroom-based learning isn’t for everyone. I’ve had the pleasure of working with secondary school and sixth form students who’ve been able to develop a real skill set that’s seen some of them walk straight into a professional career, not because of their qualifications, but because they have real experience.
“In a world where the BBC is facing constant cut backs and is refocusing its coverage away from rural communities on to more populated areas, community radio has such an important role to play in ensuring that people know what’s going on in their area.”
More information can be found on the Ofcom website: www.ofcom.org.uk
