Community station gets official launch
A NEW community radio station for Stratford-upon-Avon has now officially launched.
More than 60 guests gathered at Tyler House on Friday, 19th May for the launch of Welcombe Radio. The station is the vision of Peter Keynton-Hook.
Peter grew up in a small rural village where life revolved around traditional community activities.
From life on campus when he was training to be a PE teacher, to living on a kibbutz, Peter experienced the best that community life has to offer. This was further re-enforced by his years of teaching in primary schools where he saw the positive outcomes of building strong bonds within the community.
Having no prior experience of radio, he was intrigued when Val Rainbow invited him to join her on her programme, The Alternative Show, and quickly grew to enjoy it.
In the years that their show ran they became aware of the wonderful work being done in the community by the people of Stratford and how often it went unnoticed.
After Stratford Community Radio closed down they decided that it was important for Stratford to have a community radio station that acted as a platform for such work, supporting and promoting what local people are doing.
Peter said: “We may not be professionals at Welcombe Radio but we all fervently believe in the importance of building strong community bonds and supporting our local community organisations.
“Bit by bit as we learn and grow we will build a vibrant radio station which will fulfil this aim.”
Claire Bowry, grants manager for Stratford Town Trust, added: “Welcome Radio is a fantastic resource for the community and the Town Trust is very proud to support it.
"Such a variety of really quality programmes are being aired already - all by local people and for local people - and we look forward to watching the station grow even more.”