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Preston is to have its very own full-time community radio station, after government regulator Ofcom today announced the award of a broadcasting licence to Preston FM.
Preston is to have its very own full-time community radio station, after government regulator Ofcom today announced the award of a broadcasting licence to Preston FM. The project, which is run by community arts charity Prescap, has been running for nearly three years, and has so far seen over 300 volunteers from Preston and the surrounding areas take part in five month-long broadcasts. But things will step up a gear when the station launches full time later in 2008, under a full-time community radio licence that will run for five years. This will allow Preston FM to serve and involve the community to a far greater extent. Project Manager Richard Lace expressed his delight at the news, “We’re delighted, this is a fantastic result for the community as a whole. We would like to say a huge thank you to all of Preston FM’s volunteers along with everyone who has supported the project.” Over the course of the project Preston FM has worked with 400 organisations and received overwhelming support in its bid for the community licence. It is now looking forward to expanding this work and working with more voluntary and community based organisations. The station will offer something for everyone, with volunteers from all backgrounds, walks of life, cultures, faiths and age groups encouraged to take part – no previous radio experience is required. Preston FM welcomes enquires from anyone interested in getting involved with community radio. The project is led by Prescap (Preston Community Arts Project) and is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the AvenCentral Partnership. The project was also recently awarded £180,000 of V funding to extend its work with young people in the area. -End- Notes: INTERVIEWS & PHOTOS Photos of volunteers in action in the Preston FM studios are available on request. Photographs and interviews with staff and volunteers can also be arranged – contact Richard Lace, project manager, on 01772 880791 PRESCAP Preston FM is run and managed by Preston Community Arts Project (Prescap). Prescap provides a platform and catalyst enabling people to explore, realise and value their full potential through creativity. It is a registered charity established in 1985 managed by a voluntary board of trustees and employing permanent staff as well as freelance arts workers. These work in a variety of arts and creative media, delivering arts-based community development projects. AVENCENTRAL REGENERATION PARTNERSHIP The AvenCentral Regeneration Partnership is an SRB (Single Regeneration Budget) Partnership working in the areas of Avenham, Central, Broadgate, Frenchwood, Moor Lane, Maudland Bank, Plungington and Riversway. The area was awarded £20 million by Central Government in 2000 for the economic, environmental and social regeneration of the area. The funding has drawn in a further £30 million from private, public and voluntary organisations making the total inward investment to over £50 million. Further details about the Partnership can be found on the web site www.avencentral.org.uk. EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND The European Regional Development Fund supports the economic and social conversion of industrial, rural, urban and fisheries areas facing restructural issues. The £4million Programme in Preston has been running since 2000 and supports eight wards within the City - Avenham, St Matthew’s, Brookfield, Fishwick, Ribbleton and Deepdale, Central and Riversway |
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