This is North Devon -- A NORTH Devon radio station was celebrating today following its latest triumph. The Voice launched its new FM service on 106.1 and 107.8 frequencies at lunch time today. FM service will give extra coverage to areas including Ilfracombe and Woolacombe and will be available to more motorists. Station volunteers were in Barnstaple High Street today dressed as cartoon characters to tell shoppers about the launch. Managing director Paul Crockett said the launch was a success. He said: "There was a fantastic atmosphere. Within moments of launching on FM we were getting messages. "It was a tremendous start and there was a lot of encouragement and enthusiasm. "Lots of taxi drivers said it was great to have a local station back in North Devon. "Local radio should be about helping and supporting the community." The new FM service will run alongside their original Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB). Mr Crockett said: "We have had an encouraging start. It helped we were on DAB for two years building the brand and the team up. "One of the big pluses for FM is that people can get it in their cars. It is far more accessible, not many people have DAB radio." Presenting duo Paul Hopper and James Chapple kicked off the FM launch at The Voice studio in the High Street at midday. Mr Hopper said their one hour slot flew by. He said: "We have been overwhelmed by the calls and messages. "The nice thing about it is that there were a lot of previous listeners saying their were happy to get us again." Mr Chapple said today's show was to give people a taste of the entertainment on offer. He said: "It was nice to hear from people who had stayed with us from our Lantern days. "It was a quick hour, we talked about local people and business. It was a taster of what people can expect from the radio station. "I had given presenting a break so it had been a long time since I was on the air. "It felt like I had never been away. It all just slotted into place." The Voice is a not-for-profit community interest company run by volunteers which transmits from three locations in Barnstaple, Bideford and Ilfracombe.
Reported by This is 13 hours ago.
This is North Devon -- A NORTH Devon radio station was celebrating today following its latest triumph. The Voice launched its new FM service on 106.1 and 107.8 frequencies at lunch time today. FM service will give extra coverage to areas including Ilfracombe and Woolacombe and will be available to more motorists. Station volunteers were in Barnstaple High Street today dressed as cartoon characters to tell shoppers about the launch. Managing director Paul Crockett said the launch was a success. He said: "There was a fantastic atmosphere. Within moments of launching on FM we were getting messages. "It was a tremendous start and there was a lot of encouragement and enthusiasm. "Lots of taxi drivers said it was great to have a local station back in North Devon. "Local radio should be about helping and supporting the community." The new FM service will run alongside their original Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB). Mr Crockett said: "We have had an encouraging start. It helped we were on DAB for two years building the brand and the team up. "One of the big pluses for FM is that people can get it in their cars. It is far more accessible, not many people have DAB radio." Presenting duo Paul Hopper and James Chapple kicked off the FM launch at The Voice studio in the High Street at midday. Mr Hopper said their one hour slot flew by. He said: "We have been overwhelmed by the calls and messages. "The nice thing about it is that there were a lot of previous listeners saying their were happy to get us again." Mr Chapple said today's show was to give people a taste of the entertainment on offer. He said: "It was nice to hear from people who had stayed with us from our Lantern days. "It was a quick hour, we talked about local people and business. It was a taster of what people can expect from the radio station. "I had given presenting a break so it had been a long time since I was on the air. "It felt like I had never been away. It all just slotted into place." The Voice is a not-for-profit community interest company run by volunteers which transmits from three locations in Barnstaple, Bideford and Ilfracombe.
Reported by This is 13 hours ago.