Ribble Valley Radio

Some time ago I mentioned Ribble Valley Radio. It is a small community radio in a beautiful part of Lancashire in the North West of England. I am the secretary for the group and we broadcast on a temporary licence last year for 28 days. We plan to broadcast again this June.

The problem, of course, is money. To broadcast you need a studio and a licence. Last year we started fromn scratch and raised something like £27,000. We spent £26,000. £21,000 went on equipment and £5,000 on the 28 day licence and the Performing Rights fees. Fundraising is starting again in earnest now that our AGM is out of the way and some new blood has joined the committee. On Saturday, 15th April, we are holding an ‘eggstravaganza’ in the local community hall. Lots of stalls and games. It should prove to be fun and exciting for the local kids, with luck it will also boost our funds, with luck.

I have been involved in some community projects before and one thing that you have to accept is that the people that are also involved are volunteers. This means that they are enthusiatic, over optomistic and often take on more than they can guarantee to do. Take this event for example. Lots of good work has been done and the range of events is wonderful, from childrens’ fancy dress to roll a penny and splat the rat (whatever that is). However, the guy producing the posters has gone down sick, the number of people who volunteered to help has dwindled – after all families want to ‘do’ something over a long holiday weekend – and at the final co-ordination meeting last night there was an undercurrent of mild panic.

I have no doubt that this will prove to be a success, honest. This sense of unease is common on all the events I have been part of in the past, but for the newcomers it is unsettling. The main danger in running a community group is that because some people take on too much one or two individuals pick up the slack and run the risk of burn out.

I think that the point of this article is to say to anyone involved in a community project ‘don’t panic!’ Believe in the dream and keep plodding on. If the eggstravaganza is not a success we will try again with another fundraising event, we will reach our targets, we will be on air in June, then again in December.

Already more fundraisers are in the planning stage. We will have a balloon race with upto 5,000 balloons in July and (my favourite) at least 3 rock concerts featuring local bands, also in July. With each of those events there will be the sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach as the doors open “will anyone come?” and after each event we will learn more and improve for the next time.

It does not matter what your interests are, get involved in your community.

Put something back!!