Be a Part of Radio Sydenham
Welcome to the home page for the radio project.
You have heard about this project at a very early stage. Lewisham Council has granted some money to the Here for Good Centre in Sydenham to conduct a feasibility study into Sydenham having its own community radio station. This needs to be submitted by the end of March, 2008.
The group needed to help produce the study and then drive this project, is still coming into formation. Are you interested in being part of this group? If you live or work in or around the Sydenham area in South East London, please indicate your interest by email before 17th November. Write to radiosyd@msn.com You can then be sent an invitation to our next community consultation.
Minutes from the previous meeting can be found here
Audio from the group discussion time and thoughts of how to progress can also be heard here. Podcast available soon
Community radio is a growing
Community radio is a growing reality up and down the country. Soon, Sydenham too, in South East London, could have its own radio station.
If this happens, local artists, poets, comics, writers -as well as historians, campaigners, gardeners, DIY enthusiasts, train spotters, home-schoolers, cookery fanatics and others will be given the chance to present their ideas on air. Those who want, can learn to make programmes themselves.
It's happening elsewhere
In the last few years an increasing number of communities throughout the country have set up their own radio stations. At least 107 of these are now transmitting on an AM or FM frequency and still others are broadcasting online.
The Lewisham Council is supporting The Here for Good Centre in its efforts to find out if this idea is a workable one for Sydenham!
Key questions
Below are some of the questions that will need to be answered for the project to proceed. If you feel you have any response to these questions, please email radiosyd@msn.com with your thoughts.
1) How would a radio station like this benefit the area?
2) Who will listen?
3) Where would the station be located?
4) How much space is needed? (e.g. offices, studio)
5) What equipment is required?
6) Where will training come from?
7) Who would make the programmes?
8) How will people learn radio skills?
9) Must permission be obtained?
10) What will be the cost?
11) How can sufficient funds be raised (e.g. sponsorship, advertising)
12) What timescale should be set?
13) Would this be permanent or temporary?
14) On air or online?
Approximate Timescale
By Late November 2007: Working Group Formed.
By End of March 2008: A plan formulated and decisions made on how to proceed
By Mid-2008: Station launch (potentially)
Of course there are difficulties in setting up a community radio station but these challenges have been met in other places and the same can be done in Sydenham. Does the prospect interest you? Do you have suggestions? Would you like to be involved? Maybe you would like to play a role in finding the answer to these questions. We'd like to hear from you.
Would you like to be part of this?
The project will need those who already have radio skills (presenters, producers, reporters, editors) and also those with other abilities: entrepreneurial, stragegic planning, administrative, fundraising. In addition, it will need peole who are just willing to be part of an excity community project who are ready to assist in any way they can and are ready to learn and contribute. It is likely that people will discover talents they didn't know they had. Some will discover a talent for broadcasting.
If the idea appeals to you, then GET IN TOUCH!
Making contact: If you would like to explore the prospect of a radio station for Sydenham, or just want to be kept informed, email us at radiosyd@msn.com - You will hear about discussions and events as they come up. These will be held at Here for Good, 17 Sydenham Road, SE26 5EX. Tel: 0208 776 5050.
Alternatively, you can contact us by letter. Write to:
The Radio Project, The Here for Good Centre, 17 Sydenham Road, London, SE26 5EX.
And if you want to be part of the planning group, contact us by Saturday, 17th November 2007.
Relationship between Here for Good and The Radio Project
The Here for Good Centre is giving its support to this scheme. The radio project itself, however, will be a separate entity from the Centre with itos own management and control, as it comes into its own. Here for Good is a part of the Forest Hill Community Church - Registered Charity Number: 1103398
Thank you for your interest.