Shine FM open their new studios

Shine FM, the only community radio station in Banbridge, was officially launched 12 years ago as under an Ofcom Restricted Service License (RSL), but has been broadcasting under full service licence since 2007, to about 22,000 residents of the Banbridge District and beyond.

The station, which is a community based voluntary charity with a Christian Ethos broadcasts, terrestrially in a three mile radius around Banbridge, but is now freely available to everyone on the internet. The stations new bespoke offices include two new broadcast/ recording studios, a state of the art technical suite and an office reception area.

About 50 invited volunteers, members of the press, advertisers and supporters of the radio station gathered to attended the event which was hosted in the new studio complex. Along with these dedicated people the guest list also include the Chair of Banbridge District Council, Jim McIlroy and many of the Councillors from both the Banbridge and neighbouring Craigavon District Councils.

The official proceedings were opened by the Shine FM Chairman, Dougie Barr, who thanked all the guests for their attendance and support of the station over the last years. He commented on the dedication of volunteers, who not only ran and presented on the station each day, but also made possible the building of the new studios during this time of economic depression.

He thanked all the council employees, companies and individuals who had donated cash and kind to make the new studios a reality.

The Chair of Banbridge District Council, in his reply congratulated the radio station on their new complex and wished them well in the future. He also commented he was extremely impressed by the beautiful new studios.

Finally Alan Mitchell, The Station Manager of Shine FM, highlighted several new forthcoming events scheduled for the next few months. This included the imminent launch of their new website, Android and iPhone apps and Shine Week, which is scheduled to take place from the 12th to 18th June 2011 as part of the stations official 13th birthday party celebrations.

He said, “Shine Week seeks to engage Shine’s volunteers, council departments, public sector and volunteer groups within the Banbridge and Craigavon districts.”

The station are planning to stage a school choir competition, an open air concert and a series of other events, outside broadcasts, fundraisers and public displays during the course of this week to raise awareness of what the station can provide and do within the community. Further details of this upcoming event will be released shortly in the press and on the station’s own website and social network pages.

The specially invited guests were then taken on a tour of the new complex and many of them had their first attempt at broadcasting.