Diss to get first ever radio station
The Diss area is to get its first dedicated radio station.
Park Radio will be a volunteer-run station featuring music and programmes focusing on issues and promoting events in Diss and surrounding villages.
The not-for-profit station will rely on volunteers for both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles.
The brains behind the venture is John Cross, of Wattisfield, who has worked in radio before and has the equipment to get the station started.
He said: "I feel Diss has a lot to offer and its own local radio service would be good for it.
"It is something to pull the community together.
"It promotes local life, businesses and events."
Mr Cross, who will be station manager, plans to launch Park Radio online after enough volunteers have been trained before applying for a 28-day broadcasting licence on FM radio - called a Restricted Service Licence (RSL) - by September or October.
They would be permitted to use an RSL twice a year and the catchment would be a five-mile radius of Diss.
Diss mayor Jane Trippett-Jones welcomed the news.
She said: "I think it's brilliant.
"I always welcome anything that promotes Diss and the area.
"We are the gateway to the Waveney Valley."
Mr Cross said the station already has six volunteers signed up, but is looking for more.
"Those volunteers only have a certain amount of free time so the numbers can go up," he said.
"For example, we could have two or three different presenters for the breakfast programme.
"Daytime will feature mainstream music and in the evenings we will do specialist shows so if there is anyone with a specialist music interest and fancies doing a show they are free to get in touch."
Mr Cross has worked behind the scenes at the now discontinued SGR FM, which covered Suffolk, and Amber Radio, which was based at Norwich.
He also helped build the studios of Crown FM - the precursor to Radio Norwich.
The station still needs a home, but Mr Cross said he was already in talks with Costa Coffee in Mere Street and Merrick Hill in St Nicholas Street about using some of their office space.
Mr Cross says he already has a "state of the art" studio ready to broadcast from.
The station is looking for volunteers, regardless of age and experience, and training is available.
Email info@parkradio.co.uk or visit the website.
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Weather for Diss
Thursday 02 September 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
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