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Delight as Park Radio announces dream switch to The Corn Hall in Diss




A radio station director said it was a “dream come true” after announcing the community venture had found a new home.

Park Radio, which covers Diss, Eye and Harleston, has struck a deal that will see it link up with Diss Corn Hall from the start of next year.

Station bosses were tasked with finding a new HQ due to doubts surrounding the immediate future of Diss Youth and Community Centre in Shelfanger Road.

Cllr John Robertson, Sarah Villafuerte-Richards (town clerk) , James Grint (Park Radio) , Calvin Armstrong (Park Radio), Lee Johnson (interim manager at The Corn Hall), Carole Hunt (administrator at The Corn Hall), Hugh Darrah (volunteer), Debbie Gaze (chairwoman of Corn Hall trustees), Robert Ludkin (buildings and facilities manager, Diss Town Council), Matt Smith (Park Radio).
Cllr John Robertson, Sarah Villafuerte-Richards (town clerk) , James Grint (Park Radio) , Calvin Armstrong (Park Radio), Lee Johnson (interim manager at The Corn Hall), Carole Hunt (administrator at The Corn Hall), Hugh Darrah (volunteer), Debbie Gaze (chairwoman of Corn Hall trustees), Robert Ludkin (buildings and facilities manager, Diss Town Council), Matt Smith (Park Radio).

The top floor of the centre has been closed since December, when a survey discovered the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the roof structure.

The station launched an extensive fundraising campaign in a bid to raise money to enable it to keep on the air, with more than £6,000 raised so far.

On September 27, Park Radio aired live from the Corn Hall for the first time, with the site set to act as its permanent home from January.

The Park Radio studio will be on the first floor of The Corn Hall in Diss. Picture submitted
The Park Radio studio will be on the first floor of The Corn Hall in Diss. Picture submitted

Station director James Grint said: “I could not be more excited and pleased with the location and proposal from Diss Corn Hall Trust to put the upstairs mezzanine to such good use as the new studio complex for Park Radio.

“It’s a dream come true for us all here at Park Radio. The synergies between the two community projects makes this a perfect collaboration moving forward.

“We already have a list of joint events and themed nights to sit down together and start planning.”

Debbie Gaze, chairman of the trustees of Diss Corn Hall Trust, said they were only too happy to help.

Matt Smith and James Grint of Park Radio. Picture submitted
Matt Smith and James Grint of Park Radio. Picture submitted

“We already have a terrific relationship with the station, with a monthly slot for members of our team to showcase highlights from the Corn Hall’s forthcoming programme, and with Park Radio presenters interviewing many of our visiting artists and companies,” she said.

“So we really value their support and the service they provide to our community. Finding space for them here at the Corn Hall seemed to be the perfect solution.”

Park Radio’s main studio will be situated in front of the large, glazed area above the venue’s main entrance, with its second studio in a separate room.

Cllr John Robertson, Sarah Villafuerte-Richards (town clerk) , James Grint (Park Radio) , Calvin Armstrong (Park Radio), Lee Johnson (interim manager at The Corn Hall), Carole Hunt (administrator at The Corn Hall), Hugh Darrah (volunteer), Debbie Gaze (chairwoman of Corn Hall trustees), Robert Ludkin (buildings and facilities manager, Diss Town Council), Matt Smith (Park Radio).
Cllr John Robertson, Sarah Villafuerte-Richards (town clerk) , James Grint (Park Radio) , Calvin Armstrong (Park Radio), Lee Johnson (interim manager at The Corn Hall), Carole Hunt (administrator at The Corn Hall), Hugh Darrah (volunteer), Debbie Gaze (chairwoman of Corn Hall trustees), Robert Ludkin (buildings and facilities manager, Diss Town Council), Matt Smith (Park Radio).

With it being more visible to the public, it is hoped its new home will help to raise the profile of the community station.

“It is a win-win for both our local organisations,” said Lee Johnson, general manager of the Corn Hall.

“The team here are really excited about welcoming Park Radio into the building, and for the chance to work with them more closely.

“Who knows, maybe we will even see the station’s mascot, Parky Bear, treading the boards here in the future?

“Ultimately, this is about two local organisations, both at the heart of the community, working more closely together for the benefit of the community, which is a great move all round.”

Park Radio first hit the airwaves in 2010, when it did conducted a test transmission from the basement of Candies shoe shop in Diss.

Since then, it has extended its reach to include more of the Waveney Valley.

Sarah Villafuerte-Richards, Diss Town Council’s clerk, said: “We are delighted that Park Radio is going to be housed in another town council asset in the centre of the Diss.

“We look forward to working with the team as they embark on the station’s next phase of its journey and extend our thanks to the volunteers for everything they do for Diss and the wider area.”



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