The Bradley Stoke Journal

Impressionist Paul Burling is due to help end Bradley Stoke Radio’s first-ever FM broadcast period with a bang on Saturday (18th June) when he makes a guest appearance on a special ‘Super Dads’ show (12 noon – 2pm).

Intended as a wacky celebration of Father’s Day, the show promises to “celebrate the men who will run through fire and water for their kids – ordinary dads who will do anything for their kids because they love them”.

Local businesses have thrown their support behind the programme, with prizes to be won by listeners on the day and four dads who were nominated by their children at last week’s Bradley Stoke Community Festival will be competing for the ultimate Super Dad title.

Prizes on offer include meals for four at the Harvester and Toby Carvery Restaurants, a golf lesson and a family day out at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm.

The programme will also feature the voices of several kids and some adults who recorded their voices and best wishes to their dads at the festival.

Super Dads presenter Julian Okoye told The Journal:

“I am absolutely thrilled that we will also be having a special guest appearance on the show by Paul Burling from Britain’s Got Talent.”

“Paul is a super bloke and he very kindly offered to come in to support the programme and join in the celebration of dads.”

Tune into the Super Dads show on 87.7 FM or listen live for details of how to win one of the superb prizes.

Read on for more details of the station’s final day schedule »

Bradley Stoke Radio stages its own version of Question Time tonight when a panel of local politicians take part in a live debate on “the key issues facing people in Bradley Stoke”.

The event, compered by Julian Okoye, will hear representatives of the three main parties debate questions sent in by listeners.

Mr Okoye told The Journal:

“The intention is that the debate will cover mainly local issues pertaining to Bradley Stoke and surroundings but inevitably, as people don’t live in a box, some national issues may be touched upon as well.”

The participants in the studio are expected to be (pictured left to right above):

• Cllr Ben Walker (Conservative)
• Jon Williams (Liberal Democrat)
• Jonathan Moore (Labour)

All three panelists contested the Bradley Stoke North ward in the recent district election, which saw Cllr Walker claim the seat by a margin of 139 votes over Mr Williams, the previous holder.

In an email to the panelists, Mr Okoye wrote:

“I will generally be my nice gentle friendly self but I won’t shy away from asking difficult or tough questions and I am sure you won’t expect me to be a soft touch either.”

The public are invited to submit question for the debate to: julian@bradleystokeradio.org.uk

Read on for questions The Editor would like to hear answered »

Bradley Stoke Radio hit the airwaves at noon on Saturday (4th June), preceded by a launch event in the Town Square.

Volunteers from the community radio station, whose studio is located on the first floor of the Willow Brook Centre, worked tirelessly to attract the attention of shoppers with music, entertainment and a free raffle offering the prize of a trip for two on the Weston Wheel.

A countdown to the station’s first live programme was accompanied by spotlights, a smoke machine and a fanfare before the dulcet tones of Stephen Poole and Lucy Smith (pictured above) got the two-week FM broadcast period underway.

The launch show heard Stephen and Lucy give an overview of the programme schedule planned for the next fortnight and interview some of the presenters that will be fronting the shows.

Speaking at the end of the launch weekend, Bradley Stoke Community Radio Association (BSCRA) Chair Stephen Poole told The Journal:

“For most of the presenters, this was to be the first live broadcast they had ever done. And although some were a little nervous at the start, the enormous effort that went into training and supporting the presenters coupled with the tremendous technical support meant that they were very quickly settling in to their roles as presenters and co-presenters and delivered a very polished performance.”

The station’s schedule consists principally of a mix of music/chat shows and community interest programmes.

The ‘Bradley Stoke Breakfast Show’, presented by Stephen Seaton and Lucy Smith, will get things underway on weekday mornings, from  7am – 9am , with community news and contributions from local schools, thought of the day from the local churches and travel & weather bulletins.

Read on for selected highlights of the first week’s schedule »

Bradley Stoke’s very own community radio station begins it first-ever FM broadcast period at noon tomorrow (Saturday 4th June).

The station will mark the occasion with a launch event from 10:30am in the Town Square at the Willow Brook Centre, with music and entertainment and a free prize draw to win tickets to the Weston Wheel.

At midday, the entertainment outside will switch live to Bradley Stoke Radio on 87.7 FM for the first-ever show on air with fanfare, smoke machines and an exciting countdown to the launch.

The first programme will be hosted by Bradley Stoke Community Radio Association Chairperson Stephen Poole and Secretary Lucy Smith, who will showcase the exciting variety of programmes planned for the coming weeks of their FM broadcast and pay thanks to the organisations who have helped make Bradley Stoke Radio a reality.

Throughout the day, local residents and business owners will be offered tours of the Bradley Stoke Radio studio in unit 5b of the Willow Brook Centre, where they will be able to meet the presenters and see what goes on behind the scenes.

Bradley Stoke Radio can be heard on 87.7 FM from 4th June to 18th June and also online at www.bradleystokeradio.org.uk.

Read on for more details of the station’s programme schedule »

A brand new community radio station launches in Bradley Stoke in June and as part of the celebrations Bradley Stoke Radio will be hosting an outside broadcast on Saturday (28th May) at The Willow Brook Centre.

Local residents are invited to come along and meet some of the station’s new presenters and enjoy the music in the Town Square.

The station officially launches on Saturday 4th June at midday but local residents and businesses will get a sneak preview this Saturday from 10am-4pm when the disco team comes to town.

There will be giveaways and entertainment and you can find out more about Bradley Stoke Radio, which will be broadcasting on 87.7fm from 4th-18th June 2011.

For more details take a look at the radio station’s new website: bradleystokeradio.org.uk

The radio station is based in Unit 5b on the first floor of the Willow Brook Centre and our photo shows some of the station’s volunteers testing out equipment in preparation for the big launch.

Read on for more photos from the station’s office and studio »