A Year of 'Firsts' for Corinium Radio

Harry and Cameron sending marathon signals during
a colossal stint supported by the gang.

Volunteers from Cirencester’s Corinium Radio ended the year with a twinkle in their eyes.

As Santa was putting his reindeers and sleigh through their annual MOT before the big day, the local community radio station’s helpers were in party mood.

Their last monthly meeting of the year in December took place not at the usual town library venue but at the station’s studio in Bingham House, Cirencester.

And the reason for that was because there was work to be done – on the station’s first Christmas tree! Alongside the normal agenda, the volunteers decorated the tree and switched on the studio’s festive lights.

Members were encouraged to take along a Christmas bauble to help decorate the tree and there were mince pies and the odd festive drink to enjoy.

Said Corinium Radio spokesman Tony Coleman, “It was great fun and a great way to end a really memorable year.

“A few days before, we did a special broadcast when thousands of townsfolk turned up for the switch-on of Cirencester’s Christmas

Fred Hart brought a continental
feel to the station.

lights. We didn’t have as many people at our switch-on but in its own way it was just as colourful an occasion.”

This has been a special year in the life of Corinium Radio and here is a taste of what 2016 will be remembered for.

It was, of course, the year that the local radio station celebrated its tenth birthday - not with one event but a whole stream of them!

Perhaps the biggest of these was the 30-hour radio marathon undertaken by two of the station’s young volunteers, Harry Jerome and Cameron MacGregor.

They were both 17 at the time and smashed all expectations by raising more than £1,200, which helped boost funds for the children of Cirencester Opportunity Group.

It was also the year that Corinium Radio took honours in the annual Cirencester Chamber of Commerce business awards.
The station was named ‘Creatives Champion’ in the awards, highlighting the support it gives to the wealth of creative talent to be found on its doorstep. And that set the stage for another ‘first’.

During 2016 Corinium Radio was really excited to welcome its first ‘Creative in Residence’ to the station in the person of local Cirencester artist Laurie Plant.

The year also saw the station take on a continental flavour when long-standing member of the radio team Fred Hart went off to Cirencester’s twin town of Itzehoe to cover their annual wine festival.

And it was the year Corinium Radio brought to life a book by local author Simon May.

Carole and Laurie with his piece now on display at the
council offices.

The station recently broadcast a play adapted from Simon’s book The Siege of the Hares, which was

So you can see there has been something to get excited about for Corinium Radio volunteers almost every week.
Why not join them and help make things happen during 2017. Make it your New Year resolution to contact chair Carole Boydell on 07776 144033 and become a member.