Abbey104

Abbey104 (formerly known as Radio Sherborne) is a community radio station broadcasting on 104.7 FM to Sherborne and the surrounding areas in Dorset and Somerset in the United Kingdom. The studio is located at Coombe Works, Sherborne.[2]

Abbey104
Broadcast areaSherborne, Yeovil, West Dorset, South Somerset
Frequency104.7 MHz and online
History
First air date
16 February 2013 as Abbey104[1]
Links
Websiteabbey104.com

History

The station was originally known as Radio Sherborne broadcasting on 87.5 FM (on an RSL) and Online. Radio Sherborne was later rebranded as Abbey104 in February 2013 broadcasting on 104.7 FM.[3]

The idea of a local radio station for Sherborne was brought up in 2010 by Chris Tucker. He felt that the local community was neglected by broadcasters such as the BBC and commercial stations. This was most apparent in winter 2009-2010, where the area found itself in a news black spot for local weather and travel reports.[4]

The station is proposed as a way to bring community views, news and music to people of the town and surrounding areas.

In 2010, the station received a National Lottery grant of £9000 which helped towards start-up costs. The station is well supported and sponsored by local traders in the area. Oliver Letwin, a local MP, was invited to the official launch at the Eastbury Hotel, Sherborne along with representatives of the local Lions Club and Rotary Club.[5]

Abbey104's 1st birthday broadcasting on 104.7 FM was celebrated with a special outside broadcast at Sainsbury's in Sherborne.[6]

At the end of March 2014, Abbey104 ceased broadcasting from Georgian House, Greenhill, Sherborne, and moved to temporary studio premises at the Mermaid Pub in Sherborne, whilst the new studio was prepared at Coombe Works, Coombe, Sherborne.[7]

In April 2014, the studios were moved from the temporary premises at the Mermaid and commenced at Coombe Works where the station broadcasts from today.

Currently the station is run by Taff Martin as Chairman since 2016 with Lynda Martin Treasurer, Terry Bennett Secretary, and Phil Clements, Nigel Phillips, Susan Hill and Alan Mapp as committee members. Abbey104 has gone from strength to strength over last two years and becoming a much needed part of the community. With Directors, Bonny Sartin, Jane Smith and Kevin Gould.

In February 2018 Abbey104 was given a new 5 year extension to its licence, committing the station to serve the local community for the foreseeable future with a fantastic collection of old and new hits which are programmed when studios are unmanned to entertain the listener without the same tired collection of 80s hits other stations use.

Presenters on Abbey104 include Paul Peters, who has been working as a DJ since the days of pirate radio back in 1960's, the station's Programme Controller Phil Clements and Tiggy Walker (who can also be heard sometimes on her husband's Sounds of the Seventies show on BBC Radio 2), who had a programme each Thursday from August 2018 called "Afternoon Delight".[8][9]

Transmission

The main frequency for Abbey104 is on 104.7 MHz FM and emits 25 watts from a transmitter located at The Gryphon School, Sherborne. A STL is used to communicate between the studio in Coombe, to the transmitter site. The station broadcast range is approximately 12-15 mile radius around Sherborne. This includes Wincanton to the north and Cerne Abbas to the south, towards Martock to the west and Shaftesbury to the east.

References
  1. "Ofcom Radio Licence". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  2. "Sherborne radio station saved 'in nick of time'". Western Gazette. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  3. "Abbey 104 - The Community Radio Station Promoting Your Area". Wincanton Window.
  4. "Sherborne radio station Abbey 104 FM launched". Blackmore Vale Magazine. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  5. "Oliver Letwin joins guests to mark Sherborne radio station going on air". Western Gazette. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  6. "Abbey 104 FM celebrates its first birthday as an FM broadcaster in Sherborne". Western Gazette. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  7. "Radio station launches urgent plea for new home in Sherborne". Western Gazette. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  8. https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/wife-johnnie-walker-mbe-tiggy-1866576
  9. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000khdk

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