Whilst the 7th July bombing dominated the first few days on air, the broadcast offered a lot more. A wide range of interviews were broadcast. Guests ranged from Borough Councillors to representatives from local organisations. The launch of the "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" co-incided with the broadcast and we had some pupils from the Warwick School visit to review the book.

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2006  Two More Broadcasts from the RNIB College.
Most of the original group of students left the college that summer and with a new group starting in September, plans were laid for a further RSL broadcast.

January 2006 Broadcast.
Redstone FM returned in January 2006 with shows again presented by current and previous student, supported by local volunteers. There was nothing as dramatic as the 7th July bombing to deal with but the students got on with the task of producing a range of programmes. On this broadcast, there were two speech based programmes, The Morning Magazine (9am - 12 noon) presented by Anne-Marie Evans and the Afternoon Magazine (2 - 4pm) with Carol Stoby. Each featured at least two interviews each day. The subject areas that were covered included local politics, welfare, local charities & voluntary organisations, health & fitness, local business and education.

Redstone FM's sport presenter, ex footballer Carl Leaburn, again interviewed a wide range of sport personalities and included coverage of local non-league football clubs.

October 2006 Broadcast
A third broadcast took place in October 2006. The programmes followed the pattern established on previous broadcasts with the morning show from 10am being the showcase for local interviews, news and features. The Friday afternoon sport show, presented by Carl Leaburn continued to attract an impressive guest list. The highlight was an interview with Manchester Utd's Rio Ferdinand, conducted by student Dan Rodgers. How many courses give students the opportunity to speak to such high profile guests?

Click Play above to listen to part of the Rio Ferdinand interview.

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2007 RNIB Redhill College Closes . . .
Despite the success of the radio course and associated broadcasts, the RNIB decided to close the college in July 2007. No new students were taken on and the radio course formally finished at the end of March that year. Looking back, the course tutor, Des Shepherd commented that the success rate by students in gaining the EDEXCEL qualification was higher than when he ran the course at a Further Education college in SW London - this being largely due to the extra effort students made during the live broadcasts on Redstone FM. He said at the time,

"despite their disabilities, the students I have worked with have proved as capable as anyone in achieving their qualifications and prove that being blind or partially sighted is not necessarily a barrier to achievement with the right support. There was no automatic right to airtime - all the students had to earn the right to be allowed on air."

As the course came to a close in March 2007, the examining body, EDEXCEL sent their External Examiner for one final visit. This is what he said about the quality of the organisation and teaching of the course.

"A well managed and efficiently organised programme. Internal Verification is clear and robust. The student attainment is high and achievement is above that required at this level. Some very able students studying in a realistic working environment. Practical skills are excellent. Staff also up to speed with latest industry techniques, practice and legal requirements."

Muriel Peach was a staff member at the RNIB until it's closure and had this to say about the opportunities offered to the visually impaired students.

"Both of our most successful students, Johnny Cassidy and Louise Hall had very little functional vision, but were able to master all the technical complexities of live radio and produce some really entertaining and informative programmes.

However the real highs of the broadcasts at Redstone, and indeed of the radio course in general were the opportunities and inspiration that live broadcasting gave to those students who perhaps were not so techie, but just were passionate about the whole experience. That to me is true diversity!"

Such was the success of the radio course that the course tutor was nominated and, more importantly, shortlisted for a Star Award for his work at the RNIB. Click here for the full story.

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Our History Part 2 - Gaining our independence

2007  Redstone FM Continues
Although the RNIB Redhill College closed in 2007, there was a lot of support for Redstone FM to continue with temporary broadcasts. At that time Ofcom had started the process of awarding new community radio licenses and Redstone FM looked into the opportunities for becoming a full time station.

A 4th temporary broadcast was planned and took place during May/June 2007. With the college facilities not available due to the closure, Redstone FM was offered the studio facilities at The Oakley Centre, a youth facility in Merstham.

This broadcast demonstrated Redstone FM's commitment to offering opportunities to disabled broadcasters - 40% of live output was produced by people who are either blind, partially sighted or have some other disability. This figure would have risen to 49% but for one of the key daytime presenters suffering a family bereavement which took him away from the station.

Des Shepherd, Redstone FM's licensee commented,

"This is a great achievement and shows that having a disability should not be a barrier to success. Our previous broadcasts demonstrated that those who are visually impaired are just as capable when it comes to producing and presenting radio programmes.  All too often those with a disability are marginalised by society. Just because one has lost the use of their eyes does in no way mean they can't be a valued member of society and I hope that those involved with Redstone FM have felt they made a positive contribution".

Tess Lewsey is one of the presenters who has broadcast on all Redstone FM's temporary broadcasts to date. She said,

"I have always had an interest in radio broadcasting and came to the RNIB Redhill College following stints on my local hospital radio in Cambridge. I am grateful to the opportunity offered by Redstone FM in allowing me to develop my broadcast skills."

Johny Cassidy is another former student from the RNIB Redhill College who held down the daily magazine show on Redstone FM

"As a result of my two stints at Redstone.fm, I have been offered a place on a post-graduate broadcast journalism course in Portsmouth. Redstone FM allowed me to develop my interviewing skills and develop the confidence to use complex studio equipment and I am looking forward to this course when it starts in September."

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2008 - and another broadcast and the chance to bid for a full time license.
Redstone FM was on the air from 10 May to 26 May 2008 and for a second year broadcast from studios at the Surrey County Council Youth Centre at The Oakley in Merstham. With the prospect of community radio licences being advertised by Ofcom that summer, Redstone FM used this broadcast to test out its programming ideas and develop the system of volunteers, many of whom are visually impaired.

The second theme revolved around Reigate & Banstead Borough Council's 'Love Where You Live' campaign. Redstone FM teamed up with the Redhill Reigate and Horley Life newspaper and ran a competition that tested listeners' local knowledge. Full details of the competition can be found here.

The broadcast was largely funded by local sponsorship. Financial supporters included:

• Le Barbe, the French restaurant in Reigate, sponsored the daily East Surrey Talk programme
  

• Harlequin Theatre in Redhill sponsored the daily afternoon show.
  
• Metrobus sponsored the travel news
  
• East Surrey College supported the Adult Learners' Week broadcasts.
  
• Yes Events were the station sponsor.

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2009 Good News on Funding - but still waiting for news from Ofcom

At the start of the year, Redstone FM received confirmation of funding for another temporary broadcast plus a new training course.

Funding for the 2009 broadcast was secured with a Grassroots Grant administered by Surrey Community Foundation. Further assistance came from the Belfry Shopping Centre in Redhill who offered office accommodation for our temporary studios. We also received funding from the Gatwick Airport Community Trust.

In addition to funding for the broadcast, Redstone received almost £12,000 to run a radio course for visually impaired people. This funding came from the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Learning & Skills Council. And that wasn't all! In January 2009, we were advised that Reigate & Banstead Borough Council had awarded us a £10,000 capital grant towards equipment. This grant is subject to the award of the a permanent community radio license by Ofcom so once they have made the right decision . . . Overall over £30,000 was raised from a mix of grants, education funding and sponsorship.

The broadcast came from premises in Tower House, part of the Belfry Shopping Centre in Redhill and two main events were covered - Volunteers' Week and the Redhill & Reigate Carnival weekend.

The Redhill and Reigate Carnival involved a full weekend of activities in both towns. With special equipment loaned to the station for the occasion, Redstone FM covered the street activities in both towns on the Saturday and conducted a live outside broadcast on the Sunday afternoon. Redstone FM again worked with Radio Redhill who provided live coverage of the carnival procession in Redhill.

Meanwhile . . .
There was no news from Ofcom on our application for a permanent community radio license.

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2010 and Beyond
And so into 2010. Redstone FM was awarded a second grant from the ESF to run a further training course for visually impaired people. This took place from February to July and was based at the Merstham Community Facility.

Students had the opportunity to present and produce a series of shows on Meridian FM, the community radio station based in East Grinstead. Students Adi Latif and Sophie Aston on the air on Meridian FM - July 2010.

Redstone FM also received funding from NESCOT (the further education college in Ewell, near Epsom) and in 2010 and 2011 ran a series of courses for volunteers at Meridian FM and Uckfield FM.

One door closes and another opens . . .
Redstone FM was unsuccessful with its application for a community radio licence (June 2010).

So whilst one door closed, others have opened and Redstone FM is pursuing an alternative opportunity to establish itself as a full time radio station serving East Surrey and Crawley.

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Roll of Honour

Listed below are all those who have broadcast on Redstone FM (or helped with the production).

Adam Coumas, Alan Horner, Alex Roll, Andy Bull,  Anne Marie Evans, Carl Leaburn, Carol Jennings, Carol Stoby, Catriona Harris, Chris Davis, Chris Hescott, Chris Quilley, Chris Spring, Chris Wilsdon, Garth Crooks, Gary Moritz, Dan Daley, Dan Rogers, Dave King, David Ridgway, Des Shepherd, Emily Shepherd, Fran Giles, Gavin Lake, Harry Maynard, Jamie Hughes, Jef Nunn, Jeremy Winter, Johny Cassidy, Jo Thorpe, Kelly Burgin Windsor, Kim Bartholomew, Laura Sharvell, Lee Brooks, Lee Elliott, Lisa Davis, Lucy Greaves, Lucy Pidgeon, Marcus Patrick, Mark Burtenshaw, Martin Rothwell, Martine Sheppard, Mel Ellis, Michael Shepherd, Mike Gandon, Mike Scholes, Mike Ward, Natalie Osborne, Nicole Corbin, Nigel Fitzmaurice, Nigel Gray, Olly Jones, Paul Barnett, Paul Swann, Peter Evans, Peter Fletcher, Petula Rose, Richard Majewski, Richard Shepherd, Rob Rumsey, Rob Wells, Robert Gibson, Sam Kalbag, Simon Wilkes, Steve Burge, Steve Jeffrey, Steve Langsdale, Steve Romaine, Terry Turner, Tess Lewsey, Toni Shepherd, Zia Rarhi.

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Sponsors
Redstone FM acknowledges the support received from advertisers, sponsors and grant bodies.

Redstone FM's previous temporary broadcasts have been supported by grant aid and programme sponsorship. Supporting the 2009 Temporary Broadcast.        Sponsors of Redstone FM Travel News Sponsors of East Surrey Talks  (Weekday morning show) La Barbe, La Barbe is the only truly French restaurant in Reigate, Surrey. 71 Bell Street. Reigate. Surrey. RH2 7AN T: 01737 241966 The Event - for supplying details of local events. The event is now known as the R&R Guide.

The 2009 and 2010 Broadcast Opportunities Training Course was funded by:   East Surrey College - our partner in delivering the two courses. Awards for All - funded work on full time license application and audience research during 2007. Yes Events - Station Sponsor for 2008. Note:   Redstone FM is not responsible for the content of third party web sites.

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Members's Newsletter

Members of Reigate and Banstead Community Radio receive regular newsletters. Below are links to download copies to newsletters published for the period to the end of 2009.

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© Redstone FM Ltd 2005-11

Direct Links to Archive Pages: Archive 2005 Archive 2006 Archive 2007 Archive 2008 Archive 2008 Adult Learners' Week Archive 2008 Life Newspaper Competition Archive 2008 Programme Schedule Archive 2009  Archive 2009 Programme Information Redstone FM Archive News Stories Redstone FM Archive Press Coverage Star Awards Tutor Recognition