Month: October 2025

The University of Sunderland has welcomed the Radio Academy for its latest Foot in the Door event, for students and potential audio professionals.

Supported by BBC Sounds and Broadcast Bionics, Foot in the Door aims to connect aspiring broadcasters with senior figures in audio, radio and podcasting.
Held on 15 October at the University’s David Puttnam Media Centre, the day-long event was delivered in partnership with the student-run community station Spark. It brought together radio, podcast and audio experts from across the UK to help early career professionals take their next step in the industry.
Workshops were led by presenters and producers including Hits Radio 90s’ Steve Furnell and Karen Oxley, both University of Sunderland alumni. They joined other industry guests such as BBC Radio 2 Head Helen Thomas, BBC Newcastle presenter Emma Millen, and Adam Wilbourn, Head of Podcasts at WhatCulture.
Lee Hall, Head of the School of Media and Creative Industries at the University of Sunderland, said: “The event was a huge success, connecting students with senior figures in the radio industry.
“And it wasn’t just about programme making for radio, students learned how to break into a range of roles including podcasting and technical careers.”
Dixi Stewart, Managing Director of the Radio Academy, said: “It was a wonderfully inspiring day full of fresh insight, thought-provoking discussion and audio passion.
“Students at the University of Sunderland are hugely talented, and it was a pleasure to share ideas about the future of audio and how their skills can help take the industry forward.”
Karen Oxley said: “It’s great for students to be able to get advice like this. When we were starting out, we wouldn’t have known where to find it, so bringing everyone together under one roof is a great opportunity.”
Steve Furnell added: “The facilities at the University are incredible and the opportunities are fantastic.
“It’s great that the Radio Academy has come to the north-east because this region will always be a hotbed of talent.”

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Radio Caroline has shared details of its successful move to solar-powered broadcasting, years ahead of similar research now being explored by the BBC.

Station Manager Peter Moore revealed that the team invested in solar energy after rising energy costs prompted a review of how to make their AM transmissions more sustainable.
Based at Orfordness on the Suffolk coast, the station’s transmitter site is also part of an RSPB bird sanctuary, meaning wind turbines were ruled out early on.
Instead, Radio Caroline installed a full solar array, investing £25,000 through Herefordshire firm Caplor Energy. The system included panels, cabling, an inverter and online power monitoring, allowing listeners to track how their donations helped fund the project.
On sunny days, the system generated up to 20KW of power — more than enough to run the transmitter. Any surplus energy was passed to site landlord Cobra Mist Ltd, who in turn removed a previous 10% mark-up on grid power supplied to the station.
The project proved so successful that Radio Caroline has since expanded its setup with additional panels and a second inverter to increase capacity to around 30KW.
The new system was installed in-house after Caplor Energy ceased trading, with the team using their own technical expertise to complete the work.
Peter Moore said the upgrade not only secures the future of their AM transmissions but also demonstrates what can be achieved in UK broadcasting with independent renewable investment.
He added that while the site cannot currently feed surplus power back into the national grid, the station continues to explore sustainable options for its future operations.

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A long-running community station in Cambridgeshire has a new name and focus as Huntingdon Community Radio becomes Ouse Valley Radio.

The station says the rebrand reflects its broader reach across the region and marks a new chapter in more than 25 years of community broadcasting.
It officially launches under its new name on 1st November, with an updated sound, new equipment and expanded local coverage.
Ouse Valley Radio will continue to serve the towns of Huntingdon, St Ives, Ramsey, Godmanchester, Warboys and nearby villages while also including the wider Cambridgeshire stretch of the Ouse Valley.
Director of Programming Tony Obee said: “Our station has always been about connecting communities. The River Great Ouse flows through the heart of our district, and so does the community spirit we aim to capture every day on air.”
Alongside the new name, the station has invested in modern studio technology including digital desks and new outside broadcast equipment, with plans for a mobile app to follow. The team is also seeking new presenters to join its line-up.
Director of Marketing Paul Jackson said: “We’re determined to honour our mission to be a trusted source of local news, cultural celebrations, and deliver high-quality, popular and specialist music.
“Whether it’s local stories, insightful interviews, radio drama or events, we’ll remain a station shaped by and for the community.”
As a volunteer-led, non-profit station, Ouse Valley Radio will continue to reinvest surplus funds back into the community through its Charity of the Month initiative and local donations.
Tony Obee added that the relaunch “builds on years of support for local musicians, grassroots projects and community voices” and promises a stronger, broader and more connected station for the future.

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Corby Radio is launching a new sister station, Corby Retro Rewind, broadcasting initially online from 26th December and on DAB later.

The station will play music from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, but before launching will kick off with a full-time Christmas music channel from 24th November to 25th December.
Jim Byrne, Co-Owner of Corby Radio and Embrace Radio, said: “Retro Rewind is all about celebrating the music that shaped generations.
“Starting with a month of Christmas cheer, we’ll then dive into the classics that still make people sing, dance, and smile. It’s radio with soul and we can’t wait to share it.”
Paul Moore, Co-Owner of Corby Radio and Embrace Radio, added: “We’re cranking up the tinsel and turning back the clock!
“First, it’s wall-to-wall Christmas bangers, then it’s straight into the golden age of music. If it’s got a sax solo or a tambourine, you’ll probably hear it on Retro.

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