UK

DevonAir Radio has raised hundreds of pounds worth of toys during its first local Toy Appeal.
Led by station owners Andy and Julie Green, the campaign gained the support of Exeter-based toy retailer Thomas Moore and appealed to listeners of the community station.
“We launched the idea in December — it’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time,” said Station Manager Andy Green.
“Despite starting late, the response has been incredible. The sheer number of toys donated in such a short time is truly heartwarming.”
After the campaign, DevonAir’s Breakfast Show presenter Ben Clark delivered the toys to the Exeter Salvation Army, who ensured the gifts were distributed to families in need across the area.
“The generosity of our listeners has been amazing,” said Ben.
“One donation included two boxes with 24 boxed teddy bears! We received so many toys we couldn’t even display them all. I can’t believe how much we achieved this year, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish when we start the campaign earlier next year in November.”
Julie added: “A massive thank you to everyone who donated and supported the appeal. Your kindness has made a real difference for so many local children.”
DevonAir Radio plans to make the toy appeal an annual tradition, aiming to spread even more holiday magic in the years to come.
Picture: Breakfast Presenter Ben Clark at Salvation Army

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BBC Radio Manchester Breakfast host Anna Jameson has announced that she is to leave the station.

Anna, who is from Blackburn, joined the BBC as a freelance broadcast journalist in 2014, then went full-time in 2016.
She became a presenter at BBC Radio Manchester and BBC Radio 5 Live in 2020. In 2021, she began presenting the BBC Radio Manchester Friday and Saturday Breakfast Shows before moving to weekday Breakfast on the station.
Posting on social media yesterday, Anna said: “After an incredible two and a half a years, the time has come to leave the breakfast show on @BBCRadioManc.
“It’s been a privilege to wake up Greater Manchester every morning with an amazing team…. Charlie, Holly, Paul, Mark and everyone working so hard behind the scenes.”
“I’m not going far. I’m absolutely BUZZING to be joining @BBCNWT as a Reporter.
“It’s a show I’ve grown up watching and can’t quite believe I’ll be part of one of the best news teams in the country.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “We’d like to thank Anna for everything she has done at Radio Manchester but she won’t be going far – audiences can catch her on North West Tonight from January as she takes up an exciting new role there.”
Anna’s last show will be on Friday 20th December and Phil Trow will cover Breakfast in the New Year before a new show is launched in February.

After an incredible 2 and a half a years, the time has come to leave the breakfast show on @BBCRadioManc. It’s been a privilege to wake up Greater Manchester every morning with an amazing team…. Charlie, Holly, Paul, Mark and everyone working so hard behind the scenes….. pic.twitter.com/DMYwtvZ1f3
— Anna Jameson (@anna_jameson_) December 12, 2024

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Some of the biggest LGBTQ+ podcasts in the UK will feature in a series of special shows airing on Gaydio on Boxing Day.

The Gossip Gays’ Danny Beard and Billy Andrew kick off the afternoon from 1pm, followed at 3pm by comedians Helen Bauer and Catherine Bohart from the Trusty Dogs podcast, and wrapping up the afternoon, it will be comedians Daniel Foxx and Dane Buckley from Welcome to Hell.
“It’s all about great entertainment this Boxing Day,” said Kriss Herbert-Noble, Network Content Director at Gaydio. “These podcasts bring the laughs, the drama, and the unfiltered fun that our audience loves. Get comfy, grab your leftovers, and let us do the rest!”
Paul Fernley of Audio Always, producers of The Gossip Gays and Trusty Hogs added: “We are so proud to celebrate queer lives on our network of Audio Always Original shows. The Gossip Gays and Trusty Hogs celebrate life in full technicolour, and we can’t wait to be introduced to new listeners on Gaydio this Christmas!”
Daniel Foxx and Dane Buckley, hosts of Welcome To Hell commented: “We’re super excited for our sinful little takeover of Gaydio – the natural home of Welcome to Hell, we feel. What says Boxing Day like revisiting some of our most outrageous confessions?”
Over the last year, Gaydio has worked alongside Audio Always, Off The Kerb, Beautiful Strangers and other independent podcast creators to build the offering of podcasts available to its audience.

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Pure West Radio has launched Pure X-Mas, a dedicated Christmas music station, on DAB.

The station is available on the North Pembrokeshire and South Pembrokeshire multiplexes until 31st December.
Toby Ellis, Station Manager at Pure West Radio, said: “This Christmas, we’re making it easier than ever for Pembrokeshire and beyond to tune into the magic of the season.
“Pure X-Mas on DAB is our gift to the community – a station entirely dedicated to spreading festive joy and creating lasting memories.”

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Better Media has raised urgent concerns about the consultation process for the proposed Community Radio Order.

In a letter addressed to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP, and the Minister of State for Media, Stephanie Peacock MP, Better Media highlighted several critical shortcomings in the process and called for immediate action to address these issues.
The letter raises alarm over the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s decision to consult only with the Community Media Association and the UK Community Radio Network.
Better Media says these trade associations represent only a narrow range of interests in the community radio sector, excluding a diverse spectrum of unlicensed and grassroots organisations, particularly those serving minority communities.
Dr Rob Watson of Better Media told RadioToday: “The consultation process has fundamentally failed to reflect the broad and diverse voices that make up the community radio sector. By engaging solely with established trade associations, DCMS has marginalised the views of smaller, unlicensed, and minority-focused stations.
“These voices are essential to building a vibrant and inclusive media landscape.”
The letter also criticises proposals for extended 10-year licence renewals, arguing that they risk entrenching the positions of existing stations without adequate reassessment of how FM spectrum—a limited public resource—is allocated. Better Media calls for a full re advertisement of licences after 20 years to ensure the spectrum is being used in the best interests of local communities and supports the reintroduction of legislative provisions, such as Clause 42 of the Media Bill, which would open licence rounds to new entrants beforeincumbents are granted extensions.
Dr Watson continued: “Ofcom and DCMS have repeatedly told new applicants that DAB and online platforms are sufficient alternatives, yet this logic is not being applied to incumbent FM licensees. We must ensure fair competition, innovation, and diversity in the sector by periodically reassessing spectrum allocation.”
Better Media also questions Ofcom’s resource management, highlighting that current application fees do not adequately cover costs, leaving the regulator unable to effectively oversee the community radio sector.
The letter urges the government to delay the publication of the draft Community Radio Order and expand the consultation to include a more representative cross-section of voices from the community radio sector.
Dr Watson concluded: “Community radio has the potential to foster social cohesion, amplify marginalised voices, and enrich local culture.
“However, these outcomes can only be achieved if the regulatory framework is built on inclusivity and fairness. We are calling for DCMS to pause, listen to the full spectrum of voices, and ensure that this Order serves the public good.”
Better Media is a membership organisation dedicated to ensuring that citizens can access and participate in the media, particularly those whose voices are often overlooked and ignored. It advocates for inclusive, citizen-focused media policies that promote diverse representation and social cohesion.

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Absolute Radio, Hits Radio, Greatest Hits Radio and Magic Radio all broadcast live from Mission Christmas warehouse in Manchester on Wednesday.

The four Bauer stations took over the Mission Christmas HQ, where donated gifts are sorted and then distributed to those in need in the community, for an all-day outside broadcast.
Presenters including Ken Bruce, Harry Judd and Gemma Atkinson took part in the special broadcast.
Harriet Scott and Harry Judd from Magic Radio Breakfast started the day with a performance from Rock Choir of What Christmas Means to Me (My Love).
The pair also spoke to Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, who welcomed the ‘amazing operation and all the donations flooding in’.
Then it was the turn of Greatest Hits Radio’s Ken Bruce who welcomed Harriet Scott and Andy Crane to take part in PopMaster.
Absolute Radio’s Sarah Champion and Ben Burrell took over for the afternoon shift where there was a delivery from station partners Wickes who have supported Mission Christmas for over a decade.
Gemma Atkinson and Mike Toolan rounded off the day as they hosted their Hits Radio drive show from the warehouse and shared with listeners that 47,000 gifts had been donated that day.
Gemma said: “Mike and I are huge supporters of Mission Christmas and being here today really highlights what an incredible job the Cash for Kids team do every year.
“Thank you so much to everyone who donated today and please, please keep those gifts coming in – your donation means that a child somewhere in the UK will have a more magical Christmas.”
In 2023 Mission Christmas collected over £17.4 million in gifts and cash donations, which were used to make sure that 290,604 children and young people had presents to open on Christmas Day.
Find out more at the Cash ror Kids website.

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