Why Support MarlowFM?

The purpose of a community radio station should be to provide a professional-sounding service, but one which reflects the local area it broadcasts in by providing ultra-local content about events, groups, local culture, traffic, weather and so on that isn't being broadcast by commercial radio operators. The Marlow community, men women and children, young and old alike, will help shape that content on MarlowFM and ensure that it is relevant, significant and entertaining.

All community radio stations should offer some basic level of presenter training if only to ensure that the output is of a reasonable standard, although the argument about radio skills boosting people's confidence and self-esteem is also highly relevant. MarlowFM will provide an extensive and quality training program and intends to draw upon the many talents and resources of local people including Marlow school students.

Training will be geared towards allowing members of the community, whatever their walk of life, to express their creativity over the radio in as professional a manner as possible. Any training would of necessity include skills, amongst many others, necessary to be able to successfully research, present and market. All of these are transportable skills, and exactly those needed in order to secure any job, be it in media or elsewhere.

There is a lot of potential in the concept of community radio; there is definitely a need for something "different" as commercial radio has maybe 'lost its way' in recent years, and moan all you like about paying an annual licence fee; it's worth it just for the range and quality of output from BBC Radio stations.

At the heart of our application to OfCOM to gain our 5 year FM license was our commitment to enable the school students and children of Marlow, from pre school through to sixth formers, to get involved with their community radio station. During the two successful month long RSL's (Restricted Service Licence) in 2007 and again in 2009, the airwaves every afternoon and early evening were given over to the young people of the town to devise, produce and present their own shows. These were enjoyed not only by their friends and peers but by many adults alike, particularly proud parents, grandparents and other assorted family members of our budding broadcasters.

Assisted by of one of our volunteers, children from Holy Trinity CE School aged between 7 and 10 presented a weekly science show and even younger children of Marlow CE Infants School from their environment club put together a fascinating programme about all things green and presented with confidence and aplomb. Above all, though, the children had a really good time and appreciated the opportunity that was presented to them.

When we launch on FM in the Spring of 2011, there will be a daily slot made available for Marlow's school kids to experience every facet of broadcasting and will be linked in many instances with their curriculum. The two secondary schools, Great Marlow and Sir William Borlase will take alternate days throughout the week to take the lead and they, along with mentors and MarlowFM volunteers, will assist those younger children of the town's infant schools to also develop their ideas and skills so they too can contribute to the output on the station.

It's hoped that anyone and everyone whatever age they may be will have a go and get involved in some way with their community radio station. But the young of course are the future and in order to ensure MarlowFM continues to grow and develop and become firmly established we will always need the help of the next generation, and the next and so on.

I'll finish with our mission statement, over which we probably sweated blood, which was felt necessary to impress OfCOM when they checked out our web site and sits nicely below a glowing endorsement from our patron, Sir Steve Redgrave:

'A Radio Station for The People, of The People.'

"MarlowFM aims to provide a welcoming and unbiased environment that is accessible to all our community, that focuses on local needs and fosters development from within.

We intend to provide access to all so that social issues affecting our community can be openly discussed at a community level, empowering individuals, groups and organisations alike by giving them an effective medium through which they can air their opinions, express their feelings and develop their creativity.

MarlowFM will aspire to greatness, providing the best service to our listeners that is possible, but most importantly, ensure that everyone has fun achieving it."