Community radio station Somer Valley FM is celebrating after being given the go-ahead on their Ofcom license renewal, allowing the station to bring their unique sound across the South-West through a variety of shows for the next five years.

Somer Valley FM has been bringing community-led entertainment to the airwaves for a total of fifteen years, and are looking forward to giving a voice to the region for the next fifteen... and beyond!

Perhaps one of the most extraordinary feats of the radio station is their ability to bring the community together, regardless of age. Somer Valley FM currently boasts a 70-strong team with ages ranging from 18 to 82. With the inclusion of educational media training taking place, which gives a voice to the younger generation, the ages included in on-air output from the station range from 12 to 82. 

Despite the large generation gap, the station is often buzzing with communication between volunteers of all ages. The station is a hub bringing people of different generations together in a happy and safe environment to build a cross-generational understanding that is of huge value to community life.

Bryn Hawkins is the oldest volunteer at the station and does his part keeping local history alive with his show ‘When Coal Was King’. The programme focuses on the Somerset Coal industry and includes insightful conversations with those involved in coal mining. Bryn’s show does an excellent job of educating the younger generations about the once booming business in our area.

Bryn said: “At 82, l’m enjoying every minute at the radio station. 

“The show, ‘When Coal Was King,’ sponsored by the Somerset Miners Welfare Trust and produced by Stuart Baynes, goes out every Thursday between 7pm and 8pm. 

“The Somerset Miners Welfare Trust trustees are very keen to remind people there were coal mines in... our area, the 7ft metal miners and the Somer Valley FM program helps to do that.

“I have to say the people l have met at Somer Valley FM have been fantastic, always willing to help this old man.”

Longstanding volunteer, Pete Helmore, has been with the station since its earliest days. Somer Valley FM grew from a project at Somervale School. As the radio station developed, Pete continued his involvement and volunteered for many years before becoming an Executive Director. Alongside his long-term volunteering, Pete has worked for Europe’s biggest radio network and now helps radio stations around the world to build on their skills and develop to reach their full potential, leading a team of seven people.

Talking about his progression, Pete said: “I grew up with Somer Valley FM and it has played a huge part in landing me my dream role in the radio industry. It’s been amazing to watch the station progress and be a part of that. Now in its fifteenth year, I am proud of the amazing content we deliver with all of our volunteers”. 

The radio station also leant its hand to the community in times of need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Deemed essential during the lockdowns, presenters were considered frontline workers and were allowed to continue presenting their shows. Somer Valley FM played an important role in keeping people connected while they had to isolate. The station also broadcasted important updates on public health information and guidelines during the pandemic. They thrived as a community organisation due to their need to disseminate information to the community through radio, increasing the number of live hours it was broadcasting along with listenership figures. 

Speaking of the station’s success, Dom Chambers, founder of Somer Valley FM, said: “We launched the station with around 10 volunteers in 2008, five of these are still with us. Amazing to think that little project has grown to being the incredible local radio station it is and we will be around until at least the end of the decade, all down to the fantastic dedication of our volunteers”.