Community radio station, Somer Valley FM, based in Midsomer Norton, has celebrated the launch of their new transmitter, giving listeners a better, clearer service.
The station are also launching a new transmission area, with the mast now being located in Clandown, moving from its old location at Midsomer Norton Rugby Club and has already shown a distinct improvement on the quality of reception in the local area. Councillor Chris Watt, a Director of Somer Valley FM, offered his thanks to the rugby club for hosting the mast since the station's inception.
The movement of the mast was part of the station's Six Week Challenge initiative and broadcasting from the new transmitter officially began on Friday, 13th December to mark the end of a mammoth 26-hour broadcast, which was the grand finale to the challenge.
The plan to move the transmitter has been three years in the making and involved three individual departments from B&NES Council and Ofcom.
Station Manager, Dom Chambers, said: "I went to see Ofcom and said many community stations have a problem getting listeners – our problem is that listeners can't get us."
The new mast means that there is a better FM transmission in the licensed area, including Radstock, Westfield, Midsomer Norton, Peasedown St John and Paulton.
The mast was officially launched during the last hour of the live 26-hour broadcast, anchored by station apprentice, Luke Barnes. Luke was joined on his two-day broadcast by various station volunteers, including job seekers on work placements, Midsomer Norton's Mayor, Paul Myers, Councillor and Station Director, Chris Watt, and Councillor Bryan Chalker, who joined him for a multi-generational breakfast show.
Councillor Chris Watt said: "We've always had a few challenges with the bottom of Midsomer Norton, among other places, but the new transmitter is already helping with that.
"This 26-hour broadcast is all part of the station's challenge to raise money for apprentices which is the heart of Somer Valley FM."