VOLUNTEERS hoping to launch a community radio station in Northumberland have been given a good luck message from one of the county’s most prominent citizens.
The Duchess of Northumberland has sent her best wishes to the team behind the South Northumberland Radio Group, which is planning to broadcast to thousands of listeners from a base in Bedlington.
Her support for the project comes as work on creating the station’s studio nears completion.
In a letter to the radio group, the Duchess says: “I fully support this enterprising project of the group, which will reach out into the community, giving information, help and pleasure to many who may not have the opportunity to interact with others.
“With every good wish to all those who have been involved in the setting up, funding and running of Synergy. This project deserves to be a great success.”
In addition to the backing of the Duchess, the Alnwick Castle-based Northumberland Estates, the business wing of her husband the Duke, has confirmed its support for the project.
It has written to the volunteers stating: “This facility will prove to be useful and beneficial to the local community.”
Yesterday South Northumberland Radio Group chairman, Colin Heathcote, said it was delighted with the support from the Duchess.
“She had previously acknowledged our aim to provide a genuinely accessible community radio station to serve south east Northumberland, when she invited us to attend the recent garden party for Northumberland volunteers attended by the Queen.”
Building work started last month on converting a former gas showroom in Bedlington town centre into a broadcasting studio for the radio group.
