John White

A Northumberland community radio station has received a £1000 boost in its fund-raising efforts to stage another 28-day broadcast. Bedlington-based "˜Synergy' was allocated the Community Chest award by the local town council at its meeting last night (Thursday July 12). The station, which completed a four"“week restricted service licence FM broadcast throughout south east Northumberland on March 30, aims to raise £7000 to pay for the second broadcast which is planned for later this year. The South Northumberland Radio Group, the organisation behind Synergy, is currently appealing to local and regional funding agencies including parish and town councils. Said SNRG chairman Colin Heathcote: "We're absolutely delighted that West Bedlington Town Council has approved our application for funding. The Council has helped us financially in the past and its members have been very complimentary about the station. They see it as a worthwhile community asset and we intend to repay their faith in us by again showing that a genuinely accessible local community radio station can play a positive role in the life of the area." During Synergy's four weeks on air, its team of volunteer presenters hosted nearly 100 people in the studio, staged a live transatlantic interview with a Bedlington author now living in the US; relayed a specially recorded radio play on the triple Bedlington murder of 1913; had live outside music broadcasts and carried live reports of football matches featuring Bedlington Terriers, Ashington and Blyth Spartans. The studio guests ranged from three-year-old children who were helping a local animal charity, to singers and musicians. The interviewees also included local MPs, writers, representatives from charities and local organisations as diverse as the Samaritans, Age UK, the south east Northumberland Rail Users Group, the Lord Lieutenancy, the Lifespan/McMillan Nurses befriending service, teachers, Northumberland's Fire and Rescue Chief, Red Cross, Salvation Army, National Health Service, St Cuthbert's Church, local councillors, Bedlington Forum, Bedlingtonshire Development Trust, a foster mum, work training agencies, actors, footballers, the neighbourhood policing team and an Olympic flame carrier.

An expat Bedlingtonian living and working in other parts of Europe has sent a south east Northumberland community radio station £250 to help fund its next broadcast. The on-line listener of Synergy "“ which broadcast for 28 days during March "“ is keen to see the station fulfill its aim to stage another broadcast before the end of the year. The donator, who wishes to remain anonymous, e-mailed station organisers South Northumberland Radio Group (SNRG) to say that the broadcasts, during the short time Synergy was on air, had been thoroughly enjoyed - adding that "listening gave me, an ex-pat, a rather nice feeling of once again being in touch with my roots and being a part of the community I've always loved". SNRG chairman Colin Heathcote said "We are absolutely delighted to get this entirely unexpected and unsolicited contribution from this listener, who clearly feels that our aim to provide a genuinely accessible community radio service to people in south east Northumberland is worth supporting." The station "“ which played host to nearly 100 guests "“ plans to apply for a second restricted service licence from the government's broadcasting authority, Ofcom. In the meantime it has to raise up to £10,000 to pay for the forthcoming broadcast and related activities. Said Colin: "As we are a community radio station we will be applying to local organisations as well as regional and national bodies for funding. And if people who have listened to us either locally or elsewhere are interested in helping they can contribute by sending a cheque made out to South Northumberland Radio Group at 90a Front Street East, Bedlington , NE22 5AE. Donations can also be made on-line by Paypal to: donate@synergyradio.co.uk."