Official launch for Hayes FM
91.8 Hayes FM was officially launched on 1st September by Hayes born and bred former Director-General of the BBC , Greg Dyke. The station, will cover Hayes and the surrounding areas of Harlington, Yiewsley, West Drayton, Yeading, Hayes End, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Sipson, Harmondsworth, Heathrow Airport, as well as parts of neighbouring boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow, and is at 91.8 FM. The radio station was born in June 2003 and since then has grown into a local media skills organisation, and is now in a position to deliver a range of core skills as well as deliver local radio and on-line broadcasting and film and video production. Hillingdon Community Trust provided £50,000 in funding to Hayes FM to to develop an education and training media centre and community resource centre in Hayes. The project is intended to provide learning opportunities for over 80 people in its first year, to help them move from unemployment into employment and to encourage access to further training. It will also improve community relationships by profiling community groups through broadcasts. Sutish Sharma, who co-founded the station with MP John McDonnell , and is Managing Editor commented, ‘What is exciting about Hayes FM is not only that it is a community radio station aimed at serving the vibrant community in and around Hayes but that it will provide training and education aimed at improving employability and self-confidence. We will be making arrangements with broadcasting and production companies for work placement and volunteering opportunities.’ The BBC are supporting 91.8 HAYES FM as project partners along with the Universities of Westminster, Brunel and Thames Valley, as well as the local colleges. A number of community and voluntary groups funded by Hillingdon Community Trust have already been featured on Hayes FM. To join these and to get more information include partnership working with 91.8 HAYES FM, then please e-mail Sutish K Sharma on office@hayesfm.org or call 020 8573 7992. |
