Storer's Stories
Canalside soon to be a full time Radio Station
By Ian Storer
Apr 7, 2008, 17:28

Canalside – Putting the Unity in the Community

Four years ago, during the Bollington Festival, a new sound hit the airways in Macclesfield Borough. Canalside Community Radio was granted a temporary broadcasting licence to celebrate the biggest cultural event locally. Under the guiding hand of Nick Wright, notable local DJ and former commercial radio presenter, Canalside very quickly built up a following of listeners who were appreciative and supportive of this unique venture dedicated to highlighting community activities. Here was an opportunity for a wide spectrum of local people to highlight the many varied clubs, groups, societies and organisations unique to the very specific area of Macclesfield Borough.

Canalside has subsequently been granted two additional temporary broadcasting licences (the latest of which spanned the Christmas period of 2007) after which, the dedicated and growing band   of volunteers awaited with baited breath to see whether Ofcom would approve a full time broadcasting licence. The good news was received in March that the licence had been approved, much to the delight of all involved.

Canalside is not a commercial outfit answerable to shareholders or directors – a panel of local listeners acts as the eyes and ears of the station to keep presenters in touch with what local people enjoy and feel could be improved. Canalside is not in a position where it canvasses advertising spots in distant parts of the county, although the sponsorship of local businesses not only provides backing for the station but makes listeners aware of local services and companies that local listeners may need. Canalside is a not for profit outfit and appreciative of philanthropic, charitable and individual donations. All programmes are broadcast from the Canalside Studio in Clarence Mill at Bollington. It is from here that local schools have produced their own slots on air; local churches have been represented on Sunday mornings; youth groups, Macclesfield Borough Council Rangers, the local RSPB club and many more have all brought their own unique brand of entertainment to a genuinely local radio.

Canalside’s regular broadcasters include Matt Isaacs, a fountain of knowledge on a variety of music. Helen Warford, a lovely American lady now resident locally has developed a repartee with many of the local bands and has featured many of them live on air. Jon and Fi will be long remembered for a professional breakfast show full of local information broadcast at Christmastime. And of course, station manager Nick Wright has built up a repartee with the listeners to his programme, “Pensioners’ Paradise.” It is well worth checking out the station’s website - www.ccr-fm.co.uk - where not only will you be updated with all the lastest news but also meet all the presenters.

In its brief time on air to date, and in its continuing online broadcast Canalside has proved that it really does live up to its name of a COMMUNITY station, including in  a very practical way the variety of individuals and groups within its limited broadcasting zone.

Good luck Canalside – the listening public of  Macclesfield, Poynton, Bollington, and the area of the present Borough of Macclesfield look forward to welcoming you back on to our radio fm band later this year