Marlow FM to hit airwaves

Marlow FM, which has previously been run as an internet based station, will broadcast its first show since obtaining a community licence from regulator OFCOM taking place from Midday Wednesday.

It will be available on the dial at 97.5FM.

Lunchtime presenter Paul Mansell said: “There's a mixture of nerves and excitement but more excitement I think to get up and running.

“After doing shows in my own home conservatory for two years it's a bit different going into a high-tech studio.”

The studios are based at Longride outdoor activies centre across Marlow Bridge in Quarry Wood Road.

The audience is set to be lifted from a handful to possibly thousands of listeners.

“There's part of you that doesn't want to make a blunder, but we are not professionals and hopefully people will have a bit of tolerance if we make mistakes to begin with,” Mr Mansell said.

The station is only allowed to raise 50 per cent of its revenues through on air advertising with its community licence.

“It's going to be tough, we will be relying on charging for our roadshows,” said Mr Mansell, who will be presenting a midday to 2pm slot each day.

“But we have got a five year licence so we are here to stay and we are determined to make a good go of it."

The station has a pool of 80 presenters in total.

It has a broadcast radius of about 8km which will reach Bourne End, Flackwell Heath, Henley and parts of High Wycombe.

Broadcasting to Cookham is more difficult because of hills but test transmissions have been picked up as far away as Beaconsfield.

The output will be 40 per cent chat and 60 per cent music – ranging from Jazz to Sixties pop.

The official launch took place on Tuesday this week at the Compleat Angler Hotel, where 60 guests turned up and new sponsors came on board.

Mr Mansell said: “We were very encouraged, it was a decent turnout. There was a good cross section of people there, who were supportive and said it was a good idea.”