Sunday, February 17, 2013

Coventry, UK: Community Radio Hillz FM's race against time for a new home after Watch closure

A COMMUNITY radio station faces losing its licence after the demise of a city charity.

Hillz FM radio could be forced off the airwaves after a lack of funding forced the closure of Watch, which supports disadvantaged people in Hillfields.

The radio station broadcasts from the charity’s headquarters in Hillfields. Watch closed earlier this week after a long financial struggle to keep going.

Hillz FM presenters have been warned they will need to vacate the Victoria Street centre.

Radio station bosses have now lauched an appeal for offers of a new home, or cash to help them relocate. If they don’t succeed, they would lose their radio licence.

The station broadcasts a mix of live and pre-recorded shows and is run by around 30 volunteers supported by some paid presenters.

Presenter Kate Hills, 51, says that with shows in languages ranging from Turkish to Punjabi and French along with a host of African languages, it reaches out to the diverse community of Hillfields and would be a huge blow to the community if the station closed.




(Source: The Coventry Telegraph, UK)

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