This is a page in the 'From the Archive' section of my website. This pages is not being actively updated. These pages remain on-line to provide an interesting insight into the past and to provide a reference source. All content below is as originally published on this site.
North East Manchester License: Page Two
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Page Two |
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Article |
Date Added |
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Oldham Evening Chronicle 30/5/97: The Voice of Oldham returns to airwaves |
5/07/97 |
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Oldham Advertiser on 29/5/97: Oldham's 'voice' returns! |
5/07/97 |
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The Manchester Evening News 4/6/97: Oldham's Voice has accent on community |
15/07/97 |
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Oldham Evening Chronicle 10/6/97: Brass is given its own slot on radio |
15/07/97 |
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alt.radio.uk. usenet group disscussions: North East Manchester SALLIE |
4/11/97 |
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Oldham Evening Chronicle 15/1/98: It's Battle Stations |
21/1/98 |
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The Radio Magazine 16/1/98: Advertsiment of licence |
21/1/98 |
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Oldham Evening Chronicle 19/1/98: Back Bid For Radio Station |
10/2/98 |
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Oldham Evening Chronicle 21/1/98 : 'Oldham FM Supplement' |
10/2/98 |
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Bury Times 16/1/98: Radio Bury by the end of the Year? |
26/2/98 |
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Manchester Evening News 28/1/98: Latest FM license on offer for north and east |
26/2/98 |
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One group who will be biding for the full time license is 'The Voice Of Oldham.' First an article from The Oldham Evening Chronicle Friday May 30th 1997:
The Voice of Oldham returns to airwaves
OLDHAM's part time radio station comes back on the airwaves for another
four weeks, starting on Sunday.
Previous successes have led to The Voice of Oldham to experiment with several
distinct types of broadcasting.
Co-ordinator David McGealy claims the mix is unique and widens the stations
appeal.
But, this time, there will be more guests and more interviews, as the station
widens its net to cover more of Oldham and its people.
Weekdays on The Voice of Oldham 1566AM, start with music designed to appeal
to a wide range of listeners.
Monday features the station's "Oldham Asian Network"
Local music, from brass to country, features heavily on Wednesday.
And, on Friday and Saturday, there is news of what's on in and around the
town.
Mr McGealy said: "The Voice of Oldham is about a great deal more than just
music.
"And, for the first time, we will have a town-centre studio in Albion Street
in the market and we expect people to drop in."
The Voice of Oldham operates under a series of monthly community licenses,
which means it can only broadcast at certain times
Further the Advertiser on 29th May featured this:
Oldham's 'voice' returns!
OLDHAM'S own radio station hits the airwaves again on Sunday.
The Voice of Oldham station will run to the end of June on 1566AM, 24 hours
a day.
The station, which sprang from the Royal Oldham Hospital's Radio Cavell
service, has already had one successful run-out last December.
This time around, there'll be special 'niche' broadcasts for different sections
of the community - so organisers hope to please all of the people some of
the time.
On Fridays and Saturdays most of the day will be devoted to news about and
from local events, such as the Creepy Crawley Show at the Queen Elizabeth
Hall and Oldham's police open day, both on June 8.
Monday afternoons and evenings will be dedicated to the Asian community,
with some shows in Urdu and Bengali.
The over 60s get their own special shows on Tuesdays and Thursdays while
popular local DJ Fred Fielder will cover the morning shift (9am till noon)
during the week.
Music is the keynote of Wednesday's Voice of Oldham - including a chance
for local musicians to shine.
Alan Ashton and Ian Wolestenholme will be hosting an organ and keyboards
programme between 6pm and 8pm each Wednesday and are looking for local musicians
to takes part.
Send a cassette featuring two short musical items (no more than 10 minutes)
to them at The Studios, Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Road, Oldham, OL1
2JH with a few details about yourself and a daytime phone number.
And students at local schools and the Sixth Form College will assist the
programmes during the teenage shows on Sundays.
Here is an article from The Manchester Evening News June 4th 1997:
Oldham's Voice has accent on community
RADIO listeners in Oldham are enjoying a summer boost to their broadcasting
choice.
The Voice, described as "music for the discerning listener" is transmitting
on 1566AM until the end of the month.
Heading the team of presenters is larger-than-life DJ Fred Fielder, who
sparked a public outcry when he was sacked by GMR a couple of years ago.
He says "We're trying to offer something for everyone, big band music, stuff
from the '60s, a Where Are They Now? slot. And people seem to love it."
Joining Fred on the afternoon show is local history enthusiast Cliff Hayes,
who will organise heritage walks.
The station, which is community orientated, is the brainchild of former
teacher Dave McGealy.
This latest run follows a trial outing before Christmas. Dave's long term
hope is a full-time license from the Radio Authority.
More on 'The Voice Of Oldham' from an article in The Oldham Evening Chronicle Tuesday 10th June:
Brass is given its own slot on radio
IN the eyes of the irrepressible Ian Gibson, Saddleworth and Oldham has
long been the brass-band centre of the world
Now he has a new opportunity to put that message across, as a presenter
with Voice Of Oldham radio, broadcasting on 1566AM at the moment.
Ian, the landlord of the Navigation Inn, at Dobcross, is presenting a two-hour
show from 4pm each Wednesday, during which, in addition to playing records,
he chats with guests and dishes out local band news.
Requests
Tomorrow, David Morris, of Greenfiled, the musical director of Milnrow Band,
will be his guest.
"I do firmly believe that we are the world's brass-band centre, and it is
only right we should have our own radio programme," says Ian.
"If people have special requests, or bands want to pass on news about their
needs or activities, they can contact me through Voice Of Oldham or at the
Navigation."
News from the Radio Authority point of view came to light in October came to light in this post from alt.radio.uk.
From: --- (Liam R O'Toole)
Newsgroups: alt.radio.uk
Subject: North East Manchester SALLIE
Date: Fri, 24 Oct 1997 12:27:52 GMT
Organization: Virgin Net Usenet Service
Has anyone else noticed that the Radio Authority has moved the date for
the advertising of the North East Manchester Sallie from October to January
next year ??
Apparently unless you are 'in the know', you don't get to know these things
!
I wonder what the potential applicants will be thinking now ? Maybe could
have had another stab at an RSL over the Summer if they had known ?
Liam
Following on in alt.radio.uk:
From: Ray Woodward ---
Newsgroups: alt.radio.uk
Subject: Re: North East Manchester SALLIE
Date: Fri, 24 Oct 1997 17:01:00 +0100
Organization: Ray's Uplink ...
In article <34509381.4571701@news.virgin.net>, Liam R O'Toole <Liam@RadioLink.net>
comments :
>Apparently unless you are 'in the know', you don't get to know these
>things !
As I understand it they did/do issue press releases ...
>I wonder what the potential applicants will be thinking now ? Maybe
>could have had another stab at an RSL over the Summer if they had
>known ?
Well to quote from the previous release :
The timetable lists the *earliest possible dates* on which particular licences
will be advertised. Licences may well in practice be advertised later if,
for example, those early in the sequence attract a large number of applicants
than currently anticipated.
Hmm, I wonder if they expected 21 applications for the second N.W. regional
..?
Anyway, the Radio Magazine list of dates/areas is usually updated quickly
when such changes are made - I see the N.E. regional licence has been moved
from October to November for example.
==
Ray
Near to the advertisement of the license The Oldham Evening Chronicle 15th January 1998 ran this story:
IT'S BATTLE STATIONS!
CONTENDERS VIE TO PUT OLDHAM ON THE AIRWAVES
THE battle for a radio station in Oldham officially starts tomorrow.
The Radio Authority, which has responsibility for allocating licenses, is
advertising for applications to operate two radio stations in north-east
Greater Manchester.
This covers an area from Bolton to Tameside, including Bury, Rochdale and
Oldham.
After the closing date for applications on May 12, the Radio Authority will
grant a maximum of two small scale commercial radio licenses to run for
eight years.
Applications are expect from all the main towns in the area.
In Oldham, the contenders are expected to be Oldham Fm, which last broadcast
for a month on a temporary license in April, and Voice Of Oldham, which
last broadcast in October (N.B. in fact last broadcast in June)
Oldham Fm, originally set up by Liam Forristal, is backed by the
Oldham Evening Chronicle, Oldham Chamber and UKRG Group Ltd.
Voice of Oldham is run by Dave McGealy, company secretary of the Royal Oldham
Hospital's Radio Cavell.
Oldham FM was born in 1994 when Failsworth born Liam Forestal returned from
two years in the USA.
He already had a background in radio, having worked for Signal Radio, Stockport,
and Signal Radio, Stoke, as well as Piccadilly Radio. In the US he furthered
his broadcasting career as Los Angeles based station KEZY.
When he returned, he was determined to prove the need for a full eight-year
radio license for Oldham. The key to getting the proof was running Oldham
Fm using temporary 28-day licenses granted by the Radio Authority.
SUCCESSFUL
So far Liam has run five successful month-long broadcasts on temporary licenses.
The Oldham Evening Chronicle decided to back Oldham FM's bid for a permanent
license last year, and in October, Oldham Chamber decided that it would
add its financial weight to the application too.
The license was originally due to be advertised in October, but the Radio
Authority decided to delay the announcement until this year.
The Radio Authority advert, due to appear in tomorrow's Evening Chronicle
says that it welcomes "views from the public about the local radio needs
of listeners in the area, and the type of programme service required".
"We are asking everyone to back Oldham FM," said Liam. "The station has
had a fantastic record of entertaining and helping people in Oldham, and
we want to make sure that the license comes here instead of going to one
of the other towns in the area.
"It will be an asset to the borough. We are planning public meetings so
that we can hear people's view of radio in Oldham, and we also have an advisory
panel in place to point us in the right direction."
"People who have heard Oldham FM already know that we can make a great job
of running a radio station in Oldham, so they should let the Radio Authority
know that they want us permanently in Oldham."
Dave McGealy has has a wealth of radio experience, and has been with Radio
Cavell for 24 years.
During that time there is not a job he hasn't done - from manager to treasurer
and secretary and, of course, broadcaster.
Dave believes a community radio station should appeal to all members of
the community, and be run for the benefit of that community.
And to that end, if The Voice of Oldham wins the license it will plough
all its profits back into community projects and facilities.
"Our vision for The Voice of Oldham is of a station owned by, run by and
meetings the needs of the people of Oldham," he said.
"Based on our unique programming policy of broadcasting to different audiences
every day, we offer a station that can reach the parts that other radio
cannot reach.
"Our experience of VJ Day Radio, Heartbeat Radio (for the over-55s), Radio
Latics, Oldham Music Radio, The voice (under-18's), Oldham Events, The Oldham
Asian Network and Radio Cavell have given us an insight into what is possible,
and The voice of Oldham will build on this," said Dave.
"We want the new station to not only be in Oldham but to be at the heart
of Oldham, and that means it must be a great deal more than just another
music station.
"The Voice of Oldham would have a high speech content, with listener involvement
being seen as essential to the success of the station," he added.
"We believe that if you are going to build an audience for a brand new radio
station, you have to offer something that isn't available from the 30 or
so other stations transmitting to Oldham."
And with the experience of seven occasional licenses under their belts,
the people who run The Voice of Oldham say they have learned valuable lessons
from each one.
"Now we feel we are ready to bring real community radio to the people of
Oldham," he said.
"We aim to appeal to different sections of the population at different times.
Some days' programmes would be aimed at the over 55s, while on other days
they would aim to attract teenagers.
Dave explained that The Voice of Oldham had some financial backing commitment,
but was unable to give details, which could be commercially sensitive.
But, he admitted, it was still looking for more backing.
UNUSUAL
"Once the station was set up, we would aim for it to be self-financing,
with any income being spent on community projects in Oldham.
"This is very unusual for a radio station, but we believe in public-service
broadcasting and that community life is important," he added.
"As we enter the new millennium we are supposed to be entering a caring
age, and we believe caring and raising awareness is essential to improving
peoples life style."
* If you want to support one of the bids, write either to Oldham FM, PO
Box 877, Oldham, or The Voice of Oldham, PO Box 1566, Oldham.
Support for either bid can also be made to The Radio Authority, Holbrook
House, 14 Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5DG.
Friday January 16th 1998 saw the advertisement for the license in the local press and The Radio Magazine:
RADIO AUTHORITY
INDEPENDENT LOCAL RADIO
ADVERTISEMENT OF LICENCES
Within North/East Greater Manchester
The Radio Authority invites applications for licenses to provide small-scale
Independent Local Radio (ILR) services within northern and/or eastern parts
of the former metropolitan county of Greater Manchester. A maximum of two
frequencies on the FM (VHF) waveband are being made available for services
designed to provide small-scale coverage of locations within the metropolitan
boroughs of Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and/or Tameside. An applicant
may apply for one license or for two licenses, but should indicate which
part(s) of this wider area it is intended to cover. Each license will be
granted for a maximum of eight years from the commencement of broadcasting.
Further details, including notes of guidance for applicants, an application
form, and coverage brief, giving full details of the basis on which these
licenses are being offered, may be obtained, on written request, from the
Head of Department, The Radio Authority, Holbroook House, 14 Great Queen
Street, London WC2B 5DG.
The closing date of the submission of completed applications will be Tuesday
May 12, 1998. A non-refundable application fee of £750 for each application
submitted will be payable.
The Radio Authority welcomes views from the public about the local radio
needs of listeners in this area, and the type of programme service required.
These should be sent to the address given above.
On Monday 19th January 1998 The Oldham Evening Chronicle ran this in their editorial:
BACK BID FOR RADIO STATION
The Radio Authority advertised for applications to start small-scale radio
station in north-east Greater Manchester on Friday.
In Oldham, so far, we know of two groups likely to bid - Oldham FM, run
by Liam Forristal and backed by Oldham Chamber, and Voice of Oldham, run
by Dave McGealy, of Radio Cavell, the hospital radio service.
The offer of small-scale licenses should not be confused with the bigger
regional Northwest license advertised last year. That is for the likes of
Key 103 and Jazz FM. The small-scale licenses will cover an area of about
the size of Oldham, and it does not take a genius to work out that there
are several towns of this size in the advertised area.
In fact, it stretches from Bolton to Tameside, and includes Rochdale and
Bury as well as Oldham. The Radio Authority says that it will grant a maximum
of two licenses, so a radio station in Oldham is by no means a foregone
conclusion.
There is no doubt, however, that there is sufficient demand for a station
to enhance the media available to Oldhamers. Both Oldham FM and Voice of
Oldham have run several successful month-long temporary licenses that have
been received well.
Weather you enjoyed the style of Oldham FM or Voice of Oldham, if Oldham
is to have a radio station at all, it is important to let the Radio Authority
know that the borough is enthusiastic about getting one of the licenses.
As the most vibrant of the Greater Manchester districts to the North of
the conurbation, we should be able to get that message across.
If we don't, then we should not whinge if the license goes elsewhere - to
Rochdale, Tameside or even Bury. Get out your pens and tell the Radio Authority
that Oldham deserves its own radio station.
*The Radio Authority's address is Holbrook house, 14 Great Queen Street,
London, WC2B 5DG.
On Wednesday 21st January The Oldham Evening Chronicle produced an 'Oldham FM Supplement', here is some extracts from it, it covers much ground from the above sources.
BATTLE TO WIN NEW OLDHAM RADIO STATION
This week marks the start of Oldham's big chance to get it's own radio station.
The Radio Authority, the official organisation with responsibility for allocating
licenses, has advertised for applications to operate two radio stations
in north-east greater Manchester.
If the Radio Authority thinks that there isn't enough support for an Oldham
station, the licenses might be given to other stations in the area.
Oldham FM, backed by the Oldham Evening Chronicle and Oldham Chamber, wants
to make sure that the license comes here. We believe that Oldham can be
a winner.
Oldham FM has a fantastic record of entertaining and helping people in Oldham.
The radio station was born in 1994 when Failsworth born Liam Forestal returned
from two years in the USA...determined to prove the need for a full eight-year
radio license for Oldham.
The key to getting the proof was running Oldham FM using temporary 28 day
licenses granted by the Radio Authority. But Oldham FM was never intended
to be temporary. Liam's sights were set on a permanent station for Oldham
- however long it took to set up. Liam started broadcasting in summer, 1994,
when Oldham FM arrived on the scene like a welcome breeze. It soon captured
the hearts of Oldhamers with its mixture of classic hits and community broadcasting
ventures.
The community Noticeboard, Oldham Cares, the Live Lunch Hour outside broadcast
from a different venue each weekday, and the popular local history walks,
as well as local news from the Chronicle and traffic information, soon gained
the station a seizable audience. Sometimes community radio can be pretty
awful to listen to, but Oldham FM' always aimed at professional polish,
and its presenters and DJs have almost all made their way in the radio industry
since appearing with Oldham FM. Since its ground braking days, Oldham FM
has completed five successful trials, with the last one including General
Election coverage from the Queen Elizabeth Hall count in May last year.
Now Oldham FM faces its most important challenge - to beat off the competition
and give Oldham the radio station it deserves.
The Bury Times on Friday 16th January ran this story:
Radio Bury by the end of the Year?
Bury could have its own local radio station by the end of this year.
The Radio communications Agency have today have today advertised for companies
to put in bids for a radio license to provide a small-scale local service
in North and East Greater Manchester.
Firms have until may to put their bids for one of the two frequencies available
to cover Bury, Bolton, Rochdale, Oldham and/or Tameside.
Leading the field are Bury Tower FM, who carried out a number of one month
trial broadcasts in the area since 1993.
Their managing director, Julian Hotchkiss said: "Getting our area on the
map was the first stage of the battle.
"It is only by virtue of the fact that Tower FM has carried out so many
successful trail broadcasts that the radio authority has finally acknowledged
that this area needs its own radio station."
The successful applicant should be announced this summer, and it is up to
them when the station starts
The Manchester Evening News Wednesday 28th Jan 1998 carried this:
Latest FM license on offer for north and east
THE Radio Authority is inviting applications for the new local license for
north and east Manchester.
Applicants have until May to tender, with the winner to be announced in
the summer.
Contenders include Bury-based Tower FM, which has been involved in trial
broadcasts since 1993.
Julian Hotchkiss, MD, says:"It is paramount we show the Radio Authority
that there is a need for a radio service.
"All too often, the Manchester based radio stations forget about us, with
just token mentions of our area."