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RadioReverb Wins National Diversity Award
On Friday night (14 Sept) in Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, Brighton’s local community radio station, RadioReverb, was awarded the National Diversity Award for Community – Multi Strand.
Designed to highlight the country’s most inspirational and selfless people, the NDA’s gain endorsements from high profile figures such as Stephen Fry, Sir Lenny Henry CBE and Graham Norton. The awards ceremony – for which over 124,000 nominations were received – was hosted by Ana Matronic (Radio2 presenter and lead singer of Scissor Sisters) and television presenter Brian Dowling.
RadioReverb was awarded the gong for its community ethos and commitment to diversity. Rooted in Brighton & Hove’s local community, RadioReverb ensures the voices of local people are heard – especially if they are from social groups typically under-represented by the mainstream media.
Ali Rezakhani, RadioReverb’s co-director, who collected the award on behalf of the small team and its 60 volunteer broadcasters said, ” To win this award is such an honour and a privilege for our team. Diversity and giving a voice to marginalised groups is key to what we do. This national recognition is very humbling, and we are so proud to represent the best of British diversity”.
RadioReverb produces a diverse range of speech and music programmes, including shows made by and for older people (At Home This Morning), people living with HIV (HIV Hour), people with learning disabilities (Carousel Radio) and the LGBTQ+ community (Out In Brighton). They station also airs Mental Health Matters, which explores issues surrounding mental health, and Sophie Cook Talks, a topical talk show presented by transgender broadcaster Sophie Cook.
Last week, RadioReverb launched a Crowdfunder to raise funds to upgrade their transmitter and ensure more diverse voices can be heard on the airwaves. Replacing the transmitter would enable RadioReverb to bring their community focused radio programmes to more listeners – a vital service now RadioReverb is the only longstanding, independent, local radio station in the city.
Supporters of local radio have until 7 October to donate to RadioReverb’s Crowdfunder. A selection of exciting rewards are also on offer in exchange for donations, including the opportunity to go behind the scenes on a live programme, and even the chance to co-host a show.
To donate to RadioReverb’s Crowdfunder visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/radioreverb
Find out more about the diverse range of speech and music shows on RadioReverb go to www.radioreverb.com
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Crowdfunding campaign to preserve independent local radio in Brighton + Hove
RadioReverb, Brighton and Hove’s not-for-profit radio station, has today (10 September) launched an online crowdfunding campaign to protect the future of independent local radio in Brighton.
RadioReverb is crowdfunding the £5,500 it requires to purchase a new transmitter. The team also need to update vital equipment necessary for broadcasting their vibrant mix of community-focussed speech and music programmes. These investments will enable RadioReverb to grow, and ensure the local Brighton and Hove community still have a voice following the departure of Juice FM.
Global, Europe’s biggest radio company, purchased Juice FM in January 2018 and, as a result, went off-air in August 2018. This has left members of the community concerned about whether the Brighton and Hove community will continue to be served by the resulting changes in the local radio scene.
RadioReverb is determined that the community of Brighton and Hove will not lose out, and that they will continue to hear local voices represented 24/7 on RadioReverb. Its team of home grown-broadcasters have been creating independent, not-for-profit local radio for over ten years – but now need an extra funding boost from their listeners!
RadioReverb is ‘the sound of your city’ and broadcasts an eclectic mix of music and speech programmes. Listeners will also find shows presented by, and for, older people, people with learning disabilities, new parents, people with mental health problems, the LGBTQ+ community and people living with HIV – who all live locally!
Listener surveys compare RadioReverb to a cross between Radio4 and BBC 6 music, but with a local edge. RadioReverb’s crowdfunding campaign will help to bring these programmes to more people and to include even more local voices on-air.
RadioReverb director Tracey Allen said: “Local radio is getting smaller, but RadioReverb is getting bigger!
“After over 10 years of making community-focused, not-for-profit radio, RadioReverb now needs your help to buy a new transmitter that will enable us to improve and expand our vital service.
“Enjoy listening to RadioReverb? Then give something back by donating so we can continue broadcasting our unique, socially conscious, local radio programmes and support the local community!”Supporters of local radio and RadioReverb have until 7 October to donate to the Crowdfunder. A selection of exciting rewards are also on offer in exchange for donations including the opportunity to go behind the scenes on a live programme, and even the chance to co-host a show.
To donate to RadioReverb’s Crowdfunder visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/radioreverb
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RadioReverb shortlisted for the UK’s largest Diversity Awards
RadioReverb, Brighton & Hove’s not for profit radio station, has been shortlisted for the ‘Community Organisation Award: Multi-Strand’ at the National Diversity Awards 2018.
A total of 24,584 people have been nominated this year, with an astonishing 124 nominees being recognised for their various achievements nationwide.
Community organisations and role models from across the UK will head to the breath-taking Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on 14th September to witness the country’s 2018 winners being crowned the best of British diversity.
A radio station with its ethos rooted in the Brighton community, RadioReverb aims to ensure the voices of local people are heard – especially if they are from social groups under-represented by the mainstream media.
RadioReverb produces a diverse range of speech and music programmes, including shows made by and for older people (At Home This Morning), people living with HIV (HIV Hour), people with learning disabilities (Carousel Radio) and the LGBTQ+ community (Out In Brighton). They also air Mental Health Matters, which explores issues surrounding mental health, and Sophie Cook Talks, a topical talk show presented by transgender broadcaster Sophie Cook.
Tracey Allen, RadioReverb director, said of the nomination: “We are tremendously proud that RadioReverb has been shortlisted for the Diversity Awards. RadioReverb takes diversity very seriously and are proud to give voices to marginalised communities, so to be recognised for this – and in such a competitive category – is truly an honour”.
Designed to highlight the country’s most inspirational and selfless people, the NDA’s continue to gain endorsements from high profile figures such as Stephen Fry, Sir Lenny Henry CBE and Graham Norton.
Radio 2 presenter and Scissor Sister favourite Ana Matronic will host this year’s ceremony alongside television presenter Brian Dowling. Reflecting on the forthcoming celebrations, Ana said; “I’m delighted to be hosting the 2018 National Diversity Awards in Liverpool for the second year in a row.
“Last year’s event was a true celebration of diversity across every area and nothing gives me greater pleasure than being able to be a part of this prestigious event! I can’t wait to meet all of the nominees and winners!”.
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RadioReverb launches ground breaking smart speaker skills
RadioReverb has embraced new technology by launching two brand new “skills” for Alexa-enabled devices and smart speakers.
Both of the skills – Amazon’s version of apps – that RadioReverb has developed are free to download and will work on Amazon Echo devices, the Alexa smartphone app on iOS and Android, Alexa-enabled Fire Tablets, the Alexa-enabled Fire TV and Fire TV stick..
The first new skill is a voice app called ‘RadioReverb’ which will enable users to listen live to Brighton’s not-for-profit radio station by just using their voice. Listeners only have to say “Alexa, open RadioReverb” to tune in to RadioReverb’s diverse mix of speech and music programmes.
The second skill is called ‘The Brighton Guide Flash Briefing’ and is a UK radio first. After installing the skill, users can get the latest ‘what’s-on guide’ for Brighton and Hove by asking “Alexa, what’s the news?”. In reply RadioReverb listeners will hear a brief rundown of their local listings at their own convenience. This content will be regularly updated and is the first time a UK radio station has created an events guide specifically for a smart speaker.
Both the ‘RadioReverb’ and ‘The Brighton Guide Flash Briefing’ skills are now live in the Alexa skills store. Also, plans are already underway to bring RadioReverb’s podcasts and listen again service to the Alexa skills store, so their award-winning programmes can be enjoyed on-demand. Recently RadioReverb’s ‘Carousel Radio’ won a Gold British Podcast Award, and similarly prestigious awards have also been presented to Growing Wild and Fermentation.
Anthony Martin, Audio & Digital Manager at RadioReverb, said: “These skills that we’ve launched on the Amazon Echo are an example of RadioReverb’s innovative attitude towards delivering our content in an increasingly digital world.
“In developing ‘The Brighton Guide Flash Briefing’ for the Amazon skills store, we wanted to use the latest technology to give our audience local listings information in new and exciting ways. As a local radio station based in the heart of the community that is forefront in our minds.”
Tracey Allen, director of RadioReverb, said “Smart speakers are a compelling and increasingly important way of delivering audio content to radio listeners and RadioReverb are proud to be moving with the times. Smart speaker ownership is becoming ever more popular and we want our audience to be able to engage with RadioReverb using the latest possible technology.”
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HIV Hour Wins Grant From The Rainbow Fund
RadioReverb’s ground breaking weekly show HIV Hour, which is dedicated to Brighton’s HIV positive community, has been awarded a £1000 grant by The Rainbow Fund.
A prestigious fund that was created to continue the legacy of the city’s AIDS Memorial, The Rainbow Fund provides much needed funds for volunteer-lead projects for LGBT+ and HIV/AIDS organisations in Brighton and Hove.
HIV Hour is made by people with HIV for people with HIV; being presented by Sue who has been living with HIV for 11 years. The show received the funding due to the important role it plays in supporting local people with HIV and raising awareness of HIV positive community in Brighton.
Station Director Tracey Allen said “The whole team at RadioReverb are delighted that The Rainbow Fund have awarded grant funding to HIV Hour. It’s a show we are hugely proud of and are grateful for the Rainbow Fund’s continued support.”
HIV Hour airs on RadioReverb every Thursday at 7pm.
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RadioReverb’s ‘The Write Songs’ introduces celebrity food writers to Brighton’s air waves
The Write Songs is returning to RadioReverb 97.2FM on Wednesday 28 March with the songs behind the books, this time by some of Britain’s most successful food writers. In a spin on Desert Island Discs and Paperback Writers’ ‘chat and play’ formula, food journalist and podcaster, Gilly Smith explores with her guests the songs that made their books sing.
Gilly explained “The Write Songs is about looking at the process of writing, listening to the songs my guests listen to while they’re writing and that transport them to where they take us in their books. Our sponsors at City Books are curating a reading list around the themes which come up in each episode, so it’s a must listen for book fans.”
Over the next eight weeks, RadioReverb listeners will go into the homes of The Observer’s Rising Star of 2015, Ukrainian food writer Olia Hercules and James Beard award winner, Diana Henry. The audience will also travel to River Cottage to meet Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s deputy, former Brighton resident Stephen Lamb; to Dartington Hall to meet TV’s Urban Chef, Oliver Rowe and to Soho’s Quo Vadis to meet cocktail queen, Kay Plunkett-Hogge. Plus, Italian food writer Valentina Harris and ambassador of Pakistani cooking, Sumayya Usmani and finalist in the Jane Grigson Trust New Food Writer Awards, Skye McAlpine take us back to their exotic childhoods through the music that still sings through their books.
The show will broadcast every Wednesday evening at 6pm and the final two shows on the 9th and 16th May will broadcast at 7pm following RadioReverb’s nightly Brighton Festival broadcast.
The Write Songs will also be repeated on Thursdays at 1pm and Fridays at 4am. A Podcast of the show can also be found using RadioReverb’s Listen Again service.
Listeners can hear RadioReverb at 97.2FM, on DAB+ and on-line at www.radioreverb.com.
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RadioReverb Announce Brighton Festival 2018 Partnership
RadioReverb, Brighton’s not for profit radio station, is delighted to announce that they will be Broadcast Media Partner for Brighton Festival 2018, following last year’s partnership.
RadioReverb will broadcast a daily, hour long live show from their studios in Brighton’s Open Market, between 5pm and 6pm from 1 May until 1 June. Each show will then be repeated at 10pm each evening, and then again at 9am the following morning, giving RadioReverb listeners every opportunity to keep up to date with what’s on at Brighton Festival 2018
RadioReverb originally started broadcasting during the Brighton Festival in 2004, for only two weeks. It was then awarded a full community broadcasting licence from OFCOM in 2007. 14 years after RadioReverb first covered the festival, it will still be the best place to keep up with the latest festival news in 2018.
During last year’s Brighton Festival, RadioReverb broadcast 15 live radio shows and released 69 podcasts dedicated to Festival events, a grand total of 30 hours of audio. Highlights included coverage of ‘For The Birds’, ‘Five Short Blasts’ and ‘Collisions’ as well as an interview with Guest Director Kate Tempest.
This year’s Festival, with an exciting new programme Guest Directed by the Turner Prize-nominated visual artist and Brighton resident David Shrigley, is expected to be more dynamic than ever, and RadioReverb’s coverage will be to.
Emma Robertson, Head of Press and PR at Brighton Festival commented: “We are delighted to be working with RadioReverb again this year following our successful partnership last year. Our Guest Director David Shrigley is a Brighton resident himself and a passionate advocate of the city, so it feels particularly apt to be working with a radio station at the heart of the community.”
RadioReverb is ‘the sound of your city’ with its team of home-grown broadcasters, producing a vibrant mix of independent, locally relevant, advert free, speech and music programmes firmly rooted in the Brighton community.
RadioReverb Director Tracey Allen said: “We are delighted that RadioReverb is continuing its partnership with Brighton Festival and we have some very exciting coverage planned for 2018. As a community, not-for-profit station, RadioReverb is a perfect broadcast partner for Brighton Festival, an arts festival that is bedded in the fabric of the local community and something that deeply connects with our listeners.”
Listeners can hear RadioReverb on 97.2FM, on DAB+ and on-line at www.radioreverb.com.
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Mayor Mo Marsh and Caroline Lucas MP Show Support For RadioReverb And Preserving Independent Radio
Brighton and Hove Mayor Mo Marsh joined RadioReverb’s team of presenters and volunteers on Saturday 3 March to support Brighton’s community radio station’s annual fundraiser.
The ‘Reverbathon’ was a 12-hour broadcast in which, for one day only, RadioReverb’s usual schedule was scrapped, with presenters and listeners coming together to support the station live on-air. The object was to raise funds to keep RadioReverb independent, playlist-free and advert-free.
Mayor Mo Marsh attended the event at RadioReverb’s studio in Brighton’s Open Market where she praised the station’s “wonderful diverse offering which I’m going to be tuning in to more”.
She also added that local independent radio is “important to anywhere and I’m delighted our city as usual is particularly strong in this offer.
“There is no funding for RadioReverb apart from what you donate so if you want to keep your local radio station live, serving a wonderful diverse community – particularly the house bound, the vulnerable, people who can’t get out – radio is a vital link. Please, please donate!”
Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavillion, also contributed a message of support: “I will urge people very seriously in Brighton and Hove to get out there and support the Reverbathon.
“Give even just a couple of quid if you can because independent voices in the media are needed more than ever. Brighton is such an independent city – it deserves and needs good independent radio.”
Volunteers and supporters of RadioReverb raised over £2,000, through sponsorship and donations, for the community radio station during the community event.
Many local businesses supported the Reverbathon through sponsorship, including key donors such as VegFest, Brighton’s Finest, Avonside Television, Stripey Lemon, The Best Of Brighton & Hove, Flowers Unlimited, Butler’s Wines, Network My Club and The Basketmaker’s Arms.
Additional funds were raised through audience donations, online and at the Open Market based studio where volunteers exchanged pastries, cakes, mugs and tote-bags for donations while the broadcast was played on outdoor speakers. All donations and sponsorship pledges raised a total of £2,167.
All the money raised will go directly back into running the station, upgrading equipment and bringing new shows with local voices to the airwaves.
Following Juice 107.2’s recent buy-out by Global (Europe’s leading radio company who also run Capital, Heart and Classic FM) RadioReverb is likely to become increasingly important as an independent broadcaster in Brighton.
RadioReverb Director Tracey Allen said: “This year’s Reverbathon has been an incredible success, especially as the day proved how having an independent radio station supports the city, local traders, businesses and charities – and with no programming restrictions or adverts to get in the way!
“RadioReverb really is the sound of the city and the donations raised will ensure local voices are preserved in Brighton.We’d like to thank everyone who supported the Reverbathon, with donations, time, energy and enthusiasm.”
RadioReverb, as a not-for-profit station, is reliant on donations for its funding. The Reverbathon may be over but you can still support RadioReverb all year round by pledging a donation online: https://www.radioreverb.com/donate/
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RadioReverb launches Reverbathon 2018
REVERBATHON is RadioReverb’s annual fundraiser which, for one day only, helps Brighton’s long-standing community radio station stay on air. The Reverbathon will be a live 12-hour broadcast and community event which will take place on Saturday 3 March 2018, from 7 am on to 7 pm.
Broadcasting live from the RadioReverb’s studio in Brighton’s Open Market, the money raised by the event will contribute to the running of the radio station, enabling it to remain playlist and advert free.
The Reverbathon will also celebrate the social landscape of Brighton and Hove as well as showcase the top talent that dominates the station’s community lead schedule.Each hour a different presenter will take to the airwaves with a special edition of their unique show. Other presenters, guests and musicians will be dropping in for short sessions and chats, creating a totally unique, one-off local radio experience. Presenters scheduled to appear include Emma Inch, Sophie Cook, Josie Booth, Pete Jones, Mark Johnson, Alan Wares and many more.
The RadioReverb team will be at the Open Market all day, selling merchandise and collecting donations. Listeners will also get the chance to request a song of their choice in return for a donation, made online or in person at the studio.
All the money raised during the Reverbathon goes directly back into the running of the station, upgrading equipment and giving an opportunity to bring in new shows with local voices.
RadioReverb is the sound of your city and, with its team of home-grown broadcasters, delivers an entertaining and socially conscious schedule of programs for the Brighton and Hove community.
To donate please go to www.radioreverb.com. To sponsor a show on the day for £100 please email: office@radioreverb.com
Radio Reverb is based in Brighton and can be found on 97.2FM on DAB+ and online www.radioreverb.com
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RadioReverb Launches Mental Health Matters Radio Show
A brand-new radio show about mental health is being launched by Brighton community radio Station RadioReverb as part of their new 2018 schedule.The ground-breaking new show, Mental Health Matters, aims to be a valuable resource for Brighton residents and mental health charities alike. Hosted by Counsellor and Dramatherapist, Bruce Guthrie, he will be joined by a co-host to explore ideas, new and established approaches to helping others grow, recover and experience better Mental Health. The programme is made by – and for – people who’ve experienced mental illness and emotional suffering in all its forms. We will be bringing people together to share what works for them in terms of navigating their way through life’s sometimes immense challenges.
Mental Health Matters will format will be positive and entertaining but also responsible and informative and will aim to combine information about local services with interviews featuring local health professionals – and of course there will be music too! The show will also have a light-hearted game segment, ‘The Dedication Game’, which is designed to encourage open discussion. Any listener can apply to join Bruce in the studio and take part in the game.
The first episode of this monthly show will be aired on RadioReverb in January 2018.
Host and producer Ben Guthrie said “Myself and the RadioReverb team have spent a long time developing the show as we really wanted to get it right. Mental Health Matters will be a fantastic resource for those struggling with mental health problems and I’m very excited to finally be bringing it to the airwaves in January.”Station Producer Ben Noble added “We’ve wanted a show about mental health on RadioReverb for some time now – it was just a question of getting it right. Bruce came to us with a great idea based around the format of The Dedication Game. It’s a conversation about healing and music, which exemplifies Bruce’s hands-on, practical attitude to mental health. We were thrilled at his approach, but we wanted to go further and cover the more academic and medical side of treatment too.
In the past couple of months we’ve worked with Bruce to develop the concept so that it will now include interviews with mental health professionals, news on the latest advances in treatment, and information on local services – all without losing the initial down-to-earth focus of Bruce’s original idea, which asks “what can YOU do to improve your mental health in your day to day life?”
“We’ve ended up with a show that will be fun to listen to even as it stimulates meaningful conversations around mental health. We are immensely proud of this show and hope it will become a valuable resource for Brighton residents.”Mental Health Matters is launching as part of numerous new shows taking to the air on RadioReverb over the winter period. These include:
World Funk Mash Up: Jon Stallick, AKA DJ Barefoot, brings you a monthly hour of everything from electro-swing to latin-jazz.
The Brighton Album Chart Show: As seen on Latest TV and presented by Anthea Clarke, the Brighton Album Chart Show is compiled only of physical album and LP purchases from Brighton’s vibrant record shop, Resident Records.
Sophie Cook Talks: A new weekly current affairs show from media personality and LGBT+ rights campaigner Sophie Cook, mixing thought-provoking chat with great music.
DJ Mighty Ming: Join DJ Mighty Ming – known for his seamless mixing style, sublime taste and high production values – on Radio Reverb as he drops all kinds of house music on his new monthly mix show.Other ways to listen will be via the Listen Again button at www.radioreverb.com.
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Prestigious award for RadioReverb Host Charlotte Petts
Charlotte Petts, presenter of Growing Wild on Brighton’s community radio station RadioReverb, was awarded The Alan Titchmarsh New Talent Award last night [23 November] at The Garden Media Guild Awards 2017, the so-called gardening ‘Oscars’.
The prestigious awards ceremony celebrates ‘the best of horticultural communications, recognising the talent, skill and inspiration of garden media professionals’. Open for anyone to enter, the awards give new talent and established players the opportunity to have their work recognised and judged by experts in the field.
Speaking of Charlotte Petts and her work on Growing Wild, RadioReverb’s nature based show which explores the countryside and urban spaces of Brighton and beyond, the judges said: “Ultimately, Charlotte won out with original, rich content, relevant to novices and keen gardeners alike, drawing out fascinating narratives from her interviewee’s without saying too much herself.”
Growing Wild airs on RadioReverb at 5pm on the last Sunday of each month. The show covers topics as diverse as wild food, foraging, wild swimming and adventure and is sponsored by Infinity Foods.
On receiving her award, which took the form of an embossed Wedgwood plant pot, Charlotte said “It’s really exciting to have been awarded The Alan Titchmarsh New Talent Award for Growing Wild. It was such an honour to have been nominated alongside so many talented people, so I was surprised to have been crowned the winner. I couldn’t be more pleased!”
The Garden Media Guild Awards 2017 ceremony was held at the world-famous Savoy, London on 23 November, and was hosted by broadcaster Gyles Brandreth.
If that wasn’t reason enough for RadioReverb to celebrate, Lance Dann also won Best Drama Producer last night at the Audio Production Awards for his bio-thriller Blood Culture, produced by Resonance FM which aired on RadioReverb over Halloween.