The Times  Are A Changin’ For Down Community Radio

Down Radio Station Chair Explains The Ups And Down Of The Radio Station

Many listeners to Down Community Radio FM105 (DCR) will be wondering where the radio station has disappeared to, and why.

Unfortunately the station had to close due to a reshuffle within SERC who hosted the three radio stations in Downpatrick, Lisburn and Bangor.

Gareth McDowell, Chairman of the Board of DCR, said: “I have been involved with the radio for many years along with a few other presenters.

‘We put out our shows on Down FM 105 on a weekly basis. These shows were based at SERC, and the old East Down Institute before that in the late 1990s. We have built up a solid body of listeners.”

He said that the general idea was that the radio stations would act as training venues for students in the media arts. The radio provided a useful education function along with its more obvious role in entertainments and music.

“But it seems that SERC management were not happy with the current situation on sustainability and from last November plans were increasingly put in place for SERC to withdraw from the local radio stations,” added Gareth.

“And I must say that I, along with the other board members, was in the dark with much of this. Then in the summer months, we received word of the closure.

“After seeking representation with SERC management, we finally got the go ahead to pick up the pieces and continue DCR FM105. So the Board continued and decided to consult with its base.

“We then held a meeting at the end of July in the ALPS community hub just off the  Market Street car park and presenters and interested volunteers were invited to attend.

“It was agreed that we continue to reset Down Community Radio and get on air as soo as possible, but it was acknowledged there were a number of key issues to address in the short-term.

“The first issue was that there was only a very small amount of money in the bank account and funds would need to be raised.

“Secondly, we were kindly offered the former BBC studio at St Patrick’s Centre as a base which is fantastic, but we have to activate the transmitter there which sends the signal to the main mast at the Downshire Estate to cover the wider Downpatrick area. This is a technical challenge.

“Currently, we are just about to run a test to see if this signal is working – or not – and trying to identify how to move forward on this technical issue.

“So, we may be off the air for a few weeks more yet, but keep your eye on our social media and in the local media for updates.

Gareth explained: “We do have a new website set up and we are looking to stream on the back of this for the short-term. That will hopefully get us up and running.

“Our aim is to get the whole system working by Christmas time. But it is a question of one step at a time.

“In the meantime the Board are aware that the presenters are keen to get going again with their shows, and that our many listers look forward again to hearing the voices of their  DJs and programme hosts.

“It is all very technical and we are doing our best and we remain hopeful.”

Cyril McKinney, well known local DJ and C&W fan, and Board Member, said: “Each of the DJs has their own fan base and we do have quite a reach when you add up all the traffic we generate.

“I’m constantly being asked when we are going to get on the air again.

“Personally, I can’t wait to get the country music show going again.”

Cyril echoes the feelings of the other programme presenters and senses the loss that the listeners are feeling at the moment.

Gareth McDowell continued: “The Board are aware of the impending financial needs to get DCR up and running and are putting together a fund-raising strategy. We hope that our supporters and local businesses etc back us in our hour of need.

“But we will have to apply for funding through the usual channels for the medium to longer-term. We are also putting a business plan together to further understand our position.

“We will release more news about our fundraising plans in a couple of weeks.

“We would like this community radio to be a success story for Downpatrick. We are faced with significant cost and technical issues, but we are going to do what we can. We are hopeful.

“It will be all hands to the pump and all help will be appreciated.

“So stay tuned in to our up-dates and we will do our utmost to get DCR up and running again on the air.

“We basically have to get back to the drawing board but we are determined to get going once again.”