It all started as long ago as October 2013 when an application was made to Ofcom to provide a Community Radio Station just for the Ribble Valley.

It was July 2014 when the team of volunteers at Ribble FM heard the great news that Ofcom had granted them a 5 year Licence to Broadcast  to the Community of the Ribble Valley -  With a 2 year period to “get on air”

For two years  the process of setting up a local Community Station was in the hands of Kath Lord-Green Station Manager and Co-ordinator of this huge project . Kath, with her Business Hons Degree and Experience in both Commercial and Community radio was confident it could be done.

Business Development and Networking were the key to getting the support the radio station needed “ being a Community not-for-profit Radio Station we first had to work on finding people and businesses to support the idea and our first major grant was from the Mayoral Fund in Clitheroe back in 2014. We then had donations from the Bowland Trust, Whalley & District Lions, Hanson Cement, Ribble Valley Homes and almost 10K from the Big Lottery Fund but we needed much more. A major business Fort vale engineering (celebrating their 50th year this year) stepped forward and have been a great help granting an annual payment from their trust fund as well as their initial support in sponsoring our launch.

Community Radio Stations can sell advertising but it will always be around 50/50. Commercial stations are 100% advertising but a Community Station is   50% grants/funding donations and 50% advertising revenue.

Bowker Mini have also  been a great support with a Mini Cooper D with an eye catching Ribble FM logo to promote the station across the Ribble Valley and to raise the profile of the Station.

The Studio itself is located  in Offices at the back of The Grand Clitheroe which the team feel is the perfect location and fit:  The Grand is a very successful entertainment venue with a charity arm. It’s a match made in heaven. “The Grand and The Lancaster family have been fantastic in providing premises for our project, to have them on the journey and see the vision we have as a Community Station is invaluable” said Kath.

After two years of “beg borrow and steal” as the Major Joyce Holgate said at the launch in July (Kath promises she didn’t steal anything) The Station was launched on 106.7fm in July 2016.

“I was over the moon to have got there, said Kath, if I’m honest I nearly gave up lots of times along the way but with local business support  and a great team of volunteers we did it” Kath had in fact done up the premises and kitted it out on next to nothing. The furniture, carpets, supplies and workmanship were asked for and donated “people were so generous, if you don’t ask you don’t get and our biggest cost was the Antenna and installation and the Sonifex desk in the studio (10K) in total. If you added up everything we have done amazing well with nothing”.

Broadcasting for over 6 months now Ribble FM is going from strength to strength, as the only dedicated station to the Ribble Valley you can hear Ribble FM in local shops as well as in cars, homes and online and anywhere in the world with the smart phone app.

Ribble FM is one of only 13 Community Stations to have just been awarded an Ofcom grant for business development, “not only are the funds much needed to get out there and develop Ribble FM further, but I feel that Ofcom by giving us this grant is also confident of our sustainability” said Kath.

We are on air 24/7 with automated programming overnight, with a dedicated team of volunteers the regular daytime shows Breakfast, Bruch and the Home Run and specialised  shows such as sport, The Vintage Show, Soul, Jazz and This is the Ribble Valley, Farming , Countryside Matters and even a motoring show with Sunday Driver. There are lots of opportunities to get involved.

Starting on  7th March we have a new dedicated business show “It’s your business” where we talk to local businesses on air about their business and that’s where Kath is inviting you to be involved.. If you would like to “appear” on it’s your business with YOUR business story please email kath@ribblefm.com or if you just want to visit the studio and have a look Kath is happy to show you around!

The future looks bright with training ideas, digital consideration with DAB and much more, Ribble FM is here to stay.

“thanks to the businesses of the Ribble Valley and Beyond for their continued support” KLG.

Facebook page www.facebook.com/RibbleFM

Twitter @ribblefm