The successes of the UK’s growing not-for-profit radio sector were celebrated at the second annual Community Radio Awards (23 September), with Ribble FM presented with a 4 AWARDS (as above) at the National Event.
 
The announcement was made at a packed awards ceremony following the 2017 Community Media Conference. This year’s conference, which was hosted by 2016 Station of the Year Ujima FM in Bristol, brought together grass roots media organisations owned by and giving voice to communities usually overlooked by mainstream and commercial media.
 

 
Kath Lord-Green Executive Director and Station Manager of Ribble FM says:
‘After only 14 months on FM, to reach 7 finalist categories was enough for us, we were delighted, but to come away from the awards, when we know there were 350 entries from 70 stations across the country, as Multi Award Winners on the night was just incredible. We are very proud indeed. I want to thank all Volunteers who all work tirelessly to bring fantastic Community Radio to the Ribble Valley. I also want to thank local businesses and the Community as a whole for their continued support.. its all just sinking in now what a huge achievement this is”



Martin Steers, Community Radio Awards Chair, says:
'We can’t believe how much these new awards have caught the imagination of the movement of volunteers who are producing fantastic and engaging radio for their communities. What we were really excited by is the increasing energy of their output. It can be a long old haul keeping output going over the long term on very minimal funds, so we’re pleased to see that the sector is not only surviving but thriving, and is increasingly the answer to bringing communities together and serving those who are being left behind by the traditional and mainstream media.’
 
A panel of over 50 judges drawn from the BBC, commercial radio, community radio and media, and academics selected the best programmes and stations from more than 350 entries from 70 community radio stations.
 
Full list of Community Radio Awards 2017 at communityradioawards.org.uk