WORK is underway to establish a new community radio station for Peterborough.

Representatives of Radio Peterborough have applied to Ofcom – the broadcasting regulator – to approve a licence for the station, which will operate throughout this year’s Peterborough Festival.

Not only will the not-for-profit Radio Peterborough entertain and inform local people, it will also aim to educate, promote social well being and foster community cohesion.

Organisers want to launch a trial 28-day broadcast from 26 June to coincide with the start of the city’s festival which is organised and promoted by Peterborough’s new culture and leisure trust, Vivacity and supported by Peterborough City Council.

Radio Peterborough is set to be the official radio station for the festival and will promote the programme of arts and entertainment events happening across the city.

A number of further trial broadcasts are due to take place in order to lay the ground for the long term development of the project, which it is hoped will eventually lead to the establishment of a permanent community radio station for Peterborough.

The faces behind the project are Wayne Fitzgerald and Peter Tibbs who both have significant experience in broadcasting. Peter is a well known local DJ and radio presenter. He previously worked for LITE FM and the former GWR Group. He is also involved with a number of community radio stations across the country and provides weekly programmes to them from his home studio in Orton Waterville.

Wayne founded LITE FM and is an experienced and respected broadcaster. He is a councillor for North Bretton ward and is actively involved in a number corporate and charity bodies such as Cross Keys homes and the Cressett. He also has a number of business interests in the city.

Mr Fitzgerald said, “We want this to be a truly community station for Peterborough and need to hear from anybody who wants to be involved in this exciting project. It would be great if we could bring on board a number of partners from the many communities in Peterborough.

“There are opportunities for individuals in both the public and private sector to get involved and we are also looking for members for our emerging board of directors to help develop this community initiative.

“Additionally, we want to hear from anybody who wants to contribute to programmes on the station or have ideas they want to be put forward.”

In the longer term, Radio Peterborough has ambitions to establish a ‘radio academy’ which will train local people of any age who have an interest in broadcasting and the media. Organisers hope this will equip many with new skills in areas such as news gathering and reporting, programme production and presentation.

If you would like to be involved in Radio Peterborough, please email: info@radiopeterborough.co.uk or wayne.fitzgerald@radiopeterborough.co.uk or peter.tibbs@radiopeterborough.co.uk or telephone 01733 704123 (Monday to Friday 9am till 4pm)