SWINDON 105.5 has marked its eighth anniversary by officially unveiling new studios at the Liden Centre library.

The station’s patron Lord Joel Joffe cut the ribbon to officially open the studios at a ceremony on Tuesday morning alongside Mayor of Swindon Andrew Bennett and Station Manager Shirley Ludford.

Shirley said: “I signed up for two years and can’t quite believe I’m still here all these years later, many of our volunteers have been with us for much of that time too.

“Many came in and then forgot to leave, others moved on and it’s great when we hear about how they developed their skills and their confidence during their time here.

“It’s an amazing organisation that really is at the heart of the community, I don’t think you could find such a diverse range of people anywhere in the borough and we’re very proud of that.

“I think the range of people we have with us today is testimony to that, from community representatives, to local authorities, to the voluntary and commercial sectors as well.”

The community station, which is entirely volunteer run and offers education and training opportunities alongside its radio shows, began its life at the County Ground in 2008 before moving to the Bentley Centre and then to Liden in 2015.

The new facilities include three digital studios and additional office space.

The team can broadcast live from all three which is a step-up from their previous home where only two live studios with a third for pre-recording and training.

As he congratulated the station on their eight years and on their new home, Mayor Andrew Bennett revealed that radio held a special place in his heart.

He said: “You may not know but I used to be involved in hospital radio and with the British Forces Broadcasting Service in Gibraltar years ago.

“What a lot of people don’t appreciate is that the right word at the right time not only builds you an audience that follows you but it can also have a cumulative impact in changing things.

“I think that’s one of the particular benefits of having a genuine community radio - you highlight issues, you provide local knowledge, that’s really the whole essence of community radio and Swindon 105.5 does it very well.”

One of the highlights of the station’s eight year existence was undoubtedly when they were recognised with a Queens Award for voluntary service, presented by HRH the Duke of Kent during a visit in October 2014.

Patron, Lord Joffe, said: “Swindon 105.5 is an extraordinary example of a community organisation which has made and has the potential to make an enormous difference to the community of Swindon.

“To have something local, run by local people on a voluntary basis, led by such strong leadership, provides a wonderful opportunity for the whole town.”