Radio station's sunny outlook

10:47am Thursday 10th July 2008

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THE dulcet tones of two more well-known Swindon broadcasters have joined the ranks of a community radio station.

Swindon 105.5 began broadcasting earlier this year.

It offers a wide range of programming presented by different groups, such as teenagers and members of the town's Caribbean community, as well as trips down memory lane and shows focussing on Swindon's house music scene.

Now ex-BBC television weather- man Bernard Davey and rock and roller Alan Burston have joined the station's ranks.

"Both chaps are talented people with a passion for their individual areas of interest," said station manager Shirley Ludford.

"They each bring a wealth of experience and I am delighted that they have joined the ever growing team of people getting involved with this station.

"What we do in this area is unique and encourages participation at all levels."

Bernard presented the weather on the BBC for many years but retired through ill-health.

After that he went to Ireland and penned a book titled Ten Walks With the Weatherman.

Bernard broke into radio when he co-presented a programme with Shirley for BBC local radio early in the 1990s.

He heads a team in a programme called Chain Reaction, a look at environmental issues, which goes out on Tuesdays between 1pm and 2pm.

Rock and roller Alan Burston returns to Swindon as often as he can to watch his beloved Swindon Town at the County Ground.

He has agreed to present a Saturday show from noon to 2pm.

Alan provided the music for Shirley's first sound-only programme on Swindon Viewpoint, a Home Office licensed community television service for the town which ran from 1973 to 1980.

He then went on to present with GWR and BBC radio.

He said: "This initiative is fantastic.

"I am delighted to lend my support and be a part of a great team."

Shirley said: "Swindon 105.5 is an audio version of the highly successful Swindon Viewpoint.

"The concept is to provide a service, to promote the town an to provide training and support for local people and organisations to have a public voice.

"We've come a long way in three months but it's a project that will continue to grow and develop and that is the most exciting element of all." Now more than 90 people work for the station, which makes use of volunteers aged between 13 and 75 in presenting, researching, recording, editing, learning or providing technical support.

The station is now looking for people who would like to learn to present a discussion programme, on Tuesday evenings.

Anyone interested is invited to contact Shirley on 07951 366289.