THIS week, we’re shouting about Swindon’s much-loved community radio station celebrating 11 years of brilliant broadcasting.

Over the past decade-plus, Swindon 105.5 has become a local institution with a dedicated team of volunteers ensuring that it plays a variety of top tunes and interesting items 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Shirley Ludford set the station up in 2008 and broadcast the first show on March 15. Since then, it has grown and moved home twice, now boasting an average of 100 to 120 volunteers working there at a time, an enviable contacts book full of guests, and supporters from all over town.

Shirley said: “I can’t believe it’s our 11th year of serving Swindon. I only signed up for two! We’re like a spider with a web that reaches into all corners of the town.

"We meet so many listeners and people who have been to the station it’s lovely to hear what they think. It’s been incredible to see how people develop when they come here to build their confidence and learn skills in presenting, admin or technical work. Students who came here on work placement went on to work at BBC Radio 5 Live, TalkSport and Heart.

“This all started because I’d been in broadcasting for a long time and decided to use my skills in a different way. I still remember our first trial at the Bulldog pub in 2006 which had so much positive feedback that we successfully applied to Ofcom to broadcast.

“Highlights include the Duke of Kent’s royal visit to grant our MBE and being part of the Swindon 175 celebrations. We’ve also had alpacas as guests, celebrities, farmers coming into the studio in their wellies, all sorts of stuff. I’ve got a passion for taking radio out into the community and I want to continue.”