Frome FM, the local radio station, is appealing for volunteers to help produce its 24/7 radio service.

The station is targeting retired, unemployed, disabled, shielding, and self-isolating members of the community of Frome and the surrounding villages.

Chair of Frome FM Julian Crawley said: "Frome FM is the local community radio station and we're always looking for new people to join our group of volunteer producers, researchers, editors, journalists and presenters.

"We make live and recorded programmes with many groups in the town and quite a few groups make their own shows. During the lockdowns, more and more people have tuned in to the station to see what's going on in the community and to listen to a unique radio mix of local news and entertainment that you won't find anywhere else on the dial."

If you have a passion for a particular genre of music or a hobby you would like to tell people about, a community group you belong to that needs publicity, or you just like the idea of helping others to create radio shows, the team at Frome FM is fully geared up to welcome you.

Director of Operations and Training, Rupert Kirkham said: "During the last year we were forced to close the studios for Covid safety reasons, so we have made all the programmes from home.

"If you are interested in helping out or creating your own show, you don't need to leave your home to make it happen," says Rupert, "We give full training in all aspects of radio production from home and follow up with mentoring and support. We also have a bank of equipment for free loan to members or low-cost hire to the public."

Groups that are already doing this home production themselves include The Frome Writers' Collective, Frome online Book Group, Fair Housing for Frome, Somerset Cool, Trug and Lettuce and the Frome Medical Practice.

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The station is also home to many locally produced music shows – again made by their producers from spare bedrooms all over town. These shows cover interviews with artists, world music, contemporary jazz, Classical, vintage, rock and pop, indie, rap, techno and dance. The station is fully licensed to play any music through its arrangement with the music licensing authorities.

Jeremy Westcott, station director and presenter of the weekly Wescott's World was once a listener, then he won a competition to be interviewed on the station. "Volunteering with Frome FM can be an absorbing and worthwhile activity that will almost certainly change your life. It certainly changed mine!"

Frome FM can be found on www.frome.fm and at 96.6fm in the local area.

For further information, contact Graham Gillions by emailing [email protected]