Sad news, that after nearly 10 years of unique broadcasting of Internet radio to our community, it now appears that our FOMD co-director Ian (Porter), who is also the eternally hard-working Maghull Radio Station Manager, has with a heavy heart, following consultation with the owners Maghull Town Council (MTC) and his radio station colleagues, have decided to close the radio at the end of their broadband contract early next year.
Ian and his team started the radio station with a grant that should have lasted only one year but have triumphed to maintain this local asset for nearly 10 years, with so many achievements to celebrate throughout that time.
However, with the dwindling resources of investment and volunteers, the listenership has also declined which may be symptomatic of contemporary media trends. Nevertheless, the radio station always felt that it had an amazing potential that was never fully realised, never more so than after the closure of the Champion newspaper in August 2022 which had a weekly free circulation to 160,000 homes in Sefton. Begging the question how can a community be a community without communication?
Today’s news is very sad, but it is also an opportunity to celebrate a remarkable 10 years and pay a huge tribute to Ian and his team, for so many years of huge voluntary service for the benefit of our community.
With immense gratitude,
Friends of Maghull & District (FOMD).
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