Posted: Fri 22nd Jan 2021

Calon FM volunteers plan new future for the station after it ended broadcasting this week

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Friday, Jan 22nd, 2021

The volunteer presenters at a community radio station in Wrexham are planning for a new future after it ceased broadcasting this week.

Calon FM, which was based in Wrexham Glyndwr University’s Centre for the Creative Industries, announced its closure after it was confirmed that the university was withdrawing support for the station.

Up to 2019, Calon Communications Limited (CCL) were working with the university on a five year plan, with Calon working towards the radio station covering its own costs as far as possible.

However speaking before Christmas a representative from the board told Wrexham.com that “unfortunately, due to financial constraints at the university, the plan had to be laid aside and the radio station was faced with the challenging task of covering its costs faster than anticipated.”

As a result Calon FM aired its final show on January 20 after more than 13 years on air.

Now volunteer presenters at the station are planning for a new future.

A statement issued by the volunteers, who run and present the award-winning station, said they are in negotiation with a number of interested parties and hoped to make an announcement soon on the station’s new direction.

They said: “We are disappointed that the board in charge of Calon Communications Ltd in conjunction with the station’s landlord Glyndwr University took the decision to close the station down with very little notice.

“In the four weeks since the bombshell announcement, we have come together as the remaining Stakeholders to discuss and formulate an alternative plan that will ensure the OFCOM licence is preserved here in Wrexham, that volunteers will continue to present their much-loved shows and that listeners can continue to hear the output as they have over 13 years.

“We are confident that, despite numerous hurdles, we can work with interested parties to continue and develop CalonFM as a strong community resource that offers students and other volunteers the chance to work in the media.”

The volunteers, who have launched a Save CalonFM campaign, will make a further announcement once they have assurances regarding a new location for the station.

They also thanked listeners and backers for their messages of support and are encouraged to see how the community has rallied to support their local radio station.

Anyone who wishes to get in touch can contact: [email protected]



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