Lache FM, Chester’s community-led radio station took to the airwaves for a test launch on FM radio last week.
The station, which has been broadcasting online for more than eight years, launched ‘Flipside Radio’ in a four-day test broadcast live across Chester on 90.2FM from April 23 until April 26.
Funding for the broadcast came after a successful online crowd funding campaign on Kickstarter.com, in which more than 45 people and local businesses backed the appeal to raise enough funds to cover licencing and copyright costs.
Station manager Chris Sutton told The Chronicle: “Flipside aims to bring people, from all walks of life from across the community together. “It’s great to see people who have different tastes in music, different passions, hobbies and interests from different age groups and backgrounds coming together to work as a team and supporting one another.
“The 90.2 broadcast has been a real joint effort between the volunteers, volunteer presenters, Kickstarter backers, community groups, local bands and the listeners. We really feel that we are starting to see a new community growing around the project.”
Local artists were given the chance to air their music during the broadcast, including Kaety Moon, The Loose Kites and Jonathan Coley, as well as community groups and charities such as Chester Voluntary Action, Minerva Arts and the Pamela Northcott Fund.
Chris added: “It has often been said that community radio is 10% about radio and 90% about people. That is very much the case with us. We want to give individuals, charities community groups and local bands access to airwaves and the opportunity to promote themselves and talk to their community.”
If you missed the Flipside Radio broadcast you can listen again online at www.mixcloud.com/thebackflip. Listeners can also tune in to Flipside online every Tuesday and Thursday from 2pm onwards. Fore more information about Flipside, visit www.flipsideradio.fm or call 01244 677721
