Redstone FM
Our History 2005 - 2015

 

Welcome to the Redstone FM Archive Page.

Redstone FM was established in 2005. During the period 2005-2010 Redstone FM has broadcast with 6 temporary licenses issued by the media regulator, Ofcom. Redstone FM has also run a range of training courses, specialising in offering opportunities for visually impaired people.

In 2013 Redstone FM launched on the Surrey DAB and broadcast a full service until August 2015 when the service closed and the company wound up.

On this and following pages, we tell the history of the station and provide links to archive newsletters, press and media coverage plus other documents.

On this page:

Other Archive Links:

Our History Part 1 - Starting off at the RNIB

Redstone FM's origins extend back to the radio broadcasting course run at the RNIB Redhill College.

The college had been running radio courses since 2000 for blind and partially sighted students. In 2003 a new media centre, Soundscape, was opened. This facility included a suite of radio and recording studios and a space for drama production. The radio courses were accredited by EDEXCEL with students able to achieve a BTEC Advanced Diploma in Radio Broadcasting. The course covered a range of topics including radio interviewing, presentation, music programme production, talk shows and broadcast law.

To achieve the qualification, students had to produce and present a range of programmes and programme features which were formally assessed. The practical work was supported by written assignments demonstrating their understanding of the subject. In addition to the radio course, students learned additional access technology and were offered career advise and support.

2005 - Redstone FM's first broadcast
In 2005, the then course tutor, Des Shepherd, took the assessment process to a higher level. Instead of students presenting shows as classroom simulations, they would broadcast to a wider audience on FM. The college applied for and obtained a Restricted Service Licence (RSL) from Ofcom for a temporary broadcast in July 2005. The group of students organised the programme content including booking guests, devising a playlist and scheduling the programmes. The students were supported by former students and local volunteers. The name, Redstone FM was chosen by the students as the RNIB college is situated on Redstone Hill.

Terry Turner during the first Breakfast Show on Redstone FM - 5 July 2005.

RNIB student Terry Turner during the first Breakfast Show on Redstone FM - 5 July 2005.

Original Redstone FM logo

Redstone FM came on the air on 5 July 2005 with student Terry Turner presenting the first breakfast show from 7am - 10am.

Later that morning, the station was formally opened by the then Mayor of Reigate & Banstead Cllr. Mrs Frances Dixon.

Click Play above to listen to the Mayor officially opening the station on 5 July 2005.

The Mayor of Reigate & Banstead, Cllr. Fran Dixon, with DJ Tess Lewsey at the official opening of Redstone FM on Tuesday 5 July 2005.

The Mayor of Reigate & Banstead, Cllr. Frances Dixon, with DJ Tess Lewsey at the official opening of Redstone FM on Tuesday 5 July 2005.

News Headlines for 7 July London bombings.

Two days after the station launched, the London bombings took place. This is the type of incident that nobody wants to be involved with covering. However, the students rose to the challenge, cancelling much of the normal output, broadcasting additional news bulletins and changing the music to reflect the nature of the day.

Course tutor, Des Shepherd said, "The students all grew up that day. It is the kind of incident one talks about in the classroom and theorize about what one should do - its another thing to think on ones feet and react in a sensitive way knowing there is a real audience listening."

Click Play above to listen to what students had to say about the day.

Whilst the 7th July bombing dominated the first few days on air, the broadcast offered a lot more. A wide range of interviews were broadcast. Guests ranged from Borough Councillors to representatives from local organisations. The launch of the "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" coincided with the broadcast and we had some pupils from the Warwick School visit to review the book.

 

BBC Sport's Garth Crooks with Redstone FM's Carl Leaburn.
BBC Sport's Garth Crooks with Redstone FM's Carl Leaburn.

Although the broadcast was led by the students of the college, they were supported by former students and local volunteers and guest presenters from the broadcast industry. One guest presenter was the former Charlton and Wimbledon footballer Carl Leaburn. He arranged for a number of high profile sports people to visit the college. The BBC's Garth Crooks was a regular contributor on all Carl's programmes that summer.

Carl also spoke exclusively to the athlete Daley Thompson who spoke about the 2012 Olympics. Daley Thompson was part of the jubilant London 2012 team who had been in Singapore when London was named. He spoke to Redstone FM the following Saturday on his return to the UK.

Click here to see more pictures from the 2005 Broadcast plus further information on guests interviewed.

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2006  Two More Broadcasts from the RNIB College.
Most of the original group of students left the college that summer and with a new group starting in September, plans were laid for a further RSL broadcast.

January 2006 Broadcast.
Redstone FM returned in January 2006 with shows again presented by current and previous student, supported by local volunteers. There was nothing as dramatic as the 7th July bombing to deal with but the students got on with the task of producing a range of programmes. On this broadcast, there were two speech based programmes, The Morning Magazine (9am - 12 noon) presented by Anne-Marie Evans and the Afternoon Magazine (2 - 4pm) with Carol Stoby. Each featured at least two interviews each day. The subject areas that were covered included local politics, welfare, local charities & voluntary organisations, health & fitness, local business and education.

Redstone FM's sport presenter, ex footballer Carl Leaburn, again interviewed a wide range of sport personalities and included coverage of local non-league football clubs.

Click here for further information on the programmes broadcast, feedback from some of the students involved plus some pictures.

October 2006 Broadcast
A third broadcast took place in October 2006. The programmes followed the pattern established on previous broadcasts with the morning show from 10am being the showcase for local interviews, news and features. The Friday afternoon sport show, presented by Carl Leaburn continued to attract an impressive guest list. The highlight was an interview with Manchester Utd's Rio Ferdinand, conducted by student Dan Rodgers. How many courses give students the opportunity to speak to such high profile guests?

Click Play above to listen to part of the Rio Ferdinand interview.

Click here for more information about the October 2006 broadcast and some of the students involved.

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2007 RNIB Redhill College Closes . . .
Despite the success of the radio course and associated broadcasts, the RNIB decided to close the college in July 2007. No new students were taken on and the radio course formally finished at the end of March that year. Looking back, the course tutor, Des Shepherd commented that the success rate by students in gaining the EDEXCEL qualification was higher than when he ran the course at a Further Education college in SW London - this being largely due to the extra effort students made during the live broadcasts on Redstone FM. He said at the time,

"despite their disabilities, the students I have worked with have proved as capable as anyone in achieving their qualifications and prove that being blind or partially sighted is not necessarily a barrier to achievement with the right support. There was no automatic right to airtime - all the students had to earn the right to be allowed on air."

As the course came to a close in March 2007, the examining body, EDEXCEL sent their External Examiner for one final visit. This is what he said about the quality of the organisation and teaching of the course.

"A well managed and efficiently organised programme. Internal Verification is clear and robust. The student attainment is high and achievement is above that required at this level. Some very able students studying in a realistic working environment. Practical skills are excellent. Staff also up to speed with latest industry techniques, practice and legal requirements."

Muriel Peach was a staff member at the RNIB until it's closure and had this to say about the opportunities offered to the visually impaired students.

"Both of our most successful students, Johnny Cassidy and Louise Hall had very little functional vision, but were able to master all the technical complexities of live radio and produce some really entertaining and informative programmes.

However the real highs of the broadcasts at Redstone, and indeed of the radio course in general were the opportunities and inspiration that live broadcasting gave to those students who perhaps were not so techie, but just were passionate about the whole experience. That to me is true diversity!"

Such was the success of the radio course that the course tutor was nominated and, more importantly, shortlisted for a Star Award for his work at the RNIB. Click here for the full story.

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Our History Part 2 - Gaining our independence

2007  Redstone FM Continues
Although the RNIB Redhill College closed in 2007, there was a lot of support for Redstone FM to continue with temporary broadcasts. At that time Ofcom had started the process of awarding new community radio licenses and Redstone FM looked into the opportunities for becoming a full time station.

A 4th temporary broadcast was planned and took place during May/June 2007. With the college facilities not available due to the closure, Redstone FM was offered the studio facilities at The Oakley Centre, a youth facility in Merstham.

Redstone FM was the official radio station for the Redhill Carnival.
Redhill Carnival 2007
The station broadcast its first ever outside broadcast on Sunday 3 June at the Redhill carnival Fun Day. John Gooden, Chairman of the Redhill Carnival Organising Committee commented,

"Redstone FM provided a terrific boost to the carnival. It provided publicity, not just for the carnival but also the chosen charities who are benefiting from the fundraising."

Lucy G live on air with Redstone FM's first outside broadcast.
Lucy G live on air with Redstone FM's first outside broadcast.

Click Play above to listen to Lucy G

Redstone FM completed its 4 week broadcast on Saturday 16th June with a second outside broadcast from Redhill's Memorial Park.

Redstone FM presenter Natalie Osborne presented a special programme at the Celebrating Age festival whilst reporter Paul Swann interviewed many of the participants.

Celebrating Age Banner

Natalie Osborne said,

"Despite the weather it was a fantastic day. It was great to get out of the studio and meet our audience and provide a showcase for Redstone FM to the general public."

aul Swann and Mike Ward interviewing the Mayor, Mrs Dorothy Ross-Tomlin.
Paul Swann and Mike Ward interviewing the Mayor, Mrs Dorothy Ross-Tomlin.

Natalie Osborne broadcasting at the celebrating Age Festival.
Natalie Osborne broadcasting at the celebrating Age Festival.

This broadcast demonstrated Redstone FM's commitment to offering opportunities to disabled broadcasters - 40% of live output was produced by people who are either blind, partially sighted or have some other disability. This figure would have risen to 49% but for one of the key daytime presenters suffering a family bereavement which took him away from the station.

Des Shepherd, Redstone FM's licensee commented,

"This is a great achievement and shows that having a disability should not be a barrier to success. Our previous broadcasts demonstrated that those who are visually impaired are just as capable when it comes to producing and presenting radio programmes.  All too often those with a disability are marginalised by society. Just because one has lost the use of their eyes does in no way mean they can't be a valued member of society and I hope that those involved with Redstone FM have felt they made a positive contribution".

Tess Lewsey is one of the presenters who has broadcast on all Redstone FM's temporary broadcasts to date. She said,

"I have always had an interest in radio broadcasting and came to the RNIB Redhill College following stints on my local hospital radio in Cambridge. I am grateful to the opportunity offered by Redstone FM in allowing me to develop my broadcast skills."

Johny Cassidy is another former student from the RNIB Redhill College who held down the daily magazine show on Redstone FM

"As a result of my two stints at Redstone.fm, I have been offered a place on a post-graduate broadcast journalism course in Portsmouth. Redstone FM allowed me to develop my interviewing skills and develop the confidence to use complex studio equipment and I am looking forward to this course when it starts in September."

Click here for pictures from the Carnival Weekend Outside Broadcast and here for pictures of the Celebrating Age event.

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2008 - and another broadcast and the chance to bid for a full time license.
Redstone FM was on the air from 10 May to 26 May 2008 and for a second year broadcast from studios at the Surrey County Council Youth Centre at The Oakley in Merstham. With the prospect of community radio licences being advertised by Ofcom that summer, Redstone FM used this broadcast to test out its programming ideas and develop the system of volunteers, many of whom are visually impaired.

This broadcast had two themes.

One was the coverage of the annual Adult Learners' Week. Redstone FM received financial sponsorship from East Surrey College and broadcast a wide range of interviews related to adult learning. Full details are here.

Adul;t Learners Week logo

The second theme revolved around Reigate & Banstead Borough Council's 'Love Where You Live' campaign. Redstone FM teamed up with the Redhill Reigate and Horley Life newspaper and ran a competition that tested listeners' local knowledge. Full details of the competition can be found here.

This broadcast again featured a large number of interviews.

One memorable interview, whilst not local, was a unique take on a national sporting event. That summer Manchester Utd won the European Cup in Moscow. We had interviewed Rio Ferdinand on a previous broadcast so this time we went after his mum! The idea was a human interest story - that of a mother's pride in seeing her son lift the cup (Rio was the Man U captain that night). We are not aware of any other broadcast media to take that angle.

Click play above to listen to part of the interview.

Rio lifts the cup - from Getty Images

The broadcast was largely funded by local sponsorship. Financial supporters included: