Devizes radio station marks its first year (From This Is Wiltshire)

Devizes radio station Fantasy Radio is pulling out all the stops to celebrate its first year of broadcasting on Friday, March 1.

The station was awarded a full-time community broadcasting licence by regulator Ofcom to commence on February 29, 2012.

As it was launched on Leap Day, its next exact birthday will not come around for another three years.

From the studio on the first floor of the Corn Exchange, the station has built up an audience in the town and surrounding villages.

Listeners from as far afield as Trowbridge and Melksham on 97FM, and around the world via the internet, are allowing Devizes people worldwide to stay in touch.

The station’s output has proved to be extremely popular. It plays music from several decades as well as current hits, specialist music programmes, plus carries a regular news service, sport, and information about local events.

Fantasy Radio has also provided live outside broadcasts on the Green for the Queen’s Jubilee, at the opening of Hillworth Park, and at Picnic in the Park to mark the beginning of Devizes Carnival.

At the town’s 100th annual carnival on September 1, the station gave a running commentary from its vantage point at the Corn Exchange and spoke to people gathering for the celebration.

The Christmas Festival, including the largest lantern parade the town has ever seen, was comprehensively covered live on air from the Market Place and the Wharf.

Phil Dawson, the founder and managing director of Fantasy Radio, said: “The outlook for year two is bright and positive and the team looks forward to more exciting events and an even greater involvement with the community we serve through 2013.”

Fantasy Radio broadcasts on 97FM and on www.fantasyradio.

co.uk. For more, call (01380) 730555.