Press Releases

New Presenter – Press Release #3 Fri 24/05/13

Press Release 3 (2013)

Presenter Opportunity

Red Sands Radio is looking for a new presenter for the daily ‘Afternoon Spin’ programmer

With a simple uncluttered format it’s an ideal spot for candidates to demonstrate their potential. You will though need to be able to read what’s on, weather, and tide scripts, back time to advertisement and news junctions, a piece of cake!

If you think you’ve got what it takes and are available for a couple of hours each weekday in early July, we’d like to hear from you. Send a recent short mp3 demo to the station and who knows you could be on Red Sands Radio

END

Radio Red Sands launches on 29th June 2013 on 87.9 FM & on-line at www.redsandsradio.co.uk

Shop Watch – Press Release #2 (2013) Sun 12/05/13

Press Release 2 (2013)

Shop Watch

It’s not very often you get something for nothing, as the saying goes ‘there’s no such thing as a free lunch’ but the Red Sands Radio Shop Watch is absolutely free

Shop Watch is the Red Sands Radio scheme that gets you and your business mentioned on-air and yet doesn’t cost a penny

Look out for the Red Sands Radio team who will be popping into local businesses over the coming weeks

We’ll ask you a little about your business, then simply listen out for the mentions of your business during our programmes

‘Shop Watch’ all day, every day on Red Sands Radio, the only local radio choice

END

Radio Red Sands launches on 29th June 2013 on 87.9 FM & on-line at www.redsandsradio.co.uk

Get Involved – Press Release #1 (2013) Wed 01/05/13

Press Release # 1 (2013)

Get Involved

The Coastal Towns very own Red Sands Radio is back again in July and wants to hear from anyone who’d like to volunteer time to help out:

Typical daily tasks include: Fielding telephone calls, text messages and Emails. Updating ‘What’s on’ information, assisting compilation of travel, weather and tide times

 Greeting guests, taking their photograph and compiling copy for the station website. Visiting local shops and business encouraging participation in the free ‘Shop Watch’, publishing feedback on station website

 Having an input to social networking, assist load local musicians bios/photographs onto station website and helping out during outside broadcasts

With a dedicated team of presenters, including input for our very own Newspaper The Whitstable Times, Red Sands Radio is as locally focused as ever. Come and join us and help make your local station even better

Send us an email with a little bit about yourself and why you’d like to get involved studio@redsandsradio.co.uk

Radio Roots – Press Release #7 (2012) Sun 24/06/12

Red Sands Radio goes back to its humble roots as Radio Invicta, K.I.N.G Radio & Senior Radio 390 Announcer John Ross-Barnard officially opens the station on Saturday 30th June

John who has many memories of his time on the ‘stations on sticks’ out on the Forts, some pleasant and some he’d prefer not to mention

Said John ‘I’m chuffed to bits at being asked to open the station. I was last heard on Red Sands Radio during its broadcasts from the Forts’ ‘The station’s moved forward a long way since establishing itself as a proper Community station for the Thames Estuary Basin and North Kent Coastal Towns’

Senior Radio 390 Engineer Lawrence Bean and first mate, Brian Tyrell of the stations original tender ‘Mallard’ and perhaps owner/skipper Vic Davis will join John

Radio Red Sands launches on 30th June 2012 on 87.9 FM & on-line at www.redsandsradio.co.uk

Red Sands Radio, Whitstable,Kent,CT5 2PF

 

 

 

Radio Gear – Press Release #6 (2012) Sun 17/06/12

When commercial radio broadcasts began from the high seas, high tech equipment comprised record turntables, tape recorders, and if you were lucky a tape cartridge machine for playing out commercials and jingles

Things have come a long way since the 1960’s with seldom a CD let along a record being seen in a modern radio studio!

Red Sands Radio, which began broadcasting on the old WWII Forts in the Thames Estuary, followed in the wake of Radio Invicta who started their operations in June 1965, later becoming K.I.N.G Radio then Radio 390. This year Red Sands Radio goes back to the early watery wireless days

Whilst most of the Forts studio equipment has been scrapped or lost, a pair of the original Radio 390 record turntables survives. Given to Red Sands Radio some years ago, they remained dilapidated and untouched until Red Sands Radio engineer David Phillips lovingly restored them

When the station officially opens, the turntables along with the reconstructed mixing desk that formed the original working Radio 390 will be powered up again for the first time in 45 years

Red Sands Radio launches on 30th June 2012 on 87.9 FM & on-line at www.redsandsradio.co.uk

Live n Local – Press Release #5 (2012) Wed 13/06/12

James Day of the Red Sands Radio ‘Live Lunch’, & new guy Mike Elwood of the ‘Red Sands Music Scene’ programme want to hear from local musicians to feature in their programme

Said James ‘We began playing local music a few years ago, I have to say that we’ve been knocked out by the quality of some of the material received.’ The Coastal Towns are a hot bed of talent, there are so many great bands and soloists out there’

To get your music on Red Sands Radio simply send a mp3 together with a short biography and gig listing and you’ll go onto the station website, be in the What’s On Guide & could appear on the ‘Live Lunch’ or Saturday evening ‘Red Sands Music Scene’

Send mp3 recordings with bio & gig list to studio@redsandsradio.co.uk

Red Sands Radio  launches on 30th June 2012 on 87.9 FM & on-line at www.redsandsradio.co.uk

Red Sands Radio, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 2PF

Van Man – Press Release #4 (2012) Tue 05/06/12

Premier local car and van hire company Victoria Hire are flying the flag for Red Sands Radi

This year the Victoria Hire fleet of vans will be embellished with ‘Follow us & listen to Red Sands Radio 87.9 FM’ logos

Said Victoria Hire Managing Director Edward Bollen “Victoria Garage has been centre of the coastal towns community servicing locals vehicles since 1950”

“The Victoria Hire wing of the business started in 1985 and it makes perfect sense for us to support what is now the only local radio option in the coastal towns”

Red Sands Radio launches on 30th June 2012 on 87.9 FM & on-line at www.redsandsradio.co.uk

Footnote Victoria Garage also own All Tyres at the Belmont Arches Whitstable

Red Sands Radio, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 2PF

Who’s That Lady? – Press Release #3 (2012) Tue 05/06/12

Following the item published in the Whitstable Times on Thursday 26th April 2012 seeking a lady presenter for the ‘Red Sands Night Ride’ programme, a deluge of calls and emails were received by the Coastal Towns radio station

Local Herne Bay girl Sarah Weller is a performing musician and amongst other things stages a Doris Day tribute act. Sarah’s had a little radio experience contributing to Jazz FM and will look after the weekday ‘Red Sands Night Ride’ programme from Monday – Friday 01.00 – 04.00

Meanwhile at the weekends you’ll find Danni B who lives in Regent Street, Whitstable with her Master Mariner husband, Giovanni. A true Maid of Kent East Kent born and breed Danni’s spent time travelling working aboard cruise ships, where she met and fell for her husband

Red Sands Radio say’s “It’s great to welcome these girls aboard, with musical and nautical connections they were natural choices“

Red Sands Radio launches on 30th June 2012 on 87.9 FM & on-line at www.redsandsradio.co.uk

Red Sands Radio, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 2PF

Red Sands Radio is looking for a special lady, is it you? – Press Release #2 (2012) Wed 18/04/12

Must have a pleasant disposition and a nice voice for the ‘Red Sands Radio Night

Ride’ programme broadcast everyday from 01.00 – 07.00

Don’t worry, the successful applicant won’t miss a moment’s beauty sleep as their

voice will be recorded and played throughout the early hours

If you think you might be that special lady we’re looking for and would like to be part

of the Coastal Towns very own local radio station send us a short recording of your

voice together with a recent photograph to studio@redsandsradio.co.uk or call us

direct on 07711 512 991

Who knows you could be our special lady

Red Sands Radio launches on 30th June 2012 on 87.9FM & on-line at

www.redsandsradio.co.uk

All change at Red Sands Radio – Press Release #1 (2012) Tue 10/04/12

The radio governing body Ofcom has granted the Thames Estuary Basin & North

Kent Coasts Towns radio station a licence to broadcast again this summer

But with a small move of frequency to 87.9 mHz (FM) to avoid any cross channel

interference from another station some distance away

The stations senior engineer said ‘the change makes no difference to listeners who

will easily be able to receive the station both on FM and on-line’

Red Sands Radio in its 6th year continues to grow with support from Kent County and

Local Council and its loyal band of sponsors and advertisers

Red Sands Radio launches on Saturday 30th June 2012 on 87.9 FM & on-line

Red Sands Radio, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 2PF

07711 512 991

studio@redsandsradio.co.uk

www.redsandsradio.co.uk

Happy Warriors Fri 01/07/11

Joining the Red Sands Radio band of ‘Happy Warriors’ this year Paul Pearson, the local lad
whilst not an Offshore Radio man has spent a good deal of time on Cruise Ships, so is
suitably qualified for Red Sands Radio & to look after the ‘80’s Power’ show on Sunday
afternoons.

New to the weekdays ‘Afternoon Spin’ show from 2pm we welcome David Daly a Whitstable
man with useful radio experience. Paul Beard from Herne Bay comes aboard from
Community Radio in Spain on the ‘Red Sands Radio Café’ on 2nd July & ‘Saturday Brunch’ on
9th, 16th, & 23rd July.

Guy Starkey previously with ILR in Sunderland and these days has a University Doctorate
looks after evenings on ‘Red Sands Non-Stop’ from 7pm.

You heard him briefly last year, Alan King formerly with Medway FM returns for two weeks
looking after the ‘Home Run’, followed by Duncan Martin from Meridian Radio who takes over
the wheel from Alan.

Forever into rock music Roger Dilley of Whitstable’s Computer business AD3000 hosts ‘Red
Sands Rocks’ on a Sunday evening.

Also new to the schedule; put that paper down and pin back your ears as Whitstable Times
Editor John Nurden’s guests for ‘60’s Sunday’ on the 17th & 24th July.

Finally, we welcome Norman Barrington who’s been on ‘watery wireless’ many years, brings
us a special history of the Red Sands Radio jingles we know and love.

You’ll hear our regular team of Bob Le-Roi on the ‘Hot Breakfast’, James Day in for a ‘Live
Lunch,’ Friday’s it’s Tony Gillham & Saturday evening Stephen Wright on the ‘Wright Stuff’
Solid Gold Sunday morning kicks of with Amanda McKean of the Canterbury Festival with
‘60’s Sunday,’ Martin Smith plays some ‘70’s Magic’ from 10am, with Bob Preedy on ‘Red
Sands Country’ from 3pm

Local Music on Local Radio Thu 30/06/11

Broadcasting from Whitstable Harbour Red Sands Radio continues to champion local talent. Thanks to the local press the station attracted many offers of assistance and a number of recordings by local bands, but they’d like more. This year a new daily spot in the ‘Live Lunch’ and a brand new programme ‘Red Sands Rocks’ on a Sunday evening will showcase the best music from Local composers and musicians

Spokesman Roy Gooderson said, “We’re supporting this years ‘Bands at the Belmont’ and we want to hear from local composers, bands, solo artists who’d like to hear their songs on the station”

Already lined up: The Flame Pilots, Dave Emm, The Trouser Trumpets, Masque, The Scimitars, The Keytones, Hullabaloo, Jazz Police, Rubber Biscuit, Wasabi, Malcolm Holland, and Mel Harris

Red Sands Radio will also be playing songs from established and Classic local Bands like Caravan, The Maroon Dogs & Fantasi.During a live lunch we will interview Jim Leverton, Bass player with Caravan.

Like to hear your songs on your local station? Then Email your mp3’s tostudio@redsandsradio.co.uk or send in an audio CD with a brief biography to Red Sands Radio, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 2PF.

We also need your events to add to our ‘Whats On Page’ These can be around the coastal towns and Canterbury, mail to studio as above.

Radio Red Sands launches on Saturday 2nd July 2011 on 87.7FM & online.http://www.redsandsradio.co.uk/

Red Sands Radio, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 2PF

 

Proper Local Radio Thu 30/06/11

Red Sands Radio is looking forward to a 5th year serving the Thames Estuary Coastal Towns and perhaps longer term becoming a permanent fixture.
Red Sands Radio is the only true local station: Invicta has had its heart torn out! CTFM is no more, and its replacement does little for the CT area and actually transmits from Ashford, hardly local!
The BBC’s Radio Kent, itself under threat seldom does much for the Coastal Towns, maintaining a small satellite studio manned by a journalist in Canterbury. Their programme content and music is aimed squarely at a more senior audience, testament to the callers heard on-air.
In contrast Red Sands Radio is fresh and vibrant, playing a wide selection of ‘feel good music’ aimed at a wide demographic. With a balance of focused local and topical information, news, travel, features, interviews, local music and the promotion of local events. Red Sands Radio is the only proper local option for the Thames Estuary basin and Coastal Towns.
Radio Red Sands launches on 2nd July 2011 87.7FM & on-line at www.redsandsradio.co.uk
Red Sands Radio, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 2PF 07711 512 991
Bob Le-Roi – Founder & Programme Director
ENDS

Toe in the water Thu 30/06/11

The former Offshore Station Red Sands Radio still has a foot in the sea; based at Whitstable Harbour.

Phil Hadler MD of FSC Music and one of  the team behind Red Sands Radio said “we’re looking forward to the 2011 season, operating from the very centre of Whitstable, 2011 represents our 5thyear on-air and it’s a real opportunity for the people in the Community to get involved with what is the only real local radio station for the area”

“There are opportunities behind the scenes for engineers, I.T technicians, administrative staff and experienced on-air personnel, so we’d like to hear from you”

Radio Red Sands launches on 2nd July 2011 on 87.7FM & on-line

 

Done Deal Thu 30/06/11

The former Offshore Radio station that broadcast from the Sea Forts off The Whitstable, Herne Bay coast has gained sufficient revenue to assure a return to the air throughout July 2011

Returning for a 5th year Red Sands Radio will operate from studios at Whitstable Harbour, providing listeners a balance of ‘feel good music’, topical local information, news, guests with a light sprinkling of local music

Spokesman Roy Gooderson of RG Electronics, Oxford Street, Whitstable one of the team behind the station said, “It’s been a tough job securing sponsorship and advertising, and we’re grateful to a whole raft of local businesses that recognise the value of the station and have invested in Red Sands Radio”

“We’re looking forward to providing the Coastal Towns Red Sands Radio with what these days is the only proper local radio option”

Radio Red Sands launches on 2nd July 2011 on 87.7FM & on-line

 

Comeback Thu 30/06/11

With more than 90% of interested listeners polled saying Red Sands Radio should be a full time entity, we’re planning a come back in July 2011 giving us 5 years history and chance to build up the resources and personnel before considering a full time licence

In the delicate financial climate it’s not easy to predict how much further we might take the Community station for Coastal Towns & Thames Estuary basin. Over the last four years we’ve had to underwrite a significant proportion of our operating costs.

The small-dedicated team behind the station are driven to continue. But we need more support and not just from wanna-be DJ/presenters: I.T sales, marketing, promotion & publicity, and financial backing.

Incredibly licence fees to operate a short term costs about the same as running a Community Station for a year! You have to question if the Government actually want short-term stations or see them as just revenue spinners?

As far as listeners are concerned they make no distinction between a National, Regional, Local or Community Station, irrespective of the resources behind them. Since the demise of the ‘Promise of Performance’ Regional and Local stations have ditched their local identity and provide scant local information, unlike Community Stations that are forced by their licence to provision this costly service

Red Sands Radio has proved it can be successful through it’s own blend of music, local information, interviews and features.We’re back in 2011 as part of your local Community

If you would like to support us in anyway we’d love to hear from you

END

Radio Red Sands launches on 2nd July 2011 on 87.7FM & on-line