Our wonderful local radio station Marlow FM is raising money to build a new home in the grounds of Great Marlow School. Its current studio building at Longridge Activity Centre, from where it started broadcasting full time in May 2011, is scheduled to be demolished later this year.
The school has offered Marlow FM the use of its old caretaker’s garage. The radio station hopes to raise £50,000 to convert and extend the garage into a new accessible two-studio facility, and fit it out with some much-needed new equipment.
Supporters of the station, which is run completely by volunteers, are being encouraged to donate to a GoFundMe campaign, or buy an engraved brick to be included in a supporters’ wall that will take pride of place inside the building. Full details are on its website, marlowfm.co.uk/donate. Other fundraising events are planned to take place around town in the coming weeks.
Marlow FM, which already gives a voice to the people of Marlow and broadcasts from many local events throughout the year, wants a base from which it can do even more in the community, including with local schools.
Graham Duthie, managing director of Marlow FM, said: “This will be yet another step forward for the little radio station that punches above its weight. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far, but we want to do so much more. This new location will bring us closer to the community.”
Kevin Ford, headteacher of Great Marlow School, said: “Having Marlow FM on our doorstep will unlock an incredible number of opportunities for our students and other young people. They’ll have a new platform to express their voices and ideas, and to connect with the community, and they’ll be able to develop practical skills that will benefit them in their future careers.”
Marlow Town Councillor Jocelyn Towns said: “Our town really is lucky to have so many great organisations supporting each other for the benefit of everyone. I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact that Marlow FM has already had, and this new development promises even more.”
