Medway FM - ReUnion
Issue: 1 Updated: 19th January 2008
Medway FM Letter Head
15/08/07 - We're still
on for the event of the decade. Yes, we have a date & venue for the event
the gathering which will outshine even the Spice Girls reunion tour. A decade
ago this September, we unleashed hell on the airwaves of North Kent (&
a couple of caravans in Southend on Sea). I think we all deserve a drink to
celebrate what we achieved & it would be great to catch up & remember
what we did.
We gather on the Saturday of that holiday (25th August). Drinking will start
at 2pm, but will probably go on well into the night, so feel free to drop
in as & when. Now, the venue may feel familiar yes it's 186 High Street,
Rochester. Yes, our dear old Medway FM studios which have now been turned
into a trendy wine bar. Bob's Office is now the gents & the Newsroom the
Ladies Loo & the studios serve alcohol (no change there!). I'll get some
Max Burgers on order &d I'll be handing out the remainder of my old Medway
FM business cards!
Marc Webber, Assistant Editor, The Sun online
1997: The ILR for North Kent launched on 1st September at 0600 hrs
The death of Princess Diana in the early hours of that morning & a Nation in mourning dictated a sombre opening
Flyer proclaiming the new station's launch
Audio |
Samples
of the Medway FM Jingle Packages from Digital Masters |
Winning the licence was the culmination of years of effort; initially working on frequency clearance with the RA, lobbying MP's, making numerous presentations & attending many, sometimes tedious meetings
We ran two test broadcasts, (RSL's a horrid term & means nothing to the listener) I knew Johnny Boy's & members of family through the photographic world & Invicta Radio. A Bank Clerk at Natwest in Canterbury at the time I asked him to join the team on Sales for the second test broadcast
Working for the other prospective Kent stations: Thanet, Dover & Canterbury gave little free time for anything else
The first gathering an old 35mm photograph of the original launch team pictured across the road from studio building
L-R back: Faye Palmer - Receptionist, Emma Clements - News Editor, Paul Johnson - Sales Executive
Middle: Mark Webber - Sports/News Journalist, Rachael Adams - News Trainee, Louise Perry - Evening Presenter, Jayne Wilde - Afternoon Presenter, Mandy Huggins - Sales Executive, Sarah Peart - News Journalist, John Hirst - Sales Director
Front: Steve Joy - Breakfast Presenter, Bob Le-Roi - Programme Director & Morning Presenter, Simon Carter - Night Presenter
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2007: Scene setting, the Command House from Rochester Railway Station
Re-union rabble outside base of Medway FM, Berkley House, 118 High Street, Rochester, ME4 4EZ on 25th August 2007, the Listed building is now a trendy wine bar
In the centre of our catchment are of North Kent the High Street location was the best anyone could have wishes for
Rachael Adams, Simon Carter, John Hirst then Jason Farrell who came in to cover the Gills Football Matches at Priestfield Stadium, he went on to ITN. Second wave saw local lad Ian James join as afternoon Presenter. Mark Webber then Paul MacLaren who I asked to run technical side of Maidstone FM as well as presenting. On Medway he then did "swing" before filling in on the sports show firstly with Mark & later ran the show & was helped by Alan King. Bob Le-Roi, Michelle Woodland, Elaine Terry, Sam Guest all in Sales. Local girl Nicola Everitt joined as a News Journalist she's now News Editor at Invicta, along with her sister Andrea Everitt who was one of our Roadshow Girls
Front forecourt doors to right was entrance into the Moving Picture Cafe where part of the mid-day programme was presented
It's now an Indian Restaurant
Rear Courtyard
Front Office now a cocktail bar & reception a chill out space
Front entrance from stairs
Landing; bow window to courtyard & car park
Landing; Newsroom to left door not in view, straight ahead Newsbooth, left Racks Room & Studio 2, right Programme Office, right beyond sofa Studio 1 & Kitchenette
Programme Office has a new use?