VIPs hail launch of radio station
Civic dignitaries and county VIPs toasted the arrival of Shropshire's newest radio station in Shrewsbury at its official launch party.
The Severn, which broadcasts in Shrewsbury on 106.5 FM, went live on air last Monday, attracting thousands of new listeners.
Yesterday's champagne brunch party was held at the Peach Tree restaurant in Abbey Foregate and ushered in a new era in radio broadcasting. It is the first time Shrewsbury has had its own commercial radio station.
In attendance at the bash was the Mayor of Shrewsbury Councillor Roger Evans who officially cut the tape at the station's studios in Abbey Foregate.
Councillor Evans also appeared live on air during an interview to celebrate the landmark event.
The launch was hosted by Mr Keith Parker OBE, chairman of Midland News Association Broadcasting, which operates the station, and by The Severn's managing director Pete Wagstaff.
Presentations were made to assembled launch party guests by station DJs Will Tudor and Martin Childs.
Mr Wagstaff said the first week of broadcast had already exceeded expectations for the station.
"It has been fantastic, we have had a great response from listeners," he said. "When we put on The Wyre in Kidderminster this time last year we had a good response but we have had even better support in Shrewsbury."
The Severn 106.5 FM - which is a music-led station interspersed with news, travel and information geared towards to local people - has been several years in the pipeline and was finally granted a commercial broadcast licence in February this year.
As well as regular presenters there are slots from star DJs David Hamilton and Melanie Sykes.
The Severn also has studios and a transmitter in Oswestry from where it broadcasts a range of different shows, again tailored to listeners in that particular town.
Although the station is already broadcasting in Oswestry on 107.1 FM, an official VIP launch party is planned for tomorrow at the Wynnstay Hotel in the town.
Midland News Association Broadcasting also runs The Severn's sister station Telford FM.
By Ben Bentley
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