Keith Community Radio to celebrate 25 years of radio broadcasting
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A LOCAL station is celebrating a quarter century of radio broadcasting.
Keith Community Radio station first broadcast over the FM airwaves on October 27, 1997.
John Sievwright, who is now honorary president and director at KCR, made the first broadcast on 102.8 FM at 8.02pm – with the service piggy-backing on the MFR frequency.
Alongside John, Kathryn Morrison, who currently presents two shows, has been involved for 23 years – with her mother Moira having previously been studio manager before her passing in 2020.
Volunteers such as John and Kathryn continue to be the strength of the radio station, according to chairman Jim Wiseman, who took over in 2021.
"The station exists because of the enthusiasm of the volunteers who make the shows and help in any way," Jim, who is also involved with the Keith Show and Keith TMSA, said.
"We have between 80 and 90 contributors and without them it couldn't happen because we have no employees. What they make you cannot buy.
"The support of listeners is important too. Without listeners, people wouldn't recognise the station. The station is for people in the community to use.
"We have to raise money for our broadcasting licences as it costs around £12,000 a year to run the station but we are well supported with sponsorship, advertising and at fundraising events.
"We are really proud of our output. What the volunteers achieve in a week is amazing. To have the station going for 25 years is amazing."
KCR's slogan is "Across Moray and beyond" – which is a point to the fact the station began broadcasting to an online audience in 2007, as well as being available across the length and breadth of Moray.
The station then moved to Seafield Studios in Keith in 2013, with help from Moray Leader European Community Funding, Peter Stott and donations from local businesses.
In 2014, the station obtained its own community radio license from Ofcom.
The 25th anniversary of KCR will be celebrated with a series of special shows – with Monday night's Getting To Know You with contributions from a number of current KCR presenters a particular highlight.
Tune in to KCR on 107.7 FM to listen and check out the station's website at www.kcr.fm for full programme listings.
If you'd like to advertise on KCR, please email james@kcr.fm If you want to sponsor a show please email sponsors@kcr.fm.
