HCR 92.3 celebrate 2nd birthday

Halton Community Radio, based in Castlefields in Runcorn celebrated

their 2nd anniversary of being on air last week and celebrated with a

party at The Studio, Lacey St in Widnes. The station’s presenters

deejayed the night away, plus local bands The Hutts and Coalhouse

performed acoustic versions of their best tunes. The party was

attended by HCR’s volunteers and listeners, some of whom have been

keen fans of the station since it first hit the airwaves on 92.3FM

back in 2008.

Rob Green, Chair of HCR’s executive committee said ‘We were delighted to


meet so many of our listeners old and new. It was a great way to

celebrate our 2nd birthday. Here’s to the next two years, and many

more.’

Pete Muldoon is the Project Officer at the station. He runs the REACT

course at HCR – funded by BBC Children in Need - which provides free

training to young people in Runcorn and Widnes. He said, ‘Halton

Community Radio continues to go from strength to strength. At the

moment we have 54 volunteers contributing their free time to help the

station run smoothly. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank

everyone who has been involved, including our advertisers and

sponsors. And of course our listeners who make it all worthwhile.’

For more information on the REACT course, if you would like to

volunteer or present a show call the office on 01928 835 290. You can

listen to Halton Community Radio on 92.3 or online www.hcr.org.uk

AWARD WINNING JOURNALIST MEETS HYMF

Award winning Radio City 96.7 and City Talk 105.9 broadcast journalist Louise Martin met members of the Halton Youth Media Forum here at HCR 92.3 this week.
Louise answered the young people’s questions about her career and recent documentary covering the Afghanistan conflict.

TV SCRIPTWRITER JIMMY MCGOVERN SPEAKS TO YOUNG PEOPLE OF HALTON COMMUNITY RADIO’S REACT COURSE

BAFTA award winning scriptwriter Jimmy McGovern visited the students on Halton Community Radio’s REACT course last week and filled them in on his illustrious career.
Jimmy began his writing career working on Channel 4’s groundbreaking soap opera Brookside in the 1980s before moving on to penning hard hitting dramas like Cracker, The Lakes, Hillsborough and The Street.

The students asked Jimmy about his life and career, and why he took up writing in the first place. The interview was broadcast live on HCR 92.3. The young people produced and presented the programme themselves, driving the desk and coming up with questions.

"I was really impressed by the commitment and professionalism of the young people at HCR," said Jimmy

The scriptwriter took time to sign autographs after the programme.

‘Jimmy was blown away that the young people have complete control of their own radio shows here at HCR,’ commented Halton Access to Media’s Chair Rob Green.

Each year HAM provides media training for a minimum of 75 young people aged 12 to 18 from deprived areas of Runcorn and Widnes through the REACT course, funded by BBC Children in Need. On the course young people learn the basics of radio production and presentation, the culmination of which results in students putting together their own radio programme which is broadcast on HCR.
To find out more about the course telephone 01928 835 290

LABOUR PARTY LEADER HOPEFULS GRILLED BY REACT STUDENT FROM HALTON COMMUNITY RADIO

18 year old Mike Laughton from Halton Community Radio 92.3 spoke to two Labour Party leadership hopefuls in the space of an afternoon on Monday this week.


Andy Burnham and David Miliband took time out of their campaigns to chat to Mike about how they aim to rebuild the party should they win the top job of leader.

Mike is a graduate of the REACT course, run at the studios of Halton Community Radio in the Castlefields area of Runcorn and funded by BBC Children in Need.

Shadow Health Secretary Burnham said: 'I was delighted to be interviewed by Mike Laughton from Halton Community Radio's REACT course. He impressed me with his professionalism and hard hitting questions. Move over Jeremy Paxman! I shall follow Mike's career with interest and look forward to hearing of his progress.'

 
Shadow Foreign Secretary David Miliband commented: ‘Mike was an impressive interviewer - Jeremy Paxman should watch his back! Halton Community Radio provides an engaging platform for young people to learn about media as well as local issues and I wish the station all success in the future.
Andy Burnham was also full of praise for the REACT course, saying: 'I was very impressed to meet the team that deliver the REACT course. They are doing a really valuable job in boosting young people's confidence and self-esteem as well as giving them opportunities to develop good communication and self-organisation skills which employers value highly.’
Each year HAM provides media training for a minimum of 75 young people aged 12 to 18 from Runcorn and Widnes through the REACT course. On the course young people learn the basics of radio production and presentation, the culmination of which results in students putting together their own radio programme which is broadcast on HCR 92.3.

To find out about the course call Halton Access to Media on 01928 835 290 or email petemuldoon@haltonaccesstomedia.co.uk/cathbore@googlemail.com

Our new Patron

(L-R) Pete Muldoon REACT Project Officer at HAM; Roger Phillips HAM Patron (front row); Cath Bore
HCR Station Manager; Peter Blackmore HAM Executive Committee Member; Rob Green HAM Executive Committee Chair.

Halton Access to Media and Halton Community Radio 92.3 are proud to announce that broadcaster Roger Phillips from BBC Radio Merseyside has kindly accepted our invitation to become our Patron.

HCR 92.3FM and Halton Access to Media benefit from Arena Housing Association grant

Representatives from Arena Housing Association popped into the studios at Halton Community Radio 92.3 FM this week, to drop off a £1000 donation from its Residents Forum Grant which will help Halton Access to Media carry on its valuable work giving the local community a voice on the airwaves.

Halton Access to Media (HAM) is based in the Castlefields area of Runcorn and incorporates Halton Community Radio 92.3FM.

Each year HAM provides training for a minimum of 75 young people aged 11-18 from deprived areas of Runcorn and Widnes through the ReAct course. On the course young people learn the basics of radio production and presentation, the culmination of which results in students putting together their own radio programme which is broadcast on HCR.

Halton Community Radio has been broadcasting full time since August 2008. It provides a voice to local people of all ages, reflecting local issues.

Catherine Devin, Arena Housing's Customer Service Manager for Runcorn and Chester, said "Arena is happy to work in partnership with Halton Community Radio and provide a valuable service to young and old alike giving a voice to all of Halton. Arena look forward to working on any future projects with HCR'.

Station Manager Cath Bore and ReAct's project officer Pete Muldoon were delighted to accept the £1000 cheque from Catherine and her colleague Michael Rooney, Customer Service Manager at Arena.

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