Happy birthday Cotswolds Radio!
A community radio station comes together to celebrate a milestone
From a small cellar to studio, a community radio station based in the beautiful Cotswold countryside has grown a lot in the space of five years.
2025 is a milestone year for Cotswolds Radio, a fifth year anniversary to mark a venture which started during the pandemic. As the emergence of lockdowns became an uncertain new normal for all our lives, it was the 27th March 2020 when Richard and Keith Blundell created Radio Northleach after previously getting involved with Radio Winchcombe.
An aim to keep residents and the wider community updated on what was happening around them is exactly why Richard and his dad Keith decided to bring the sound of light entertainment, upbeat tunes and positivity to people’s ears - something we all needed at the time.
A worrying and isolating time for many people, even today the radio talk shows, the music and outside broadcasts - Cotswolds Radio still attracts listeners not just from communities such as Bourton-on-the-Water or Cirencester but also across the globe. Not-for-profit, run entirely by volunteers, the only way it survives is through crucial fundraising and sponsorships.
45 regular presenters and counting, to mark this birthday, winner of Radio Broadcaster 2024 at the South West Community Engagement Excellence Award, North Cotswolds Awards winner for the Best Community Organisation in 2024 - Richard describes what the radio station has achieved from his cellar to their now Old Prison studio as “incredible.”
Because the pandemic hit hard and nobody really knew what on earth was going on it was at this point when Richard thought Northleach could do with its own radio station. “I did have creating a studio for the community in my mind all the time, so I shared on Facebook the first broadcast and it got bigger and bigger,” Richard said.
Doing quizzes, breakfast shows, getting the local GP on air to give updates on the virus, the county councillor too on any information, and even taking part in wine tasting on a show - “keeping people’s spirits up bit by bit gave people something positive.”
Keith himself had experience in Hospital Radio, an enjoyment of live broadcasting was fully operational, it all made perfect sense to bring something new and unique to the community. A historic market town, a strategic part of the world for the wool trade as evidenced by the radio station’s sheep logo with headphones - you may also know that the BBC Three series This Country was filmed in Northleach.
“Five years has felt an awfully long time ago, Richard said. Radio remains unbelievably powerful and I’ve had so many people who’ve told me our broadcasts kept them going. We’ve had a far more profound effect than I could have ever imagined. It was tough at times when we had to sadly tell what was happening in the world with Covid, but it has allowed people to find a voice.”
Fundraising in support of community charities such as Kate’s Nursing Home, Sunflowers Suicide Support and Headspace, Cotswolds Radio have even formed connections with schools such as Northleach Primary School and The Cotswold School, a chance for young people to get involved with finding their voice. In fact the Bourton-based secondary school even has an in-school Radio Broadcasting Club. Thanks to a grant awarded to Cotswolds Radio from the MidCounties Co-operative Community Support Fund, the collaborative project even broadcasts shows, presented by students, directly from a dedicated satellite studio.
Annabelle Belcher, Operations Director, describes the journey so far as very “exciting and from day one the community have come together to celebrate our journey. Covid was an unknown and getting involved at the time was good for my mental health and I think so many in Northleach too. I have never looked back and I’ve embraced being part of a team.”
Shows such as Cotswolds Women (which Annabelle presents), the 80s, the Saturday Sports Desk and many more - “getting into the studio behind a microphone is an adrenaline rush, Annabelle adds. Our outside broadcasts bring radio to our communities where we meet so many people. The relationships we’ve built with guests has meant many have contacted to say they want to get involved and radio is very powerful. It can get lost due to technology but radio can reach and help you.”
A lifeline to many in the Cotswolds, a powerful form of broadcasting which needs to be shouted about from the rooftops, what do other presenters involved in the radio station make of being part of a thriving broadcast community?
Warren Turner is landlord of the Horse and Groom in Upper Oddington. Only joining recently to present Drivetime on Wednesdays, “radio captures the imagination, I love my music and I wanted to trying something new, Warren said. So many of my new fellow presenters are impressive and professional where we’re all volunteering our time. It does take a lot of hard work and in the five years, Cotswolds Radio is capturing the identity of its community.”
“Some of the locals in the pub even asked me once, how can we listen to you? Warren adds. It’s amazing how the word gets out to people who are really interested and changing the name to Cotswolds Radio I think has been a massive success. Expanding to reach certain communities whether it’s Moreton, Stow or Upper Oddington, this is what gives the station a beating heart.”
Sian James as Committee Member, in charge of branding and co-host of the Culture Club show said: “The opportunity to meet so many people who are creatives in this part of the world remains a privilege. Richard has hit home the vital hyperlocal information we needed at the time of Covid and for all of us we get a lot out of broadcasting. I think so many of us were terrified of microphones but now we’re really enjoying not just presenting but also producing shows.
“What has been really noticeable with getting students involved is a real jump in their own confidence, Sian adds. I don’t think any of us thought we’d make five years but right now Cotswolds Radio has a real buzz of energy where we’re growing and growing.”
Involved as Director and Technical as well as presenting his own Indie Show, Colin Holmes said: “We’re definitely not all radio geeks, which means we’re all quite earthy broadcasters. The fifth birthday is great to mark where we’ve come from and how much has changed. Cotswolds Radio is part of the Cotswold community and I think radio can be easy to dismiss as it keeps people interested and you can underestimate radio at your peril.”
Richard Hamer also a Committee Member and long standing Breakfast Show presenter alongside his wife Maureen, said: “It is quite a recognition to start in a cellar and now expand into a station bringing in new presenters. We get regular listeners and there’s a lot of satisfaction when someone messages in to say they are enjoying the show. You get to know your radio presenter as you listen and certainly during lockdown it gave a lot of friendship to many people who were going through a difficult period.”
Richard and Maureen only just moved to Northleach a couple of months before lockdown so getting to know individuals in the community actually started by hearing voices on the airwaves!
“After lockdown eased when we could see more people, it was very strange to see someone who I’d recognise from their voice, Richard adds. The breakfast show does focus the mind and we tend not to focus too much on the news. Keeping shows light-hearted is key too and being on air is part of the fun of radio.”
Each person interviewed for this piece has a love of the Cotswolds. The beautiful countryside, the people, the wide range of cultural events and reaching as many audiences no matter who they are.
For Richard Blundell as founder alongside Keith half a decade ago now, the final word goes to him.
What does the future hold?
“I’d love to find even more DJs, get more young people involved on the airwaves and make Cotswolds Radio grow further, Richard said. The station started in challenging times, it’s still broadcasting in challenging times and I’m so grateful to the community in Northleach and beyond who have been so supportive.”
