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9 May 2011 10:01:21
Radio LaB 97.1fm, the University of Bedfordshire’s on-site community radio station, had national coverage when it was featured as the Student Station of the Week on BBC 6Music. Presenter Steve Lamacq interviewed one of Radio LaB’s station managers, Laura Heaney, live over the phone and then played a specially made trailer for the University’s station.
Laura was extremely composed during the interview, which was broadcast on April 29 and talked about how Radio LaB is run by the students and its status as a community radio station.
“I was completely shocked when I got the phone call from BBC 6Music asking if Radio LaB could be featured – it’s my favourite radio station!” said Laura.
“I was very nervous but also excited when I was interviewed live and keen to make a good impression as I was representing the Radio LaB and the University.”
Another station manager, Simon Catt, put together the 90-second trailer for the Steve Lamacq show – which took him two days to produce.
Radio LaB 97.1fm is based at the Luton campus and is run by five student managers with Principal Lecturer Dr Janey Gordon acting as the project leader. It is staffed mainly by students from the University with additional help from community volunteers.
“As a community radio station we offer students and members of the local community the opportunity to get on air . We welcome and want members of the community to come in and contribute,” explained Laura.
“We want local people to use it as a platform to air their own work whether this is poetry, drama or comedy. We also want to promote local bands and musicians, so please get in touch.”
Radio LaB 97.1 began broadcasting full time in April 2010, on 97.1fm, overseen by an initial management team who then all graduated over the summer. It has not been off the air since thanks to its new automation system for nights and holiday periods.
A new group of final year students – Conor Hughes, Laura Heaney, Nish Solanki, Simon Catt and Rob Geary – took charge in September and have been running the station as their final project.
New studios are being built in Vicarage Street over the summer, ready for September, which will make it easier for local people to pop in and get involved.
Project leader Janey added: “The whole team did brilliantly – I’m so proud of them. Laura was very personable on air and summed up the essence of Radio LaB on national radio.”
Find out more about Radio LaB online at www.beds.ac.uk/radiolab, and get involved by calling the station on 01582 703020 or emailing radiolab@beds.ac.uk.
Latest news» 2011» May» Radio LaB 97.1 is BBC's Student Station of the Week
