Artisan Intermedia Ltd set in drive to launch community radio station The Tower for the New Forest and Christchurch

Donations and grants are being sought in a bid to “restore truly local radio” covering the New Forest and Christchurch.

Social enterprise Artisan Intermedia Ltd, headed up by technical director and experienced broadcaster Catie Lake, plans to launch new community radio station The Tower in November.

Set to become a community interest company, it wants to cater for people young and old while showcasing local musical talent.

Named after two of the area’s iconic landmarks, New Milton’s water tower and Sway’s Peterson’s Folly, the station is expected to cost around £5,000 in its first year.

Catie has gathered a steering group to secure seed funding, with grants being applied for where possible and an online page set up to collect donations.

Partnerships are planned with the local business community, GoNewForest and other regional initiatives, with founding sponsor packages to put local brands on launch publicity and marketing.

"We’re working hard, pulling everything together for an early November launch,” Catie told the A&T.

“We are encouraging the community to get behind this project as we have been told many a time that they are crying out for a truly local radio station with the recent loss of BBC evening programming and local commercial services to national brands.

“We aim to restore community media and a dedicated local service serving Christchurch and the New Forest."

Work towards the launch includes securing a local small office/studio space for the new organisation’s headquarters.

In-person training/production support will be provided to its team of volunteers.

A flagship podcast, 'The View', was set to first launch this month.

Artisan is in talks with New Milton Youth Trust and local carers with the aim of producing dedicated programming for those audiences.

It is hoped the station will particularly support songwriting from local musicians and bands.

There are also plans to collaborate with Christchurch’s Lighthouse Community Studio to broadcast a monthly ‘live lounge’ show.

The Tower will be a digital-only station, initially via web-streaming, but DAB service may be added once an audience and support base is built up.

A central cloud server will allow it to connect and record remotely from any location with access to the internet, as well as relay shows and content from other providers and sources.

Catie brings considerable experience to The Tower, having started aged 16 in hospital radio in the West Midlands.

Over the years she has worked with Radio Cracker and other short-term ‘RSL’ stations across Norfolk, Dorset and Hampshire.

She has also been a freelance broadcast engineer for community radio stations and facilitated the launch of three online stations.

Artisan Intermedia and The Tower provide flexible involvement and support for those living with mental health challenges, neurodiversity, chronic illness or disability.

"I had a breakdown in 2012, which put me completely out of action for six months, and two health scares that turned out to be symptoms of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis, which I was diagnosed as having in 2017,” Catie explained.

“I have had to learn to live with a range of health conditions over the years but I have not let them stop me from pushing on and achieving great things – supported by a circle of fantastic friends and associates.

"I now tick so many boxes on the equality, diversity and inclusion forms that I have stopped counting.

“It certainly does, however, enable me to interview guests with some understanding from personal experience."

Donate towards the station’s launch at crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-tower-media

For more information, visit thetower.radio