Surrey Hills Community Radio – Winners of a King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
A popular community radio station founded in 2014, was one of the nine Surrey organisations awarded with a King’s Award for Voluntary Service late last year and on Monday evening (28th April), my wife Suzanne and I went along to see the award being presented by The Lord-Lieutenant – Mr Michael More-Molyneux to co-founder and station manager – Dave Smith at ‘The Stockroom Society’ in Leatherhead.
Following the official citation read out by Deputy Lieutenant – Neelam Devesher DL, Dave made an emotional speech acknowledging the many people who had been responsible for the station’s success –“This award is not just for the radio station – it’s for every single person who has given their time, their talent, and their voice to make Surrey Hills Community Radio what it is today. We are so grateful to all who have been part of our journey.”
There are 65 presenters currently involved and a team of dedicated people make sure everything works, is done with professionalism and care, and the station’s philosophy of ‘bringing people together through the power of local radio, community collaboration and shared stories’ is realised. Judging by the many local people who had turned up to help celebrate the award which included the vice-chairman of Mole Valley District Council – Cllr Roger Adams, and Helen McGuire MP, Surrey Hills Community Radio has become a valued asset to the County and it is great to see the efforts of so many people honoured with this award.
One of the highlights of the evening was the children of Claygate Primary School singing a couple of radio themed songs – they are one of the many schools that have benefited from the educational support the radio station provides at the studio in North street. Later someone else who had been helped along in their career through the ‘new music’ programme – Millie Jane Franks – a local singer/songwriter treated the audience to a performance too – a moving reminder of the station’s impact on local talent and creativity.
An added bonus was the choice of venue which was much bigger than the nearby studio. The Stockroom Society, situated in the Swan Shopping Centre generously offered the space so that more people would be able to celebrate – a community business itself, it was a great collaboration and their art is fabulous. Congratulations all on a great evening and for serving the music and creative community.
Find out more about Surrey Hills Community Radio, including how to listen in to its exclusively online shows a www.surreyhillsradio.co.uk
Photography by Andy Newbold
