Sep 6th 2006 - Residents' chance to fill the airwaves (East Grinstead Observer)

By Mark Davison

PEOPLE who want to become involved with East Grinstead's new radio station, which will be on air for a month in November, are invited to a meeting next Monday.

Meridian FM wants anyone who feels like trying their hand at presenting a programme or producing it to go along to East Grinstead Town Football Club at 7.30pm.

Potential sponsors or volunteers are also urged to attend. Supported by colleagues from Radio Uckfield, the presentation is for people who have an interest in the community station, which has been granted a temporary licence to broadcast from a studio at East Court, East Grinstead.

The station's team, including managing director Lee Quinn, will also be assessing the feedback from forms handed out around the town asking people for their views on what format the station should adopt.

So far, more than 200 people have filled in the questionnaire. There are six places around the town from which the forms can still be obtained. Mr Quinn said that there had been a good response to the radio project.

The aim is to eventually get permission to broadcast permanently. The team also includes Sue Hull as company secretary, Neil Shoubridge, of the Jingles record store in East Grinstead as head of music, and Charlotte Quinn as personnel adviser.

Mr Quinn has been a DJ for 24 years and is heavily involved in East Grinstead life as a businessman.

He has been working with the town's football club commercially since November and has been involved with the new museum in town.