Whitstable Bay Radio – Putting the community back into community radio!

We’re blessed with plenty here in wonderful Whitstable, pebble beaches, independent shops, street art, great pubs, all the oysters you could wish for, groups and centres that cater for all the community.

One thing we’ve been missing for quite some time now is a radio station to call our own, however, that all changed on November 22nd when Whitstable Bay Radio launched. CommunityAd had the pleasure of a chat with the young station manager Jordan Foad, who is mature beyond his years juggling the responsibilities of launching and running a radio station with revision for his GCSE’s. It’s fair to say the fifteen-year-old is thriving.

So, Jordan, you must be pretty excited about the launch of Whitstable Bay Radio? How did you come to be the radio manager?

I am very excited and I guess, in a way, proud – I mean, I never thought at this early stage of my radio career, and at just 15, I would actually end up being not only a station manager but the catalyst to starting one in Whitstable. I thought of bringing a community radio station back to this amazing town only really 6 or 7 months ago and now it has become a reality. It really shows what happens when a community comes together. I couldn’t have done it without their support.  I came to be station manager as it was my idea to bring a new community radio station to Whitstable after the collapse of the town’s most famous, and still talked about, station Red Sands Radio.

Why is it so important that a thriving community such as Whitstable has its own radio station?

Communities are made up of incredible human beings and radio brings the opportunity to everyone to have a voice. Whitstable is such an amazing community with interesting people, independent businesses and local fishermen, and I want all of us to work together to make our community radio something really special. It connects people of all ages from all backgrounds.

What can our readers expect from the radio station?

Well, where do I begin? Throughout this year, they should expect to hear new voices, new shows and a very different output to what you hear on other stations, covering a much wider variety of music genres. We want to give local people a voice and showcase their knowledge, interests, music and local sport and even live broadcasts from local events from sports to music. If you have an exciting idea for a programme or would like to get involved do contact us.

How long have you been working in radio? What do you enjoy most about presenting?

I have been in radio for almost 2 years and I have loved every moment of it. And the thing I enjoy most about presenting is being able to share my views and opinions with others, interact with the public and play songs that I like and that they would like to listen to and generally share my love for music and radio to everyone around me. 

How would you describe your presenting style?

Very good question, one I can’t really answer but if I was to say one word about it, it would be different.

Do you have a favourite DJ/presenter, if so, why?

I can’t pick one presenter but I can say that DJ wise would have to be Calvin Harris as he always takes the songs he produces to that next level and makes them exceptional.

Will there be an emphasis on local talent at the radio station?

Yes! Whitstable has so much local talent – we are spoilt! We have a wide range of presenters joining us and in training and still got loads more waiting from under 16 year olds to ages of over 65+, all covering a different genre of music and information.

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