Growing figures for Harrogate Community Radio during lockdown as station celebrates first birthday

A group of three Harrogate friends who set up a radio station for Harrogate "by the community, for the community" are set to celebrate its first birthday with figures showing its incredible growth during lockdown.
Harrogate Community Radio.Harrogate Community Radio.
Harrogate Community Radio.

The trio of Andrew Backhouse, Stewart Thornton and Allan Smyth first launched Harrogate Community Radio online with a 'no advert' philosophy at midnight on Yorkshire Day 2019.

Since then this labour of love has not only grown its number of regular broadcasts, the latest figures show a dramatic rise in listeners, too, during lockdown.

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The small but idealistic team are delighted that Harrogate Community Radio has been averaging a growth rate of 20% increase in 'listener minutes' every calendar month, throughout 2020.

Harrogate Community Radio's co-founders Stewart Thornton, Andrew Backhouse and Allan Smyth.Harrogate Community Radio's co-founders Stewart Thornton, Andrew Backhouse and Allan Smyth.
Harrogate Community Radio's co-founders Stewart Thornton, Andrew Backhouse and Allan Smyth.

But they say they remain now what they were when they first broadcast on August 1 last year - "the sum of our parts - which is the local community."

Co-founder Allan Smyth Allan said: "It's great to know that we have thousands of listeners. All our producers have worked so hard to make this happen.

"We wanted to be a community station which would inspire, as well as entertain.

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"We aim to give the people who don't have a voice a platform to broadcast on and to be heard.

"We are grateful to both our listeners and producers for their support."

Co-founder Andrew Backhouse said the idea for a new Harrogate radio station had started off simply as a way of getting their own podcasts on air and create a platform for others to do the same.

He said: "As a group of friends who were already broadcasting on other Networks we wanted a space to publish our own Podcasts in Harrogate, and to offer this service to anyone else who would want to contribute.

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"We will never be a commercial station, in that we are, and always will be, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to broadcasting community relevant information and programming. We are radio by the community, for the community."

From a modest start, this not-for-profit set-up was wracking up 36,765 listener minutes per month by Christmas last year.

Although it declines all advertising, the station's growing professionalism also means it is now an accredited member of the Community Media Association and the Radio Academy.

The team has always been keen to make the stream available on as many platforms as possible; as a result Harrogate Community Radio can be received on anything with an internet connection.

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Although, the station still plays older shows and syndicated shows when there is a gap in the programmed schedule, it now has a growing number of weekly and monthly broadcasts and run a comprehensive 'listen again' feature.

Among the regular shows which are building a following are:

Four On The Floor: broadcasting every Saturday night at 8pm, DJ, Craig J's dance show is guaranteed to get you ready for a night on the town.

The Jazz Show: Andrew Backhouse plays everything from Bebop to Spiritual through Cosmic to Free Jazz, as well as jazz standards and new releases every second Sunday of the month at 4pm.

Open Aspect: Hosted by Karen Thornton, on the first Sunday of the month at 11am Open Aspect hears the stories of people of all backgrounds, their perspectives and their passions.

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The Harrogate Food Show: The Harrogate Food Show is presented by chef Ben Wright, from a top local restaurant on Sundays at 6pm.

The Sound of Wonder: An eclectic World music show hosted by DJ Scooby every Sunday at 7pm.

The Twelve Months Of Rory Hoy: Award-winning 'Big Beats' DJ Rory Hoy has a national reputation and plays House, Funk, Hip-Hop, Big Beat, Breaks, Chillout and much more every second Saturday of the month at 9pm.

Despite growing success as life has turned to the digital world during the Covid-19 pandemic, HCR has not forgotten its roots or what its overwhelming purpose is.

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Co-founder Stewart Thornton said: "Our broadcasts are all about passion, not perfection. We are the sum of our parts - which is the local community.

"We would ask anyone who think they can add something to what we already broadcast to get in touch with us. A gap in the schedule will be found for you."

"We are open and transparent with all we do because we see our platform as a community asset and a tool of inclusion."

As a truly community venture, HCR survives purely on good will and donations.

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Allan Smyth said: "As a not-for-profit radio station, we rely on financial contributions to keep the broadcast on air.

"People can chip in for as little as the price of a cup of coffee on the home page of our website.

"All donations are gratefully received and will go towards licenses and web services."

Anyone interested in listening to Harrogate Community Radio or making a donation can catch up with station news and events on their website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, as well as sign up for a monthly newsletter.

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Just search 'Harrogate Community Radio' in your preferred social media or visit www.harrogatecommunityradio.online

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