BUDDING broadcasters have been urged to get involved in a new community radio station.

Two Valleys Radio has been holding training sessions over half-term week.

The station aims to cover life in the Colne and Holme valleys.

Two Valleys Radio held free training sessions in Slaithwaite, Marsden and Honley this week.

Linda Strudwick, who is developing the community station, said: “We want to develop in both valleys and get a core group to drive this forward.”

Linda hopes to organise monthly broadcasts covering life in the valleys. She said: “There were some good ideas to come out of the sessions, like showcasing local arts and voluntary groups and dealing with issues that affect the community such as antisocial behaviour.”

Two Valleys Radio was set up by Heads Together, a community arts group based in Huddersfield Media Centre.

The station “aired” for the first time at Slaithwaite Moonraking Festival in February.

Linda said: “We parked our 1970s caravan on the street and broadcast out of there. It went really well and there was a lot of interest from people in Slaithwaite and Marsden.

“We covered the events in the week leading up to the festival including the lantern-making at The Watershed. There were lots of volunteers asking to do more.”

In October the station had its second outing covering the Marsden Jazz Festival.

Linda said: “We had a week of activities and broadcast on the Friday and Saturday night. We interviewed lots of the artists taking part, including Georgie Fame.

“We also gave people a little bit of training and sent them out with digital recorders to interview people.”

Two Valleys has just won £25,000 of funding and hopes to expand its activities.

Linda said: “Hopefully our volunteers will decide what programmes they would like to do and then broadcast once a month.

“We’re also looking to set up an office, possibly in a disused village shop. We haven’t decided where yet, but Meltham would be a good location as it’s in between the two valleys.”

For more information visit www.twovalleysradio.co.uk