We couldn’t stay on air full time from the beginning, instead we were granted a Restricted Service Licence (RSL) for a four week period. Even this took a lot of planning and needed a great deal of support through advertising and sponsorship from local businesses and organisations.
We are always a part of the annual Uckfield Carnival procession on the first Saturday of each September. During the Carnival in 2004, Eugene Sully (runner up in Big Brother that year) joined us on the Uckfield FM float, to the delight of the crowds gathered in the High Street.
The 28 day broadcast in 2006 was to be our last from The Picture House. The business that kindly lent us space for four weeks of the year was expanding and required the area for their own needs all year round. Also, as Uckfield FM was becoming an anticipated entry in the community’s calendar, we needed a more permanent home.
Before our Summer 2007 broadcast, it became necessary for a limited company to be formed. Original founders Mike and Gary became the Directors of Uckfield Community Radio Limited. In more recent times, Mike Ziolek has joined the board as Managing Director, Ian Rennison is now our IT Director and Phil Moon looks after the finance side of things.
When a devastating fire ripped through shops and business in the High Street in September 2012 we reported regular updates on air and online.
In 2013, we celebrated our 10th anniversary and both members of our team and colleagues from local businesses celebrated in September at East Sussex National Resort.
As part of our initial application for a community radio licence, Uckfield Community Radio Limited provided the following Key Commitments:
Uckfield FM will provide a community radio station for the people of Uckfield and the surrounding villages and will serve as a voice for the local community.
Community Radio Order 2004: “It is a characteristic of community radio services that they are local services provided primarily (a) for the good of members of the public, or of particular communities, and (b) in order to deliver social gain, rather than primarily for commercial reasons or for the financial or other material gain of the individuals involved in providing the service.”
Uckfield FM will provide a local service and broadcast features promoting life in the target community.
Uckfield FM will offer an induction and training to around four new members each month. This training will be carried out on an individual basis and focussed on specific areas of expertise. The radio presentation skills training will be to provide the necessary skills needed to present programmes and conduct interviews.
The station will help to raise the profile of small local businesses and encourage listeners to shop locally in order to increase prosperity in the local area.
Due to our firm placement within the community we serve, you know that your ad will be heard by your target audience: people in this community!
Our radio advertising and sponsorship opportunities can be tailored to suit your budget, and we will work with you throughout the entire production process.
All businesses and organisations that advertise are listed within our
To discuss further, and to request a copy of our media pack call Gary King, Business Development Manager on 01825 890 150, Email
We receive a number of requests for feedback which we try to provide but please remember we receive lots of submissions each week.