Roddy Jenkins

I knew from an early age (think I was about 4 or 5) that I wanted to work in broadcasting, and so set about ensuring that my education helped me in this respect.
My first foray into radio (aside from work experience at BBC Radio Bristol and Orchard FM in 1990) was when I became involved in a community radio station in South Yorkshire, whilst undertaking my media degree. After what felt like a nerve racking interview process, I was surprised to lean that I was now part of YMCA Radio Barnsley (still going strong, I believe) and was given the role of producer of “The Afternoon Zone”, during our first Restricted Service Licence (RSL) in November 1995; ironically, due to my studies, I was only ever in the studio one day a week…

The RSL was a great success, and an application was made for another RSL in June 1996. This time, all members were required to undergo basic studio training, and so I learned the basic controls of the desk; how to peak speech at 6 and music at 5 on the levels; how to play out jingles and adverts on the minidisc player; the required distance from the microphone so as to avoid peaking. For the second RSL, I moved to the weekday breakfast show “Wake Up Barnsley”, and had my own newspaper slots – three per show – in which I selected humorous stories from the tabloid papers, and read them out on air, having rewritten them beforehand.In addition, I was also heavily involved in the weekly outside broadcasts from the local McDonald’s restaurant, which took place on Saturday afternoons. I had well and truly caught the radio bug!

I took part in a third RSL that November, during much the same thing, before leaving to concentrate on the finals of my degree course. After that, radio was put more or less on the back burner until 2010, when a family friend suggested that I get involved in hospital radio in Weston-super-Mare. I subsequently joined Sunshine Hospital Radio (Rich Pickins we need you!!!) Then in 2011, I became aware of Bradley Stoke Radio. Initially this was through Steve Seaton. A group of us visually impaired, would meet up in Bristol. Steve mentioned BSR to me. I have to confess I was a little doubtful at first…I didn’t live in Bradley Stoke, and I would be reliant on public transport. Also, could I commit myself? (I was about to undertake a 630 mile charity walk in May) Out of curiosity, I found myself attending a meeting in the Willow Brook Centre, and subsequently signing up to become a member. It was whilst I was on my walk, that I learned I was to get the weekday 11 to 1 slot. Cue quiet panic. I was miles away (in Cornwall, I think) and as such had nothing planned, and no material prepared for Bradley Stoke Radio’s upcoming RSL.  Eek!

The nice thing, I think, about Bradley Stoke Radio is the wonderful friends I have had the pleasure of making. We are happy, and indeed proud, to serve the good folk of Bradley Stoke by providing a radio station specially for them, and I would like to think that BSR has cemented itself well into the local community. But don’t just take my word for it. Why not come and join your favourite community radio station, and find out for yourself? Details of how to get involved are here on the website. Come on, you won’t regret it!