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By Grant Woodward. Published on Friday 9 December 2011 06:00
Every community needs a voice – and Bramley has one in Radio Poplar, which broadcasts seven days a week thanks to a band of enthusiastic volunteers.
Originally launched in 1985 as a hospital radio station for patients at St Mary’s in Armley (where the facilities were all named after trees), it is now firmly at home in Bramley.
“It was founded by Stephen Smith, who is still one of our trustees,” explains presenter Bill Rowe in his cosy studio, which is housed in a former Sunday School turned church centre next to Bramley Baptist Church on Hough Lane.
“But when the hospital switched to day care there was no one to really broadcast to. We then had the idea of broadcasting over the internet to reach as many people as we could.”
Armed with a funding grant, plus technical know-how from IT buff Nick Lock who Bill met when he came to repair his computer, the station went live at www.radiopoplar.co.uk.
It boasts a wide range of programming to suit just about every musical taste including pop, rock, jazz, country, oldies and Christian music as well as a sprinkling of comedy and drama shows.
The station tots up over 20 hours of live broadcasting every week – from 7-9pm Monday to Friday, 10am-2pm on Fridays and 9.30am-4.30pm on Sundays.
“We’ve had a big hit with a new programme called Almost Famous which is run by our presenters Jon and Chris,” says Bill, who lives in Bramley.
“They wanted to give new Leeds bands the chance to broadcast live acoustic sets. It started in May and within two months it was solidly booked until November with bands who wanted to come on.”
Other new shows are scheduled for the new year – including one that will allow local people with learning difficulties to get on the airwaves thanks to funding from Greggs.
“I think it’s important to help these people get back into society,” says Bill, 69, who formerly worked for a stationery firm.
“If you have mental health difficulties and hear someone who has them doing something like this then it encourages you to take that step.”
The inspiration for another programme came from an unusual source – Bill’s mother-in-law.
“She’s 93 and still has all her faculties but I thought how could we help people like her to keep active.
“We came up with the idea for Armchair Aerobics, which has never been done on radio before and Healthy Living in Armley are providing a qualified instructor to lead it.
“Everyone with a computer can join in so we hope it will cross the age boundaries and grandparents will be there doing it with their grandchildren.”
As a charity, the station has to find £6,000 a year. It is also on the look-out for presenters with a view to increasing its live output. “We’re all men at the moment,” said Bill. “We could do with getting some women on to the airwaves.”