Radio ga ga..
The happy volunteers who make waves at CamGlen
The distinctive holler of Rag N’ Bone Man is coming over the airwaves as I arrive at CamGlen Radio.
Inside the station’s premises on Farmeloan Road are a team of volunteers helping to bring pop hits, old classics and plenty of chat to the people of Rutherglen and Cambuslang seven days a week.
In one studio, presenter David Semler is preparing before going on the air for a Friday morning broadcast, while in another part of the building Springhall man David Cuthbertson and Liam Hodgins are fresh off the breakfast show stint.
Liam is one of the presenters, while David produces it, although both are involved in other work at the station as well. “I started here through another volunteer, Cameron King,” recalls David.
“We were chatting on Twitter about an unrelated matter and he said we’re setting up a radio station full- time if I was interested in getting involved. I fitted in straight away, so the first thing I worked on was a stop-smoking feature, and from there I’ve ended up producing the breakfast show and the drive-time show on Wednesday.
“I’ve done some of the news desk things too, where we take some of the Reformer’s stories and repackage them for radio, and we’re looking to expand that side of things.”
David believes that anyone interested in getting involved with the station would find a warm welcome.
“The best part of the station is the atmosphere because nobody is above helping anyone else out,” he says.
“Everyone supports everyone. If you don’t fancy being on the air then there’s things like being a broadcast assistant, where you’re coming up with ideas and doing research for the shows. It’s a good way of building up your confidence.”
Another volunteer, Alan Stevenson, agrees with that.
The Halfway man has been involved with CamGlen since 2009.
“The experience of being on the radio and helping out people means you get more confidence,” he explains.
“I play 1950s music to the sounds from the naughties on my show and I had to get some help to start with back in 2009. I was a bit nervous at first but now I’m not and it’s a good laugh.”
Unlike some of the volunteers, Liam, who comes from Glasgow to volunteer at the station, already had some radio experience when he started at CamGlen last year.
However he has found it a hugely valuable experience.
“I started off doing bits of radio elsewhere in 2010, and I was a nervous wreck then,” he laughs.
“I couldn’t talk at all. Meeting and talking to new people really helps with that a heck of a lot, and the confidence