Get to know...Chelmsford Community Radio

A spotlight on a volunteer-run radio station in a city with links to radio history

As you drive into Chelmsford in Essex, you’re greeted by a sign informing you you’re entering the birthplace of radio. It was from Marconi’s New Street Works factory in the city that the first entertainment radio broadcasts in the UK were transmitted in 1920, with the Marconi Company licenced to broadcast radio shows as 2MT from 14 February 1922 — which led to the formation of the BBC later that year.

It’s a slice of history with which Chelmsford Community Radio (CCR) is closely linked — when the station was set up in 2013, Marconi’s daughter Princess Elettra became its patron, and this year on 14 February it broadcast live from the Writtle Hut where the 2MT shows began exactly 100 years previously.

Based at Moulsham Mill in the centre of the city, the station runs a small studio suite with a team of approximately 50 presenters. The oldest is 80 and takes part in the monthly round-up of local Rotary clubs’ activities, while the youngest is 14-year-old Daisy Barker (above, top right) who won bronze in the young presenter category at the 2022 Community Radio Awards. She says, “I love being part of CCR, because it connects me with the community and it helps me gain confidence. I also love it as I get to choose my content!”

Presenters who started their radio careers at the station include Jake Peach of BBC Introducing in Essex, BBC Radio Essex early weekend breakfast presenter Lauren Underwood and her colleague, afternoon presenter Jack Burke, who says, “Giving young people a platform to be creative is amazing! CCR really offer the freedom to explore who you are within radio.”

Naturally, there are strong links with the local community. The station hosts a regular Guiding show called “Gene Radio”(Guiding Essex North East — above, top left) and the

Scouts have joined in, too. There is also a Radio Club at Baddow Hall Junior School (left, bottom), a new project with the Local Cultural Education Partnership Incubator Scheme, where Year 5 pupils can have a go at creating different kinds of audio content.

Station volunteer director Matthew Eaves says, “The station was built on the values of inclusion and kindness; we welcome people of all ages and abilities...to learn radio skills, develop and experiment with creative skills, add value to the local community by raising awareness, and doing outreach work with small community groups and local businesses. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved together in nine years.”

You can tune into Chemsford Community Radio on 104.4 FM in the local area, or stream online at mixcloud.com/ chelmsfordcr/stream/