A Colwyn Bay based radio station which has been providing health news, information and companionship to the community since the middle of April, is celebrating after receiving a grant award from the National Lottery.

Bayside Radio, set up two years ago with support of local organisations and communities in the Bay of Colwyn area, was invited by Ofcom to apply for a temporary FM radio licence to re-broadcast its online service during the lockdown period.

These broadcasts have been particularly important for local people, with little or no access to the internet, keep in touch with Coronavirus information in the immediate locality during a troubling and uncertain time.

And now as a result of all the positive feedback and letters of support, the radio service has received an extension to its radio service assisted by funding from the National Lottery’s Awards for All Community Fund.

Jeff Pearson, Chairman and Director of Communities explains: “We are very humbled to have received such an excellent response since we began broadcasting on the radio.

“Our volunteers have been incredibly proud to be part of a project which has not only informed and entertained local people, but has also provided a way for many charitable and voluntary groups get word out about the support and help offered during the crisis. “

“We are now looking to build on this success by working with our communities to identify and deliver content which highlights and addresses local issues in the weeks to come.

“Thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players, we will continue to provide an outlet supporting local groups and delivering social action programming on mental health, employment and the recovery work aided by the local voluntary sector.

“Should the worst happen and another wave of the virus force us into lockdown during the next few months, we will be on hand to respond and provide our community with up-to-date assistance and help.”

Bayside Radio is part of Coast Community Radio and Media CIC, a not-for-profit group set up with the objective of establishing a full-time community radio station and supporting communities in the Bay of Colwyn.

Simon Wynne, Operations and Content Director said: “We are appealing to Ofcom to advertise an FM licence for a full-time station serving our area.

“We hope over time they will consider this possibility especially in light of what has been achieved and the overwhelming response from local people. We know that our area will have a number of challenges to overcome as a result of COVID-19 and as such, the needs of helping our community should come first.”

Bayside is indebted to the many local volunteers who provide 60 hours of radio programmes, news, podcasts and online content each week.

Supporters and funders include the National Lottery, Gwynt-y-Mor Community Fund, CVSC, Coleg Llandrillo, Imagine Colwyn Bay, Glyn Ward Invest Local and the Bay of Colwyn Town Council.

The radio station can be heard on 87.7FM and online and www.baysideradio.co.uk